Google TV Streamer 4K review: The brand's new streaming player makes it easier than ever to find what you want to watch

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The Google TV Streamer 4K is the brand's latest and most powerful streaming device. With so many content options out there, many of us find ourselves constantly switching subscriptions to figure out which apps align with the shows and movies we want to watch. Thanks to intelligent recommendations and an intuitive interface, the Google TV Streamer aims to make navigating this fragmented landscape much easier.

The Google TV Streamer departs from the dongle design of its Chromecast predecessors and is instead a sleek set-top box like the Apple TV and Roku Ultra. It also boasts an improved processor and new features which help it compete better with those other flagship devices. However, with those upgraded specs comes a higher price tag. The Google TV Streamer costs $100, which is double the price of the Chromecast with Google TV that it's meant to replace.

Though such a big jump in price isn't ideal, after testing the new Google TV Streamer 4K, I've been impressed by its performance. Its speed and usability put the built-in interfaces on some of the best smart TVs to shame. It has an easy setup, is noticeably faster than the Chromecast that came before it, and offers convenient smart home controls. But whether it's the ideal hub for your entertainment system largely comes down to your budget and whether you favor Google's ecosystem over Apple, Roku, and Amazon.

Sleek design, simple setup, and handy remote

The Google TV Streamer 4K is about the size of a hoagie roll but much flatter since it's only an inch thick. It's meant to sit out on your entertainment console, not dangle from the back or side of your TV's HDMI port. Luckily, its remote still works even if the Streamer is hidden in a cabinet.

There's a single HDMI 2.1 port for video/audio output, a USB-C port for power, and an Ethernet jack. While the device includes a power adapter and a long USB-C cable, it doesn't come with an HDMI cable. For affordable recommendations to pair with the Streamer, check out our guide to the best HDMI cables.

Once I plugged the device in, it asked me to complete the setup process using the Google Home app from my smartphone to make it easier to log into my streaming apps. The longest parts were waiting for a software update to install and for the device to identify my TV model. Once complete, I paired the included remote and could control the TV's volume and power. The process took a little over 15 minutes.

The compact remote feels great in hand. It also feels sturdier and less cheap than the slightly smaller, lighter remote included with the last Chromecast model. The remote has buttons for key functions like the home screen, back, voice control, volume, and mute. All of these keys are positioned on the face of the remote, with nothing relegated to its edges.

Hotkeys are also included for YouTube and Netflix, along with a customizable "favorite" button that I programmed for Hulu. Another perk? A built-in speaker for when it gets lost. Roku has had this feature in its top remotes for years, and it's great to see Google offer a similar function.

On the downside, Google's remote is missing a few features that Roku offers with its flagship model. Most notably, the Google TV Streamer's remote is not backlit or rechargeable, and there's no hands-free voice control option. Still, I prefer its physical design to the Roku and Apple TV remotes I've used. It's a lot less slippery than Apple's remote, which I have a tendency to accidentally hold upside down. I also prefer Google's placement for volume and mute controls, whereas Roku puts these buttons on the right edge, where my hand naturally rests, which often leads to accidental presses.

Improved performance, but there are some shortcomings

When it comes to streaming devices, I ultimately think interface usability trumps raw processing power. However, I know a beefy processor and souped-up RAM will ensure that a device will last for years to come. Google says the TV Streamer 4K's processor is 22% faster than its previous-generation Chromecast models. It also boasts double the RAM (2GB) and quadruple the storage (32GB).

I have experience with the older Chromecast with Google TV, and this new model's improvements in speed are noticeable. On the old model, I encountered occasional slowdowns, especially when using YouTube TV to view Live TV listings and navigate menus. With the Google TV Streamer, I didn't experience any of those hiccups.

Speaking as a user who streams at the highest bitrate, I never had picture-quality issues or annoying buffering moments. The same can't be said for my Roku Streaming Stick+ that I have set up in a guest bedroom, which sometimes takes longer to stream in Ultra HD. However, I found that my Apple TV had a slight edge in pulling up results when using voice search, but only by a few seconds.

General navigation across menus and apps is snappy, seamless, and responsive, with no notable lag. Google Assistant voice control also works well via a button on the remote. Services like Disney Plus, YouTube, and Prime Video are quick to pull up, and switching back and forth between the home screen and different apps you've previously booted up is nearly instantaneous. No apps crashed during my testing and general performance was on par with top devices from the competition.

