Article updated on August 4, 2024 at 10:51 AM PDT
Written by
Kourtnee Jackson
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Kourtnee Jackson Senior Editor
Kourtnee covers TV streaming services and home entertainment news and reviews at CNET. She previously worked as an entertainment reporter at Showbiz Cheat Sheet where she wrote about film, television, music, celebrities, and streaming platforms.
Expertise Cord-cutting | TV and music streaming services | Netflix | Disney Plus | Max | Anime | Interviews | Entertainment Credentials
- Though Kourtnee hasn't won any journalism awards yet, she's been a Netflix streaming subscriber since 2012 and knows the magic of its hidden codes.
What's the best streaming service for 4K overall?
When looking for the best 4K content on streaming services, the top contender is Netflix. It does cost extra to get the higher quality, but it's one of the easiest platforms to use with a fair amount of good original content, regular updates and optimized features. While Max and Apple TV are also good choices, they aren't as good as Netflix.
There are other high-quality streaming services that offer 4K, so even though Netflix is currently our first choice, it may not align with your budget or preferences. And you may opt to buy Blu-ray discs to see 4K-resolution video. But a streaming service is the most convenient way to go. Here's a look at the top streaming services for 4K content.
Read more: Best 4K TV for 2024
Netflix has one of the largest 4K libraries among the streamers, with more than 1,200 titles available in the US alone. However, you must have its highest-priced subscription at $23 a month to access any of it. Most Netflix originals are available in 4K UHD, as the company began requiring that original productions be shot in the format in 2014. Non-originals like Seinfeld, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Groundhog Day are also streaming in 4K.
In addition to the platform's vast lineup, the premium plan also offers Dolby Atmos, spatial audio and four simultaneous streams. Look for the Ultra HD icon in the description or search for 4K content by typing "4K" or "Ultra HD" in the search bar. Pro tip: If you're watching a 4K title on Netflix that doesn't seem to be streaming in the correct resolution, check the app's playback settings to make sure it's set to "high."
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Disney Plus has a varied selection of 4K movies and TV shows, with about 600 titles available globally in the UHD format. The best part? It's offered for all subscription plans at no extra cost as long as you have a supported device. You can watch Marvel hits like Ironman or Guardians of the Galaxy, Pixar films, Star Wars titles and more.
Find content by looking for the 4K UHD badge in the title's description. For the movies menu, there's a designated filter for 4K content. Note that Disney Plus says content will automatically stream in the highest video quality your device supports, so be sure your TV or media player is compatible.
YouTube TV offers the most 4K action out of the major live TV streaming services, which includes live and on-demand programming. A subscription costs $73 monthly, but you have to pay an extra $10 per month for the 4K Plus add-on option. With it, you'll receive unlimited simultaneous streams in your house and access to UHD content from these networks:
• Discovery
• ESPN
• FOX Sports
• FX
• Nat Geo
• NBC Sports
• Tastemade
• NBA TV
There's a 4K tab on the home screen that shows you upcoming sports events as well as a lineup of on-demand programming. You can also look for the 4K symbol while scrolling through channels, or type "4K" in the search bar. YouTube TV notes that 4K resolution is very limited for Apple TV and PS4 Pro. As with all streaming services that offer 4K content, you must have a compatible streaming device or smart TV.
Like Netflix, Max has a large selection of 4K content, and it also charges more to stream it. You need the $21-a-month Ultimate plan to access content in this format. When the service relaunched in May, the company said it would have over 1,000 movies and TV show episodes available in 4K at rollout. Warner Bros. Discovery promised to add more in the coming months, plus all-new WBD theatrical films that hit the streamer will arrive in ultra HD.
Right now, you can stream a range of titles including The Flash, The Last of Us, Euphoria, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and House of the Dragon in higher resolution. You can also watch classics like The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca in 4K. There's no dedicated hub for the content, but viewers can check for the 4K UHD badge in the title's details.
With roughly 125 titles available in the highest resolution, Apple TV Plus' 4K collection may not seem that robust at first glance. But your $10-a-month subscription is all you need to access it. All Apple Originals are in 4K with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, though TV shows and movies from other studios may only stream up to 1080p resolution.
