Best streaming devices for smart home integration
Best streaming devices for smart home integration
Looking to turn your house into a smart home? Here’s how Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV streaming devices stack up as command centers.
If you’ve thought about turning your regular, old home into a fancy, futuristic smart home but don’t want to step away from the TV, great news: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV streaming devices all have smart home capabilities. Setting up a smart home isn’t as complicated as you might think. It’s nothing more than a collection of devices connected together (usually by Wi-Fi) and controlled at a central point (in this case, a streaming device remote).
Security cameras, video doorbells, lights, power plugs, and house monitoring systems are typical smart home accessories, and despite what you’ve seen on a particular “Black Mirror” episode, a smart home system is designed to make your life easier, not take it over.
Let’s check out the smart home capabilities of Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV streaming devices.
Roku
Roku Ultra
- Price: $100
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround
- Ports: HDMI, USB, Ethernet
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote Pro
The Ultra is the crown jewel of the Roku line, a sleek set-top box loaded with premium video and audio features that’s also simple to navigate. It’s a favorite for us here at The Streamable, as well as for millions of cord-cutters looking for the easiest transition from cable and satellite TV.
The Roku Ultra is also smart home-ready and compatible with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home systems. Conveniently, Roku sells its own branded line of security cameras, video doorbells, lights, power plugs, and home monitoring systems for a complete smart home package.
Roku Streambar
- Price: $130
- Size: 14.0 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, PCM
- Ports: HDMI, USB, optical audio
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
The Roku Streambar folds some of the Ultra’s streaming features into a soundbar, including 4K capability and Dolby Audio. The smaller and cheaper Streambar SE doesn’t include Dolby Audio, but it is an easier fit for tight spaces like dorm rooms and apartments.
Like the Roku Ultra, the Streambar is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home smart home systems.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
- Price: $50
- Size: 3.7 x 0.8 x 0.5 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, DTS Digital Surround
- Ports: HDMI, USB-C
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a full-featured streaming device in a tiny package, almost equal to the Ultra, minus Dolby Atmos audio and the extra ports. It’s also a little pricier than most streaming sticks, meaning it’s probably not the best traveling companion — imagine leaving a $50 device in a hotel room by accident. Roku has budget stick options, but more on those momentarily.
As with the previous devices, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home smart home systems.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Price: $40
- Size: 3.7 x 0.80 x .45 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR
- Audio: Digital Stereo, DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Audio
- Ports: HDMI, USB-C
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
New for 2025, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus sits between the Streaming Stick 4K and the basic Streaming Stick in features and pricing. If you have an older 4K smart TV that still delivers an excellent picture, but the apps have stopped updating, the Streaming Stick Plus is a relatively inexpensive alternative to buying a new TV.
And, of course, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home smart home systems.
Roku Streaming Stick
- Price: $30
- Size: 3.7 x 0.80 x .45 inches
- Resolution: HD
- Audio: Digital Stereo
- Ports: HDMI, USB-C
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
Also new in 2025, the Streaming Stick has replaced the now-discontinued Express as Roku’s least-expensive device. It’s a basic streamer that, like the Streaming Stick Plus, is even slimmer than previous Roku sticks. If you want your TV on the go and don’t need all of the features of Roku’s pricier sticks, the Streaming Stick is the perfect road-trip buddy (just don’t leave it at the Airbnb).
It may be basic, but the Roku Streaming Stick is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home smart home systems.
Amazon Fire TV
Amazon Fire TV Cube
- Price: $110
- Size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.0 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet, USB
- Remote: Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced
The Fire TV Cube is Amazon’s luxury streaming device, packing in 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support, along with Ethernet and USB ports for a reliable internet connection and extra viewing options. It also features an octa-core processor, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 LE. The Amazon Fire TV Cube looks like a black doorstop, but it’s up there with the best streamers.
Of course, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is fully compatible with the Alexa Home smart home system. But, unlike the pan-connectual Roku, it won’t work with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home smart home systems.
Amazon Fire Stick 4K
- Price: $30
- Size: 4.25 x 1.18 x 0.55 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Micro USB
- Remote: Alexa Voice Remote
Even though it’s a fraction of the size of the Cube, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is nearly as powerful, featuring 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. And if you need more space than the standard 4GB, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max kicks the storage up to 8GB for close to the same price.
Like the Cube, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is cozy with Alexa’s smart home system. But, Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home smart home systems, not so much.
Apple TV
Apple TV 4K
- Price: $160–$190
- Size: 3.7 x 3.70 x 1.2 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Sound, Dolby Audio, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet
- Remote: Siri Remote
The Apple TV 4K device is the streaming box choice for Apple completists, featuring 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support, an Ethernet port for hardwired internet connectivity, and the minimalist-but-powerful Siri voice remote. Later in 2025, an updated Apple TV 4K model will reportedly be launched with faster processing, new Apple Bluetooth and Wi-Fi hardware, and AI capability (because everything has to have AI now, apparently).
As you’d expect, the Apple TV 4K’s smart home capabilities are reliant on Apple accessories, specifically Apple HomeKit items, including security cameras, video doorbells, and lights. The Apple HomeKit shop also offers next-level items like thermostats, irrigation system controllers, and water leak detectors.
Which streaming device offers the best smart home integration for you?
If you want to try out a variety of smart home systems, Roku gives you all the choices: Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and its own Roku Smart Home system. Just as it’s an excellent device brand for new streamers, Roku offers an easy entry-level system for first-time smart-homers.
Amazon Fire TV’s streaming devices are brand-planted in the Alexa camp, which is probably all that Amazon devotees need to hear. Additionally, Fire TV’s line of smart home accessories is expansive and varied, including home security devices, lighting, lawn and garden controls, and even helpful goodies for your pets. Best of all, you know exactly where to buy them for next-day delivery.
As with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV’s smart home system is geared toward Apple users who can’t live without their Siri connection. But, if you’re considering going all-in with Apple as your smart home companion, it may be best to wait until the newest version of the Apple TV 4K is released in 2025.