Best Streaming for Live TV in 2024

Streaming live TV has become a popular way to watch television programs without the need for a cable subscription. With so many streaming services available, it can be challenging to decide which one is the best for live TV. In this article, we will explore the different streaming services available and help you find the best one to suit your needs.

When it comes to choosing the best streaming service for live TV, there are several factors to consider. The first thing to consider is the number of channels available. Some services offer a vast selection of channels, while others offer a more limited selection. Another factor to consider is the price of the service. Some services can be expensive, while others are more affordable.

The quality of the stream is also an essential factor to consider when choosing a streaming service. A high-quality stream will ensure that you can watch your favorite programs without any interruptions or buffering. Finally, it is essential to consider the availability of the service. Not all services are available in every region, so it’s important to check if the service is available in your area.

After researching and testing various streaming services, we have identified the top contenders for the best streaming service for live TV. In the next section, we will explore each of these services in more detail to help you make an informed decision.

Best Streaming Devices for Live TV

We understand the importance of having access to live TV, whether it’s to catch up on the latest news or to watch your favorite sports team in action. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best streaming devices for live TV. These devices offer a range of features and capabilities, from access to popular streaming services to DVR functionality and more. So, whether you’re a cord-cutter or just looking to supplement your cable or satellite subscription, we’ve got you covered. Check out our top picks below.

All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device

If you’re looking for a streaming device that offers an excellent streaming experience, the All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is an excellent choice.

Pros

• Improved streaming performance with advanced 4K streaming
• Cinematic experience with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 , and immersive Dolby Atmos audio
• Access to more than 1.5 million movies and TV episodes, including free streaming apps

Cons

• Subscription fees may apply for some streaming services
• Some users may find the remote redesign not to their liking
• HDMI 2.1 output with ARC input support

We recently purchased the All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, and we were impressed with its advanced 4K streaming performance. The device offers smooth streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 support.

The cinematic experience is exceptional, with vibrant 4K Ultra HD support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 , and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. We enjoyed streaming our favorite movies and TV shows from popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney , Max, and more.

The All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K also offers access to more than 300,000 free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Amazon Freevee, Tubi, and Pluto TV. We were also thrilled to receive a 6-month subscription to MGM with our Fire TV purchase, including access to thousands of Hollywood movies and original series.

The Alexa Voice Remote is a handy feature that allows us to quickly find, launch, and control content with our voice. We can get to our favorite apps with preset buttons, and control TV power and volume with one remote. We also appreciate that we can control compatible devices like cameras, lights, and more with our remote. We can press and ask Alexa to check the weather or dim the lights.

Overall, we highly recommend the All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device for anyone looking for an excellent streaming experience.

Roku Express 4K | Roku Streaming Device 4K/HDR, Roku Voice Remote, Free -amp; Live TV

If you’re looking for a streaming device that offers brilliant 4K picture quality and seamless streaming, the Roku Express 4K is definitely worth considering.

Pros

• The Roku Express 4K offers excellent picture quality, with sharp resolution and vivid color optimized for your TV.
• The device provides a smooth streaming experience with faster wireless performance, even with multiple streaming devices connected to your network.
• The Roku Voice Remote allows you to control your streaming with voice commands, including quickly searching for content, turning captions on, and more.

Cons

• The device may occasionally buffer, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to watch your favorite show or movie.
• Some users have reported issues with the remote, including difficulty connecting to the device or unresponsiveness.
• The device may not be compatible with all TVs, so be sure to check before purchasing.

In our experience, the Roku Express 4K is a great streaming device that offers a lot of value for its price. The picture quality is excellent, and the device is easy to set up and use. We appreciate the ability to control the device with our voice, and the customizable home screen is a nice touch. However, the occasional buffering and remote issues can be frustrating at times. Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable streaming device with excellent picture quality and a lot of features, the Roku Express 4K is definitely worth considering.

Roku Express | HD Roku Streaming Device with Standard Remote (no TV controls), Free -amp; Live TV

If you’re looking for an affordable streaming device that offers a seamless HD streaming experience and a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV channels, the Roku Express is a great option.

Pros

• The setup process is quick and easy, and you don’t need a power adapter to get started. Just plug the device into your TV and connect to the internet.
• The customizable home screen allows you to easily access your favorite channels like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV .
• The included remote has only the buttons you need to stream, and it even has shortcuts to popular channels.

Cons

• The remote doesn’t have TV controls, so you’ll need to use a separate remote to adjust the volume or turn your TV on and off.
• The device doesn’t support 4K streaming, so if you have a 4K TV, you may want to consider a different device.
• Some users have reported issues with the device overheating, so make sure to keep it in a well-ventilated area.

We recently tried out the Roku Express and were impressed with how easy it was to set up and use. The device is compact and lightweight, and the included remote is simple and intuitive. We also appreciated the customizable home screen, which allowed us to easily access our favorite channels without having to scroll through a long list.

One thing to keep in mind is that the remote doesn’t have TV controls, so you’ll need to use a separate remote to adjust the volume or turn your TV on and off. Additionally, the device doesn’t support 4K streaming, so if you have a 4K TV, you may want to consider a different device.

Overall, we think the Roku Express is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable streaming device that offers a seamless streaming experience and a wide selection of channels. Just make sure to keep it in a well-ventilated area to avoid any overheating issues.

TiVo Stream 4K – Every Streaming App and Live TV on One Screen – 4K UHD, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos Sound – Powered by Android TV – Plug-In Smart TV, One size

If you’re looking for a streaming device that can do it all, TiVo Stream 4K might be the perfect fit for you.

Pros

• No More App-Switching: With TiVo Stream 4K, you don’t have to learn how to navigate a new screen with every app. It enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps.
• Recommendations Across All of Your Apps: TiVo recommends your next favorite shows and movies based on what you love, not where they live.
• Say it and Watch it: The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated Google Assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.

Cons

• Limited Storage: TiVo Stream 4K doesn’t have any built-in storage, so you’ll need to rely on cloud storage and streaming to watch your favorite shows and movies.
• Requires a Good Wi-Fi Connection: To get the most out of TiVo Stream 4K, you’ll need a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection.
• Slightly Expensive: TiVo Stream 4K is a bit more expensive than some other streaming devices on the market.

TiVo Stream 4K is a great streaming device that offers a lot of features and capabilities. It’s easy to use, has a great interface, and offers a lot of customization options. The voice control feature is particularly useful, and the recommendations across all apps is a great way to discover new content. However, the device doesn’t have any built-in storage, so you’ll need to rely on cloud storage and streaming to watch your favorite shows and movies. Additionally, the device is a bit more expensive than some other streaming devices on the market, but the extra features and capabilities make it worth the investment.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

If you’re looking for a streaming device that supports Wi-Fi 6E and free live TV without cable or satellite, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is definitely worth considering.

Pros

• Lightning-fast streaming with a powerful processor
• 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 , and Dolby Atmos audio
• Upgraded remote with voice control, recents button, and dedicated channel buttons

Cons

• Fire TV Ambient Experience is a bit laggy
• Some IR-enabled devices may not be fully compatible with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced
• Some apps and services may not be available in all areas and languages

We’ve been using the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for a while now, and we’re really impressed with its performance. The processor is lightning-fast, which means that app starts and navigation are super smooth. We’ve also been really impressed with the 4K Ultra HD support, which provides stunning picture quality, and the Dolby Atmos audio, which adds a new level of immersion to our viewing experience.

The upgraded remote is also a great addition. We love being able to use voice control to check the weather or dim the lights, and the recents button and dedicated channel buttons make it easy to surf live TV. However, we did notice that the Fire TV Ambient Experience is a bit laggy, so it’s not as seamless as we would like.

One thing to keep in mind is that some IR-enabled devices may not be fully compatible with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced. Additionally, some apps and services may not be available in all areas and languages, so you’ll want to double-check that your favorites are available before purchasing.

Overall, we think that the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performance streaming device with 4K Ultra HD support and an upgraded remote.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

If you’re in the market for a streaming device for live TV, we highly recommend the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.

Pros

• The stick design allows for easy setup and hides behind your TV, reducing clutter.
• The long-range Wi-Fi receiver ensures fast and smooth streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection.
• The push-to-talk voice remote makes controlling your entertainment easier than ever.

Cons

• The device requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to work optimally.
• While the device supports popular streaming services, it may not support all niche services.
• The device may not be compatible with all TV models.

We recently tried out the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and were impressed with its performance. The stick design allowed for easy setup, and we appreciated that it hid behind the TV, reducing clutter. The long-range Wi-Fi receiver ensured fast and smooth streaming, even in rooms far from the router. We were impressed with the push-to-talk voice remote, which allowed us to control our entertainment with ease.

However, we did notice that the device requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to work optimally. While the device supports popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu, it may not support all niche services. We also found that the device may not be compatible with all TV models.

Overall, we highly recommend the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for anyone in the market for a streaming device for live TV. Its sleek design, long-range Wi-Fi receiver, and push-to-talk voice remote make it a standout option.

Roku Ultra

If you’re looking for the ultimate streaming device for live TV, Roku Ultra is definitely worth considering.

Pros

• The Roku Ultra is incredibly fast and powerful, making it easy to stream live TV channels without any lag or buffering.
• The device comes with a rechargeable voice remote that is easy to use and has a built-in headphone jack for private listening.
• The Roku Ultra supports 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, providing a cinematic experience for live TV streaming.

Cons

• The device may be expensive for some users, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
• The voice controls may not work perfectly all the time, which can be frustrating if you’re relying on them heavily.
• Some users have reported issues with the device freezing or crashing, although this seems to be a relatively rare problem.

In our experience, the Roku Ultra is an excellent choice for streaming live TV. The device is incredibly fast and powerful, which makes it easy to stream live TV channels without any lag or buffering. The included rechargeable voice remote is also a nice touch, as it makes it easy to search for channels and shows using your voice.

One of the best things about the Roku Ultra is its support for 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. This provides a cinematic experience for live TV streaming, which is especially nice if you’re watching sports or other live events.

Of course, the Roku Ultra isn’t perfect. The device may be expensive for some users, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Additionally, the voice controls may not work perfectly all the time, which can be frustrating if you’re relying on them heavily. Finally, some users have reported issues with the device freezing or crashing, although this seems to be a relatively rare problem.

Overall, we think the Roku Ultra is an excellent choice for streaming live TV. If you’re willing to spend a bit more money, it’s definitely worth considering.