Why You Can Trust CNET Best streaming devices and TVs for Father's Day 2021
From a $25 streaming device to a brand-new television, these are the best gifts you can buy for your dad this year.
- Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
- Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Struggling to come up with a Father's Day gift idea? If your dad is a techie, we have some ideas for that perfect gift in the form of a streaming device. After all, a new streaming stick would be the Father's Day gift that keeps your dad entertained all year long. From YouTube TV to Netflix to Disney Plus, streaming video is the center of today's home entertainment, and there's a wide world of content to explore -- especially if your dad is accessing it for the first time. Even better, even if Dad doesn't want to give up on his older TV to stream the latest TV shows, there are more ways than ever to access that wealth of content.
We've broken down some of the best streaming devices so that you can get Dad a gift that he'll be able to enjoy anytime he plops down on the couch to watch Netflix. So if you're still looking for the best TV and streaming device for Father's Day, read on for our favorites for every budget.
If your dad doesn't need 4K streaming, the Fire Stick Lite delivers everything he needs, complete with the bonus of an Alexa-powered voice remote. Nearly every streaming app is on tap, with the exception of Peacock, making this CNET's top pick for a budget streamer, period.
Roku is our favorite streaming system, with the most streaming app options, the simplest interface and the best search. It also has a content-agnostic platform that doesn't push any one media streaming service provider, like Amazon Prime Video or Apple, over another. The new Express 4K Plus is one of the cheapest streaming TV options with 4K HDR, and has pretty much everything a dad could want.
Part 4K streaming box, part soundbar, the Roku Streambar is perfect for updating older TVs. It's also affordable and easy to use, and sounds surprisingly decent given its compact size.
With excellent image quality and Roku's smart TV system, the TCL 6-Series is our favorite TV for people who don't have money to burn. It's the perfect balance for sensible dads. The price listed here is for the 65-inch size, but it's also available in 55- and 75-inch versions.
Ready to splurge? Yes, you could spend more on a TV, including on the new 2021 version, but this OLED from 2020 is still our pick at hundreds less -- while still delivering amazing image quality sure to delight discerning dads.