Wireless Streaming

Wireless Streaming HiFi Systems

Get your music where it needs to be heard - without the wires

If you're looking to add wireless music to your hi-fi, then you've come to the right place. Even stubborn enthusiasts of physical formats have to admit that online streaming has become inescapable and for music lovers, it most likely plays a significant part in daily listening habits. 

But if it's important to you that your music sounds the best it possibly can, no matter how you choose to listen, then a dedicated network audio streamer is a must-have for your digital hi-fi needs. Whether you're looking to play locally stored lossless files or access CD-quality tracks from top-tier music subscription services, choosing one of the best music streamers is the best way to do them justice. 

Every music streamer on this list has been thoroughly tested by the team of experts at What Hi-Fi? in our dedicated listening rooms, so you can trust our buying advice.

There are plenty of choices these days, across all budgets, but which network streamer is the right one for you? Check out our guide below and our pick of the best products to make your decision.

How to choose the best music streamer for you

Music streamers come in various formats: Built into wireless speakers, single-box systems with amplification or a stand-alone component of a dedicated hi-fi set-up. 

A music streamer (or network audio streamer) has to manage many different wireless sources as well as be able to play music files from local storage on your network. 

Most of the selections below support the vast majority of hi-res music formats, though the upper limit can vary between 24-bit/96kHz PCM files for more basic products up to 32-bit/768kHz for those that aim to push the boundary. We wouldn’t get too hung up on the numbers, though, as the vast majority of music isn’t available in those more extreme file types. CD quality is 16-bit/44.1kHz, and a capability of 24-bit/192kHz should be more than enough to meet the needs of most audiophiles. 

Streamers can boast AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, UPnP compatibility, and USB ports. Regardless of the model, you’ll be able to play local music files from a connected NAS drive and play thousands of internet radio stations. You'll also be able to play from your favourite music streaming services – at least Spotify and quite probably higher quality alternatives such as Tidal or Qobuz are built-in.

Bluetooth is typically included, and if it’s the more capable and better-quality aptX HD form, then all the better. Most audio streamers have digital inputs, so alongside playing music files from a USB, you’ll usually be able to feed in optical and coaxial digital feeds too, making the streamer a digital hub for your system.  

To get the best user experience, you’ll really need a smartphone or tablet to control your streamer. Using your streamer's app is the best way to navigate large music libraries and the quickest way of making playlists. If that doesn't appeal, you may want to look for models with a large display and traditional remote control.

Hugely important to a music streamer is a stable home internet network, and you need to decide whether to connect the steamer directly with an Ethernet cable or go wireless.
Going wire-free seems appealing as it makes things easier and tidier, and provided your network is stable should work for alot of people.
Our recommendation is to stick with wired because it gives a more stable connection, making everything go more smoothly over long-term use.

Price-wise, as with all things hi-fi, streamers can vary hugely, and how much you can expect to pay depends on the rest of your set-up. We would suggest that spending broadly the same as your amplifier would be a decent place to start, though it always pays to be flexible to get the right one. 

Whatever your budget, music streamers are a great way to upgrade your sonic experience from a simple wireless speaker. If you love the convenience but want better sound and have the room and budget to accommodate a stereo system, a hi-fi streamer is the way to go.

Almost regardless of which music streamer you buy, you will gain access to an astonishing range of music – but pick with care, and it will make listening to that music all the more enjoyable.