Kathryn Rath
The WiiM Pro Plus is the best music streamer because it offers stable performance and quick setup, and it has features that are attractive to both audiophiles and more casual music fans.
Before getting a music streamer, I was something of a music separatist. My expensive stereo system was reserved for first-press vinyl records, whereas my daily streaming of Apple Music playlists with titles like “Y2K Trashy” or “Divorced Dad Rock” happened mostly through my garbage computer speakers. I never thought to combine my disparate worlds by connecting a network audio player to my stereo system, but now that I have, I’m digging my new, “poly-jam-orous” lifestyle — and appreciating how much better my streaming audio sounds.
A streaming music player frees your digital music files and streaming services from the confines of your phone, tablet, or computer without degrading sound quality the way Bluetooth does. After testing 13 streamers priced under $300, we recommend the WiiM Pro Plus because of its wealth of features, stable functionality, and affordability.