Roku and Amazon this week debuted new or updated, budget-friendly streaming devices that challenge, and in some ways outperform, Google's popular Chromecast dongle. If you’re ready to cut the cord and ditch cable, two new low-cost streaming video devices that hit the market this week are worth a look. Roku, maker of one of the first popular streaming devices, has updated nearly all of its products, and the new Roku Express costs just $29.99. Amazon also updated its Fire TV Stick, a USB dongle that plugs into the back of your TV, with new voice recognition features. The price of the new Fire TV Stick is the same as the last generation stick: $39.99. Roku Express, Amazon Fire TV Stick vs. Google Chromecast, Smart TVs Both devices compete with Google’s popular, $30 Chromecast, and they offer some real advantages over Google’s streaming device. Roku Express and the new Fire TV Stick, for example, offer direct access to a huge variety of programming, compared to the limited number of apps and services Chromecast supports. The search interface on so-called “smart TVs” is often terrible. An onscreen menu typically appears and forces you to scroll through a bunch of categories, or even worse, spell out search terms one letter at a time using the remote to hunt and peck. Make a mistake, and you have to start all over again. Roku Express and the upgraded Fire TV Stick both offer voice search, but Amazon’s version, based on its Alexa voice assistant, is more sophisticated. Amazon’s device “lets you easily search across more than 90 apps and channels,” the company said in a press release. “Just say ‘find suspense thrillers’ or ‘launch Hulu’ and Alexa will respond.” Roku Express doesn’t support voice search on its own, but if you download the free Roku app for iOS or Android, you can use the voice capabilities of your smartphone to control the streaming gadget. More expensive options in Roku’s product line support voice search directly. Roku also found a clever way to listen to your TV without bothering other people around you or running a headphone cord across the room. You simply plug a set of headphones or earbuds into your smartphone. The Roku app diverts audio to the phone and mutes the TV, but also directs the video to the larger screen. Roku a streaming box, Fire TV Stick a dongle Unlike a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick, Roku Express is not a dongle, though it is quite small. It’s a small box that connects to your TV via an HDMI port (a compatible cable comes in the Roku package), and it uses USB for power. The updated Fire TV Stick is available for preorder today and is expected to ship on October 20. If you activate the device before the end of October, Amazon will give you a free month of Sling TV’s streaming service, two months of Hulu’s Limited Commercials plan, and a $10 credit for Amazon video. You can order the Roku Express today. It is expected to ship by October 7 and will also be available at Best Buy and Walmart stores. Related content opinion Consumers love to hate the companies that deliver pay TV and broadband A survey of thousands of consumers shows that a lack of competition and u201cabysmalu201d customer service make cable companies and ISPs the most disliked industries in the country. By Bill Snyder May 24, 2017 3 mins Broadband Consumer Electronics opinion Get ready to say goodbye to T-Mobile A Japanese conglomerate wants to buy T-Mobile and merge it with Sprint. What a disaster for consumers that will be. By Bill Snyder May 12, 2017 4 mins Small and Medium Business Consumer Electronics Mobile opinion Cunning hack attacks built-in Windows anti-malware software Quick action by Google and Microsoft appears to have put out the fire. But itu2019s another reminder that running old versions of Windows can be dangerous. By Bill Snyder May 10, 2017 2 mins Small and Medium Business Malware Windows Security opinion How to survive a move when your ISP can’t go with you Moving is a huge hassle, but hereu2019s a two-step solution that will keep you connected to the Internet without busting your budget. By Bill Snyder May 05, 2017 4 mins Internet Consumer Electronics Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe