Google killed the Chromecast and gave us a box instead. The Google TV Streamer is Google’s first proper streaming box: faster, with double the storage, an Ethernet port, and a Thread smart-home hub built in. At £99 in the UK, it sits right between the budget sticks and the premium Apple TV 4K. I tested it for weeks. Here is whether it is worth your money in 2026.
Google TV Streamer: The 60-Second Review
Rating: 8.5/10. The best Google streamer you can buy, and the smartest box for Android households.
Buy it if you have an Android phone, you cast a lot, or you want a Thread smart-home hub with your streamer. At £99, it is excellent value.
Skip it if your old Chromecast with Google TV 4K still works fine. The Streamer is the natural replacement, not a revolution.
The bottom line: Google’s best streamer, fairly priced. Android households should buy it without hesitation.
Google TV Streamer Price in Europe (2026)
- UK: £99 (official Google Store; seen as low as £75 on Prime Day)
- EU: around €119
- US note: raised to $149.99 in August 2026 due to component costs. The UK and EU prices have NOT changed.
For context, the old Chromecast with Google TV 4K was £59.99. The Streamer costs more, but you get a faster box, double the storage, Ethernet, and a smart-home hub. Compared to the Apple TV 4K at £199, it is still half the money. My full take on the two is in Apple TV vs Google TV.
Design: From Dongle to Box
The Streamer ditches the Chromecast’s hidden-behind-the-TV dongle design for a slim, pill-shaped box that sits on your shelf. It looks like a wireless phone charger, and honestly it looks good. Around the back: one HDMI 2.1 port, one Ethernet port, and USB-C for power.
The remote is redesigned too: better in the hand than the old Chromecast remote, with a programmable button and a find-my-remote chime that plays through the box. Small things, but they matter daily.
Speed and Performance
Google says the Streamer is 22% faster than the old Chromecast, and it feels it. Apps open quickly, 4K starts without the old buffering pause, and the interface stays smooth with 4GB of RAM doing the work.
Storage is 32GB, double the Chromecast’s 16GB. That matters: with streaming apps growing, 16GB fills up fast. 32GB gives you real breathing room.
It is not Apple TV 4K fast (nothing is, outside the A15), but for £99 nothing in the Google world touches it.
Picture and Sound Quality
Full marks on formats: 4K at up to 60fps, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Atmos. On a good TV, it looks superb, and frame-rate handling is solid.
The Ethernet port is the quiet hero here. If your Wi-Fi is congested, wired Ethernet gives you rock-solid 4K with zero buffering, something no Fire TV stick can match at this price.
Smart Home: A Real Hub
- Thread border router built in
- Matter support
- Google Home panel on your TV: see cameras, dim lights, adjust thermostats without leaving the couch
- Google Assistant voice remote, with Gemini features expanding
If your home runs on Google Home, this box earns its shelf space twice over. The Thread hub alone would cost you £30–£50 as a separate device.
Google TV Streamer vs Chromecast with Google TV 4K
| Spec | Chromecast with Google TV 4K | Google TV Streamer |
|---|---|---|
| UK price | £59.99 (discontinued) | £99 |
| Form factor | HDMI dongle | Desktop box |
| Processor | Older ARM | 22% faster |
| RAM / Storage | 2GB / 8GB | 4GB / 32GB |
| Ethernet | No (adapter extra) | Built in |
| Thread / Matter | No | Yes |
| 4K / Dolby Vision | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Remote | Basic voice remote | Redesigned, programmable, find-my-remote |
| Status | Discontinued | Google’s current streamer |
Still own the old Chromecast? My Chromecast review still applies. Upgrade when it feels slow or you want the Thread hub and Ethernet.
Google TV Streamer: Full Specs (2026)
| Spec | Google TV Streamer |
|---|---|
| UK price | £99 |
| EU price | ~€119 |
| Processor | Custom SoC, 22% faster than Chromecast |
| RAM / Storage | 4GB / 32GB |
| Resolution | 4K @ 60fps |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 |
| Ethernet | Yes, built in |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| Smart home | Thread border router, Matter support |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant (Gemini expanding) |
| Casting | Google Cast built in |
| Remote | Voice remote, programmable button, find-my-remote |
| Colours | Porcelain (Hazel US only) |
| Size / Weight | 162 x 75.6 x 26.7mm / 163g |
Google TV Streamer: Pros and Cons
✔ Why it wins
- Best Google streaming experience, full stop
- Ethernet built in: rock-solid 4K
- Thread border router + Matter: a real smart-home hub
- Google Cast is the smoothest casting on earth
- 32GB storage, double the old Chromecast
- Half the price of Apple TV 4K
✘ Where it falls short
- Only Wi-Fi 5 in 2026
- Not as fast as Apple TV 4K’s A15
- Home screen has sponsored rows
- Box form factor is less discreet than a stick
- US price rose to $150 (UK/EU unaffected so far)
Google TV Streamer in Europe: What to Know
- Price: £99 in the UK, around €119 in the EU. The US price rise to $149.99 has not reached Europe.
- Availability: sold via the Google Store and major retailers across the UK and EU.
- Apps: full UK catch-up lineup. YouTube integration is naturally the best of any box.
- Languages: Google Assistant supports more European languages than most rivals’ voice systems.
Google TV Streamer: Your Questions Answered
Is the Google TV Streamer worth it?
Yes, for Android households and heavy casters. At £99 it is Google’s best streamer: faster than the Chromecast, with Ethernet, 32GB storage, and a Thread smart-home hub built in.
What is the Google TV Streamer price in Europe?
£99 in the UK and around €119 in the EU. It has been seen as low as £75 during sales. The August 2026 price rise to $149.99 affected the US only.
Should I upgrade from Chromecast with Google TV?
If your Chromecast still runs fine, no rush. Upgrade when it feels slow, you run out of storage, or you want Ethernet and the Thread smart-home hub.
Does the Google TV Streamer have Ethernet?
Yes, an Ethernet port is built into the box. That is a real advantage over sticks for stable 4K streaming.
Google TV Streamer vs Apple TV 4K: which is better?
The Apple TV 4K is faster and more polished, but costs £199. The Google TV Streamer is half the price and better for Android households. Full breakdown: Apple TV vs Google TV.
Does it work with iPhone?
Yes for streaming and apps, and you can cast from iPhone apps that support Google Cast. You will not get AirPlay screen mirroring, though.
Is the Google TV Streamer a smart home hub?
Yes. It has a Thread border router and Matter support, so it works as a hub for Google Home devices. The Google Home panel on your TV shows cameras and controls.
What is the difference between Google TV and Android TV?
Google TV is the interface that runs on top of Android TV. The Streamer runs Google TV, with content-forward recommendations and Google Cast built in.
Related Guides
- 👉 Apple TV vs Google TV: Full Comparison
- 👉 Chromecast with Google TV 4K Review
- 👉 Amazon Fire TV Cube Review
- 👉 Best Google TV Devices in Europe
Final Verdict: Google TV Streamer Review
The Google TV Streamer is the box the Chromecast always wanted to be. Faster, roomier, with Ethernet and a smart-home hub, all for £99. It is not the absolute fastest streamer (that is still the Apple TV 4K), but it is the best-value box for anyone in Google’s world.
Buy it if you have an Android phone, cast regularly, or run a Google Home. Wait for a sale if your old Chromecast still works. Either way, this is Google’s streamer to beat.
