Video Streaming Services: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
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Readers' Choice: Your Favorite TV and Home Entertainment Brands RankedIf you're in the market for a new television, our readers have some clear recommendations. And to round out the package, we've also asked them to rate the audio and streaming devices and services they like best.
By Eric Griffith
Our Top Picks
Netflix
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
While pricey, Netflix remains one of the best video streaming services, thanks to its huge catalog of TV shows, movies, and critically acclaimed originals.
Full Netflix ReviewPros
- High-quality original programming
- Excellent apps and features
- Offline downloads on mobile
- Free mobile games
Cons
- Ad-based tier doesn't include the full library
- Little to no information about changes to content availability
Pros
- High-quality original programming
- Excellent apps and features
- Offline downloads on mobile
- Free mobile games
Cons
- Ad-based tier doesn't include the full library
- Little to no information about changes to content availability
Hulu
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Hulu is a dependable option for streaming new and classic shows, as well as live TV on nearly every platform. It's a top choice among video streaming services
Full Hulu ReviewPros
- Excellent TV series selection
- Extensive live TV channel lineup
- Robust unlimited cloud DVR option
- Available on nearly every media streaming device
- Appealing bundle deals
Cons
- Base plan includes ads
- Offline downloads require a premium account
- Missing all Bally Sports and most SportsNet RSNs
Pros
- Excellent TV series selection
- Extensive live TV channel lineup
- Robust unlimited cloud DVR option
- Available on nearly every media streaming device
- Appealing bundle deals
Cons
- Base plan includes ads
- Offline downloads require a premium account
- Missing all Bally Sports and most SportsNet RSNs
Peacock
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Peacock lets you stream popular NBC TV shows, many notable movies, and live sports with its robust paid tiers that won't break the bank.
Full Peacock ReviewPros
- Many popular movies and network shows
- Live sports
- Flexible plan pricing
- Supports multiple account profiles
Cons
- Constantly changing movie library
- New users can't create a free account
Pros
- Many popular movies and network shows
- Live sports
- Flexible plan pricing
- Supports multiple account profiles
Cons
- Constantly changing movie library
- New users can't create a free account
Tubi
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Tubi is a free, ad-supported video streaming service that features a delightfully large and frequently updated library of movies and shows. There's no reason not to give it a try.
Full Tubi ReviewPros
- Free
- Extensive library of movies and shows
- Live TV
- Modern apps and interfaces
- Supports watchlists
- Parental control features
Cons
- 720p streaming resolution cap
- Lacks an ad-free option
Pros
- Free
- Extensive library of movies and shows
- Live TV
- Modern apps and interfaces
- Supports watchlists
- Parental control features
Cons
- 720p streaming resolution cap
- Lacks an ad-free option
YouTube TV
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Even as its price continues to rise, YouTube TV remains a top option for cord-cutters thanks to excellent DVR tools, expansive channel variety, and terrific sports features.
Full YouTube TV ReviewPros
- Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
- Impressive viewing features for sports fans
- Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
- Intuitive interface
- Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
- Excellent add-ons
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
Pros
- Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
- Impressive viewing features for sports fans
- Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
- Intuitive interface
- Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
- Excellent add-ons
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
Amazon Prime Video
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Amazon Prime Video features many prestige movies and TV shows, live sports, and the cool ability to buy or rent programs.
Full Amazon Prime Video ReviewPros
- Excellent original content
- 4K and HDR streaming
- Select live sports
- Supports offline downloads, multiple viewer profiles, and audio descriptions
- Lets you rent or buy movies and TV shows
- Streams select movies currently in theaters
Cons
- Not as many high-quality original TV shows as competitors
- 4K content is locked to the Video Ultra tier
Pros
- Excellent original content
- 4K and HDR streaming
- Select live sports
- Supports offline downloads, multiple viewer profiles, and audio descriptions
- Lets you rent or buy movies and TV shows
- Streams select movies currently in theaters
Cons
- Not as many high-quality original TV shows as competitors
- 4K content is locked to the Video Ultra tier
Disney+
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Disney+ offers an impressive entertainment library featuring high-quality family shows and movies from properties I love, and you probably love, too.
Full Disney+ ReviewPros
- Central hub for Disney-owned content
- Lets you watch Hulu programming within the app
- 4K streaming
- Good performance in testing
Cons
- Mostly relies on existing franchises
- Hulu and ESPN content costs extra
- Offline downloads locked to Premium tier
Pros
- Central hub for Disney-owned content
- Lets you watch Hulu programming within the app
- 4K streaming
- Good performance in testing
Cons
- Mostly relies on existing franchises
- Hulu and ESPN content costs extra
- Offline downloads locked to Premium tier
HBO Max
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
One of my streaming staples, HBO Max delivers a strong streaming library filled with original dramas, high-quality films, reality shows, live sports, and expanded 4K content.
Full HBO Max ReviewPros
- Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources
- Attractive apps
- User profiles and parental control tools
- Ad-free tier lets you download content for offline viewing
- Live sports
- Ultimate tier includes far more 4K content than the other plans
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Ad-supported tier doesn't support offline downloads
- Potentially dramatic library changes
Pros
- Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources
- Attractive apps
- User profiles and parental control tools
- Ad-free tier lets you download content for offline viewing
- Live sports
- Ultimate tier includes far more 4K content than the other plans
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Ad-supported tier doesn't support offline downloads
- Potentially dramatic library changes
Crunchyroll
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Featuring a huge library with simulcast support, a manga reader, and an online store, Crunchyroll is the one-stop shop for casual and hard-core anime fans.
Full Crunchyroll ReviewPros
- Expansive anime library
- All tiers support 1080p streaming
- Many simulcast shows
- Some original series
- Manga and apparel store
- Offline downloads
Cons
- Some interface clutter
- No free tier
- Few subtitle options
Pros
- Expansive anime library
- All tiers support 1080p streaming
- Many simulcast shows
- Some original series
- Manga and apparel store
- Offline downloads
Cons
- Some interface clutter
- No free tier
- Few subtitle options
Curiosity Stream
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Documentary-dedicated streaming service Curiosity Stream has all the content you need to satisfy your hunger for knowledge and inspire new adventures.
Full Curiosity Stream ReviewPros
- Thousands of titles
- Impressive originals
- Apps for most major streaming platforms
- Entries are either in HD or 4K quality
- Available worldwide
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited language options beyond English
- Somewhat narrow focus
Pros
- Thousands of titles
- Impressive originals
- Apps for most major streaming platforms
- Entries are either in HD or 4K quality
- Available worldwide
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited language options beyond English
- Somewhat narrow focus
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