Google Chromecast 3 (3rd Gen, 2018)

Simple, intuitive HD streaming ; Slick new design ; Quick and easy setup ; Google Home app keeps improving

No 4K or HDR ; No magnet

Google’s new Chromecast is essentially just the old Chromecast with a new coat of paint. The higher framerate may be enjoyable for some in very specific situations such as live sports in 1080p resolution, but it’s no reason to trade in the older model....

Inexpensive. Responsive. Lots of supported apps. Can mirror mobile device screens and display Chrome tabs.

1080p maximum resolution. No on-screen interface or remote.

Bottom Line: The new Google Chromecast media streamer is almost completely unchanged from its previous version. It's still functional and affordable, but without 4K it's much less appealing than the competition.

Great remote ; Google Assistant integration for great search ; 4K HDR support ; Dolby Atmos ; Great performance ; New UI makes life easier ; TV/Sound system control

Some services missing - no Apple TV+ or All 4 ; Recommendations need development ; Only supports one top level user account ; No Stadia support

It was previously hard to recommend getting a Chromecast for TV, but this product - thanks to its remote control and user interface - is a much more complete offering. There are some absences to services - Apple TV+ an obvious one - but the platform...

Bargain price ; Easy setup ; Good app selection ; Google Home integration

No remote ; No Amazon Prime Video app ; Voice control is limited

Google’s awesome little budget streamer just got (very slightly) better

The super-affordable Chromecast streams Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, HBO Now and thousands of other apps and games to your TV using an smartphone, PC or even voice as the controller. It hides neatly behind your TV.

The lack of a dedicated remote means you always need a smartphone, tablet or PC nearby to use it. Competitors at the same price offer physical remotes and onscreen displays, which are easier to use. There still no app support for Amazon Prime Video.

The newest version of Google Chromecast is basically identical to the old one and falls short of the budget competition from Amazon and Roku.

Cheap ; Works with lots of apps ; Google Home integration

No UI or physical remote ; No 4K support

In truth, there’s very little to get excited about with the new Chromecast – the addition of 1080p 60fps streaming is hardly worth shouting about – but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the cheapest and best ways to add smart functionality to a TV...

Should you get one? Well, if you already have a Chromecast or a Chromecast Ultra, have a Google Home device and want the ability to interact with the TV with your voice? Then, you'll want the new device. If the answer is no – stick to your older model....

A solid speed upgrade for first-gen Chromecast owners ; Google Assistant enables powerful home automation ; Launching videos by phone can be faster than using a proper remote

No infrared control for TV volume or A/V gear ; The Google Home app is bad at aggregating and searching for content ; Pausing or adjusting volume by phone can be inconvenient at times

Chromecast’s phone-as-remote approach is both its greatest strength and its biggest weakness. It can be faster than a proper remote with TV-based menus, and it lets you look for other things to watch without disrupting playback on the big screen. With...

Fast, easy, well-supported way to stream from mobile devices to your TV ; Ability to include Chromecast in a speaker group facilitates easy multi-room audio ; Added support for 60fps 1080p videos ; Discounted bundles with Google Home Mini are...

No 4K support (4K only available in the older Chromecast Ultra for now) ; No Bluetooth support