Buying an Android TV Box and any other high-tech device is not an easy decision.
The many different models coming to the market also bring the prices and features that some Android TV Boxes offer.
So, how do you know the best Android TV Box in 2024?
Review contents
Best Android TV Box 2024 for every budget
All you can check on the spot are Android TV Box specifications that conscientious manufacturers place prominently on the device’s packaging boxes.
Of course, sometimes those specifications are dubious in accuracy, so you still need to be informed about the Android TV Box.
We can facilitate your decision by providing purchasing guidelines and relevant information.
Processor
Three significant manufacturers mainly manufacture Android TV Box processors. Still, we can say right away that two of them are unreliable, and our advice is to get around them in a wide arc.
These are the Android TV Box processors from RockChip and Allwinner manufacturers. Allwinner promised excellent specifications and capabilities at the big door and rarely fulfilled something like that.
The much-promised strength of the Tronsmart Draco eventually proved to be a major fiasco and the year’s biggest disappointment. As for RockChip, it all looks great at first.
However, while it has excellent video playback, they need their specialized version of Kodi to call it RockChip Media Center.
We think RockChip engineers and designers are facing more significant goals and are not paying attention to the needs and support of the current processors that people are buying today.
And in the end, one remains reliable. AmLogic is the most popular manufacturer of Android TV box processors and the only one worth buying. This is not just our opinion; everything you read puts AmLogic at the top, and it is our recommendation when choosing a device.
Memory
Memory is what most influences a device’s operating system, including the Android TX Box. It is practically a limit to the maximum amount of RAM you can use, but the old saying “bigger is better” also applies in this case.
Today’s limit of 4GB is not a problem, as your Android TV box will certainly not be able to use more than 4GB. Therefore, remember that buying a Box with more than 4GB wastes money.
Storage
There has been no shift in this area for a long time. More specifically, in 2016, little has changed in the storage space of the Android TV Box. Although NVIDIA Shield TV is an exception to its 500GB storage, today’s boxes offer 8.16 and 32GB of storage, respectively.
And the question arises – why is that so? Cost is the answer to this question. Although NVIDIA Shield TV offers 500GB of storage, remember it is an HDD hard drive, not flash memory. Others have decided to appeal to streaming users, reducing the unnecessary cost of more storage.
Simply put, streaming users track what they want in real-time and rarely store it on their devices. That’s why 8GB of storage is enough for Android TV Boxes to install all the necessary streaming software. And then there is some middle ground.
If you are not an avid gamer, take a device with 16GB of storage, and we think it will meet all your needs.
Wi-Fi
Of course, this is a significant segment in the Android TV Box offer. How and at what speed you are connected to the Internet is very important. Because if you don’t have a minimum of 802.11, you will often look into the loading circle that rotates on the screen – even before you comfortably watch the video you want.
Depending on your connection, you’ll need fast Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet. If you want to prove yourself, the feature you need to view 4K images at 60 frames per second is HDMI 2.0. Some Boxes support HDMI 1.4; with these features, you won’t get a fluid image, and the number of frames per second is half as low as 30.
What Else Do You Need To Know About The Android TV Box?
Changing dynamic speed refresh – it’s automatic sync of sources and TVs to get the best possible picture. Of course, all this happens automatically without the user making some manual adjustments.
LCD screens may look washed out because of the way they display the image on the screen. HDR fixes it all and makes for the depth of color, all the good that 4K has done with resolution.
Conclusion
There are too many Android boxes on the market to tell what the best Android TV box in 2024 is – we’re talking about a few hundred models – but we can certainly give you some general guidelines to choose from.
First and foremost, look at the chip name (SoC) and the amount of RAM. Given today’s video file requirements, target devices equipped with an Amlogic S905X2 chip have at least 3GB of RAM (2GB is still tolerable, and 1GB is too small). Ensure that the storage memory is 32 GB or 64 GB.
To find Android boxes that meet these criteria, it will be enough to type “S905X2” into the AliExpress search engine – you will be presented with numerous models with precisely this combination of specifications, ranging in price from about $ 35 to about $ 100. Models with Amlogic’s SoC S912 are also a good choice.
Some of Rockchip’s SoCs also score top reviews in testing, such as the RK3399. Still, experience has shown that just like AllWinner’s, Rockchip’s hardware knows how to have trouble playing very demanding videos (4K HDR, 10-bit) HEVC), so we don’t recommend it in principle. One should avoid older Rockchip and AllWinner SoCs, like the RK3328.
When you narrow down your selection to several models with the chip, RAM, and storage space that meet the above criteria, you must study the connector offer (most notably the number of USBs and the presence of optical audio output, if needed).
If your home Wi-Fi isn’t speedy and reliable, buy an Android box with a built-in classic, wired network card. You don’t need a gigabit LAN – you can stream all content from online video services over 100 megabytes.
Finally, if it’s important to you that the selected Android box can stream video from Netflix and similar services in Full HD, investigate whether it supports Widevine L1 DRM certification.
