Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Onn – Which Streaming Device is Best?

I have four TVs in my house and I have a different streaming setup on each one. I have an Apple TV, a Roku, an Onn box, and a smart TV with built-in Android OS. I use at least one of these TVs nearly every day. So which would I recommend? Read on for the full comparison.

Best Overall Streaming Device: Apple TV

My choice for the best option is Apple TV. I love it because it’s incredibly smooth and customizable. It’s also the only streaming device that doesn’t bash you in the face with ads on nearly every screen.

The downsides? Apple TV isn’t cheap – it sells for $159. For what an Apple TV costs, you could buy several competing streaming devices. Older users may find the remote control confusing or difficult to use. Becuse of Apple’s high standards, it may not support some independent apps. You also can’t use it to watch The Roku Channel.

While I love the remote control, some users may find it frustrating. Similar to a smartphone, there’s a lot of thumb “sliding” required and the button clicks aren’t very satisfying. Thankfully, Apple has improved its remote over time and it’s better today than the first Apple TV remotes.

One great perk is that Apple TV works well with my iPhone. I can use my phone to input text on the Apple TV. I can even use my phone as a remote control. If I have a video I want to share from my MacBook or iPhone, the AirPlay feature works flawlessly.

Apple TV allows me to set up the main page exactly how I want. Unlike every other streaming device or OS, I can completely eliminate apps I don’t want. With my smart TV, it is nearly impossible to get rid of YouTube – an app I don’t want my young son to have access to. With Apple TV, it’s easy to remove it.

Apple TV also cuts down on the problem of gross or weird thumbnail images appearing as ads on the home screen. It’s a clutter-free experience that I love. Is it worth the added cost for the Apple TV? I believe it is, at least for the main TV in your home.

Easiest to Use: Roku

Roku is the most popular TV ecosystem for a reason: it is incredibly easy to use. The buttons are big and “grippy” and they feel satisfying to press. You’ll hear a satisfying noise on your TV when you press a button. When I have an older relative looking for a streaming device, I always recommend Roku.

Roku has a great ecosystem of apps. Nearly every new streamer launches on Roku, so you’re rarely shut out of whatever you want to stream.

I have the Roku Express 4K+ and one thing I don’t like is the position of the volume buttons. It feels like a weird design choice to have them positioned on the right side of the remote where I have to completely reposition my hand to access them. I also don’t like how the volume “jumps” by large margins up and down. It’s hard to make it a little louder or quieter so I end up reaching for my TV remote.

Part of the reason Roku devices are so much cheaper than Apple is because you’ll see a fair amount of ads on your navigation screens. Almost 1/3 of the screen is set aside for a large ad.

The integration with the phone app is great with Roku. It allows you to listen to your Roku through any headphones paired to your phone. I use it if I’m watching our bedroom TV so I don’t wake my kids.

The voice remote works smoothly – it’s great for kids or older adults.

If you’ve never tried Roku, it’s an inexpensive and easy way to upgrade an older TV.

Just Okay: Onn

I picked up the Onn 4K streaming box a few months ago and it’s nice, but I don’t like it as much as Apple TV or Roku. It was cheap (just around $20), so the price was right. But it just feels like a sideways move from the standard smart TV OS.

I like that Onn’s Google TV ecosystem allows you to use almost any streaming app, but that also means there’s a lot of junk and possibly unsafe apps.

If you do have an Onn, I recommend setting it to “apps only” mode, which makes your home screen look a lot simpler (much like Apple TV). To do this, go to Settings > Accounts & Sign-in > Your Google TV account > then toggle the Apps only mode switch.

An Onn device might provide a step up from your built-in smart TV, but it’s not a big enough advantage to make it worth it.

Why I Don’t Recommend Using a Smart TV Interface

There’s nothing wrong with choosing to stay with your smart TV. I have one TV where I’m still doing that. But navigation becomes really clunky and it can be hard to customize how you want it.

Even though I thought I killed YouTube off that TV, I walked into the living room one day and saw my 5-year-old son watching a video. He used the voice remote to access it somehow. This sent me on a long search to figure out how to set up a “restricted profile,” which is a pain to turn on and off.

Streaming devices are designed to make streaming simple. Smart TVs just don’t have the same processing ability. As time goes on, I find my smart TV getting slower and slower while my streaming devices continue to work just as well as the day I bought them. When you consider the relatively small cost of a streaming device, it’s not a big deal to upgrade if something better comes along. Replacing your whole TV is a different issue.