Google Chromecast Ultra (2016)

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

Cross-platform search still mediocre

Google’s Chromecast Ultra is a slick and simple way to serve up 4K Ultra HD content. The Ultra will likely be most beneficial to users with older or cheaper 4K TVs that don’t include many streaming apps, especially those without Google’s growing suite...

4K and HDR compatible ; Casting is easy ; Easy to set up

No Amazon Video ; Mains adaptor mandatory ; Expensive for what it is

The latest Chromecast works a treat with 4K and HDR, but it’s a little pointless.

Simple setup and easy to use ; Excellent video quality ; 4K streaming works great over WiFi and Ethernet ; Compatible with most popular streaming services

Marginal video quality improvement over 1080p streaming devices ; Limited 4K content selection at launch ; Twice as expensive as the regular Chromecast ; No remote ; No Amazon Instant Video support

Google's original $35 Chromecast is so useful and so cheap that it was almost a no-brainer. At double the price, I can't quite say the same about the Chromecast Ultra. It works as promised, but the dearth of 4K content makes me hesitant to recommend...

Cheap, effective 4K and HDR streaming ; Built-in Ethernet adapter ; Google Home integration

No native Amazon Video support ; No remote control ; It'd be easier to navigate with an interface

4K HDR support ; Intuitive and easy to use ; Fast and stable streaming ; Plenty of content

Lacks Amazon Video app ; Lip-syncing issues ; Needs constant mains power ; Double the price of the standard one

Limited 4K apps and a high price make the Chromecast Ultra a difficult product to recommend

4K looks great ; Ethernet is an option if your Wi-Fi is bad ; Can mirror Chrome and your Android phone

No Amazon Video ; You’ve got to find the content yourself ; Should probably have an actual interface at this point

The built-in apps on most Ultra HD TVs are good enough — for now

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.

Conclusions Google's Chromecast Ultra is the least expensive 4K media streamer currently available, and it has all the ease of use, reliability, and convenience of the original Chromecast. At nearly $70, however, it costs almost as much as the...

Innovative Takes up next-to-no space Simple and intuitive Slick operation App support is increasing

Could do with more apps

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

Chromecast Ultra is an easy and predictable upgrade and a device that makes complete sense supporting the latest formats for video streaming to your TV. However, unlike the previous two Chromecasts that plugged a gap in your TV's skills, the Chromecast...