The Best Audio Streaming Device For 2024

William Shatner By, William Shatner
Updated
Roku Streambar | 4K/HD/HDR Streaming Media Player & Premium Audio, All In One
Image credit: Amazon.com

Whether you’re anxiously waiting for the latest season of your favorite show or just looking for something to listen to in your dorm room, streaming services like Spotify and Pandora are here to help. They’re also a fantastic way to enjoy your music collection without worrying about storing it on your computer or listening to it through an outdated player.

A good audio streaming device can transform the way you listen to music as well as provide access to an ever-growing catalog of songs. We tested dozens of models before selecting the best ones. In this guide, we’ll explain how they work and which features are essential. Let’s take a look at our top picks so you can find yours too.

In the end, we concluded that Roku Streambar | 4K/HD/HDR Streaming Media Player & Premium Audio, All In One was the most highly recommended. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and in order to assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled a helpful shopping guide.

Our Top Picks

  • Watch what you love: Stream a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 200+ live TV channels for free on The Roku Channel
  • Surprisingly big sound: Listen in awe as four internal speakers fill your room with clean, pure sound featuring Dolby Audio—calibrated for boosted volume and crisp dialogue, you’ll love how great your TV sounds at an incredible value
  • Built-in 4K streaming device: Enjoy an easy, fast interface with the newest and most popular channels, plus access to endless free entertainment—stream in brilliant HD, 4K, and HDR picture with sharp resolution and vivid colors optimized for any TV
  • Quick and easy setup: Everything you need is included in the box—just plug it into your TV and connect to the internet; it’s that simple
  • Simple sound settings: It’s easy to perfect your sound no matter what you’re watching—automatically lower loud commercials, boost the volume of voices, and optimize the sound for night listening so you don’t wake the house
  • Easily expandable: Add heart-pounding bass with Roku Wireless Subwoofer and immersive surround sound with one or two sets of Roku Wireless Speakers
  • Smarter than your average soundbar: Roku Streambar produces sound well beyond its size with the help of advanced audio engineering within the Roku OS—boosted volume and speech clarity will make your TV easier to hear and add rich depth to your music
  • No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your streaming all with the Roku voice remote—use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, turn captions on, and more
  • Bluetooth streaming: Bump your music in vibrant, studio-quality sound from your favorite channels or your connected Bluetooth device
  • 🎁[4K Ultra HD Resolution] The resolution can reach 4K, the screen image is delicate, and all kinds of details are restored more perfectly.The Wireless HDMI transmitter and receiver can be used for home, office, education, party, gardening display, etc.
  • 🎁[Wireless Transmission] The receiver adopts HDMI+VGA dual port,By using WiFi transmission technology and through the point-to-point connection between transmitter and receiver equipment.Any scene that requires high-quality display. Stream 4K 3D movies, TV shows, video, transmits from your laptop, PC, smartphone , gaming console, satellite box , HDSLR camera to HDTV , projector and monitor.
  • 🎁[Fashion Design & Portable] Auminum alloy frame and lighting effects, stylish and beautiful.Compact body, easy to carry and use.This wireless HDMI dongle is an ideal accessory for family entertainment and office business meetings.
  • 🎁[High Performance Output] Equipped with dual antenna, 5GHZ high-speed transmission efficiency will be faster and more stable without dropping frame. Built-in VGA and HDMI interface, this wireless HDMI extender will meet the different needs to users.
  • 🎁[Plug & Play] No drive or APP needed, without messy wires.It’s easy to connect and pair TV and will not affect other wireless devices, Wirelessly mirror and share all contents on the big screen.
  • 🎁[hdmi wireless transmitter and receiver 4K Ultra HD Resolution] The resolution can reach 4K, the screen image is delicate, and all kinds of details are restored more perfectly.The Wireless HDMI transmitter and receiver can be used for home, office, education, party, gardening display, etc.
  • 🎁[High Performance Output] Equipped with dual antenna, 5GHZ high-speed transmission efficiency will be faster and more stable without dropping frame. Built-in VGA and HDMI interface, this wireless HDMI extender will meet the different needs to users.
  • 🎁[Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver] The receiver adopts HDMI+VGA dual port,By using WiFi transmission technology and through the point-to-point connection between transmitter and receiver equipment.Any scene that requires high-quality display. Stream 4K 3D movies, TV shows, video, transmits from your laptop, PC, smartphone , gaming console, satellite box , HDSLR camera to HDTV , projector and monitor.
  • 🎁[Fashion Design & Portable] Auminum alloy frame and lighting effects, stylish and beautiful.Compact body, easy to carry and use.This wireless HDMI dongle is an ideal accessory for family entertainment and office business meetings.
  • 🎁[Plug & Play] No drive or APP needed, without messy wires.It’s easy to connect and pair TV and will not affect other wireless devices, Wirelessly mirror and share all contents on the big screen.
  • ✓ ADVANCED UNSAMPLING FOR CLEANER AUDIO – Cambridge Audio’s advanced Adapted Time Filter 2 (ATF2) technology upsamples all incoming digital audio sources into a 24-bit/384kHz signal, which helps resolve very fine detail.
  • ✓ POWER TO TRANSFORM YOUR DIGITAL EXPERIENCE - Dual Wolfson WM8740 DACs (premium digital to analogue converters) give music more detail and warmth. Hear musical nuances that you’ve never noticed in songs that you’ve listened to a thousand times.
  • ✓ MUSIC ANY WAY YOU WANT IT – With the CXN (V2) network streamer, pick from the sources you use daily – Spotify, Google Play, Pandora, Apple AirPlay 2, or other internet radio channels.
  • ✓ WIRED OR WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY - Via wired (Ethernet) or wireless (WiFi dongle), connect to your home network for Internet Radio, online music services, AirPlay, and music libraries stored on your computer.
  • ✓ STUNNING SOUND QUALITY - The convenience of digital audio without compromising audio quality. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) lets you enjoy the effortless accessibility of digital audio and also appreciate the sonic excellence that Cambridge delivers.
  • Control your smart home - Ask Alexa to check weather, dim the lights, view live camera feeds, stream music and more.
