Chromecast costs between $30 and $100 depending on the model

Google sells three Chromecast models at different price points. The standard Chromecast runs $30, the Chromecast with Google TV is $50, and the Chromecast with Google TV 4K is $100. These are the manufacturer's suggested prices; actual prices at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart sometimes drop $5 to $15 below list price, especially during sales events.

The main difference between models is what they can do and how they connect to your TV. The $30 model streams video and audio from your phone or computer to any TV with an HDMI port, but it has no remote and no built-in apps. The $50 model adds a remote, a home screen with apps like Netflix and YouTube already installed, and a search function. The $100 model does the same thing but supports 4K video if your TV can display it.

You do not need to pay a monthly subscription to use any Chromecast model. The device itself is the only cost. You will need subscriptions to the streaming services you want to watch — Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and so on — but those are separate from the Chromecast purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Chromecast costs $30 and works with any TV that has an HDMI port, but requires you to control it from your phone.
  • Chromecast with Google TV costs $50 and includes a remote, a home screen with built-in apps, and a search function across multiple services.
  • Chromecast with Google TV 4K costs $100 and is identical to the $50 model except it supports 4K video on compatible TVs.
  • Actual retail prices often run $5 to $15 lower than the list price, and discounts are common during holiday sales and Prime Day events.
  • There is no monthly fee to use any Chromecast model; you only pay for streaming subscriptions separately if you want them.

What the $30 Chromecast does and does not do

The standard Chromecast is a small HDMI dongle that plugs into your TV. It receives video and audio from your phone, tablet, or computer and displays it on your TV screen. You control what plays by using your phone as a remote — you open an app like YouTube or Netflix on your phone, tap the Chromecast icon, and the video moves to your TV.

This model has no remote control, no apps of its own, and no home screen. You cannot turn on your TV with it or adjust the volume from the device itself. If you lose your phone or it runs out of battery, you cannot control playback. It works only with apps that have built-in Chromecast support, which includes most major streaming services but not all.

The $30 model is useful if you already own a smartphone or tablet and want an inexpensive way to put video on your TV. It is not useful if you want a traditional remote or if you want to browse apps on your TV screen without picking up your phone first.

What the $50 Chromecast with Google TV adds

The $50 model includes a physical remote with buttons, a home screen that displays apps and recommendations, and the ability to search across multiple streaming services at once. When you turn on the TV, you see a menu of apps and content suggestions instead of a blank screen. You can navigate this menu with the remote without needing your phone.

The remote has a microphone, so you can search by voice. Say "show me action movies" and Google TV will search Netflix, Disney+, and other apps you have installed and show you what is available. The remote also has buttons to control volume and power, so you can turn your TV on and off without a separate remote.

This model costs $20 more than the standard Chromecast but removes the requirement to use your phone to control everything. It works more like a traditional streaming device such as Roku or Amazon Fire TV.

When to choose the $100 4K model

The $100 Chromecast with Google TV 4K is identical to the $50 model in every way except one: it can send 4K video to your TV if your TV supports it. If your TV is a standard 1080p or 1440p model, the 4K Chromecast will not look any different than the $50 version. The extra $50 buys you nothing unless your TV can actually display 4K resolution.

Check your TV's manual or settings to see if it supports 4K. If it does, and if you watch content in 4K — Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube all offer 4K shows and movies to subscribers — then the $100 model is worth the cost. If your TV is older or you do not have a 4K subscription, save the $50 and buy the $50 model instead.

Where prices vary and when to buy

Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart all stock Chromecast models at or near the manufacturer's list price. Prices are usually the same across retailers, but sales happen frequently. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and the weeks before Christmas often bring $10 to $15 discounts on all three models.

Refurbished Chromecast models sometimes sell for $15 to $25, depending on the model and the seller. These are devices that were returned, tested, and resold by Google or authorized retailers. They come with a warranty and work the same as new devices, but they are not in original packaging. If you want to save money and do not mind a used box, refurbished is a real option.

Older Chromecast models that Google no longer makes sometimes appear on secondhand sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for $10 to $20. These devices still work, but they do not receive software updates and may not work with newer apps. Buying used from a stranger carries the risk that the device will not work when you get it home.

Comparing Chromecast to other streaming devices

Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV are the main competitors to Chromecast. Roku's entry-level model costs $30 to $40 and works similarly to the $50 Chromecast with Google TV — it has a remote, a home screen, and built-in apps. Amazon Fire TV's basic model costs $40 to $50. Apple TV starts at $100 for the base model and goes up to $200 for the high-end version.

The choice between these devices usually comes down to which streaming services you use most and whether you already own other products from the same company. If you use Google services like YouTube and Gmail heavily, Chromecast integrates more smoothly. If you use Amazon Prime Video frequently, Fire TV may be more convenient. If you own an iPhone or iPad, Apple TV works better with those devices.

For pure price, the $30 standard Chromecast and the $40 Roku are the cheapest options. For a remote and home screen, the $50 Chromecast with Google TV and the $40 to $50 Roku are comparable in cost and features.

What you need to buy alongside a Chromecast

A Chromecast requires an HDMI port on your TV and a Wi-Fi network in your home. Most TVs made in the last ten years have at least one HDMI port. If your TV does not have Wi-Fi built in, the Chromecast will connect to your home network wirelessly, so you do not need to run a cable.

You do not need to buy anything else to use a Chromecast. The device comes with a power cable and an HDMI cable. If you want to use it, plug it in and connect it to your TV. You will need a Google account to set it up, but a Google account is free.

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu are optional. You can use a Chromecast to watch free content on YouTube, Pluto TV, and other ad-supported services without paying for a subscription. If you want ad-free movies and shows, you will need to pay for subscriptions separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a monthly fee to use Chromecast?

No. You pay once for the device and that is all you owe Google. Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ charge their own monthly fees, but those are separate from the Chromecast purchase and are optional.

Can I use Chromecast with a TV that does not have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Chromecast connects to your home Wi-Fi network, not to the TV itself. As long as your TV has an HDMI port and your home has Wi-Fi, a Chromecast will work.

Is the $100 4K model worth it if I do not have a 4K TV?

No. The 4K model only makes a difference if your TV can display 4K resolution. If your TV is 1080p or 1440p, save the $50 and buy the $50 model instead. Both will look identical on your screen.

What is the difference between Chromecast and Chromecast with Google TV?

The standard Chromecast requires you to control it from your phone. Chromecast with Google TV includes a physical remote, a home screen with apps, and voice search. The $50 model is easier to use if you want a traditional remote experience.

Where can I find the best price on a Chromecast?

Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart all sell Chromecast at similar prices. Discounts of $10 to $15 are common during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and the holiday season. Refurbished models from Google or authorized retailers cost $15 to $25 and come with a warranty.