Why You Can Trust CNET Best streaming and TV gifts for back to school 2017
Nothing says "time to go back to school" like a new way to watch Netflix, Hulu and YouTube. Here are our favorite devices for doing just that.
Google Chromecast ($35)
Your kid is always on her phone. She loves watching YouTube videos. You love a bargain. Sounds like the Chromecast, which allows her to blow up those phone videos to TV size, is the perfect back-to-school home video gift.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote ($40)
Or maybe your back-to-schooler likes to talk to the Alexa assistant so much that he wants it on his TV too. If so, then this streamer is the way to go.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Roku Streaming Stick ($50)
Your student already has your old smart TV in her bedroom, but she's annoyed that she can't watch all her favorite videos on there because it doesn't have a good YouTube app. The Roku Stick does, along with thousands of other apps.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Roku Premiere+ ($80)
What's better than a Roku Stick? A Roku box, complete with 4K and HDR video capability to grow with your student's entertainment budget. And his roommates will appreciate the headphone remote.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Nvidia Shield ($200)
So your back-to-school gift recipient loves gaming almost as much as he loves streaming movies. The Shield could make him a happy camper, especially if he already has a 4K TV.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Apple TV ($150)
If your student has a bunch of stuff on iTunes, or she just wants something that looks and feels a lot like her iPhone, the new Apple TV is just the ticket. In addition to numerous TV apps, it also works with many of the games and other apps she might already play on her phone.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
Vizio E Series ($450 and up)
Vizio's E series relies on a phone for its streaming apps, and delivers very good picture quality for the money. Sounds right up your student's alley.
It's only available in 50-inch and larger sizes however, so if you want something smaller, check out the D series.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
TCL P55607 ($650)
Thousands of streaming apps in one TV? Check. Excellent 4K and HDR image quality on a 55-inch screen? Double check. One happy back-to-school gift getter? You do the math.
See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.
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