With Christmas 2020 just around the corner, we thought it a nice idea to cover some technology you may be giving or receiving this Christmas. Namely, Android TV Boxes. Whether you’re a cord-cutter and looking for a good device for your streaming services, or you want a TV box top in addition to cable, we’ve got you covered.
There are literally hundreds of different options when it comes to Android TV boxes. The different devices all vary in some way, shape, or form. How do you know which one may be best suited for you or that special someone?
While we can’t simply answer that question for you, we’ll get you started by covering a few of the popular ones so you may make a more informed decision.
Fire TV Stick 4k
The Fire TV Stick 4k is tiny and will not take up much space. This small dongle has a male HDMI connector on one side with a micro USB port on the other side. The Fire TV Stick 4k can stream ultra high definition (UHD and 4K) video, including high dynamic range (HDR) in HDR10 or Dolby Vision. It is able to deliver up to 60 frames per second and has 8GB of storage for all of your favorite apps.
In our research, we have found that streaming top-quality 4K using WiFi can be challenging. To help combat this, you may need the Amazon Ethernet Adapter for the fire stick, which is sold separately. The remote also has voice control through Alexa, adding convenience to the device.
All-in-all, you cannot beat the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for the price (under $50!)
Specs:
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- Dual-Band WiFi and/or Gigabit Ethernet
Pendoo T95 Android 10.0 TV Box
The powerful Pendoo T95 Android 10.0 TV Box supports both 4K and 6K Ultra HD resolutions giving it great picture quality. It has impressive compatibility with games, apps, and comes with the latest version of Kodi (v18.5) pre-installed. Set up is a cinch with many plug and play features.
One downside to the Pendoo T95 is that it does not have Bluetooth capability. Also, the remote is not chargeable, and it requires two AAA batteries to power it.
Specs:
- 4G RAM
- 32 GB Storage space
- SD card slot and USB ports
- Android 10.0
- 6K/3D video
NVIDIA Shield Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player
The NVIDIA Shield has incredible performance thanks to the NVIDIA X1+ Processor. While this box top is not very robust, it has everything an average user will need. The device is small, making it easy to hide amongst the other technology in your entertainment center.
If you have a quality speaker set up, this device will make you happy with Dolby Atmos surround sound and Dolby Vision HDR. This one also connects with game controllers, making it more entertaining when you feel like gaming with GeForce NOW.
The remote is highly adaptable to your preferences on the NVIDIA Shield Android TV. It has Google Assistant voice control built-in. You’re also able to connect it with Google Home, Echo, or Alexa, bringing the features of those to your device.
This device comes loaded, making it easy to connect and start streaming right away. You’re able to stream content from all the major streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Video, and more. You are also able to stream in 4k YouTube, Google Play, Hulu Live, and more. With Chromecast 4K built-in, you are able to stream from your phone as well.
A few things are lacking with the NVIDIA Shield Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player. For starters, there is no access to an app store; making it unable to add apps to the device. There is no browser on the NVIDIA Shield Android TV, making streaming the browser from your phone or tablet the only option for you. Also, the NVIDIA Shield Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player only supports 32-bit applications.
Specs:
- NVIDIA Tegra X1+ Processor
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Dual-band AC WiFi
- Built-in power supply
- microSD card slot for expanded storage
- Customizable remote with voice control, Bluetooth, IR control for TV, and lost remote locator
Roku Ultra
While the Roku Ultra leaves a little to be desired when it comes to performance, it offers a refined and polished user interface that is easy to use. We mentioned Kodi above, which is one of the most popular programs used on Android streaming devices. Roku does not support Kodi and offers its own bespoke media channel, which includes many movies and shows that are free.
Roku excels when it comes to sports streaming apps, which many other Android devices struggle with. Roku also offers a mobile app that allows you to refine and control your streaming experience without the need for a remote control.
Specs:
- ARM Cortex A53 quad-core 1.2 GHz
- 1 GB RAM
- Dual-band WiFi
- 256 MB Storage
- 10/100 MB Ethernet speed.
EVANPO T95Z PLUS
The EVANPO T95Z PLUS is a powerful device with an octa-core processor that works up to four times faster than a standard quad-core processor. The amount of memory the EVANPO drastically improves its speed and performance. This one is a workhorse that may suit you if you need more performance.
Specs:
- Powerful 2.0 GHz octa-core processor
- 3 GB of memory and 32 GB of ROM
- Supports 2.4 and 5.0 GHz WiFi
- 10/100/1000 MB Ethernet
- Latest Android 7.1 OS
- Compatible with the latest version of KODI
- Offers 3d graphics acceleration
- Includes with a miniature backlit keyboard
Aren’t All Android TV Boxes the same?
In short, no, they are not. Packing different hardware, different Android TV boxes perform at different levels. Some support Kodi while others do not. Not all Android TV boxes support Netflix and Amazon Prime, which are popular among streamers.
We recommend you take a look at what you absolutely need in an Android TV Box and do your research on the different options available to you to make sure they fulfill your needs. Not every device will meet your needs, but at least one will.