Chromecast Ultra vs. Chromecast 3rd Gen: Ultimate Specs Showdown (2025)

Andrew Jewnes

By Andrew Jewnes

Struggling to choose between Google’s Chromecast Ultra and 3rd Gen in 2025? You’re not alone. With 4K streaming now standard and retro gaming surging, picking the right device hinges on hidden spec trade-offs most buyers ignore. This no-nonsense breakdown dissects resolution, Wi-Fi stability, and real-world performance to answer one question: Does the discontinued Chromecast Ultra still outclass the budget-friendly 3rd Gen—or is it obsolete in 2025?**

We’ll arm tech enthusiasts with nitty-gritty details like Dolby Vision compatibility and MIMO Wi-Fi throughput, while budget-conscious buyers get hard numbers on resale prices vs. long-term value. No fluff, no bias—just the specs that actually matter for streaming, gaming, and avoiding buyer’s remorse.

Head-to-Head Specs Comparison

Feature Chromecast Ultra Chromecast 3rd Gen
Resolution 4K HDR, Dolby Vision 3 1080p (No HDR) 7
Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×1 MIMO 3 802.11ac (No MIMO) 7
Ethernet Support Built-in adapter 9 Requires $13 external adapter
Processor 1.8x faster load times 10 Standard ARM Cortex-A53 7
Stadia Compatibility Yes (4K/60fps gaming) 6 No 9
Price (2025) Discontinued (Resale: 80–120) 35–50 8

 

1. 4K HDR vs 1080p: The Resolution Divide

What:

  • Chromecast Ultra: Supports 4K HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG) for vibrant color depth and dynamic range, with a resolution four times higher than 1080p 410.
  • Chromecast 3rd Gen: Limited to 1080p SDR, lacking HDR support and 4K upscaling 48.

Why It Matters:

  • Content Availability: Over 70% of Netflix’s library and most Disney+/YouTube originals now default to 4K HDR, making Ultra essential for modern streaming 710.
  • Hardware Requirements: 4K streaming demands a compatible TV with HDCP 2.2 HDMI ports and a 25Mbps+ internet connection—features the 3rd Gen cannot leverage 310.
  • Visual Experience: HDR enhances contrast and color accuracy, critical for immersive viewing. Without it, 1080p SDR content appears flat on 4K TVs, a common pain point for 3rd Gen users 48.

2. Gaming & Stadia: Legacy vs Obsolescence

What:

  • Chromecast Ultra: The only device supporting Stadia at 4K/60fps, with low-latency Ethernet for cloud gaming 812.
  • Chromecast 3rd Gen: No 4K gaming support; limited to 1080p mirroring 8.

Why It Matters:

  • Post-Stadia Relevance: Though Google shut down Stadia in 2023, Ultra’s hardware superiority (1.8x faster load times, 1GB RAM) makes it a collector’s item for retro gamers and niche cloud services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW 1112.
  • Latency Advantage: Built-in Ethernet minimizes lag, crucial for competitive gaming—a feature 3rd Gen users must replicate with a $13 adapter, risking Wi-Fi instability 412.

Need More Power? For modern gaming and flawless Plex 4K transcoding, see our ranked list of best streaming devices for Plex under $100, including devices that outperform the Chromecast Ultra in Dolby Vision and RAM.

3. Ethernet Reliability: Stability vs Compromise

What:

  • Chromecast Ultra: Includes a built-in Ethernet port via its power adapter, ensuring consistent 25Mbps+ speeds for 4K streaming 1112.
  • Chromecast 3rd Gen: Relies solely on Wi-Fi, requiring an external adapter for wired connections 4.

Why It Matters:

  • Bandwidth Demands: 4K streaming consumes ~20Mbps, but real-world Wi-Fi interference (e.g., smart home devices) often throttles speeds below this threshold. Ultra’s Ethernet bypasses this, critical for households with multiple users 310.
  • Future-Proofing: As ISPs phase out DSL and expand fiber networks, wired connections remain essential for maximizing gigabit internet plans—a gap the 3rd Gen cannot fill 11.

4. Future-Proofing: Codecs & Audio

What:

  • Chromecast Ultra: Features VP9 decoding for efficient 4K streaming and Dolby Atmos passthrough for immersive audio 811.
  • Chromecast 3rd Gen: Lacks advanced codec support, limiting compatibility with newer formats like AV1 (adopted by YouTube/Netflix in 2024) 8.

Why It Matters:

  • Codec Transition: While AV1 isn’t natively supported, VP9 ensures Ultra remains viable until hardware upgrades become mainstream. The 3rd Gen, however, struggles with higher bitrate 4K streams, causing buffering 811.
  • Audio Experience: Dolby Atmos’ 360° spatial sound is now standard in premium content (e.g., Apple TV+ originals). Ultra’s passthrough capability future-proofs it for next-gen audio formats, unlike the 3rd Gen’s basic stereo support 810.

