Are you planning to get a smart TV in the upcoming holiday season? You may be faced with the dilemma of buying the device or just plugging a streaming device into your TV. Both these things have their benefits. Streaming devices offer many of the same capabilities as that of a TV.
Many smart TV users cannot decide whether they need a streaming device besides their TV. If all this seems confusing, this article is for you. Keep reading as we compare streaming devices with smart TVs to help you find the best one.
1. Ease of Set up
Technically, a smart TV is easier to use than a streaming device. This is because, with a smart TV, you don’t need another device to hook it up with. This eliminates matters regarding software updates and app installations. Some smart TVs support HDR10+. It makes the apps in it support those formats automatically. There’s no need to buy a compatible streaming player.
Streaming devices generally aren’t that easy to use. But there are some exceptions. For example, Amazon Fire TV has a more streamlined interface than a smart TV. Its remote control is also simpler than a smart TV.
2.Availability of Apps
There’s a world of difference between apps available on a smart TV and those on streaming devices. Most smart TVs have only a few basic apps. These include a small number of news apps. Contrarily, streaming devices like Firestick offer a broader collection of apps. Not only are they preloaded with popular streaming channels, but you can also install several other apps to stream content.
In fact, you can find a long list of the top FireStick apps for online streaming for each of your needs. For example, you can install Kodi, Cinema APK, and Bee TV to stream movies and TV shows. If you are a sports enthusiast, there are various live TV and sports apps for Firestick. These include Live NetTV, XUMO, Sling TV, and Fox Sports.
3.The Level of Portability
Portability is also an important point of difference between smart TVs and streaming devices. A smart TV is small. But its portability is way less than a streaming device.
Streaming devices are not very different from USB sticks. They can fit into your purse. You can take them to your friend’s home or anywhere else. This is not possible with a smart TV.
4.Availability of Additional Features
Both smart TV and streaming devices come with their own set of features. Smart TVs generally have basic features. These include internet connectivity, an App Store, and voice control. Some also have screen mirroring that lets you mirror your mobile phone’s screen on your smart TV. It’s a witty feature for movie enthusiasts.
But streaming devices provide many more extra features. Roku has an efficient mobile app that lets users listen privately with headphones. Another worth-mentioning feature is the Save List. It tracks your shows, making your experience more personalized. Fire TV comes with a useful live TV guide. It gathers various video sources into a single menu.
5.Interface of a Smart TV and Streaming Device
A good user interface facilitates better interaction with the device. However, it is tough to compare the user interfaces of various devices in the market today. Every smart TV and streaming device has its distinct interface. They differ only slightly from one another.
But on the whole, streaming devices have better interfaces than smart TVs. Their remote controls are simpler, which is not the case with smart TVs. Firestick, for example, has an incredibly fast interface. You can move across apps that you frequently use easily.
Also, with a streaming device, it’s easy to change the interface by switching to a different device. It’s even possible to use their interface and substitute the interface on your smart TV.
6.Cost of the Devices
Without a doubt, streaming devices are more affordable than smart TVs. If something goes wrong, you don’t need to bear heavy expenses. In fact, there are some streaming device models that provide specialized services. They are not available on smart TVs.
An Amazon Firestick, for example, can be purchased for less than $40. But a new smart TV will cost a couple of hundred dollars. However, if the cost isn’t a bar, you can also purchase a smart TV. If you have the space and media needs, a smart TV can also be a good investment.
Do You Require a Streaming Device With Your Smart TV?
The answer boils down to your unique needs. If you stream only popular services, like Netflix or YouTube, smart TVs will be suitable. But if you want to take your streaming experience up a notch, streaming devices will help you. Devices like Fire Stick and Roku offer channels that a smart TV doesn’t. Thus, you can access new and varied content, enhancing your viewing experience.
Wrapping up
Hopefully, you are now better positioned to decide between smart TVs and streaming devices. Use the parameters above to assess your needs. If you are a movie or sports enthusiast, streaming devices give you many new options. But if you are satisfied with the content provided by popular services, stick to a smart TV.
