An Android TV box is a must in your home, especially if you don’t own a Smart TV to stream videos directly. But picking the superb ones from the many choices that dot the market can be difficult. So, knowing which box to go for is a must if you don’t want to run into some tough situation. Here are some excellent choices.
1. Nvidia Shield Android TV
It may not be the smallest Android box by any metric, but at 13.6ounces, Nvidia TV comes quite close. Nvidia Shield runs its many processes on Nvidia’s Tegra X1+ CPU to offer you Dolby Vision/Atmos and HDR at 4K. It also integrates Google Assistant into its design for first-class hands-free control, while retaining Alexa compatibility.
Features
- MicroSD card port
- Dedicated Netflix button
- Bluetooth and IR
- 16GB storage
- Backlit remote
- 3GB RAM
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet
- Android Pie Chromecast 4K support
Pros
- Fast processor with AI upscaling
- Exceptional gaming ability
- Supports Dolby Vision HDR
- Up to 7.1-channel passthrough
Cons
- Expensive
- No HDR for YouTube
Price: View on Amazon
2. Amazon Fire TV Cube
It strikes the perfect balance between price and functionality that disregards its 2023 release date. Beyond its stylish design, Fire TV cube comes with an Alexa voice remote and supports full hands-free control. The box includes an ultra-fast Hexa-core processor as well as 16GB of storage space.
Features
- 10/100Mbs Ethernet
- 4K UHD with HLG
- 1.9GHz dual-core and 2.2GHz Quad-core
- Dolby Atmos/Vision
- 2GB RAM
- ARM Mali 800MHz graphics
- 5.1-channel passthrough
- Android Pie Fire OS
- HDR10+
Pros
- Affordable
- Supports Amazon cloud storage
- Offers a MicroSD slot
- Lightweight
- Remote includes Bluetooth and IR
- Streams in 4K
Cons
- Requires an Echo device for maximum benefit
- No HDMI cable included
Price: View on Amazon
3. TiVo Stream 4K
Despite being a budget-friendly option, TiVo Stream doesn’t lose to Fire Cube in terms of features. There is Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, voice control remote with dedicated Netflix button, and even built-in Google Assistant, among others. You get to enjoy Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and thousands more with its tiny 10ounces frame.
Features
- 4K UHD with Dolby Vision HDR
- 8GB storage
- Plug-in form factor
- Dolby Atmos sound
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Pros
- Has integrated voice control
- Streams most channels
- Has 4K HDR at 60fps
- Offers HBO Max and Peacock that isn’t available on Roku
Cons
- Difficult setup
- Too many ads
- Not a good choice if you live in Canada
Price: View on Amazon
4. Diyomate D905 Android TV Box
It’s another budget-friendly choice with deceptively good performance. You get to enjoy a Quad-core Amlogic S905 processor with an Android 7.1 OS with D905. There’s also a one-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee to put your mind at ease.
Features
- 2GHz clock speed
- 8GB eMMC
- 1GB DDR3
- ARM Mali 450 GPU
Pros
- Cheap
- Supports 3D media
- Includes an HDMI cable
- Offers integrated 3D acceleration for games
- Massive stream options
- Pre-installed Kodi 18.1
Cons
- Small RAM
- No voice-control
Price: View on Amazon
5. Xiaomi Mi Box S Android TV
The box’s 8GB memory isn’t the best on the market, but there are positive sides to Xiaomi Mi box. It has built-in Chromecast and supports 4K HDR motion at 60fps without compromising clarity. Xiaomi Mi S also shares Nvidia’s integrated Google Assistant system and compatibility with Alexa voice control.
Features
- Quad-core processor
- Dual-band 802.11ac
- 8GB storage
- MicroSD connection
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Fast processor
- Lightweight and portable
- Offers Dolby Vision HDR
Cons
- Difficult to operate
- Doesn’t negotiate well with Dolby TrueHD and DTS
- No Amazon support
Price: View on Amazon