The vast majority of new TVs sold nowadays are smart TVs, which means you can connect them to your Wi-Fi and stream TV shows and movies, browse the web, or run apps, all without the need for an additional device.
However, if you’re holding on to an older TV, you could be missing out on some of the best entertainment options available. This includes the wealth of award-winning content on streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.
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But don’t worry, you can still stream this great content with the help of a device or two. Here’s how you can make your TV into a smart TV.
Streaming sticks and internet TV boxes
Usually, the cheapest way to make your TV a smart TV is to buy a streaming stick. There are a range of standalone streaming devices that give you access to the streaming service or catch-up app.
These devices will make your TV smart, but only through the apps you use on the device itself. Also, be sure to check which services are accessible, as some streaming devices come with different apps.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a small device that plugs into the HDMI port on your TV, and connects to the internet via your Wi-Fi connection.
Apps include:
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Spotify
Disney Plus
YouTube
Vevo
hayu
Catch-up TV apps like BBC iPlayer
There are currently around 5,000 apps you can download, including games, media players and other services.
NOW TV stick
The NOW TV stick has been discontinued, but if you still have the device, you can use it to access plenty of other apps in addition to NOW.
Apps include:
NOW
YouTube
Spotify
Catch-up TV apps
Read our full NOW TV stick review for more details.
Apple TV
Apple TV is a streaming box that you plug into your TV and connect to the Wi-Fi, so you can access streaming content and other apps.
Apps include:
Apple TV Plus
Netflix
NOW
YouTube
Disney Plus
Spotify
Vevo
Catch-up TV apps
Apple TV is linked to your Apple ID, so you can download plenty of music, movies and games through the iTunes store in addition to other apps.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is fairly similar to the Fire TV Stick in that it plugs into the HDMI port on your TV and connects to the internet wirelessly.
The latest version of the Google Chromecast has an intuitive interface and allows you to access all your streaming platforms from a single screen.
These include:
Netflix
NOW
YouTube
Spotify
hayu
Vevo
Catch-up TV apps
Chromecast also has lots of other apps you can use, ranging from games and sports to health and fitness apps.
Read our full Google Chromecast review to find out more.
Roku
You can either get a Roku box or streaming stick, either of which plugs directly into your HDMI port and connect to Wi-Fi.
Apps include:
Netflix
NOW
Amazon Prime
Spotify
Catch-up TV apps
Roku has over 2,000 channels or apps that you can watch, listen to or play.
YouView
As mentioned above, YouView makes set-top boxes for TalkTalk and BT, but it also sells standalone boxes that support Freeview channels, players, and apps.
Apps include:
Netflix
NOW
Catch-up TV
Other ways to stream
Couple watching smart TV
If you don’t want to switch providers or buy a dedicated streaming device, you still might be able to access your favourite players and apps on your TV through another device you already own.
Set-top boxes
Nowadays, pretty much every set-top box gives you access to players and apps which let you stream content to your TV on demand.
Catch-up services like iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4 are standard nowadays, but the other apps included on your set-top box depend on your provider.
Sky Q
Sky's collaboration with services like Netflix and Disney Plus means that you can watch content from multiple services directly through your Sky Q box. If you sign up for the Sky TV & Netflix package, you can browse and stream content from Sky and Netflix from the same interface.
Apps include:
YouTube
Vevo
Netflix
Disney Plus
Sky Stream
Sky also offers its TV services directly over the internet rather than via a satellite dish and set-top box. With Sky Stream you get all the same services and channels, all provided over Wi-Fi.
Apps include:
YouTube
Vevo
Netflix
Disney Plus
Our best Sky TV deals
Want a bigger and better TV package? Check out the latest Sky TV deals on Uswitch.
BT YouView Box
Apps include:
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Disney Plus
BT TV Store
NOW
Compare Uswitch's top BT deals:
EE TV Box Pro
Apps include:
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Apple TV Plus
Disney Plus
TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport)
BBC iPlayer
ITV Hub
All 4
NOW
Virgin Media Stream
Apps include:
Netflix
Disney Plus
TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport)
Amazon Prime Video
BBC iPlayer
ITV Hub
YouTube
Vevo
Cheap TV boxes
Before you purchase a cheap TV box online, be sure to check its compatibility with your TV or streaming service. If you subscribe to channels from Sky or BT, it's unlikely that any other internet TV box will work apart from their own-branded ones.
Streaming TV on game consoles
Most modern game consoles have the capability to connect to the internet and stream different players and apps. Netflix and catch-up TV are available on the following devices; however, not all consoles support all streaming services:
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
Wii and Wii U
Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Streaming TV on PS5
You can use your PlayStation console for so much more than just gaming, streaming all sorts of entertainment from movies and TV shows to live streams.
The PS5 has a dedicated space exclusively for media entertainment, meaning you won't have to download specific apps from the PS Store. Located right next to the Game home screen, you can easily switch between Game or Media content without the need to navigate through each app.
What's more, the PS5 comes with a media remote, so you don't have to use your controller to scroll through content. You can control playback, change the volume and power setting on compatible TVs, and there are even launch buttons for specific apps such as Disney Plus, Netflix, Spotify and YouTube.
Read our full PlayStation 5 review to learn about all the other features of Sony's latest gaming console.
Blu-ray players
Similarly, Blu-ray players can connect to the internet, so most have streaming apps already built into them. Again, Netflix is the most common, but some devices also support NOW TV, too.
Connecting devices to your TV
Alternatively, you can always connect your laptop, computer, tablet or other devices directly to your TV with an HDMI cable, as long as your device supports that capability.
Even going through this route, however, not every streaming service supports this ability: NOW, for example, won't let you connect your iPad directly to your TV to watch box sets.
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