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Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) review: buy or skip?

Buy8.8/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience. Why: fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. The catch: expensive.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

Our verdict on the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

Buy it if
you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience.
Skip it if
you are on a tight budget.
Best for
Ad-free, fastest
Key feature
Fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads
Typical price
$149
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Resolution4K
Dolby VisionYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6
Ads in menuNo

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience
  • value no ads
  • can spend around $149

Skip it if you

  • you are on a tight budget
  • mind this: expensive
  • mind this: remote is minimal

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No ads
  • Very fast
  • Thread hub
  • Ethernet

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Remote is minimal

The verdict in one breath

The Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) is a streaming device we would point most people to. What earns it the buy: fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. In our list it is the pick for: ad-free, fastest.

Reasons to buy

  • No ads
  • Very fast
  • Thread hub
  • Ethernet

Reasons to skip

  • Expensive
  • Remote is minimal

The specs that matter

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Dolby Vision: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
  • Ads in menu: No

Worth knowing

The Ethernet model adds a Thread border router, useful for Matter smart homes.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience. Skip it if you are on a tight budget; the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best streaming devices.

Alternatives worth considering

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Apple · Streaming Devices

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Buy it if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
A clean, ad-free interface
Typical price
$119–$149

Pros

  • Very fast
  • Ad-free interface

Cons

  • Expensive
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Roku Ultra (2024)

Roku · Streaming Devices

Roku Ultra (2024)

Buy it if you want the best Roku with every format.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best Roku
Typical price
$99

Pros

  • Fast
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+

Cons

  • Ads in menu
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?

Buy it, if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience. Why: fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. The catch: expensive.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you are on a tight budget. The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is the better buy then.

What does the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) cost?

Usually $149 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience. This review explains what this Apple model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which streaming device to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) does well

The headline: fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. Key specs: Resolution: 4K; Dolby Vision: Yes; Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6; Ads in menu: No. In our list it is the pick for: ad-free, fastest. It usually sells for $149.

The Ethernet model adds a Thread border router, useful for Matter smart homes.

The trade-offs

Good: no ads, very fast, thread hub, ethernet. Not so good: expensive, remote is minimal. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you are on a tight budget.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ($119–$149): the fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus. Better if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone.

Instead, consider the Roku Ultra (2024) ($99): fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. Better if you want the best Roku with every format.

Instead, consider the Google TV Streamer ($89–$99): fast Google TV box with great recommendations and a smart home hub. Better if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Before you buy

Ecosystem: Apple TV suits iPhone homes; Google TV and Roku suit everyone; Fire TV suits Alexa homes. Speed: a faster box makes menus and apps much nicer to use, especially on older TVs. Formats: look for 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos if your TV supports them.

US buyer tip

Fire TV and Roku sticks drop to very low prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, so time the purchase if you can.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.