As streaming services continue to disrupt traditional methods of watching TV, cord-cutters now have an abundance of ways to stream live TV without a cable subscription. And if you’ve read our Sling TV review, you’ll know that Sling TV is one of the best options to begin your live TV streaming journey — mainly due to its lower cost and channel offering.
But before you subscribe to the service, you’ll want to find out its potential and what kind of streaming experience you can enjoy as well as whether you have the right devices for it. For that, you need a full list of Sling TV compatible devices and a bit of information about which ones work best with the service. This post gives you some insights into the best devices to use with Sling TV.
Sling TV compatible devices
You can access Sling TV on most computers, game consoles, mobiles and tablets, smart TVs and streaming devices. Keep in mind that you typically need the latest operating system (OS) on some of these devices, as well as the most updated browsers in case you want to access the site via your laptop or desktop. Here’s a detailed look at all the devices you can use to stream Sling TV:
- Amazon Fire tablets with Android 5.0 or higher
- Amazon Fire TV devices
- Amazon Fire TV Edition by Element
- Android tablets and smartphones with Lollipop 5.0 or newer
- Android TV with Lollipop 5.0 or newer (select smart TV brands)
- AirTV Mini and AirTV Player
- Apple TV 4th generation or newer and tvOS 10.0 and higher
- Chromebook (select devices)
- Chromecast and Vizio SmartCast TVs
- Google Chrome browser (latest version)
- Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max
- iOS devices running iOS11 or newer
- LG TV with WebOS 3.0 and higher
- Microsoft Edge browser (latest version)
- Oculus Go 3.54 or higher
- Portal TV 6.11.967
- Roku LT and higher and Roku TVs from Hisense and TCL
- Safari browser (latest version)
- Samsung smart TVs from 2016-2019
- TiVo Stream 4K (most recent version)
- Windows 10 computers and enabled devices
- XBOX One, XBOX One S, XBOX One X
- Xfinity X1 devices (Arris Xg1v1, Pace Xg1v1, Pace Xg1v3, Xg1v4, Xi5)
Note that Xfinity X1 devices will only give you access to international and select Latino services. And while the service works with most popular devices, you won’t get Sling TV on PS4. In addition, Sling may work on older versions of the devices listed above, but the app tends to get unstable since updates are no longer available. As a result, you won’t be able to experience the service’s full potential with some older devices.
Which device should I use to stream Sling TV?
For the best Sling TV streaming experience, you’ll want the latest version of the app. So first things first, make sure your device can support the update. Besides this, factors like picture quality and screen size will also play a role. Although you should ideally look for a device that supports 4K streaming, even high-definition (HD) quality would do if you want a budget device, especially since Sling TV doesn’t offer 4K content at the time of writing this post.
Best for enhanced streaming quality
NVIDIA SHIELD TV
With impressive video and audio features, NVIDIA SHIELD TV offers an exceptional streaming experience. This device comes with Dolby Vision High-Dynamic Range (HDR) and HDR 10 so you can enjoy up to 4K HDR playbacks at 60 fps (frames per second). And with Dolby Atmos support, it gives you immersive sound on compatible devices.
For Sling TV, it gives you the perfect solution for optimizing your streaming quality as it comes with AI-enhanced upscaling that can turn 720p and 1080p videos into 4K and up to 30 fps. So it allows you to surpass the service’s limitations on picture quality to a certain extent. And at $149.99, it may be slightly on the expensive side but well worth the investment for those whose biggest concern is streaming quality.
Best for streaming on a budget
Roku Express
On the other end of the pricing spectrum, you have the Roku Express, which only costs $29.99. Don’t be fooled by the price tag because this device still offers high-quality streaming. It may not have premium features like 4K HDR, but it does the trick when it comes to things that really matter, such as smooth HD streaming.
The sleek and lightweight design makes the device highly portable. It’s a great option for Sling TV subscribers as it lets you customize the controls with shortcut buttons to your favorite channels. So you can instantly tune into your favorite show or the latest breaking news at the touch of a button.
Best for Amazon members
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
For Amazon loyalists, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K offers an affordable alternative to the NVIDIA SHIELD TV at $49.99. It lets you add Sling TV to its seamless user interface. And it comes with brilliant picture quality, supporting 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR and HDR10+ on supported devices. Note that you can only enjoy these features on suitable content.
With Alexa integrated right into the remote, you can use voice commands to launch live channels or watch your recordings on the Sling TV cloud DVR.
Best for streaming on-the-go
Apple iPad Pro (11-inch)
Your phone may be great for streaming videos on-the-go. But to dive into the Sling TV streaming experience, consider upgrading to the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro. It comes with features like True Tone and Wide Color display (P3) so that images appear more vibrant and natural. Plus, the screen even has an antireflective coating, which allows you to enjoy your streams even when you’re outside.
In addition, it comes with four speakers so you can really hear what’s happening on the screen. The best part is that it has the kind of speed that supports live TV streaming on Sling as well as long battery life to let you binge on your favorite shows.
Best for game days
AirTV 2
AirTV 2 isn’t a streaming device per se but a tuner that connects your home Wi-Fi network to an HD antenna. This is perfect for Sling TV subscribers as it gives you access to local news and sports channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC when you pair it with your subscription. So you get to watch local sports, including NFL football for free, making it the ideal device for game days.
Coming in at $99.99, this device may be slightly pricey, but it could be an excellent investment for those who want access to local sports channels not available on Sling TV. Plus, it works with streaming devices like AirTV Mini, Amazon Firestick and Roku as well as mobiles and tablets that are running the Sling app.
The takeaway
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K offers the best value as it perfectly balances good streaming quality with an affordable price tag. With that said, the ideal Sling TV device for each household or subscriber may vary depending on your unique needs and preferences. So make the most of our guidelines above to pick out a device that works best for you.
If you want to give the service a try, don’t forget to sign up for the free three-day trial to see if Sling TV is the right fit for your streaming needs.
Sign up for the Orange or Blue Sling TV packages, or get them both to access 50+ channels. Use the add-ons to customize your streaming experience!
