The most future-proof streaming devices of 2025 (2025)

The Roku Ultra, the brand’s premium streaming device, was last updated in 2024 with faster processing and “Quick Media Switching” for speedier refresh rates, as well as Wi-Fi 6 capability. The update also eliminated the headphone jack on the Roku Ultra’s voice remote, replacing it with wireless Bluetooth connectivity. The device still features 4K resolution streaming, an Ethernet port for a hardwired internet connection, and Roku Smart Home integration. Roku’s next update to the Ultra is likely a few years away, possibly 2026 at the earliest. For now, the 2024 version of the streamer remains a solid, feature-rich investment.

The Roku Streambar, a combination soundbar and Roku streaming device, was last updated in 2021 as the Streambar Pro. However, that model has since been discontinued, leaving the Roku Streambar and the Roku Streambar SE, a smaller version with fewer sound features. Considering that the Roku Streambar hasn’t introduced any updates since its launch in 2020, it’s either long overdue for a freshly upgraded model or on its way out the door to join the Streambar Pro in the Roku graveyard. You can get great deals on the Roku Streambar, but its future-proof status is iffy.

Smaller than an Ultra but larger than a Stick, the Roku Express doesn’t offer much in terms of features or convenience. But it was last updated in 2022, and was discontinued in 2025. The Express has been updated several times since its introduction in 2016, and it’s currently the cheapest Roku streaming device at $30. The price may be the key to the Express’ longevity — it’s a no-frills device that lets you start streaming on the cheap. Roku seems to be keeping it around as an introductory model, hoping that buyers will eventually upgrade to the more expensive Stick or Ultra.

Amazon’s Fire TV Cube was rolled out in 2018 and last updated in 2022 with an octa-core processor, Wi-Fi 6 capability, and Bluetooth 5.0 LE. It’s a powerful streaming device on par with the Roku Ultra, but the Amazon Fire TV Cube seems due for an upgrade by now, possibly in 2026 or even late 2025. Not all change is for the better, however. Amazon Fire TV is reportedly switching from its current Android-based operating system to its own system, called Vega OS. Future versions of Amazon Fire TV devices, including the Cube, are likely to run on Vega OS. This may alienate Android devotees, as developers will need to completely rewrite existing apps to run on it.

As with the Cube, next-gen versions of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K will run on Amazon’s new proprietary Vega OS. This means that not all Android-based apps currently available to Fire TV users may be compatible with the new devices right away — cutting convenience never goes over well with customers, no matter how brand-loyal they are. Right now, the Android-based Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is an excellent streaming device, as is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which comes with twice the storage space. Going forward with the changes coming to Fire TV devices, though, it’s difficult to predict how quickly and smoothly the new OS transition will go.

The Apple TV 4K streaming device was last updated in 2022, but a new model is reportedly set to hit the shelves in 2025. Apple loyalists most likely are already streaming with the 2022 third-gen model, but if you’re a newbie thinking about switching from a Roku or Amazon Fire TV device, the smart bet would be to wait for the new Apple TV 4K release. With few exceptions, Apple tends to go big with new model releases, which is why years can lapse between announcements. The 2025 Apple TV 4K will reportedly feature a faster chip to keep up with Apple apps and support for Apple Intelligence AI (another new feature), and Apple’s first proprietary Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware.