Have you decided to buy a TV Box and want to discover the best Android TV Boxes to make your television smart?
Although the current Smart TV integrates many access options to all types of content, it never hurts to have the versatility that Android offers you to turn the living room TV into a complete multimedia center thanks to Android TV boxes that you can buy online right now. The best thing is that it is very easy to extend the functions of your Smart TV since all you need is to connect one of the Android TV devices to your TV. To help you buy a top-quality product, we have reviewed and selected the 6 best Android TV Boxes. However, you can also buy a Mini PC that performs the same functions.
Choosing the best Android TV can be an arduous job since there are many different models of these Android TV devices. For that reason, we have selected for you some of the most outstanding Android TV boxes right now.
What is an Android TV Box?
It is a device that when connected to your TV together with an Internet connection, will turn this TV into something much better than a Smart TV. It enables you to stream content to your TV through various media sources. This can be done either from local storage on your device or over the Internet, and other uses of these boxes include Android gaming, running ROMS via emulators, or browsing the Internet on your TV. I also leave a link to Wikipedia which explains very well, what is an Android TV.
What can you do with an Android Smart TV?
You can install hundreds of Android applications for multimedia consumption, such as Kodi, Wiseplay, Netflix, Amazon Video, Smart YouTube TV, etc. You can also install the best games from the Play Store.
What channels can I watch on an Android TV Box?
You can see all the channels in the world! For this, you have to install the best applications to watch TV on Android or have a paid subscription to platforms such as Yomvi, Netflix, Vodafone TVOnline, etc., from which you can watch the best movies and series on Android.
What else can I do other than watch TV in Android boxes?
You can install all the applications that are in the Play Store and enjoy them on a giant screen. You can surf, check your social networks, install the best Android games, make video conferences, edit photos, and send emails, in short, you can do everything you can think of!
How does it work and how does it plug into the TV?
The first thing you have to do is connect the TV Box with the HDMI cable to your TV, then plug in the power cord and turn on the device. Then, you turn on the TV Box, you make the first basic settings (connect Wifi, language, name, etc.) and once configured with your Gmail account, you simply have to start installing applications. It works that simple
PS: All TV Boxes come with a control. If possible, buy one that comes with a keyboard.
What type of Android TV box you should choose?
Physically you can find 2 sizes. The ” box” type and the “pen drive” type. I recommend the first ones, since physically they support larger and more powerful internal components. In addition, they can be cooled better, and above all, because they have more physical space for connections and expansion of memory, with which we can connect external devices via USB (such as wireless keyboards, pen drives, gamepads, or hard drives), microSD cards, ethernet cable or audio output for a soundbar.
Last, but not least, is the version of Android, there are from Android 7.0 to Android 11. It is advisable to have a recent version since it will be more compatible with future applications, it will be better optimized and we will have a more satisfactory user experience. I recommend that it at least be Android 8.0
The 6 best TV Box of the moment: 4K playback, Kodi, HDR, Netflix and much more
If we want to have a full experience and navigation, it is best to buy a good wireless keyboard or a mouse. Now, let’s take a look at the best devices to bring Android to the living room TV and turn it into a smart TV with all the letters. We start!
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
The Nvidia SHIELD is without a doubt the best official Android TV Box on the market. Manufactured by the same company that produces the best graphics cards in the world, Nvidia has been releasing models for quite a few years and they all work well. The 2017 version is still receiving updates almost every month and this is a very important point. Nvidia takes great care of its devices and updates are frequent and it shows that everything works perfectly.
The latest version is the Nvidia SHIELD TV Pro and it has an impressive NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor capable of running as a Plex server without problems. It has 3 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage and is capable of playing 4K HDR content without problems. It is also capable of artificial intelligence upscaling to 4K increasing the detail of content at lower resolutions (720p and 1080p) almost magically and supporting Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a cinema-quality experience.
The device features two full-size USB ports at the rear, which can be used to connect external storage devices, antennas, keyboards, etc.
+ PROS
- Very powerful and fast
- 4K HDR without breaking a sweat
- AI upscaling to 4K
- Very frequent software updates and for many years
- Serves as a hub for SmartThings
– CONS
- Price
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Mecool KM2
This cheap Android TV Box is excellent. In addition, it has more connectivity options and a much more complete remote control.
The design is very nice. It has curved lines and a pure white color that gives it an elegant look. In addition, the size is quite compact, so you will not have problems placing it on the TV table, on your desk, or wherever you want to do it.
It has multiple connectivity ports, something that the Chromecast Google TV does not have. On the sides, you can find two USB ports and an expensive SD slot, which will allow you to increase the storage capacity. It also has an HDMI port, and other audio and video, and also internet.
The Mecool MK2 Android TV Box has a fairly powerful Quad Core processor and dual-band WiFi connectivity. This makes its performance quite fast. If you have a compatible TV, you can take full advantage of it, since this TV Box is capable of playing content in HDM + HDM 10 and Dolby Atmos, although it is not compatible with Dolby Vision.
+ PROS
- ATV Standard Launcher
- USB Upgrade
- Boot Splash screen with a retail brand
- The device supports Netflix 4K
- KM2 streaming device displays
– CONS
- Power Type is not so good
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
It is no longer a brand-new model, but Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K still represents one of the best choices in terms of quality/price today. The operating system is Android, even if heavily customized by Amazon services, but if you were a Prime user you would immediately feel at home. But even if you weren’t, there is ample support for various streaming services, online and locally, as well as various applications of all kinds.
In September 2021, Amazon launched the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a more powerful version, with more RAM, for faster application launch and greater overall fluidity; moreover, support for the modern Wi-Fi 6 has been added. If the price of the two were very similar, we recommend the latter, but since the Fire TV Stick 4K is often discounted at $ 39, in that case, it is certainly more palatable.
+ PROS
- Dolby Vision, Atmos, HDR10+, and HDR10 for $40
- Impressive performance
- Responses are lightning-fast
- The Remote can now power the TV on/off, control the volume, and change channels on some cable boxes.
– CONS
- Amazon needs to chill with the self-promotion
- No Google Play apps
- The menu system is still too bloated
- Requires inconvenient power adapter
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Xiaomi Mi Box S Android TV
Xiaomi Mi Box S is a TV box characterized by numerous advantages first of all the total compatibility with 4K and also the Android 8.1 system that offers optimal performance.
The available memory space is not very large since it only has 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of memory. However, this only has a disadvantage if the intent is to play numerous games on the device.
Among the main advantages, however, we must certainly include the very small dimensions that allow you to use the TV Box even in the smallest rooms because it does not take up much space. The simple yet elegant design fits perfectly into any modern and contemporary furnishing style.
The device also features a USB 2.0 port, a power input, and an HDMI connector. Connectivity is also undoubtedly optimal thanks to Bluetooth and wireless networks. This TV Box also has a practical Bluetooth voice remote control that does not necessarily have to be pointed at the device but can also be used in the distance.
The menu and interface are very fluid and easy to use as well and the installation is immediate. On the device, you can install all your favorite applications simply by accessing the Play Store.
+ PROS
- Built-in Chromecast
- Easy installation of streaming channels
- Voice control with the Google Assistant
– CONS
- It comes pre-installed with Android 8.1 (it’s time to update it)
- relatively high price
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T9 – Excellent quality/price ratio
The Android box uses the RK3328 quad-core processor, combined with 4GB of RAM for good performance and support for 4K resolution. The TB box has a Bluetooth connection, for example, to use Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
It all comes down to the low price, being one of the cheapest Android TV boxes, with good resolution and very good technical features, as well as a remote control. It’s a good buy for tight budgets and those who value hardware.
