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The best Android TV box you can buy in 2024
If you’ve decided to bring the power of Google to your TV, there’s a good chance you’re looking for an Android TV device. While not as popular as Roku or Fire TV, Android TV still supports all streaming services. However, there are still plenty of options for you to consider. Here are our picks for the best Android TV boxes on the market.
Google TV Streamer: The best choice for most users
The Google TV Streamer marks the end of the Chromecast family going forward, but at least it’s a worthy replacement! The new Streamer is a bit more expensive at $99, but it has massive hardware upgrades all around including Google Home support, Thread/Matter support, and an excellent new Find My Remote feature. It’s still not as powerful as an NVIDIA Shield technically but it offers a more mainstream design that fits better in the average living room.
Pros
- Works as a Matter/Thread hub
- Higher performance, more premium experience than its predecessor
- New remote employees better design and new find my remote feature
Cons
- More expensive than Chromecast family
- No hands-free voice mode offered
Are you looking for other recommendations? While the Google TV Streamer is our top recommendation, keep reading below for other choices worth considering.
Other Android TV boxes worth considering
- Chromecast with Google TV 4K: The last remaining member of the Chromecast family is still one of the best media streaming devices out there. It comes with a slick remote and sports the Google TV skin. It can also output video in 4K resolution.
- Onn 4K Pro: We were about to recommend this one over the official Google devices. It’s a great unit, and doubles as a smart speaker.
- Nvidia Shield TV: The Shield TV family gives you a device with just as nearly as much (but not quite as much) power as the Google TV Streamer in many ways, but with better gaming-centric features baked in.
- TiVo Stream 4K: For those of you not committed to cord-cutting, the Stream 4K is a winner. It packs great Sling TV integration, even if the UI seems to have a split personality.
- Xiaomi MI Smart Video Projector 2: The
Chromecast with Google TV 4K: The best value overall
Even though the Google TV Streamer is much more feature-packed, the Chromecast with Google TV 4K is still a great option if you only have $50 to spend and don’t want to go with a cheaper brand like Onn or even Tivo. Keep in mind this isn’t like the old school Chromecasts, as it has a remote and the Google TV UI, which is built on top of Android TV. You’ll also find all the main streaming platforms and much more.
Pros
- It comes with Google’s remote
- Offers support for almost all streaming services
- Google TV skin is great
Cons
- Weaker performance compared to many others on this list
Onn 4K Pro: The best budget alternative
This one is much more powerful than the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, with a better processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. On the downside, it comes from a brand we don’t trust as much. That said, the Onn 4K Pro is a great option you should at least consider. It comes with some excellent features we haven’t seen in other smart TV boxes in the past such as the ability to use it as a Google Assistant speaker. There’s also a find my remote feature. It’s not perfect, though. Walmart also hasn’t built a reputation for itself in terms of software support. The unit also feels and looks a bit cheaper than Google’s options. Still, at $50 it’s an incredible value.
Pros
- Great value
- It works as an Android TV box and a Google Assistant speaker
- Lost remote finder
- Hands-free voice control
Cons
- We’re not sure how good software support will be
- Build feels rather cheap
- It has to be kept visible
Nvidia Shield TV and TV Pro: The best for game streaming
NVIDIA has long been known for its gaming chips, but they power much more than just PCs and the Switch. While it’s a pretty old device launched in 2019, the Shield is powered by a Tegra chip and continues to get support even now and is a great option for those who want to use the device for NVIDIA GeForce Now gaming alongside streaming and more. The tube-shaped streaming device packs Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and AI-powered content upscaling into a $150 package (although it goes on sale occasionally). If you’re hoping for a few more advanced gaming options, you’ll have to splash out an extra $50 for the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro ($199 at Amazon).
Pros
- Still receives frequent updates
- Comfortable triangular remote
- Dolby support and upscaling
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Old hardware
Tivo Stream 4K: The best for live TV
It’s a bit older now, but for those who need a cheap box that can often be found for under $30, it’s a great option. It offers one of the most powerful remotes on our list of Android TV devices, and it’s easily the best if you want to watch live TV. TiVo teamed up with Sling TV to bring plenty of live channels that you can surf with the remote’s NumPad. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you’re not entirely committed to cutting the cord.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Live Sling TV integration
- Large remote with plenty of buttons
Cons
- TiVo’s UI competing with Android TV
- Less appealing design
Xiaomi MI Smart Video Projector 2 is an Android TV projector with full portability
The Xiaomi MI Smart Video Projector 2 is definitely a device you should consider if you’re looking for a decent projector powered by Android TV. It costs a whopping $600, but it is more than just one of the best Android TV boxes. The Xiaomi MI Smart Video Projector 2 can connect to any TV via HDMI and offer the full Android TV experience, but that’s not really what makes it special. It has an integrated projector that can output 500 lumens of brightness. Additionally, its small size (4.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches) is very convenient. Not to mention, the design is gorgeous.
Pros
- Integrated projector with 1080p resolution
- Great design
- 500 lumens
Cons
- Very expensive!
- The remote could be improved
Buying the right Android TV device for your needs
Not all users come to the table with the same needs, and not all devices are created equally. You’ve already settled on Android TV, which takes that factor out of the equation. However, you’ll still want to pay careful attention to the remote control that comes bundled with your device. Some are better than others, with more buttons and more comfortable designs.
You may also want to consider what you’ll use your device for. Like the NVIDIA Shield TV, some are better for gaming, while others, like the TiVo Stream 4K, are great for live TV. Google Nest users will also probably find themselves drawn to the Google Chromecast with Google TV to keep things uniform.
It all depends on your needs, but we’re sure you want to get the most value for your money. Price is an essential factor, so we’re focusing heavily on the cost for this list of the best Android TV boxes.
You’ll also want to ensure you get an Android TV device matching your TV features. If you have a higher-end 4K TV, for example, you want to make sure you get one that supports said resolution, as well as any added features like HDR. If you don’t need any of those additions, you can save money with a 1080p device.
FAQs
Android TV is Google’s smart TV operating system. As its name entails, it’s based on the same company’s Android OS, which was made for mobile devices. It was modified with a UI better suited for content discovery, voice search, and general content streaming.
Google TV can actually be multiple things. The name was first used for Google’s TV operating system. Android TV replaced it. The monicker was then used to refer to a UI skin improved for the living room experience, which runs on top of Android TV. Alternatively, it’s also a service offered by Google. Google TV replaced Google Play Movies & TV, and it’s a video-on-demand service.
Android TV lives in plenty of dongles, set-top boxes, and can also come integrated into TVs. Popular brands that offer Android TV devices include Sony, Hisense, Philips, and TCL.
Android TV devices can be costly, but they don’t have to be. You can get an official Chromecast with Google TV HD for just $30. And if you’re in the market for a new TV, many of them already have it, so you might not need to pay anything extra to enjoy Android TV.
If you want a high-end Android TV, we like recommending the NVIDIA Shield TV or Shield TV Pro. However, that one is made for gamers and might be overkill for most users. The best Android TV device for most people is the Chromecast with Google TV 4K. It offers plenty of features and comes at an amicable price.