Easy to set up and use. Does exactly as promised. Darn site less expensive than a new TV with all the apps!

This chromecast is so simple and effective. No problems with installing or watching. Great buy :)

ImageTagInstance gallery-371c8fda-18e7-4070-afd9-f46a115554b5 IntroductionSometimes you don't realize how thirsty you were until you've had that first sip, and for plenty of HDTV owners, that world-changing moment came three-and-a-half years ago when Google released its first HTMLTagInstance html-tag-073f7d03-cf30-4b05-8757-165be6382fc3 Chromecast. The tiny dongle wasn't much to look at, but it didn't need to be flashy when it delivered so fiercely in terms of functionality and value.For little more than the cost of a few movie tickets, you could instantly bring your “dumb” TV into the world of streaming media – and it didn't take long for the accessory to become a global hit.In the years since, we've seen Google update its hardware with new electronics and a more installation-friendly form factor, as well as introducing a special music-only Chromecast for audiophiles. But maybe the biggest upgrade landed last fall, as Google prepared its streaming solution for the next generation of h...

There's (almost) no refuting it: Chromecast Ultra offers one of the best value-for-money streaming video devices for 4K TV owners. There's not as much benefit for the 1080p crowd, but if you’re looking for powerful, fast streaming in a device the size of a wafer for your brand-new UHD TV, there’s no...

Cheap; effective 4K and HDR streaming; Built-in Ethernet adapter; Google Home integration

No native Amazon Video support; No remote control; It'd be easier to navigate with an interface

Chromecast Ultra: Cheap and beautifully easy to use, but currently the Chromecast Ultra is largely redundant

Reasonably priced; Optional Ethernet connectivity

Must be plugged into the mains; No support for Amazon Video

With more and more TVs running Android and having Chromecast built-in, is the existence of a hardware dongle even justified? And can a dongle survive in a world of advanced TV operating systems with apps? We have used Chromecast Ultra for almost six months now and our answer is: “yes, but”.

More than years ago Google introduced us to the Chromecast . It ended up dominating the world because of its small form factor, simple setup, and bargain-level price. A refreshed model came about in 2015, and that’s still available today.

Chromecast Ultra is a great 4K TV streamer, but you almost certainly shouldn't buy it – yet

Instead of presenting the new $35 Chromecast alongside the Pixel 3 and Home Hub at its event in October, Google simply released it without a word. This is likely because, while it is indeed a new Chromecast, it doesn't actually do anything new. It's the same media streamer as the previous model, with only a slight design change, support for 1080p60, and a claimed performance bump. It remains a useful device, but without 4K capability it's much less appealing than it was a few years ago. A Slightly New Style }{{/ziffimage>The new Chromecast has the same disc shape as the previous version, but with slightly more rounded edges. It comes in matte black or white, and measures 2.1 inches around and 0.4-inch thick. A 3-inch flat gray ribbon cable extends from the Chromecast and terminates in an HDMI plug. A micro USB port (for power, with the included cable and wall adapter) sits on the opposite edge of the disc, with a reset button to its left and an indicator LED to its right. If you'v...

The new Google Chromecast media streamer is almost completely unchanged from its previous version. It's still functional and affordable, but without 4K it's much less appealing than the competition.

Inexpensive; Responsive; Lots of supported apps; Can mirror mobile device screens and display Chrome tabs

1080p maximum resolution; No on-screen interface or remote

Google steps into the world of 4K streaming with the Chromecast Ultra. Just like the regular Chromecast, this little HDMI dongle lets you watch streaming content on your TV from services like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube, but it supports 4K video in HDR. It's the most affordable 4K media streamer on the market, but at $69 it's nearly twice the price of the 1080p model and comes very close in price to other 4K media hubs that don't rely entirely on another device for playback, including our top pick, the Roku Premiere+. DesignThe Chromecast Ultra is a 2.3-inch-wide, half-inch-thick tapered black plastic disc just a hair larger than the regular model. Its aesthetics are sleeker and more streamlined than the Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, in the form of a simple glossy black plastic body with a small matte G for Google engraved on it. A three-inch cable extends from the device and terminates in an HDMI connector. A micro USB port sits on the opposite side of the disc from the HDMI ca...

Google's 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra is the least expensive UHD media streamer available, but you still need a smartphone, tablet, or computer to control it.

Ethernet port for reliable 4K streaming; Relatively inexpensive for a 4K media streamer

Requires a smartphone, tablet, or PC; Almost twice the price of the 1080p Chromecast