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We’ve compared the best streaming sticks UK shoppers can buy right now, from an £18 Roku that runs off your TV’s USB port to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Google TV Streamer. Prices were checked on Amazon UK on 12 November 2026 and may change.
A streaming stick is the cheapest way to give an older TV modern apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video, or to replace a slow built-in smart TV system. We only kept devices that were in stock with a clear current price, and we say who sells each one.
In this guide
Quick picks: the best streaming sticks UK at a glance
| Best for | Product | Amazon UK price* | Rating on Amazon | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best budget pick | Roku Streaming Stick HD | £18.00 | 4.4/5 (1,868 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
| Best cheap 4K | Roku Streaming Stick Plus | £34.99 | 4.2/5 (661 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
| Best for Prime Video homes | Fire TV Stick 4K | £69.99 | 3.6/5 (828 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
| Best all-round stick | Fire TV Stick 4K Max | £99.99 | 4.6/5 (18,429 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
| Best for Android and Google homes | Google TV Streamer | £143.55 | 4.4/5 (535 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
| Best premium Roku | Roku Ultra | £149.50 | 4.5/5 (8,870 ratings) | Amazon · eBay |
The list runs from cheapest to most expensive. Ratings are Amazon’s own customer scores on the day we checked, so treat them as a guide rather than a lab test. We also looked at the Fire TV Stick HD, but at £59.99 on the day it cost far more than the Roku HD, so we left it out.
Our reviews of the best streaming sticks UK
Here is a closer look at each pick, with the price we saw on Amazon UK on 12 November 2026, who sells it, the key specs from the listing and who it suits.
Roku Streaming Stick HD (2025) with Voice Remote
The cheapest of the best streaming sticks UK shoppers can buy today cost £18.00 when we checked, sold and dispatched by Amazon. It streams in HD rather than 4K, so it is aimed at a bedroom or kitchen TV, an older 1080p set or a holiday caravan rather than a big living-room screen.
Roku says the slim stick will not block neighbouring HDMI ports and can be powered from your TV’s USB socket, so you may not need a plug. The included voice remote can also power the TV on and adjust the volume. The Roku home screen is simple and not tied to one shop, which many people prefer. It is the cheapest way into our list of the best streaming sticks UK homes can buy.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025), 4K HDR
For £34.99, sold by Amazon, the Plus adds 4K and HDR picture to the same compact design and voice remote. If you have a 4K TV and want the lowest-cost route to 4K Netflix or iPlayer, this is the one to look at first.
Like the HD model, it can draw power from the TV’s USB port. It does not list Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos support, so if you have a high-end TV or soundbar and care about those formats, look at the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Roku Ultra instead.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (newest gen)
The newest Fire TV Stick 4K cost £69.99 when we checked, sold by Amazon. It streams 4K with HDR10+, supports Wi-Fi 6 and comes with a redesigned Fire TV remote with TV power and volume buttons, plus Alexa+ voice search.
Amazon says it can be powered directly by the TV, so no wall adapter is needed. It is a natural choice if you already use Prime Video and Alexa. Its Amazon rating was lower than the others here when we checked, so read recent reviews before you buy.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (newest gen), Wi-Fi 6E
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max cost £99.99 and was in stock, sold by Amazon. It is Amazon’s most powerful stick and our top pick among the best streaming sticks UK stores sell, with a 2.0GHz quad-core processor, 16GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6E and support for 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos.
With more than 18,000 ratings it is also the most reviewed device on our list. It supports Fire TV Ambient Experience, which shows art and photos when you are not watching, and Amazon lists cloud gaming through the Xbox app. You need a Wi-Fi 6E router to benefit from the 6GHz band, but it works with older routers too.
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google’s replacement for the Chromecast cost £143.55 and was in stock, sold by Amazon. It is a small box rather than a stick, designed to sit beside the TV, and streams up to 4K with Dolby Vision. The listing quotes 32GB of storage.
Its strength is the Google TV interface, which pulls films and shows from all your services into one place, and its role as a smart home hub for Google Home devices. It costs more than the other best streaming sticks UK shops list here, so it makes most sense if you already use Android phones or Google Nest speakers.
Roku Ultra (2024), 4K HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
The Roku Ultra was listed at £149.50 when we checked, sold by a third-party seller (HAKAN STORE LLC) rather than Amazon, so check delivery times and the returns policy before ordering. It is Roku’s top player and, according to Roku, 40% faster than any other Roku device.