However, suppose you want to watch Netflix videos in 4K resolution. In that case, the choice comes down to just a few models, such as Xiaomi’s Mi Box, Mi Box S, and Nvidia’s Shield TV, with the latter being the best and most expensive Android box the world currently offers.
What’s more, if you don’t want to spend time researching and figuring out how to choose the Android box optimally, the whole story can be summed up like this – if you want a great device with the best value for money and support for whatever you might need, buy the Xiaomi Mi Box S (about $50). If you’re looking for the ultimate in polarity and functionality in this class device, the Nvidia Shield TV (around $450) is what you’re looking for.
The 5 Best Android TV Boxes In 2024
Nvidia Shield TV Gaming Edition – 4K HDR Streaming Media Player with GeForce NOW
Nvidia Shield TV Specifications
- Chip: Tegra X1 (4 cores)
- RAM/Memory: 3GB DDR3/16GB
- Max. resolution: 4K @ 60 FPS (HDR10)
- Sound: DTS-X, Dolby Atmos
- Network: LAN (10/100/1000), Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.1
- Connectors: HDMI 2.0b, 2x USB 3.0
- Widevine L1 DRM: Yes
- Software: Android TV 8.0 Oreo
Nvidia Shield TV is the most potent, polished hardware and, generally, the absolute best Android box money can buy.
This device behaves exactly as you would expect: all video services operate at the highest resolutions available, are wired and wireless networked, come with excellent remote control, regularly upgrade software, have two USB 3.0 ports, and have integrated Chromecast, so it the functionality extends to all that Google’s famous gadget allows.
An added benefit is that it is powerful enough to titles for Android smoothly, as well as those t and thoseStream. GameStream is a solution that allows the game to run on our computer, which must be equipped with Nvidia’s graphics card, streamed to the Shield via a home network, and played from the couch on the TV, with an experience as close as we would to a computer. Drawbacks? So far, it does not support Dolby Vision, the increasingly widespread standard for HDR, but only the less advanced HDR10.
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Xiaomi Mi Box S
Xiaomi Mi Box S Specs
- Chip: Amlogic S905X (4 cores)
- RAM/Memory: 2GB DDR3 / 8GB
- Max. resolution: 4K @ 60 FPS (HDR10)
- Sound: DTS 2.0+, Dolby Digital Plus
- Network: Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2
- Connectors: HDMI 2.0a, 1x USB 2.0, S / PDIF audio output, 3.5mm audio output
- Widevine L1 DRM: Yes
- Software: Android TV 8.1 Oreo
Xiaomi Mi Box S, known in the Chinese market as the Mi Box 4, definitely has flaws – it has only one USB port and doesn’t have a classic, wired network card, so it depends heavily on the performance of home Wi-Fi. However, it differs from most no-name Android boxes in that it comes with a quality remote control, integrated Chromecast (low irritation – to be able to cast, the Mi Box S must first be turned on with the remote), as well as full support for Widevine L1 DRM.
In other words, it will neatly play content from Netflix and all other video services in full 4K resolution. Therefore, it’s not just a device that will dutifully play your video and audio content inside Kodi and Plex but also a full-fledged multimedia streamer that doesn’t cost too much.
Xiaomi Mi Box S Android TV with Google Assistant Remote Streaming Media Player - Chromecast Built-in - 4K HDR - Wi-Fi - 8 GB - Black
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Fire TV Stick 4K
Fire TV Stick 4K Specifications
- Chip: MTK8695+MT7668
- RAM/Memory: 1.5GB DDR4/8GB
- Max. resolution: 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+
- Sound: Dolby Atmos
- Network:802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 2×2 MIMO (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz dual-band), Ethernet10/100Mbs (with external dongle)
- Connectors: HDMI 1.4, 1x micro-USB
- Widevine L1/L3: Yes
- PlayReady 3.0: Yes
- HDCP 2.2: Yes
- Software: Fire OS 6
The Fire TV Stick supports 4K streaming, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The YouTube app is finally back on all Amazon devices after a year-and-a-half-long feud between Amazon and Google. The operating system for the Fire TV Stick is Fire OS 6.0, which is based on Android 7.1 Nougat. Because of this, there’s no access to the Google Play Store, which means you are limited to apps you can download. You can use the Amazon App Store to choose between 7000+ apps and games.
The 8GB Fire TV Stick comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, which is one of the best things about it: You can use your voice to search for shows or movies to watch, play music, control volume, check the weather, control smart home devices, and so much more. The Fire TV Stick 4K is not precisely a box; it’s the shape of a memory stick and plugs straight into your TV through an HDMI port. (Amazon recommends plugging the stick into an HDMI extender to improve Wi-Fi reception.)
Once that’s done, attach the USB cable and run it to the nearest power outlet to get it up and running. Updates are not complicated either: As long as your device is connected to the Internet, it will search for software updates and install them automatically.
Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls), Dolby Vision
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Roku Express
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Roku Express Specifications
- Chip: ARM Cortex A53
- RAM/Memory: 512MB
- Networking: 802.11 b/g/n single-band wireless
- TV Compatibility: HD TVs – Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) with up-scaling from 720p
- Ports: Micro USB for power, HDMI 1.4b
- Audio Features: Digital stereo over HDMI®, DTS Digital Surround™ pass through over HDMI, Dolby Audio™ and Dolby ATMOS® pass through over HDMI
- Remote Control: Roku standard IR remote with channel shortcut buttons – Streaming player includes IR receiver (compatible with various universal remotes)
- Power Consumption: Less than 2.2W (typical) when streaming
- Power Input: 5V – 1A
- Size: 1.5 x 0.75 x 3.0 inches
- Weight: 1.1 ounces
Enjoy smooth HD streaming on your TV at our best price. It’s easy to get started with the included High-Speed HDMI® Cable. Access to hundreds of free channels allows plenty to stream without spending extra. Compact and power-packed, you’ll stream your favorites with ease. From movies and series on Netflix and Prime Video to free alternatives like All Four and Pluto TV, enjoy the most talked about TV across free and paid channels.
Roku Express includes a High-Speed HDMI® Cable and a simple remote. There’s no monthly equipment fee and no contracts, and the unbiased search makes it easy to find entertainment for free or at the lowest cost.
Setup is a cinch: Plug it in, connect to the Internet, and start streaming. It’s that simple.
Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels.
Automatic software updates: Get the most up-to-date software without thinking about it.
Private listening on mobile: Use the free Roku mobile app to pump up the volume of your shows without disturbing the house.
Free Roku Mobile App
Turn your iOS® or Android™ device into the ultimate streaming companion. Control your Roku player, search with your keyboard, plus enjoy features like:
Voice search
Just say it to search by title, actor, or director across 1,000+ channels.
Private listening
Use headphones to listen as loud as you want without disturbing the house.
Cast to TV
See your photos, videos, and music up on your big screen.
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Fire TV Cube
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Fire TV Cube Specifications
- Processor: ARM Mali G52-MP2 Hexa-core @ up to 2.2 GHz
- Operating System: Fire OS 7 based on Android 9.0 Pie
- Internal Storage: 16 GB
- Memory: 2 GB
- Supported Resolution: Up to 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps
- WiFi Connectivity: Dual-Band 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO /td>
- Ethernet: 10/100 Mbs
- H.265 Video Decoding: Yes
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough: Yes & 7.1
- Expandable storage: Over Micro USB
- USB: Micro USB
- HDMI: 1 x 1.4
The 2019 Fire TV Cube is running on Fire OS 7, based on Android 9 Pie. The interface is intuitive, and the home screen offers quick access to TV shows and movies you recently watched, even if they’re unavailable on Amazon Prime Video. You can also make your own Watchlist of shows and movies you want to watch across different platforms.
The Fire TV Cube heavily promotes Prime Video content, which can annoy some users. The interface also features large banners on the home screen, cluttering it up and making it a bit too messy.
The device has 4K streaming on supported platforms like Netflix, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. The YouTube app has been back on all Amazon devices since July, and the 2019 Cube now supports YouTube TV. It can also run media servers like Kodi and Plex. The second-generation device has an ultra-powerful Hexa-core processor (with speeds up to 2.2GHz) compared to the 1.5 GHz Quad-core one on the original Fire TV Cube.
The new processor can stream 4K UHD and Dolby Vision content at up to 60 fps. At the back of the new Cube are an HDMI port, power, a Micro USB port for the Ethernet adapter, and an input for the IR extender (both included).
It comes with a thin IR extender cord for devices out of sight but doesn’t include an HDMI cable necessary for setup. The best feature of the 2019 Fire TV Cube is its built-in speaker with eight far-field microphones that allow you to give voice commands without using the remote.
The Cube is an Amazon Echo device that lets you control your smart home devices over Wi-Fi and home theatre equipment directly over its IR emitters with just your voice. Some basic voice commands are executed much faster than before, thanks to the Cube handling them directly instead of going through Amazon’s servers. Most still lag, though, as the Cube needs to check with the cloud for many commands.
Fire TV Cube | Hands-free streaming device with Alexa | 4K Ultra HD | 2019 release
Certified Refurbished Fire TV Cube, hands-free with Alexa built in, 4K Ultra HD, streaming media player, released 2019
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We want you to know:
With Alexa on Fire TV Cube, you can control compatible TVs, soundbars, and A/V receivers from top brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, Vizio, and more.
Tune in to live TV channels with cable or satellite boxes from providers like Comcast, DISH, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, and more. Not every app has the same voice control experience.
Many apps allow you to control playback and use Alexa on Fire TV Cube to navigate and browse content within the app by saying, “Alexa, go right” or “Alexa, select.” Some additional apps, including Netflix, Hulu, ABC, ESPN, and STARZ, have integrated further with Alexa, allowing you to browse and search within the apps, dive into specific titles, and more.
When connected to compatible equipment, Dolby Atmos is available on select Prime Video and Netflix titles. HDMI cable is sold separately.
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Conclusion
The best Android TV Box from above is the Nvidia Shield TV Gaming Edition, especially if you are a passionate gamer and will use GeForce NOW.
Nvidia Shield TV Gaming Edition performs best of all Android TV Boxes we reviewed.
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