When you think of Apple devices, it's probably the iPhone that first comes to mind. You might then look towards the iPad or Apple Watch, followed by AirPods and the MacBook. That order will vary depending on who you talk to, but I'd bet the majority of people wouldn't say Apple’s streaming device first.
The Apple TV 4K is a bit of a dark horse though, and while it is a streaming box at heart – and a pretty great one at that – there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. That's especially true for Apple users, where owning an Apple TV unlocks a range of extra features on your TV that can be hugely beneficial in the right home.
Apple TV 4K review: At a glance
Pros
- Slick and fluid interface
- Huge range of supported streaming services
- Smooth experience
- Good format support
- Range of extra features for Apple users
- Photos and FaceTime on your TV
- Fitness+ on TV is great
- Apple Arcade on TV is fun
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options
- Has to be on show rather than hidden into back of TV
- Better for Apple users
Key specifications
| Output and ports | HDMI output, Ethernet (model dependent) |
|---|---|
| Streaming services | All major UK streaming services (some better integrated than others) |
| Maximum resolution | 4K |
| Dimensions | 9.3 x 9.3 x 3.1cm |
| Weight | 208g - 214g |
Apple TV 4K review
The interface is as slick and fluid as they come when it comes to streaming services. Amazon's Fire TV Stick and Google Chromecast with Google TV might both be half the price of the Apple TV 4K — and you don't have to have them on show — but I wouldn't describe either of their interfaces as particularly user-friendly, and certainly not slick.
Apple TV 4K runs on the tvOS operating system, like an iPhone runs on iOS and an iPad on iPadOS, and it does have a tendency to promote Apple's content with Apple TV+ . That may not be a bad thing though; if you haven't watched Ted Lasso or The Morning Show, both are more than worthy of filling your Saturday night.
The Apple TV also supports Live TV and a multitude of video streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Now, BBC iPlayer, All 4, to name but a few. Some are more integrated than others, allowing you to add them to an Up Next rail at the top of the Apple TV home screen that presets all the shows and films you might be watching – or want to watch – across various platforms alongside each other.
Those that are less integrated meanwhile (cough, Netflix, cough), simply offer access to their respective streaming apps, like you'd find on Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast.
Apple TV 4K review: Performance
On the performance side of things, without getting too technical, the Apple TV 4K has a very powerful processor inside its black, cube-shaped design. It's the same processor that's inside the iPhone 14 but what that means in use is a very smooth experience, support for future software updates and features (like Snoopy screensavers later this year), and the extra features currently available on top of watching shows.
If streaming the latest Disney+ shows, movies you've bought on iTunes, or Netflix is all you want to do, then the Apple TV 4K will more than deliver (although at a higher cost than other streamers). It supports all the HDR formats you would expect, from HDR10+ to Dolby Vision, and there's good support in the audio department too, with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio both on board.
Geeky language aside, what that means from a visual and audio perspective, is that the Apple TV 4K is superb. It's not necessarily why you buy it though.
Apple TV 4K review: Features
The reason you buy Apple TV 4K and pay double what most streamers cost is for everything else it offers, and that especially applies to Apple users. Being able to see your photos on your TV and slide through your holiday pictures on a big screen with family and friends is a fabulous (and simple) experience.
FaceTime is supported too, connecting to your iPhone or iPad and delivering audio and video to your TV, which is great. There is nothing quite like seeing loved ones on a big screen with the only better exception being the Vision Pro in my experience.
The Apple TV remote, which is delightful as far as remotes go, has a dedicated Siri button on the edge, and it supports voice recognition for up to six family members, offering personalised recommendations depending on who asks Siri what to watch. You can also ask Siri to turn on subtitles, rewind a scene or ask any other burning questions you might have.
It's probably Fitness+ on Apple TV that I enjoy the most out of the extra features, however. The fitness platform offers a range of workouts for all ages and abilities and it's a lot easier to follow on your TV than it is on your iPhone or iPad, with a nice big screen to show you exactly what to do.
If you have an Apple Watch, your metrics appear in the corner of your TV too, so there's no getting out of putting some effort in. If you haven't tried Fitness+ before, I urge you to as it's a lot less intimidating than some other platforms out there.
I've only really touched the surface of what extras an Apple TV offers but there's a good chance you won't be disappointed if you buy it, and that especially applies if you're an Apple user and any of the extra features sound appealing.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Apple TV 4K
It is expensive compared to other streaming sticks and boxes, but the Apple TV isn't just about streaming content. It's about playing music with the lyrics appearing on your TV; it's about playing games from Apple Arcade and hooking up a PlayStation or Xbox controller; it's about working out in a welcoming environment; it's about viewing your photos easily on a big screen; and it's about unlocking an even better FaceTime experience.
As I said, there's a lot more than meets the eye and while it comes at a price, the Apple TV 4K is worth it in my experience.
Britta O'Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She's covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple's Vision Pro headset, she's gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10-year stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she co-founded The Disconnekt and she’s Editor-at-Large for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You'll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
