What Hi-Fi?100
The third-generation Apple TV 4K is an excellent, refined upgrade that improves upon its predecessor's performance while simultaneously lowering the price, making it a top-tier choice for media streaming.
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
8 expert reviews#1 in streaming devicesChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) has a critic score of 88 out of 100 from 8 professional reviews, and 8 of them recommend it. It ranks #1 of 4 streaming devices we score. Critics praise its performance and sound quality. The most common complaint is missing features.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
Photo coming
Best overall
Our verdict
All 8 reviewers recommend the Apple TV 4K as the fastest, cleanest streaming box, with excellent picture and sound. It works best if you already use Apple devices, and it costs more than a stick.
The catch: Expensive, and best inside Apple's world.
Critic agreement: High
Scores run from 80 to 100
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What do critics say about the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)?
SlashGear90
The third-generation Apple TV 4K is a highly polished, fast, and reliable streaming device that justifies its premium price through a superior, ad-free user experience and excellent ecosystem integration.
Digital Trends90
The Apple TV 4K (2022) is a top-tier streaming device that excels due to its immense processing power, future-proof design, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
The Guardian90est.
The third-generation Apple TV 4K is a top-tier streaming device that offers a fast, ad-free, and highly reliable experience.
Good Housekeeping85est.
The Apple TV 4K is a premium, high-performance streaming device that offers a superior, fluid interface and deep integration with the Apple ecosystem, making it a worthwhile investment despite its higher price point compared to basic streaming sticks.
How-To Geek85est.
The author concludes that the Apple TV 4K is the most practical high-end streaming device available, offering superior performance and ecosystem integration that makes it a worthy successor to the aging NVIDIA Shield TV.
Macworld80
The third-generation Apple TV 4K remains the best streaming device on the market, particularly for Apple users, thanks to a faster processor and a more attractive price point, though it remains more expensive than competing platforms.
The Verge80
The third-generation Apple TV 4K is a powerful, refined streaming device that offers a great user experience, though it lacks significant new features for existing owners and still trails competitors in live TV integration.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Performance6 of 8
Sound quality2 of 8
Picture quality2 of 8
What critics dislike most
Missing features5 of 8
Price4 of 8
Software and app3 of 8
Alternatives
Not sure about the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)?
Common questions
Is the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) worth it?
Most critics think so: 8 of 8 recommend it. Expensive, and best inside Apple's world.
What do critics dislike about the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)?
Missing features (5 of 8 reviews), Price (4 of 8 reviews), Software and app (3 of 8 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)?
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) (critic score 85), best stick.