It supports 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and comes with the rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro, which has backlit buttons, hands-free voice control and a lost-remote finder. For most people the Streaming Stick Plus is enough, and it is one of the best streaming sticks UK buyers can get for the money; the Ultra is for those who want the fastest Roku and the best remote.
How we chose the best streaming sticks UK
We opened every product page on Amazon UK on 12 November 2026 and dropped anything out of stock or without a clear price. Specs come from the listings and the makers; we have not run lab tests. We avoid “was” prices because reference prices can mislead. For help judging a discount, read our guide on how to spot a genuine Black Friday deal.
Which of the best streaming sticks UK buyers can get suits you?
- An HD TV in a bedroom or kitchen: the Roku Streaming Stick HD.
- A 4K TV on a tight budget: the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.
- A Prime Video and Alexa household: the Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max.
- A home theatre with Dolby Atmos: the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Roku Ultra.
- An Android or Google Nest home: the Google TV Streamer.
If you are choosing between two of the best streaming sticks UK shops sell, start with your TV. There is no benefit from 4K on an HD set, and the cheapest Roku will do the job well. On a 4K TV, the extra power of the 4K Max makes menus and apps feel quicker.
Buying guide: what to check before you buy
Before you pick from the best streaming sticks UK retailers offer, run through these checks.
Apps and UK catch-up services
All the devices here list the big subscription apps. UK catch-up apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 are widely available on Fire TV, Roku and Google TV, but check that any niche app you rely on is supported before you buy.
HD, 4K, HDR and Dolby formats
Match the stick to your TV. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision only help if your TV supports them, and Dolby Atmos needs a compatible soundbar or speaker system. Your broadband matters too: Netflix recommends a steady connection of around 15Mbps for 4K.
Wi-Fi and power
Sticks sit behind the TV, where Wi-Fi can be weaker. Wi-Fi 6 or 6E helps if your router supports it. Some models can run from the TV’s USB port, which keeps cables tidy, but a mains adapter is more reliable if the stick restarts when the TV is switched off.
Remote and voice control
Check that the remote can switch your TV on and off and change the volume, so you can put the old TV remote away. Voice search saves a lot of typing with an on-screen keyboard.
Do you still need a TV licence?
Buying one of the best streaming sticks UK retailers sell does not change the TV licence rules. In general, you need a licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, or to watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, whatever device you use. Read the official GOV.UK TV licence guidance to see whether it applies to you.
If you only watch on-demand services such as Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video, and never watch live TV or iPlayer, you may not need one, but check the official rules first.
Black Friday tips for the best streaming sticks UK deals
Amazon’s own devices are often discounted around Black Friday, and Roku models also tend to drop in price. Decide which features you need first, then compare the live price rather than chasing the biggest percentage badge. Buy from Amazon or the brand’s official store where possible, and be wary of unbranded Android TV sticks with unclear app support or security updates. You can also compare listings on eBay UK before you buy.
Best streaming sticks UK: frequently asked questions
Is a streaming stick better than a smart TV’s built-in apps?
Often yes, especially on older TVs. Built-in smart TV systems can become slow and stop getting app updates, while a stick is cheap to replace and usually gets updates for longer.
Do I need a 4K streaming stick?
Only if you have a 4K TV. On an HD television, an HD stick such as the Roku Streaming Stick HD gives the same picture for less money.
Can I use a streaming stick without Wi-Fi?
You need an internet connection. Some Fire TV devices work with Amazon’s Ethernet adaptor, which is sold separately, if your Wi-Fi is weak behind the TV.
Is there a monthly fee for a Fire TV Stick or Roku?
No. The devices have no subscription of their own, though services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video charge their own fees. Many free apps are also available.
Can I take a streaming stick on holiday?
Yes, as long as the TV has a free HDMI port and you can connect to the Wi-Fi. Some hotel networks need a sign-in page, which can be awkward on a TV.
Our verdict on the best streaming sticks UK
For most people, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is the best value 4K pick, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the most complete all-rounder if you want Dolby Vision, Atmos and Wi-Fi 6E. On an HD set, the £18 Roku HD is hard to beat. Prices on the best streaming sticks UK stores list change often near Black Friday, so check the live price before you buy.
Related guides
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- early Black Friday tech deals under £30
- best tablets and e-readers
See more in our guide hubs: best tech gadgets UK and Black Friday deals UK.
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