Best Media Players
Top media players ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- AI upscaling for sub-4K content
- AI upscaling for sub-4K content
- Built-in Plex server capability
Cons
- Premium price for a media player
- Premium price for a media player
- Hardware design showing its age
Don't buy this if…
- Despite being several years old, the Shield TV Pro remains unmatched for local media playback; no hardware refresh has been announced.
- Despite being several years old, the Shield TV Pro remains unmatched for local media playback; no hardware refresh has been announced.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- VS10 engine for Dolby Vision tone mapping
- VS10 engine for Dolby Vision tone mapping
- Bit-perfect audio output for audiophiles
Cons
- Complex setup for non-technical users
- Complex setup for non-technical users
- Limited app ecosystem
Don't buy this if…
- Zidoo players have a steep learning curve with manual configuration required for optimal output; this is not a plug-and-play device.
- Zidoo players have a steep learning curve with manual configuration required for optimal output; this is not a plug-and-play device.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Full Blu-ray menu navigation for ISOs
- Full Blu-ray menu navigation for ISOs
- Extensive network protocol support
Cons
- Expensive niche product
- Expensive niche product
- UI feels dated compared to Android
Don't buy this if…
- Dune HD is a specialty brand with limited North American support; check availability and warranty coverage in your region before purchasing.
- Dune HD is a specialty brand with limited North American support; check availability and warranty coverage in your region before purchasing.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Infuse app provides excellent media library
- Infuse app provides excellent media library
- Best streaming app ecosystem
Cons
- No native file browser for local media
- No native file browser for local media
- Requires third-party apps for media playback
Don't buy this if…
- Apple TV lacks a native file browser; you must purchase Infuse Pro ($25/year) or similar app separately for full local media playback.
- Apple TV lacks a native file browser; you must purchase Infuse Pro ($25/year) or similar app separately for full local media playback.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Simple plug-and-play USB media
- Simple plug-and-play USB media
- DLNA and SMB network support
Cons
- No 4K or HDR support
- No 4K or HDR support
- Discontinued with no firmware updates
Don't buy this if…
- The WD TV Live is discontinued and no longer receives firmware updates; consider it only for legacy 1080p media collections.
- The WD TV Live is discontinued and no longer receives firmware updates; consider it only for legacy 1080p media collections.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- MyTV Online 3 organizes IPTV content
- MyTV Online 3 organizes IPTV content
- 4GB RAM for smooth multitasking
Cons
- IPTV service subscriptions extra
- IPTV service subscriptions extra
- Less polished than Shield TV
Don't buy this if…
- IPTV services require separate subscriptions and some may operate in legal gray areas; verify the legality of IPTV services in your region.
- IPTV services require separate subscriptions and some may operate in legal gray areas; verify the legality of IPTV services in your region.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Kodi pre-installed and optimized
- Kodi pre-installed and optimized
- 4K HDR with full audio passthrough
Cons
- Kodi requires technical knowledge
- Kodi requires technical knowledge
- No built-in streaming apps
Don't buy this if…
- Kodi itself is legal open-source software, but many third-party Kodi addons provide access to pirated content; use only legitimate addons.
- Kodi itself is legal open-source software, but many third-party Kodi addons provide access to pirated content; use only legitimate addons.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- USB and microSD for local media
- USB and microSD for local media
- Ethernet for reliable network playback
Cons
- Limited format support vs dedicated players
- Limited format support vs dedicated players
- No MKV menu navigation
Don't buy this if…
- Roku's media player supports common formats like MP4 and MKV but does not support Blu-ray ISO or BDMV folder structures.
- Roku's media player supports common formats like MP4 and MKV but does not support Blu-ray ISO or BDMV folder structures.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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