Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) vs Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) vs Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone. Buy the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) instead if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Buy

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Best for A clean, ad-free interface

Typically $119–$149

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Buy

Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

Best for Ad-free, fastest

Typically $149

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

Feature	Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)	Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Verdict	Buy	Buy
Typical price	$119–$149	$149
Best for	A clean, ad-free interface	Ad-free, fastest
Key feature	The fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus	Fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads
Resolution	4K HDR	4K
Dolby Vision	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 6
Ads in menu	No	No
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Main differences

Resolution

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): 4K HDR; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): 4K.

Dolby Vision

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): Yes; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): Yes.

Wi-Fi

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): Wi-Fi 6; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): Wi-Fi 6.

Ads in menu

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): No; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): No.

Why buy it

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): the fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads.

Made for

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): a clean, ad-free interface; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): ad-free, fastest.

Usual price

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): $119–$149; Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): $149.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if you

you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone
value very fast

Check Price Paid link

Choose the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) if you

you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience
value no ads

Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every model we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best streaming devices.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Google · Streaming Devices

Google TV Streamer

Buy it if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Android homes
Typical price: $89–$99

Pros

Fast
Matter and Thread hub

Cons

Recommendations include ads

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Roku · Streaming Devices

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Buy it if you want the simplest menus and every streaming service.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Tight budgets
Typical price: $29–$49

Pros

Very simple
Every app

Cons

Slower than boxes

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): which should I buy?

Buy the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone. Buy the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) instead if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) usually costs $119–$149 and the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) $149. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

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 (3rd Gen) or Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): the full reasoning

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)? Both are strong streaming devices, which is exactly why the choice is hard. Here is the short version first: buy the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone, and buy the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) wins on the fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus. The Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) answers with fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. Resolution: 4K HDR on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), 4K on the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet). Dolby Vision: Yes on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), Yes on the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet). Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), Wi-Fi 6 on the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet). Ads in menu: No on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), No on the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet).

Reasons to buy the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Very fast, Ad-free interface, Dolby Vision and Atmos. What to accept: expensive, remote divides opinion. Usual price: $119–$149. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) review.

Reasons to buy the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

No ads, Very fast, Thread hub. What to accept: expensive, remote is minimal. Usual price: $149. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best streaming devices has every other model with its own call. Ecosystem: Apple TV suits iPhone homes; Google TV and Roku suit everyone; Fire TV suits Alexa homes.

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

Also consider the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($29–$49): simple, neutral platform with every app for little money. Buy it if you want the simplest menus and every streaming service.

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.