You can watch Ted Lasso, Foundation, Severance and kids' shows like Stillwater or The Snoopy Show in 4K. Your viewing experience is even better if you're streaming with an Apple TV 4K box, or another compatible device like a Roku 4K stick or smart TV.
Prime Video's 4K lineup includes Amazon originals as well as a variety of mainstream films, including Good Omens, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Top Gun: Maverick, and the 1996 anime Ghost in the Shell. You can also stream older movies such as The Goonies or 1989's Batman in 4K. You can locate 4K content on Prime Video several ways. There's a filter on the web page, but if you type in "4K" or "4K UHD" on your TV screen, rows of TV shows and movies will pop up.
Freevee content is included in the Prime Video app, and some offerings like Despicable Me 3 are available in UHD. You can also buy or rent content on this service, which is handy when you want to stream a new digital release such as Barbie in 4K.
Hulu: Hulu is a great streaming platform for broadcast television, originals and on-demand content. However, there is a limited amount of titles available in 4K.
Hulu with live TV: There is no 4K programming available at this time.
Paramount Plus: This service has less than 200 TV show episodes and movies you can stream in 4K, and you need a premium subscription to watch. Compared with the other streaming platforms on this list that require a more expensive plan, Paramount Plus has less 4K content. However, if you like this service, there is something for you to stream.
Peacock: Peacock has a nice selection of originals, big movies like Fast X and titles like Yellowstone in 4K. Though the platform provides 4K streaming for both of its premium subscription plans, its library is fairly small with roughly 60 offerings.
Fubo: The live TV streaming service has a selection of sports content in 4K, but overall, its UHD roster is limited.
Starz: Starz doesn't offer 4K streaming at this time.
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It's likely you're already familiar with most of the platforms on this list, but this list isn't comprehensive. There are hundreds of services out there. In general, we evaluate streaming services according to design (ease of use across different TV and mobile platforms), features (like 4K HDR, mobile downloads, recommendations, watch lists and number of streams), content (number of shows and quality of originals and back catalogs) and value (price compared to these other factors). You can read our full reviews for more details.
Most streaming services offer a smattering of 4K content, and I researched the number of titles on each along with how they're labeled, how easy it is to search for 4K programming, quality and cost.
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What is 4K?
When is comes to screen resolution, you'll typically see four types: standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), full HD and 4K ultra high definition (4K UHD). Today, many homes either have full HD or 4K smart TVs and video streaming devices like Roku sticks or gaming consoles such as Xbox One.
Display resolution is determined by pixels, where the higher the number, the greater the resolution. HD offers better images and colors than standard with its 1,920 x 1,080 vertical pixels -- aka 1080p. 4K has a higher amount of pixels at 3,840 x 2,160 or a total of 8,294,400, which is four times more than HD. Picture quality in 4K is clearer, sharper and more realistic, with richer colors.
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How do I know if I'm streaming in 4K?
You'll notice a sharper picture. But first, verify your streaming subscription has 4K -- you may have to upgrade your plan. Next, you'll want to ensure you have a compatible device for your streaming service, which may be a 4K smart TV, tablet, PC, laptop, game console, or media player like an Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV box, Chromecast or Roku stick. Your device should support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. Install the streaming app directly on your device.
Your internet speed matters too; the faster, the better. While Netflix suggests a minimum of 15 Mbps, Max recommends a faster 25-50 Mbps for the best experience, as does Apple TV Plus. You can also go the extra mile and check the bitrate while your video is playing.
Stream titles that are tagged with the 4K icon in your app. Some videos may not look as punchy in 4K depending on the streaming service or your device, but you can check your device's display settings to see if it's set to "high resolution."
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Why can't I stream 4K on my phone?
Some streaming services do support 4K video quality on mobile phones, but it depends on your device. There are phones that have the technology to record in 4K resolution, but most lack 4K UHD playback capabilities and therefore can't stream videos in that format. Sony Xperia is one example of a smartphone that can stream video in 4K, however. Apple's iPhone and Samsung smartphones don't have UHD displays.
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