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Need a Last-Minute Gift? Which is Better, a Smart TV or Streaming Player?

If you know someone who needs a techy gift this holiday season, a new smart TV or streaming device might be just the ticket.

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
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David Satin

The holidays are here once again, and that means it’s about time to start thinking about what gifts your friends and family will be getting this year. Cord cutters are somewhat easy to buy for, especially if they’re newly departed from cable or satellite and looking for a novel way to enjoy their entertainment options.

The best news is that entertainment by video has never been more available. The internet has changed everything about the distribution of both live and on-demand content, and the rise of the connected device has accompanied the onset of internet-delivered streaming.

Now, audiences are faced with the dilemma of whether or not to buy a smart TV or a connected streaming player to best access their favorite streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Netflix. Both have their own distinct advantages and drawbacks, but which is better for the gift-needy cord cutter in your life?

Do Smart TVs or Streaming Devices Have Better Features?

Both smart TVs and streaming devices come with the ability to receive and re-transmit Ultra-High-Definition 4K signals and video. Users who opt for a 4K-enabled device will almost always pay more than they will for devices that top out at standard 1080p HD, but a 4K device will grant the viewer the highest screen resolution commercially available.

Streaming devices often have more built-in storage, so they tend to run and load faster than smart TVs. These devices will be able to call up your favorite streaming service more quickly and also have room for downloaded TV shows and movies.

On the other hand, smart TVs have more overall functionality than a streaming device. Smart TVs are compatible with console gaming and often come with web browsers built in. Users can also plug an over-the-air antenna into a smart TV to watch local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC without the need for an expensive cable subscription.

Do Smart TVs and Streaming Devices Offer the Same Support for Apps?

Many customers have found that streaming players do a better job of updating apps automatically than smart TVs do, but others indicate they don’t see much of a difference in the user interface experience. Shoppers should pay careful attention to the customer reviews of products they are thinking about buying to make sure whichever item it is has the features and support they’ll want.

One thing to keep in mind is that some smart TVs do not support all popular streaming apps. Even the top-tier streaming apps like Hulu are sometimes excluded from smart TV operating systems, which can be considerably more bare-bones than streaming players.

Which Costs More: Smart TVs or Streaming Players?

This, more than any other factor will likely decide whether the shopper buys a new smart TV or streaming device for their gift recipient. Streaming players will obviously be cheaper than smart TVs, but that doesn’t factor in all of the details listed above as reasons to consider a smart TV instead.

Check out a list of streaming devices on sale here:

There’s also a nice variety of smart TVs available on sale for the holidays, with varying features and at a selection of price points to fit any budget.

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.