Google Chromecast (2018) review

With Chromecast compatibility at its highest, it’s never been easier to open a media streaming app like Netflix or Spotify, tap the cast button, and watch as your TV comes to life, imbued with your favorite media. Even better now is the ability to include your Chromecast in a group of Chromecast-enabled speakers, making your precious soundbar or home theater an easy-to-stream-to music player or a piece in a multi-room music setup.

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This new Chromecast is definitely an incremental update — video quality is still limited to 1080p, and the performance improvements are quite minor. It is sleeker and faster than the Chromecast 2, but does not improve upon its design in any significant way. Google has not made a big deal about the Chromecast 3, and it's easy to see why.

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For consumers looking for a cheap streaming device that supports, Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube, Gaana and so on, then the Chromecast is a reliable device to bank on as it primarily works through your smartphone. But that's also part of the problem as well. The reliance on your phone or laptop is still heavy, and the lack of a dedicated remote remains an annoying issue. The Chromecast does not offer an intuitive menu, nor does it support casting of Prime Video, which will displease consumers in India where Prime Video offers a vast catalogue of Indian content.

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On the one hand it’s still one of the best cheap media streaming devices you can get that’s hassle free and easy to use. However, it’s not really any different to the last one so there’s no need to upgrade plus there are some better rivals out there at a similar price.

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If you’re into the idea of Chromecast, the third-generation model can be a useful addition to your living room, especially if you’re still using the original. But if you’ve been clinging to a traditional remote, the new Chromecast does not prove that you’re doing TV wrong.

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The new Chromecast 3 is not a revolutionary device upgrade. However, it can be a great investment for those who want to smarten their existing boring idiot boxes. The addition of 1080p@60fps, 5GHz wireless band, multi-room speaker setup and Assistant voice control is a welcome upgrade, but the lack of Amazon Prime Video, which is one of the hottest OTT platforms in India, is a bummer.

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The Chromecast is an incredibly neat little gadget that allows you to watch almost all of your favourite steaming and catch-up services. It’s incredibly simple to use, clutter-free and comes with a bargain price tag

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The latest Google Chromecast is still a good buy for anyone looking for a simple, affordable streaming option, but if you already have a second-gen model, you should pass.

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The Chromecast is a great product that’s clever on the engineering side but simple to use. Some might not like the lack of a physical remote, but that’s part and parcel of the Chromecast experience – and there are lots of options out there. The new Chromecast does little that the previous model didn’t, so there’s no need to upgrade if you’ve already got one. But if you’re looking to make an older, dumb TV smart in a cost effective and innovative way, the new Chromecast is extremely easy to recommend.

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If anything it still feels like an ancillary gadget -- it shouldn't be your main streamer, unless by necessity. Asking Google to play video doesn't work as smoothly as when requesting music, so this isn't the product we'd recommend to people buying their first streamer specifically for voice control. 

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