Go hands-free with voice commands. Joshua Westbrook/Getty Images If you're looking for a way to convert your regular TV into a smart one, Roku's hardware is among the easiest to recommend. Compared to other streaming devices, Roku's options often come with clean user interfaces, tons of free channels and a price that makes them accessible to the masses. Every Roku streaming device also comes with its own remote control that lets you navigate the interface and control media playback. The remotes that ship with all current-gen Roku streaming players feature voice control, except for the one that comes with the Roku Streambar SE.

Those who have upgraded their televisions with a streaming device will understand how annoying it can be to keep two remotes handy. If you own a Roku device you can use its remote as a universal controller for your TV and can even use voice commands to control it if it supports HDMI-CEC. You can check if your TV offers this functionality by diving into your TV's settings menu. Many manufacturers use their own names for this feature. For instance, Samsung calls it Anynet+ and Sony labels it as Bravia Sync.

Setting up voice control using a Roku remote: Press the Home button, navigate to Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes, pick your Roku remote, and select Set up remote for TV control. This starts a quick setup process. If you own a Roku Voice Remote Pro and can't control your TV via voice, ensure HDMI-CEC is on. Then set up the voice remote again. With voice commands set up, say "Hey Roku" to turn TV on, adjust volume, or turn off.