Smart TVs let you watch streaming services like Netflix, NOW and Disney Plus directly on your TV without any extra cables or devices required.
The majority of new TVs sold are smart TVs, which lets you to connect to the internet in order to stream TV shows and movies, browse the web, or run apps all without the need for an additional device.
However, if you’re holding on to an older TV, you could be missing out on some great added features that can seriously upgrade your entertainment options.
But don’t worry, you can still get the same functionality with the help of a device or two. Here’s how you can make your TV into a smart TV.
Set-top boxes
Nowadays, pretty much every set-top box gives you access to players and apps which let you stream content to your TV on demand. Catch-up services like iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4 are standard nowadays, but the other apps included on your set-top box depend on your provider.
Sky Q
Sky's collaboration with services like Netflix and Disney Plus means that you're able to watch content from multiple services all directly through your Sky Q box. If you sign up for the Sky TV & Netflix package, you can browse and stream content from Sky and Netflix all from the same interface.
Apps include:
- YouTube
- Vevo
- Netflix
- Disney Plus
Compare Uswitch's top Sky TV deals:
BT YouView Box
Apps include:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney Plus
- BT TV Store
- NOW
Compare Uswitch's top BT deals:
EE's Apple TV 4K
Apps include:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Apple TV Plus
- Disney Plus
- BBC iPlayer
- ITV Hub
- All 4
NOW
Apps include:
- NOW
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Netflix
TalkTalk YouView
Apps include:
- Netflix
- NOW
- Amazon Prime Video
Virgin Media TV box
Apps include:
- Netflix
- YouTube
- Vevo
Cheap TV boxes
Before you purchase a cheap TV box online, be sure to check its compatibility with your TV or streaming service. If you subscribe to channels from Sky or BT, it's unlikely that any other internet TV box will work apart from their own-branded ones.
Streaming sticks and internet TV boxes
Usually, the cheapest way to make your TV a smart TV is by buying a streaming stick. There's a range of standalone streaming devices that give you access to the streaming service or catch-up app.
These devices will make your TV smart, but only through the apps you use on the device itself. Also, be sure to check which services are accessible as some streaming devices come with different apps.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a small device that plugs into the HDMI port on your TV and connects to the internet via your Wi-Fi connection.
Apps include:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Spotify
- Disney Plus
- YouTube
- Vevo
- hayu
- Catch-up TV apps like BBC iPLayer
There are currently around 5,000 apps you can download, including games, media players and other services.
Apple TV
Apple TV is a streaming set-top box that you plug into your TV and connect to the Wi-Fi, so you can access streaming content and other apps.
Apps include:
- Apple TV Plus
- Netflix
- NOW
- YouTube
- Disney Plus
- Spotify
- Vevo
- Catch-up TV apps
Apple TV is linked to your Apple ID, so you can download plenty of music, movies and games through the iTunes store in addition to other apps.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is fairly similar to the Fire TV Stick in that it plugs into the HDMI port on your TV and connects to the internet wirelessly.
The latest version of the Google Chromecast has an intuitive interface and allows you to access all your streaming platforms from a single screen.
These include:
- Netflix
- NOW
- YouTube
- Spotify
- hayu
- Vevo
- Catch-up TV apps
Chromecast also has lots of other apps you can use, ranging from games and sports to health and fitness apps.
Read our full Google Chromecast review to find out more.
NOW TV stick
The NOW TV stick has been discontinued, but if you still have the device you can use it to access plenty of other apps in addition to NOW.
Apps include:
- NOW
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Catch-up TV apps
Read our full NOW TV stick review for more details.
Roku
You can either get a Roku box or streaming stick, either of which plug directly into your HDMI port and connect to Wi-Fi.
Apps include:
- Netflix
- NOW
- Amazon Prime
- Spotify
- Catch-up TV apps
Roku has over 2,000 ‘channels’ or apps that you can watch, listen to or play.
YouView
As mentioned above, YouView makes set-top boxes for TalkTalk and BT, but they also sell standalone boxes that support Freeview channels and players and apps.
Apps include:
- Netflix
- NOW
- Catch-up TV
- Other ways to stream
- Couple watching smart TV
If you don’t want to switch providers or buy a dedicated streaming device, you still might be able to access your favourite players and apps on your TV through another device you already own.
Streaming TV on games consoles
Most modern games consoles have the capability to connect to the internet and stream different players and apps. Netflix and catch-up TV are available on the following devices; however, not all consoles support all streaming services:
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Wii and Wii U
- Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Streaming TV on PS5
You can use your PlayStation console for so much more than just gaming, streaming all sorts of entertainment from movies and TV shows to livestreams.
The PS5 has a dedicated space exclusively for media entertainment, meaning you won't have to download specific apps from the PS Store. Located right next to the Game home screen, you can easily switch between Game or Media content without the need to navigate through each app.
What's more, the PS5 comes with a media remote, so you don't have to use your controller to scroll through content. You can control playback, change the volume and power setting on compatible TVs, and there are even launch buttons for specific apps such as Disney Plus, Netflix, Spotify and YouTube.
Read our full PlayStation 5 review to learn about all the other features of Sony's latest gaming console.
Blu-ray players
Similarly, Blu-ray players can connect to the internet, so most have streaming apps already built into them. Again, Netflix is the most common, but some devices also support NOW TV, too.
Connecting devices to your TV
Alternatively, you can always connect your laptop, computer, tablet or other device directly into your TV with an HDMI cable, as long as your device supports that capability.
Even going through this route, however, not every streaming service supports this ability: NOW, for example, won't let you connect your iPad directly to your TV to watch box sets.