The new Chromecast vs. the competition: Which will you watch?
The original Chromecast stood out for how it offered a cheap, easy way to get content on your TV in a super small form factor. Its successor adds even more features like Fast Play, an integrated HDMI cable and even a redesigned app. However, the digital set-top player arena has gotten a lot more crowded since 2013, with heavyweights like Roku and Amazon offering their own streaming sticks to compete. With so much shared content and affordable prices across the board, we took a look at what each player has to offer in terms of specs and features to see if it’s more than just the Chromecast’s new shape that makes it stand out.
| Chromecast (2015) | Roku Streaming Stick (2014) | Fire TV Stick (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $50 | $40 |
| Dimensions | 2.04 x 2.04 x 0.53 inches (51.9 x 51.9 x 13.49mm) | 3.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches (88.9 x 88.9 x 25.4mm) | 3.3 x 1.0 x 1.5 inches (84.5 x 25 x 11.5mm) |
| Weight | 1.38 ounces (39.1g) | 5 ounces (141.75g) | 0.9 ounces (25.1g) |
| Output resolution | 1080p | 720p, 1080p | 720p, 1080p |
| RAM | NA | 512MB | 1GB |
| Internal storage | NA | 256MB | 8GB |
| WiFi | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | NA | None | v3.0 |
| Ports | HDMI, Micro-USB | HDMI | HDMI 1.4 |
| Remote | No | Yes | Yes (voice control option available) |
| Video codecs | casts from device; limited by what your phone or browser supports | H.264 1080p, H.264 720 x 480, MPEG-4 | H.264 |
| Audio codecs | casts from device | AAC-LC (CBR), AC3 (passthrough) |
AAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/WAV, Vorbis |
| Photo formats | casts from device | JPEG, PNG | JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP |
| Available content | Google Play, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and more | Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Pandora, HBO Go, Hulu, ESPN, NFL Now, CBS, Showtime, Sling TV and more | Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Pandora, HBO Go, HBO Now, Hulu, ESPN, NFL Now, MLB, Sling TV and more |
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