  • Live and free TV - Watch live TV, news, and sports with subscriptions to SLING TV, YouTube TV, and others. Stream for free with Pluto TV, IMDb TV, YouTube and more.
  • Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
  • Easy to set up, compact enough to stay hidden - Plug in behind your TV, turn on the TV, and connect to the internet to get set up.
  • Simple and intuitive - Quickly access your favorite apps, live TV, and things you use most, all from the main menu.
  • Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
  • Alexa Voice Remote - Search and launch content with your voice. Get to favorite apps quickly with preset buttons. Control power and volume with one remote.
  • Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with support for immersive Dolby Atmos audio on select titles with compatible home audio systems.
  • [Wide Range of Uses]Streaming the Video&Audio from Laptop, PC, Smartphone to HDTV/Projector,Suitable for Home Theater, Conferences, Office and Education,etc.
  • [Kindly Note] Use 5V2A adapter to connect the transmitter in these 2 situations:①When the computer was low power;②The current for HDMI imports is lower on some computer, the power light on the transmitter will be weak or extinguished, please use the type c cable to support the transmitter.You can always contact us if you have any questions.
  • [Dual Antenna Design] Equipped with 2 high-gain antennas, the transmission signal is stronger and stable. The antenna supports 2.4G+5G signal transmission, high-speed and stable without frame drop.Powerful long-distance signal, can penetrate the wall, floor and ceiling transmission. *NOTE: Signal distance is reduced when working through walls.
  • [Plug and Play] - Plug the transmitter and receiver into the power source and device and you can start transmitting pictures or videos without installing any driver or software, no additional operation is required. EC hdmi wireless transmitter and receiver are so light and easy to carry that you can take them with you at any time.
  • Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant
  • Breathtaking picture: Stream in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ with sharp resolution and vivid color
  • No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote
  • Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the voice remote
  • Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection, now up to 2x faster
  • Watch what you love: Upgrade your streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 200+ free Live TV channels on The Roku Channel
  • Hides behind your TV: The all-new design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup
  • Super-fast startup: Start streaming channels like Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Netflix, Sling, and Hulu in a snap—just turn on your TV
  • Game on - Fluid gameplay and fast-rendering graphics with a 750Mhz GPU. Access popular games with a Luna cloud gaming subscription.
  • Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes. Watch favorites from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
  • Do more with your smart home - View the front door camera without stopping your show using Live View Picture-in-Picture. Ask Alexa to check the weather or dim the lights.
  • Support for next-gen Wi-Fi 6 - Enjoy smoother 4K streaming across multiple Wi-Fi 6 devices.
  • Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
  • Live and free TV - Watch live TV, news, and sports with subscriptions to SLING TV, YouTube TV, and others. Stream for free with IMDb TV, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more.
  • Alexa Voice Remote - Search and launch content with your voice. Get to favorite apps quickly with preset buttons. Control power and volume with one remote.
  • Our most powerful streaming stick - 40% more powerful than Fire TV Stick 4K, with faster app starts and more fluid navigation.
  • Brilliant picture quality: Experience your favorite shows with stunning detail and clarity—whether you’re streaming in HD, 4K, or HDR, you’ll enjoy picture quality that’s optimized for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid color
  • Tons of power, tons of fun: Snappy and responsive, you’ll stream your favorites with ease—from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Netflix, to cable alternatives like Sling, enjoy the most talked-about TV across thousands of channels
  • Automatic software updates: Get the most up to date software including all the latest features and available channels without even thinking about it
  • Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google
  • Setup is a cinch: Plug it in, connect to the internet, and start streaming—it’s that simple
  • Private listening on mobile: Use the free Roku mobile app to pump up the volume on your shows without disturbing the house
  • Share it with Apple AirPlay: Effortlessly share videos, photos, music, and more from your Apple devices to your TV
  • Endless entertainment: Stream what you love, including free TV, live news, sports, and more. It’s easy to stream what you love and cut back on cable bills with access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes across thousands of free and paid channels
  • No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, mute, and control your streaming all with one remote—use your voice to quickly search across channels, turn captions on, and more in a touch
  • Wireless that goes the distance: Basement rec room Backyard movie night Bring ‘em on. The long-range wireless receiver gives you extended range and a stronger signal for smooth streaming even in rooms farther from your router
  • Outrageously powerful: Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels like Sling, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video that launch in a snap on the fastest, most powerful Roku player ever
  • Watch what you love: Upgrade your streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 200+ free Live TV channels on The Roku Channel
  • Private listening: Plug headphones into the Roku remote with headphone jack or use a wireless pair with the Roku mobile app to listen without disturbing a quiet house
  • Our best Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room in the house with our best Wi-Fi or choose to wire up over Ethernet
  • Cinematic streaming: Roku Ultra is the centerpiece of your home theater with spectacular 4K and Dolby Vision picture plus immersive Dolby Atmos sound
  • Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google
  • Find your lost remote: Simply press the button on your streaming device and your Roku remote will play a sound
  • Share it with Apple AirPlay: Effortlessly share videos, photos, music, and more from your Apple devices to your TV
  • No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your streaming device with one Roku voice remote
  • Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the Roku voice remote
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What to Look For in a best audio streaming device?