T9 has better technical specifications and features than most Android TV boxes on the market, being an option to consider, in this case with pure Android.
+ PROS
- An affordable option for your home entertainment system.
- Good hardware and operating system for streaming.
- A good amount of storage for the price.
- USB 3.0 for stable, fast file transfers.
- Can deliver Ultra HD 4K at 30 frames per second.
- Uses the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.
– CONS
- Does not offer the latest Dolby audio features
- No voice command
- Does not include smart home integrations.
- Does not unlock Netflix or Amazon Prime Video in 4K
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Aoxun X96 mini Smart TV Review
Aoxun X96 belongs to the category of TV Kodi which relies on the innovative Kodi system to offer online streaming services. The Kodi system used is the one updated to version 16.1, while the Android system, as the name implies, is updated to version 7.0.
These two factors allow you to download or uninstall hundreds of programs, games, and applications as you like from your multimedia product, transforming it, if you want, into a mini-computer for your television. In addition, the Aoxun X96 relies on the innovative Amlogic S912 system that enhances receiver performance by improving octa-core CPU performance.
A concentrate of technological power that will delight those who take special care of the technical specifications and want to ensure a device capable of streaming a vast amount of movies with power and precision never seen before in this field.
+ PROS
- Compact & nice design
- Good performance
- IR Extension Cable
- Decent firmware
– CONS
- Single Band Wifi
- No Reset / Power Button
- No USB 3.0 port
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What to consider when buying an Android TV Box?
In the list, I have put some of the best-selling Android TV Boxes that work well. But in the digital market, you will find many alternatives that can make you dizzy.
Therefore, to lend you a hand and not go crazy, what you should keep in mind when buying an Android TV Box is:
- The internal storage capacity will allow you to save content and reduce loading time when watching movies and videos.
- The RAM and the CPU will help throughout the acceleration process, for the most impatient.
- The Android operating system they have installed; the more modern, the better.
- The final price, since there are Android TV Boxes that do the same as others for less.
- Some other details may end up decanting you, such as the mini keyboard or the articulated antenna.
It is also important to keep in mind that the more current the Android TV Box is, the fewer compatibility problems it will have with certain video or audio files, streaming platforms, and even video games that you can download and use without any mobile or computer.
What advantages does an Android TV Box offer?
Having an Android TV Box in your home turns your TV from dumb to smart, that is, it’s as if you had a Smart TV. Not only that, but some more advantages are very interesting:
- It is a cheap device, so you will not have to break the piggy bank to buy a Smart TV with everything integrated.
- They can access the entire catalog of applications and games from the Google Play Store, although some may not work due to incompatibility with your television.
- They are powerful and versatile, being able to enjoy a lot of content and not having to wait for the buffer to load so as not to have stoppages in online movies.
- Its internal storage is very large, reaching up to 128 GB. This means that you will rarely run out of space for your favorite games and content that you want to save.
Depending on which brand and model you choose, these advantages will be greater or lesser. In addition, many include very interesting additions, such as an integrated Chromecast and a mini keyboard.
Final verdict
If you have taken a look at the major electronics stores, you will find that there is a wide variety of Android TV Boxes. Many are very similar, with characteristics that hardly make a difference from one another.
Here I wanted to highlight those that have given me the best results, either because I have had them or I have seen them in action. So I can say, without a doubt, that they are the best Android TV Boxes. Or, at least, so far this year.
I don’t care about its appearance, but about its results. And the thing is that I want quality, fast content loading and that I don’t have to go through an instruction manual to learn how to use it.
That is why I have chosen these Android TV Boxes, because I think they are the ones that are best suited to your needs if you are a restless ass and want to enjoy everything in a jiffy.
That’s all for now friends. We hope that the article on the top-rated TV Box with Android OS has been helpful. Also, see our reviews of the top wireless router and WiFi range extenders. And do not forget to share, or leave a like, it helps us grow and perform more objective analysis.