Black Friday 2018 streamer deals start Sunday: Roku, Fire TV and Chromecast discounts – CNET

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Black Friday is best known for dirt-cheap TV deals, but what if the TV you already own just needs a little help getting into the Internet age? Lucky for you, the companies that sell TV media streamers are also doing the Black Friday discount dance.

Streamers are little sticks, dongles and boxes that connect to your current TV and deliver the latest and greatest TV shows, movies and videos from Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and thousands of other apps. They put most so-called smart TVs, especially ones more than a couple years old, to shame. All you need to supply is a Wi-Fi connection and maybe the monthly subscription fees.

For Black Friday 2018, streamers are cheaper than ever, starting at just $20. That’s less than three months of Netflix. And streamers from the biggest names in the business, including Roku, Chromecast and Fire TV, are on sale from more than one retailer.

Just keep in mind:

  • Terms of the deal vary, so where possible we’ve listed when and where to get the sale price from each retailer.
  • The deals below are current as of Nov. 16, and include Walmart, Best BuyTarget, Amazon, and other major retailers. 
  • CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.
  • We linked to the current listing at the retailer’s website when one was available, but of course sale pricing won’t be available until the sale begins.

OK, let’s do this thing!

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In-store only

Roku SE: $20

Roku

This product is exclusive to Walmart, but if you’re going on Black Friday anyway you might as well impulse-purchase it. Roku tells us the SE is basically identical to the “perfectly good enough” $35 Roku Express (see review link below), albeit with more of a focus on the Walmart-owned Vudu service. And it’s white.

Unfortunately the Roku SE is only available in-store at Walmart on Black Friday, Nov. 23, while supplies last. 

Roku Express review

$46 credit for Sling TV and Showtime with any Roku purchase

Roku is offering $35 toward Sling TV and a free month of Showtime (an $11 value) with the purchase of any Roku player, including the SE above (note that CBS, the parent company of Showtime, owns CNET). The offer applies to new customers only. More details here.

Google Chromecast (2018), $25 (save $10)

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Google’s phone-centric streamer is perfect for the YouTube lover or Google Home speaker user, but the lack of a remote limits its appeal for everybody else.

This deal will be available at many major retailers, including the Google Store, starting Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving day).

See at Google Store Google Chromecast review

Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote, $25 (save $15)

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It’s not quite as good as Roku in our book, but it’s better than Chromecast at the same price. if you’re a fan of Alexa or deep into Amazon’s ecosystem anyway, this price is almost too good to pass up.

This deal will be available at many major retailers, including Amazon, starting Sunday, November 18.

See at Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick review

Roku Streaming Stick, $30 (save $20)

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Speaking of Roku, here’s a big discount on our favorite non-4K streamer, complete with a voice remote that can control TV volume and power. It’s worth the extra few bucks over the others so far.

This deal will be available at many major retailers, including Walmart, starting Sunday, November 18. 

See at Walmart Roku Streaming Stick review

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, $35 (save $15)

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If you have a 4K TV you’ll want a streamer that does 4K too. One of the cheapest is Amazon’s all-new stick, complete with Dolby Vision HDR and a remote that can control your TV and sound bar.

This deal will be available at many major retailers, including Amazon, starting Sunday, November 18.

See at Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review

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Chromecast + Google Home Mini + $15 Vudu credit: $45 (save $29)

CNET / Sarah Tew

If you want to get Google’s voice control paired with a TV, this bundle is the cheapest way to do it. Also known as the “Google Smart TV Kit,” it includes the newest Chromecast streaming dongle and a Home Mini speaker for a substantial savings. Walmart also throws in a $15 credit for Vudu, its movie and TV streaming service.

This deal is only available at Walmart: online starting 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Nov. 21, in-store starting Thanksgiving day, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.

See at Walmart Read the Google Home Mini review

Google Chromecast Ultra, $50 (save $20)

Although it’s not as good as the 4K streamers from Amazon or Roku, the 4K-capable Chromecast plays better than either one with (you guessed it) YouTube, Google Home and your phone.

This deal will be available at major retailers, including the Google Store, starting Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving day).

See at Google Store Google Chromecast Ultra preview

Roku Ultra, $50 (half price!)

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The highest-end Roku improves on our favorite 4K streamer, the Streaming Stick Plus, with a headphone jack on the remote, a remote finder and (new for 2018) JBL headphones, a $30 value. Walmart throws in a $5 Vudu credit and a $35 Sling TV credit, too.

This deal will be available at many major retailers starting Thanksgiving day, November 22. Walmart’s deal looks like the best because it costs $2 less ($48), is available a day earlier during its online sale starting at 10 p.m. ET Nov. 21), and includes a $5 Vudu credit.

See at Walmart Roku Ultra preview

Amazon Fire TV Cube, $60 (half price!)

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The Cube combines a 4K streamer, an Echo Dot and a universal remote control, allowing you to control all your gear with “Alexa” commands — and at this price it’s barely more than a standard 4K streamer alone. 

This deal is available at Amazon starting Sunday, Nov. 18.

See at Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube review

Nvidia Shield TV: $140 (save $40)

David Katzmaier / CNET

The powerful streaming/gaming geek machine is on-sale now for the lowest price yet. This version doesn’t include a game controller (that’s $60 extra) but does come with the Google Assistant-equipped voice remote.

This deal is available now at major retailers, including Amazon.

See at Amazon Read the Nvidia Shield review

Black Friday 2018 deals in each category

Black Friday 2018 deals for specific devices

Black Friday 2018 deals by store

Black Friday 2018: CNET’s complete coverage

Amazon Fire TV