Best Streaming Devices with Wi‑Fi 6

TL;DR: The RockTek GX1 packs 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC storage and Wi‑Fi 6 into a 115 g, ultra‑compact Google TV box that delivers 4K UHD with Dolby Vision, but its 100 Mbps Ethernet and missing VC‑1 support may limit power users.

The GX1’s standout spec is its Wi‑Fi 6 radio paired with a 4 GB LPDDR4 memory pool and 32 GB eMMC 5.1 storage, giving it a solid head‑room for multiple streaming apps and quick launches. Its Realtek RTD1325TPV quad‑core Cortex‑A55 processor (20K DMIPS) and Mali‑G57 GPU drive 4K UHD 2160p60 video with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and AV1 decoding, while Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital handle immersive audio.

Compared with the other five contenders, the GX1 sits toward the higher‑end of the price spectrum, making it pricier than the ultra‑light Roku Ultra and the budget‑friendly Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, yet it offers more RAM and storage than those models. It’s also heavier than the sub‑20‑gram Roku Ultra and the 28‑gram Xiaomi Stick, but still lighter than the larger Xiaomi TV Box S. Its HDMI 2.1 port and voice‑remote integration give it a feature set that outstrips the more basic Onn 4K Plus, while its Ethernet speed of 100 Mbps lags behind the Gigabit Ethernet of the RockTek G2 Chromecast.

User feedback repeatedly praises the GX1’s vivid picture quality and responsive interface, with many noting that the compact 93.98 mm depth and 22.86 mm height let it slip behind any TV without clutter. Professional reviewers have highlighted the smooth AV1 and YouTube playback, but they also flag the 100 Mbps Ethernet as a bottleneck for high‑bitrate NAS streams and point out the lack of VC‑1 codec support for legacy media libraries. Some users have reported occasional screen‑resizing quirks on certain LCD panels, and limited ventilation raises a potential long‑term heat concern.

Beyond streaming, the GX1 includes a voice‑remote with Google Assistant, Google Cast support and OTA antenna input for live TV. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 with eARC and dynamic HDR, plus an optical SPDIF output, means you can connect it to high‑end sound systems without extra adapters. The device ships with an HDMI cable, a 12 V 1 A power supply and a protective sleeve, ready for immediate setup.

Best for: Casual streamers, Google TV enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a compact 4K HDR device with strong Wi‑Fi performance.

Avoid if: You rely on high‑bitrate Plex/Kodi servers, need native VC‑1 support, or require Gigabit Ethernet for fast wired streaming.

TL;DR: The Roku Ultra 2024 delivers 30% faster navigation, 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos, and a premium rechargeable remote, all in a lightweight, Wi‑Fi 6‑ready box for $79.

The standout spec is the 30% performance boost over previous Roku models, which uses 2 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. Combined with Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) and a Gigabit Ethernet port, the Ultra can keep a 4K 3840 × 2160 stream smooth even on congested networks.

In size, the Ultra measures 127 mm deep, 25.4 mm high and 124.5 mm wide, weighing just about 0.04 lb. That makes it lighter than the Xiaomi TV Box S (0.20 lb) and the RockTek GX1 (0.25 lb), though its depth is a bit greater than those two. Compared with the slimmer Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (height 40 mm, thickness 14 mm) the Ultra is shorter but wider. Like the Onn 4K Plus and RockTek GX1, it also supports Wi‑Fi 6, but it adds Dolby Vision at 60 fps and Dolby Atmos, which the Onn lists as Dolby Vision‑compatible but doesn't mention Atmos.

Users consistently praise the ultra‑fast app launches and the smooth 4K playback over Wi‑Fi 6, noting that the Voice Remote Pro’s backlit buttons, headphone jack and finder feature make nightly binge‑watching effortless. Professional reviewers highlight the “lightning‑fast performance” and the “cinematic picture quality” from Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The most common complaints revolve around the barrel‑style power connector, which some find less convenient than a pure USB‑C solution, and the lack of Apple AirPlay 2 or HomeKit integration, limiting appeal for iOS‑centric households. Users have reported shipping to PO boxes and certain U.S. territories as problematic.

Best for: Most users looking for a well‑reviewed, reliable mainstream option

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance

TL;DR: The Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen delivers 4K HDR streaming with 32 GB storage, Wi‑Fi 6 and a compact 91 g form factor for $77.99, earning solid 4.4‑star reviews.

This dongle packs a quad‑core ARM Cortex‑A55 CPU clocked up to 2.5 GHz, 2 GB DDR3 RAM and a generous 32 GB of internal storage, letting you install plenty of apps and keep offline media handy. It outputs 3840 × 2160 @ 60 FPS and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio, so you get cinema‑grade picture and sound on a non‑smart TV.

Compared with the other five devices, the Xiaomi TV Box S offers far more onboard storage than the Roku Ultra’s 4 GB and the Xiaomi TV Stick’s 8 GB, while matching the RockTek GX1’s 32 GB. Its 2 GB RAM ties with Roku Ultra, the TV Stick and Onn 4K Plus, but falls short of the RockTek GX1’s 4 GB. At 91 g, it’s heavier than the ultra‑light Roku Ultra (18 g) and the TV Stick (28 g) yet lighter than the RockTek GX1 (115 g). All five models support Wi‑Fi 6, but only the Xiaomi and Onn list the feature explicitly.

Users consistently praise the smooth 4K playback and the voice‑controlled 360° Bluetooth remote, especially when watching Dolby Atmos content. Professional reviewers highlight the jump to 32 GB storage and the Wi‑Fi 6 module as major upgrades that keep streaming buttery‑smooth. Most complaints revolve around the modest 2 GB RAM, which can feel sluggish when many apps run simultaneously, and the absence of an Ethernet port for wired reliability. The single USB 2.0 port also limits high‑speed external storage options.