HDR video and audio format support is also top-notch, with HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dolby Atmos capabilities. Of course, you'll need a display and sound system that supports those formats, but when paired with compatible gear, the Google TV Streamer 4K delivers excellent playback quality. The one caveat is that the device's Peacock app is currently limited to standard-dynamic-range (SDR) playback. The older Chromecast with Google TV plays Peacock in HDR and Dolby Vision without any issues, so this is likely something that Peacock just needs to update on its end.

However, it is worth mentioning that the Google TV Streamer uses the older WiFi 5 protocol for wireless internet connectivity. This protocol came out in 2013 and is three generations behind the most up-to-date WiFi standard. Competing streamers like the $50 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K support newer WiFi 6 standards and the 6GHz wireless band, which can lessen congestion and prevent your devices from getting dropped. Since it's now common for users to add numerous connected devices to their networks, I really wish Google went with more up-to-date WiFi specs.

Personally curated to your unique viewing habits

As someone who has tested every operating system across all the best streaming devices, I've found that Google TV Streamer has an edge when it comes to recommending content. Before switching to the Google TV Streamer, I relied on an Apple TV, which has a home screen with a grid of streaming app icons. Google's streamer takes a more personalized approach and tries to ease the burden of finding something to watch.

I'm a big fan of the "Top Picks for You" section. The device not only automatically recommends content based on what streaming services you subscribe to but also suggests shows and movies based on what you've already watched or rated. For instance, it knew I watched Ti West's 2022 horror movie "Pearl" and suggested West's latest in the franchise, "MaXXXine" on Max for me to stream

Since I frequently watch live music performances on YouTube, Google's recommendation of Troye Sivan's set from Primavera Sound, a festival I attended in Barcelona, was spot on. The Streamer does a wonderful job of thinking for you, which I love, especially since I'm guilty of occasionally eating in the living room. I'd rather focus on the food in front of me rather than fumbling with a remote and deciding what to put on.

There are also "Continue Watching" and "Your Apps" sections so you can easily jump back into your content or quickly access your favorite services. If you scroll further down, you'll find movie and show recommendations based on genres, seasonality, and what's trending.

Take control of camera feeds, smart lights, and more

As someone who doesn't own a dedicated smart display, the Google TV Streamer gave me a taste of what I'm missing. You can stream a live feed from a wireless camera straight to the big screen, or use your TV as an oversized digital photo frame by syncing your image library with Google Photos.

I have a Samsung Frame TV but don't pay for Samsung's Art Store subscription, so having direct access to Google Arts & Culture's extensive image library via the Google TV Streamer is a nice perk. The artwork is gorgeous and has elevated my space and brightened my mood.

The Streamer also connects to Google Home- and Matter-supported smart devices, including lights, locks, and thermostats, to make it easy to adjust settings with your remote rather than hopping through apps or settings pages on your smartphone. To enable functionality on the Streamer, these devices just need to be set up and linked together within the same "Home" in the Google Home app.

Though I didn't have any Google smart devices on hand, Insider Reviews Senior Tech Editor Steven Cohen was able to test this feature with a Nest camera that Google provided. Unfortunately, he initially ran into some issues getting the Google Home app to sync with the TV Streamer. Despite having the Streamer and camera set up correctly in the Google Home app, the Streamer would not enable access to its on-screen smart home control panel.

After following the troubleshooting steps outlined on this Google support page and unplugging the device several times, the Streamer finally synced properly. Other users have reported similar errors in various Reddit threads, so this doesn't seem to be an isolated issue. Thankfully, once the problem was resolved, the Google Streamer's smart home panel worked great, enabling easy access to a live feed of the Nest camera on the big screen.

Should you buy it?

Figuring out what streaming services to subscribe to and what to watch is becoming increasingly tricky. The Google TV Streamer 4K helps alleviate that decision overload with an intuitive user interface and personalized recommendations.

Although pricier streaming devices like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro and Apple TV 4K offer slightly faster performance, Google's device is extremely capable and supports advanced video and audio standards to make your content shine.

Equipped with an Ethernet port for reliable streaming speeds and a built-in smart home hub, it seamlessly integrates with other Google and Matter devices. Even better, it's easy to use and includes a solid remote, complete with a customizable button, volume controls, and a speaker for when it inevitably gets lost.

This is a welcome improvement over the last Chromecast and a worthy competitor to other flagship devices like the Roku Ultra. Buyers who want a powerful and reliable set-top box tailor-made for the Google ecosystem should find a great home theater and smart home companion in the Google TV Streamer 4K.