It’s becoming an era where you have to think again about what a streaming device really is. This device lets you enjoy Netflix or Prime Video on a big screen just by connecting it to your TV—now that there are so many varieties to this extent, choosing one is a real challenge.

This spring, I actually tested the latest 11 models from major manufacturers. I tried to judge which ones are truly usable based on operating speed and price. The results were surprisingly and clearly split.

At the top is still the Apple TV 4K for its speed. Its app-launch performance is overwhelmingly fast—on average under 5 seconds—leaving the others far behind. However, its price is around 19,000 yen, so it’s expensive. It also has a wealth of video information, making it for people who care about picture quality.

If you prioritize value for money, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K MAX is a solid pick. Even in the 8,000-yen range, it takes about 13 seconds to start up, and scrolling takes just a little over 10 seconds. During sales, it gets even cheaper. Going back to the original idea that streaming devices should be easy to bring in, this balance is excellent.

Google TV Streamer 4K feels like a new generation device, with 4GB of memory and 32GB of storage. Performance is comfortable too, taking around 14 seconds to get going. It’s a good fit for people who place importance on integration with Google services. But at just under 12,000 yen, it’s certainly not cheap.

If you want to keep your budget down, Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is the cheapest at 6,100 yen. However, it takes 18 seconds to start up, so if you want a snappy feel, it may feel lacking. If all you want is to use a streaming device simply, it’s an option.

Newer brands like Dangbei and etoe are also appearing. They’re in the low-price range around 9,000 yen, but some models take more than 20 seconds to start. Their picture quality is standard, making them for people who put affordability first above all.

In the end, how you choose a streaming device changes depending on what you prioritize: speed, price, or picture quality. I felt that the key to not making a mistake is to figure out the truly necessary features based on how you’ll use it.