Best for: Most users looking for a well‑reviewed, reliable mainstream option

Avoid if: You need a wired Ethernet connection or heavy multitasking

TL;DR: The Onn 4K Plus delivers 4K HDR streaming with Wi‑Fi 6, Dolby Vision and 2 GB RAM in a compact box for $65.99, but its lack of Ethernet limits wired connectivity.

The Onn 4K Plus packs Wi‑Fi 6 and Dolby Vision support into a compact box measuring 101.6 mm deep, 177.8 mm high and 63.5 mm wide. It runs Google TV on Android 14, offers 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, and can stream from a catalog of 10,000+ apps and 700,000+ movies and shows.

At 101.6 mm depth it sits deeper than the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K’s 14 mm thickness and taller than the Xiaomi TV Box S’s 17 mm height, yet it’s shallower than the Roku Ultra’s 127 mm depth. Its 2 GB RAM matches the RAM of the Roku Ultra and the Xiaomi TV Stick, but falls short of the RockTek GX1’s 4 GB. Storage-wise, the Onn’s 16 GB sits between the Xiaomi Stick’s 8 GB and the Roku Ultra’s 4 GB, while the Xiaomi Box and RockTek GX1 both provide 32 GB.

Everyday users praise the quick setup and vibrant 4K visuals, and professional reviewers note surprisingly snappy navigation on Google TV and strong HDR picture quality. The most common criticism is the lack of an Ethernet port, which can cause buffering on weak Wi‑Fi, and the limited port selection—only an HDMI output and a power adapter come included.

Best for: Entry-level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: You want the best value-per-dollar in its price range

TL;DR: At $69.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K 2nd Gen delivers 4K streaming with Wi‑Fi 6, a 2.5 GHz CPU and 850 MHz GPU in a pocket‑sized dongle, offering solid performance for budget‑focused cord‑cutters.

The stick packs a quad‑core Cortex‑A55 CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz and an ARM G310 V2 GPU running at 850 MHz, backed by 2 GB RAM and 8 GB eMMC storage. It drives native 4K (3840 × 2160) at 60 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and connects via dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2.

At just 40 mm tall and 165 mm long, it is far shorter than the Onn 4K Plus’s 177.8 mm height, and its 0.06 lb weight makes it lighter than the RockTek GX1 (about 0.25 lb) but a touch heavier than the Roku Ultra (about 0.04 lb). Its 2 GB of RAM matches the Onn 4K Plus but is half of the RockTek GX1’s 4 GB, while the 8 GB storage sits between the Roku Ultra’s 4 GB and the Onn 4K Plus’s 16 GB.

Users consistently praise the device for lag‑free 4K playback and a responsive UI, noting the “absolutely crazy smooth” browsing experience professional reviewers highlighted. The main complaints revolve around the absence of an AI super‑resolution feature and the lack of an Ethernet port, which some users miss for wired reliability.

Beyond video, the stick decodes DTS:X, DTS HD and Dolby Atmos audio, offers MP3, AAC, FLAC support, and includes a Bluetooth voice remote with Google Assistant. It bundles an HDMI extension cable and power adapter, so you'll plug it straight into a TV and start streaming.

Best for: Shoppers on a tight budget who want the most for their money

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance

TL;DR: The RockTek G2 Chromecast streams 4K UHD at 60 Hz, packs 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, and offers Wi‑Fi 6 plus Gigabit Ethernet for $159.99, though its Android TV fork lacks Google certification.

The RockTek G2 Chromecast packs a 4K UHD (3840×2160) @ 60 Hz video engine, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and AV1 decoding into a tiny 1.0 × 4.5 × 4.5‑inch box. Under the hood sits an Amlogic S905X4‑K quad‑core Cortex‑A55 CPU, a Mali‑G31 MP2 GPU, 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 32 GB eMMC storage, while Dolby Atmos and DTS‑HD pass‑through deliver 7.1‑channel sound.

At $159.99 the G2 sits at the premium end of the six‑device lineup, making it pricier than the Roku Ultra and Xiaomi TV Box S, but it also offers more RAM than the Roku Ultra’s 2 GB and a larger internal drive than the Roku’s 4 GB. Its Gigabit Ethernet (up to 1000 Mbps) outpaces the RockTek GX1’s 100 Mbps link, and the listed Wi‑Fi 6 speed of up to 450 Mbps tops the Wi‑Fi specs of the Onn 4K Plus and the GX1, which only note Wi‑Fi 6 without a speed figure. The G2’s compact dimensions also make it smaller than the GX1, which lists its size in millimetres.

User sentiment praises the smooth 4K HDR playback and the convenience of the Bluetooth/IR voice remote, and professional reviewers note the device’s ability to handle high‑bitrate streams without buffering. However, several reviewers flag the forked Android TV 14 as not Google‑certified, which can lead to missing Widevine L1 and flaky Netflix 4K support. Reviewers have also reported thermal throttling at 65 °C after extended HDR sessions, and the HDMI port, which advertises 2.1, actually operates at 2.0b, lacking VRR or ALLM.

The G2 also supports Miracast screen mirroring, Bluetooth 5.0+ with IR fallback, and built‑in Chromecast, making it a versatile hub for local media and cloud gaming via NVIDIA GeForce Now. Its 7.1‑channel surround audio and Dolby Atmos pass‑through round out a premium home‑theater experience, provided you can work around the certification quirks.

Best for: Users who want premium 4K HDR streaming, robust Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity, and ample local storage for media collections.

Avoid if: You need guaranteed Google certification for Netflix 4K or require VRR‑enabled gaming performance.