Usually, when I'm recommending streaming devices to friends and family, I suggest a few different options depending on their needs, such as the Google TV Streamer, Apple TV 4K, or Roku Ultra. But for anyone looking for a high-end streamer with all the flexibility that comes with Android, one of my favorite devices to recommend is the Nvidia Shield TV Pro.
Despite launching in 2019, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro remains one of the most powerful and versatile streaming devices you can buy. A big reason for that is its hardware, which has aged remarkably well. It packs an Nvidia Tegra X1 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and support for modern streaming features many people rely on today, including HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.
But hands down, one of my favorite features is found on the back of the device. Alongside two USB 3.0 ports, you'll find something I always appreciate on a set-top streamer: an Ethernet port.
Now, having an Ethernet port doesn't automatically make the Shield TV Pro special. Other streaming devices, including the Roku Ultra and Onn 4K Pro, have one too. What makes the Shield TV Pro stand out is that its Ethernet port comes with a rare upgrade that frustratingly many streaming devices and smart TVs still lack today — and it's the reason the Ethernet port on the Shield TV Pro is actually worth using.