There are more streaming networks than ever before, so if you have questions about the future of streaming, then you've come to the right place. All week long, IGN's State of Streaming 3.0 initiative is featuring reviews and in-depth analysis about current streaming providers like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more!
When it comes to streaming devices, the conversation usually revolves around how well the interface runs, what apps are available to add, and how intuitive the layout is. But none of that matters if the handheld remote is trash. The streaming device could offer every app under the sun and run like lightning, but if the remote feels clunky, the overall experience will be poor. Let’s take a look at the major streaming devices on the market and which of those has the best remote to go with it, from worst to best.
5. Apple TV Remote
The new second-generation Siri Remote for Apple TV is definitely an upgrade over the functionality of the older version, but for a company famed for its user interface design I still find it lacking. First, the improvements. The swipe controls for the directional pad are less sensitive, which might sound worse but in actuality, the original implementation caused inadvertent scrolling all the time. There’s also a defined directional pad as opposed to a blank black portion at the top of the first generation Siri Remote. A rechargeable battery (with an included lightning to USB cable) is a big benefit over having to buy replacement batteries.
While the Siri Remotes also have more buttons than the Apple remotes of old, for me it’s still a bit too minimalist. While the swipe controls on the direction pad can be used to fast forward and rewind through content, it lacks buttons for those functions. There are also no dedicated app buttons (not even for Apple+, which seems like a missed opportunity). At $59, the replacement remote cost is also the highest of any of the ones in this article.
4. Nvidia Shield Remote
The Bluetooth remote for the Nvidia Shield is long and slim. At first glance, I expected to dislike its feel, but because of the rounded triangular shape, it actually fits in the hand rather comfortably. The button layout isn’t ideal to me. As opposed to the transport buttons in traditional positions (the play/pause button flanked on either side by rewind and fast forward horizontally), the two-column approach means they’re positioned vertically. Included is a voice control button, but either the microphone on the remote isn’t great or the voice recognition software on the Shield needs work because it can be wildly inaccurate. There’s also only one dedicated app button (for Netflix) and no programmable buttons to add other apps.
There are some nice features too. The remote is backlit and activates when you pick it up. And it includes a built-in remote locator in case you manage to misplace it. The Shield TV is $150 and the Shield TV Pro is $200. Remote replacements cost $30.
3. Chromecast with Google TV Remote
Until recently I wouldn’t even include the Chromecast on a list like this. Why? It didn’t come with a remote and relied on using an app on your mobile device to navigate the interface. But now the Chromecast with Google TV has added a small Bluetooth remote. And even better, they’ve done a pretty good job with it. In addition to Bluetooth, it has IR so it can control your TV’s volume with an up and down button on the right side. The remote is reminiscent of a Roku remote, with a curved top and bottom and a rounded back. It’s a bit shorter than the standard Roku remote (by about 0.75 inches) and fits pretty well in the hand. The layout of the remote is great—relatively sparse but not as minimalistic as the Apple TV remote—and the compact size means you’re not shuffling it around in your grip to reach everything.
At the top is a circular directional pad with a select button in the middle. Below that are two rows of three buttons—home, back, mute, voice control activation, and two dedicated app buttons for YouTube and Netflix—followed by a power and input select button in a slightly recessed area with the microphone in between. The Chromecast with Google TV and remote come in three colors—Snow, Sunrise, and Sky (otherwise known as white, pink, and blue). The remote is one color except for the Google Assistant button that is either black, red, or green, respectively. The Chromecast with Google TV costs $50 and a replacement remote is $20.
2. Amazon's Fire TV Remote
There are a few different remotes for the Fire TV depending on which version you buy. The Fire TV Stick Lite remote expectedly is the most bare-bones and the one that’s been around the longest. There’s a directional ring for navigation, two rows of three buttons grouped with back, home, and menu first, and transport buttons next (arranged horizontally instead of vertically like the Nvidia Shield, which we’ve established I’m not a huge fan of). For content, there’s just a Live TV button, but no dedicated app or assignable buttons. At the top of the remote is a mic button that is slightly annoying to reach for with my thumb, although someone with above-average-sized hands likely wouldn’t have the same problem. There are no TV volume control buttons. If you don’t need much it’ll get the job done, but the more advanced remotes in the lineup are what makes the Fire TV remotes our #2.
The Fire TV Stick 4K remote adds some TV controls with a power button at the top left, a + and – volume button that replaces the Live TV button, a mute button right below that. The third-generation Fire TV Stick that just came out, comes with the most involved of the three remotes. The mute button is moved to the left of the volume and the Live TV button returns, now to the right of the volume. At the bottom are four dedicated app buttons for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. It has almost all the buttons you could ever need (only missing assignable app buttons like you get with the Voice Remote Pro Roku remote below). Unfortunately, the Fire TV Stick doesn’t support 4K, which seems like a glaring oversight that the most advanced Fire TV option doesn’t include the most advanced Fire TV remote. The replacement remotes are all $30, which is almost as much as just getting another Fire TV Stick.
1. Roku Remote
There are many reasons that Roku has been at or near the top of streaming devices for years. One of them is their remote. Like the Fire TV options, there are different remotes depending on which version of Roku you get, but they’re all good. Each has a back and home button above a purple cross-directional pad. On the Simple Remote that comes with the Roku Express, below the directional pad is a 30 seconds back button (called Instant Replay), menu button, transport controls, and four dedicated app buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and SlingTV.
On the Voice Remote there are added TV control buttons including power at the top of the remote, volume up and down, and mute (on the right side). There’s also a microphone button to activate voice controls. The Voice Remote Pro builds on that by adding two programmable shortcut buttons, an on/off toggle for hands-free voice search, a headphone jack for private listening of the attached TV, a lost remote finder, and a charging port. It’s what sets the Roku remotes apart from the others. All three versions are the same size that fits well in the hand and has a nice smooth indentation on the back where your index finger naturally lies.
The Simple remote isn’t available for separate purchase, but both the Voice Remote and Voice Remote Pro are available for $20 and $30, respectively. The Voice Remote Pro works with all Roku TVs, Roku audio products (like soundbars), and recent Roku players. For anyone with a Roku, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