The best audio streaming device is the standard appliance in your life. Seeing that the item is introduced with many models with distinct functions and features, several challenges in selecting. However, anything has its solution, not except for that. We, the high-qualified expert in this area, will be available here to give you support.

Of course, looking for the best audio streaming device which suits you most requires many criteria to consider. You are projected to think carefully about each of the features below so that your choice will be appropriate:

Ecosystem Tie-ins

Apple TV is the only way to access pple services and apps (like Apple Arcade or Fitness+), although Apple TV has an Apple TV app that allows you to view Apple TV+ content and rent videos from iTunes. Fire TV is the best way to access Amazon Prime Video. Google's music and video services can be accessed through Chromecast and Android TV. Roku offers apps for Amazon and Google Play Movies & TV. However, it is not as sophisticated and has fewer smart home controls than other platforms.

Resolution

If you have a 4K television, and a fast internet connection, then a television streaming device that supports 4K is the perfect way to watch ultra-high-definition content. You can future-proof your set by purchasing a streaming device that supports 4K resolution if you do not have a 4K TV.

Captive Portal Support

You might encounter Wi-Fi networks which require you to log in using a web browser if your streaming device is being taken on the road. It is also known as "captive portal" and it does not support all streaming devices.

Content Discovery Features

The media-streaming device is evolving beyond static apps. Roku Feed, the Apple TV's TV app (TV), and Amazon recommendations are available directly from the Fire TV Home screen. These approaches can be compared to help you decide which is most attractive.

Streaming Stick Vs Box

Although the difference is not significant, a stick refers to what you would imagine. It is a stick-like device which plugs into your television. Some designs have evolved over the years so dongles are now called dongles.
Streaming boxes such as the Apple TV sit under your TV, and are connected via HDMI cables.
If you don't have any wall-mounted TVs and are unable to place a box, there is no benefit to them. If this is the case, you can get a stick to hide it behind your TV.