Beyond Chromecast: Want a device that outperforms even the Nvidia Shield TV on a budget? Check out these 7 tested Plex streaming devices under $100 that dominate in 2025, featuring AV1 decoding and 8K upscaling.

5. Price vs Longevity: The 2025 Trade-Off

What:

  • Chromecast Ultra: Discontinued but resells for 80–120 as a “legacy” device 811.
  • Chromecast 3rd Gen: Still available new for 35–50 4.

Why It Matters:

  • Value Retention: Ultra’s 4K/HDR specs and Ethernet make it a budget alternative to newer $100+ streaming sticks (e.g., Roku Ultra), whereas the 3rd Gen’s 1080p limitation relegates it to secondary TVs 812.
  • E-Waste Concerns: With 4K TVs now <70% of the market, the 3rd Gen risks obsolescence as users upgrade displays, forcing eventual replacements 410.

For 4K enthusiasts and retro tech collectors, the Ultra’s specs justify its premium resale price. However, casual users prioritizing affordability over quality will find the 3rd Gen adequate—for now. As streaming services phase out 1080p defaults, Ultra’s future-proofing edges out its older sibling 811.

Who Should Buy Which?

Chromecast Ultra Chromecast 3rd Gen
– 4K TV owners – Budget users (<$50)
– Retro Stadia enthusiasts – Secondary TVs/guest rooms
– Low-latency gamers (Ethernet) – Casual 1080p streaming
– Collectors of “legacy” tech – Minimalist setups

 

Pro Tip for Budget Shoppers: While the 3rd Gen is affordable at 35–50, its 1080p limitations may frustrate future upgrades. For tested alternatives under $50 that support 4K and apps like Plex, see our ultimate guide to the best budget streaming devices (tested January 2025).

FAQs

1. “Does Chromecast 3rd Gen support 4K?”

Direct Answer:
No. The Chromecast 3rd Gen is limited to 1080p resolution (1920×1080) and lacks HDR support, while the Chromecast Ultra delivers 4K HDR (3840×2160) with Dolby Vision and HLG.

Expanded Explanation:

  • Technical Limitation: The 3rd Gen’s ARM Cortex-A53 processor and 512MB RAM can’t decode 4K streams, unlike Ultra’s upgraded 1.8GHz CPU and 1GB RAM .
  • Content Reality: With 83% of Netflix’s 2025 catalog optimized for 4K HDR, 1080p users miss out on enhanced color depth and dynamic range .
  • Workaround: To stream 4K on a 3rd Gen, you’d need a 4K TV with built-in upscaling—a feature that often degrades image quality compared to native 4K .

2. “Is Chromecast Ultra still worth it in 2025?”

Direct Answer:
Yes—but only for two groups: (1) retro tech collectors preserving Stadia-era hardware, or (2) users requiring Ethernet reliability for buffer-free 4K streaming.

Expanded Explanation:

  • Collector Value: Ultra’s discontinued status and Stadia legacy make it a niche item, reselling for 80–120 on eBay (vs. its original $69 price) .
  • Ethernet Edge: Built-in wired connectivity ensures 25Mbps+ stability, critical for households with Wi-Fi congestion from smart devices like Alexa or HomePod .
  • Alternative Alert: For most users, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) offers newer specs (AV1 decoding, Google Assistant) at a similar price, rendering Ultra obsolete outside its niche .

3. “Can Chromecast Ultra run Google TV?”

Direct Answer:
No. The Chromecast Ultra lacks Google TV’s app interface. For integrated apps like Netflix and Disney+, upgrade to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K).

Expanded Explanation:

  • Hardware Gap: Ultra’s 2016-era firmware can’t support Google TV’s Android 12 OS or app installations, unlike the 2020 Chromecast with Google TV (4K) .
  • User Experience: Without Google TV, Ultra users must cast content from phones/laptops—a dealbreaker for audiences preferring standalone remotes and native apps .
  • Cost Analysis: The Chromecast with Google TV (4K) retails for $49, making it a smarter buy than Ultra’s inflated resale prices unless Ethernet is non-negotiable .

4. “Which Chromecast has better Wi-Fi: Ultra or 3rd Gen?” (Bonus Question for SERP Expansion)

Direct Answer:
The Chromecast Ultra’s 802.11ac 2×1 MIMO Wi-Fi delivers 30% faster speeds and reduced latency vs. the 3rd Gen’s single-antenna 802.11ac chip.

Expanded Explanation:

  • Speed Test: Ultra achieves 400Mbps+ in ideal conditions vs. 3rd Gen’s 250Mbps cap—critical for 4K streaming’s 25Mbps per stream .
  • Real-World Impact: MIMO technology minimizes buffering in multi-device homes, while the 3rd Gen struggles with signal interference from microwaves or Bluetooth devices .


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