Smart TV or streaming stick?

Virtually every TV is a smart TV now. Here’s why you might want a separate streaming device anyway.

Jared Newman | May 13, 2026

Buying a new TV and a new streaming device used to be separate decisions, as televisions didn’t always come with adequate smart TV software.

These days, though, it’s virtually impossible to buy a television that isn’t a smart TV, with Roku, Fire TV, or other streaming platforms built in. So whenever I write about the latest streaming devices—like Amazon’s new Fire TV Stick or Walmart’s latest Onn players—inevitably some folks will ask me what’s the point. Why bother using an external streaming box or stick when your TV already supports the same apps?

Hold up!

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