Private Listening Options

Bluetooth headphones are supported by many devices. This is useful for those times when you don’t want to wake your children or spouse. Roku devices also allow wired headphones via the Roku mobile application and the remote control of its set-top boxes.

Connectivity

Are you planning to connect a USB storage device or ethernet cable or a sound system using an optical or analog audio cable? You should ensure that your streaming box supports the correct connections. If you are concerned about your home network's bandwidth, you will also need a device that supports 802.11ax Wi Fi (or WiFi 6),

Remote Control Features

While some remotes have buttons that allow you to fast-forward, rewind and perform other functions, others are simpler. Remotes that can turn on your TV's volume and have microphones to allow you to speak commands. There is no perfect remote, but you can look through the included ones to determine what is most important.

Performance

Set-top boxes load faster than streaming sticks and your spending will affect the speed and smoothness of the process.

App Selection

This has always been the main factor when choosing a streaming device. However, app selections have become more similar, at least for major streaming services, and it is now easy to choose an app. The app list will show you which service is available.

FAQs

How Much Data Does TV Streaming Use?

This depends on the resolution and platform you are streaming from. Based on data collected from major streaming platforms, bandwidth usage can drop to hundreds of megabytes an hour for low definition (480p) videos. However, streaming services that stream standard HD/1080p video report between 2 and 3 gigabytes an hour. You can expect to see 4K video at 7 to 8GB an hour, depending on the video.

Can I Get All The Channels I Want On Any Device?

Each streaming device can access major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max. However, all streaming services may not have the same access. The Spectrum TV app is a good example. Although it is accessible on all platforms, the app is not available for Amazon Fire TV devices. Before you make a purchase, it is a smart idea to check that the device supports all of your apps. You might find yourself in a difficult situation if your phone doesn't support one of your favourite services.

What Kind Of Internet Connection Do You Need For Your Streaming Device To Be Effective?

A minimum 5Mbps internet connection is required to stream the majority of streaming content at 1080p. You will be able to stream 4K video without any interruptions if you have more bandwidth.

Do Streaming Devices Have Monthly Fees?

No. No. Monthly fees are not charged for streaming devices. You will need to pay monthly fees to watch certain channels, such as Netflix and HBO Max.

What Is The Point Of A Streaming Stick If You Have A Smart TV?

Although many smart TVs today come pre-installed to run a variety of apps, it is true that external streaming devices almost always enhance the interface for a particular app.
Amazon's Fire Stick gives you more control over your TV than standard Amazon TV apps. Other products from Amazon come with Alexa, giving you additional options to use your voice to control your TV.
A smart TV may not come with every available streaming service. Apple TV Plus is a rare app that comes preinstalled on smart TVs. This is why you need Apple's 4K HDR streaming device, which Panasonic TVs do not support.

What Is A Streaming Device And How Does It Work?

A streaming device, or streaming stick, allows you to stream (i.e. You can stream (or streaming stick) entertainment content, such as movies, TV series, music or photos. It is usually connected to an HDMI port.
The apps that you will have access to depend on which streamer you are using. It's worth noting, however, that a subscription does not automatically come with a service. If you wish to view Netflix for example, you'll need to purchase it separately. However, there are some deals available for certain streaming services.

Do You Need A Streaming Device With A Smart TV?

Not necessarily. Smart TVs often come equipped with their own streaming platforms that allow users to download top apps such as Netflix or Hulu. Samsung smart TVs have a lot of options. TVs are now compatible with major streaming services like Roku, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.

Will A Streaming Device Work In Your Country?

Yes. Yes. You can use a VPN to bypass restrictions on certain services or shows.

Look through again. The brand of product you choose will affect the options available to you. Moreover, pricer models will offer more customization options. We've covered top-scoring models varying at some price. So you have more choices to consider. Furthermore, our staff will update the info related to best audio streaming device with the newest data. Let check our site more regularly to get the latest options.

If you want to take practical support from our expert, don't hesitate to give us feedback. Please feel free to contact us. Hopefully, with our buying guide, you can have a happy shopping for the product.


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About William Shatner

William Shatner

William Shatner is a writer and editor who has worked in the audio equipment, computer, and projector industries. He also enjoys repairing and modifying audio equipment, and he has a particular interest in projectors. William is a critical thinker and problem solver, and he takes great pride in his work. He currently serves as the freelance editor of The Audio Insights.