In terms of performance and capability the Chromecast Ultra is a big improvement on its older sibling, especially if you've made the leap to a 4K Television set. Upgrading the tech has also seen an increase in price, which feels a little high at the moment, but if you want a 4K streaming stick then...

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 .

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

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

Google's Chromecast Ultra is a slick and simple way to serve up tons of 4K Ultra HD content in glistening HDR.

Simple and affordable 4K streaming; Widest HDR support available; Intuitive interface and setup; Supports YouTube HDR; Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet for strong connection

Cross platform search still mediocre; No Amazon video

In "Up the Long Ladder," an otherwise very forgettable episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a guest star informs Mr. Worf that "Every moment of pleasure in life has to be purchased by an equal amount of pain." Nowhere is this adage truer than in streaming media players.

Easy to use; Inexpensive; Beautiful 4K HDR streams

Fewer channels than competitors; Lingering bugs; Inelegant design

The Chromecast Ultra does exactly what it promises to do: reliably stream 4K HDR video to compatible TVs. But the marginal increase in quality, coupled with a dearth of 4K content, means the device is hardly a must-buy.

Google's premium Chromecast quadruples the pixels for double the money, but lacks the bells and whistles of other high-end steaming devices.

Google Cast technology fundamentally works well; Low entry price for 4K HDR streaming; Ethernet and speed boost are welcome improvements

Short on convenience features like private listening; captive portal; and consistent playback controls; Google Home app needs streamlining and easier...

Compared to its predecessors, the Chromecast Ultra has three new tricks: 4K HDR streaming, shorter loading times, and an ethernet port for wired connections.

Judged purely on whether it's a good gadget or not, the Chromecast Ultra is a success. It streams well, is simple to use, and is supported by most streaming services (other than Amazon's Instant Video).

Simple to set up; Effortless 4K streaming; Casting Chrome tabs to a TV is handy

Most TVs have in-built 4K streaming; Missing Amazon Instant Video; Expensive

Casting, Google Cast or Chromecast represents one of the greatest steps in recent consumer technology. The ability to fling content from a phone or mobile device to a big-screen TV and control it from the palm of your hand is simple, but great.

Ultra HD; HDR and Dolby Vision support; Ethernet connection; simple; fast; easy to use; affordable

Your smart TV probably offers all these features already; needs a consistent method for confirming the quality you're viewing