Yeah I think an RPi is the best streaming box setup going forward unless you want to go ham and run an actual Mac Mini or PC.

The Apple TV is decent and runs well and doesn't hit you with ads, but they're a bit pricey, they're in the Apple ecosystem (could be a pro or con) and doesn't support as many apps.

The Nvidia shield is starting to cram in ads so that's a non starter as far as I'm concerned, especially for the price. The Amazon stuff is Amazon and is getting more aggressive with ads. Roku is getting worse every year and all their devices I've used sucked. Etc, etc.

Every one of these made-for-purpose streaming sticks/boxes/etc are all gonna go down in enshittification flames. Mark my words.

Edit: come to think of it, I'd say it's a safe bet that corporate America/etc is coming for any digital device or platform or service that feels nonabrasive and like a good value for the money/investment of your time. They're gonna make it more annoying, more ad filled, more data harvesting, and more privacy invading until they can't anymore.