Looking to buy your next Android TV box from Best Buy? Here is our list of the best Android TV boxes currently available to buy from Best Buy.
With our top five, we have decided to choose only Android TV boxes that not only deliver 4K, but let you stream the most popular streaming services – Netflix and Prime Video – in full 4K. No, not every Android TV box that is 4K capable is able to unlock these services in 4K.
We think that this is a priority for most streamers today, so that’s why we have made it one of our criteria.
But if you are looking for a cheap Android TV box, which is 4K capable but won’t unlock these principal streaming services in 4K, then check out our complete guide to buying a cheap Android TV box. This also includes specific product recommendations, many of which are also available from Best Buy.
Product Links
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K – Best Overall Android TV Box
- Amazon Fire TV Cube – Best For Smart Home
- NVIDIA Shield Android TV Box – Best Premium TV Box
- Roku Streambar Pro Cinematic Audio – Best For Sound
- NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro – Best For Gamers
| # Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K  |
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Amazon Fire TV Cube  |
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NVIDIA Shield Android TV Box  |
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Roku Streambar Pro Cinematic Audio  |
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NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro  |
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5 Best Android TV Boxes Available From Best Buy
Before jumping in, let’s just clarify this question about watching Netflix in 4K, and why so many 4K Android TV boxes just won’t let you do it.
Both Netflix and Prime Video don’t just let any 4K capable streaming device access their content in 4K. Instead, they authorize individual devices as appropriate for accessing their content. Their apparent motive is to ensure that only good quality devices can deliver 4K, so as not to diminish the quality of the service they provide.
While Netflix and Prime Video are pretty speedy about authorizing devices from big-name companies such as Sony, Samsung, and Fire, they very rarely authorize devices from the small brands that only produce limited runs of their devices. This is pretty much all the cheap Android TV boxes, so almost none of them can deliver Netflix in 4K.
For this reason, with a few significant exceptions (which are on our list!), it is very difficult to get an Android TV box that will let you access Netflix and Prime Video in 4K for less than $100.
1. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K – Best Overall Android TV Box
You might think that Amazon is the best (or only) place to buy Fire TV products, but that’s not true. Sometimes sales mean that Fire TV products are cheaper at Best Buy (as the Fire TV Stick 4K currently is).
And the fact of the matter is the Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the few Android TV devices that costs less than $100 that will let you unlock Netflix and Prime Video in 4K.
- Unlocks major streaming services in 4K
- Lightweight 1.5 GB ROM and 8 GB RAM
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio
- Integrates with Alexa smart home systems
- Amazon Alexa remote included
This is a lightweight device, matching just 1.5 GB of ROM with 8 GB of RAM, but it can do many of the things the more sophisticated devices can do and the other affordable devices can’t.
As well as unlocking Netflix and Prime Video in 4K, it is capable of delivering both Dolby Vision and Audio, it has voice control with the Alexa remote included in the package, and it integrates seamlessly with the Alexa smart home system.
The big drawback with the Fire Stick is that it uses the Amazon operating system on top of the Android operating system. This adds a layer of restrictions, and it also means Amazon results are always listed first in search results, even when better results are available. But there are workarounds for both of these problems.
The device is also a little bit too lightweight for some things. For example, you might find it isn’t powerful enough if you want to download Kodi builds (though these lightweight builds will work).
But while these are small frustrations, you won’t find another Android TV box for under $50 that gives you so many premium features.
2. Amazon Fire TV Cube – Best For Smart Home
If you like the Amazing Fire TV Stick 4K, but you want something a bit more powerful to manage your own media library, use Kodi, or even torrent directly to your TV box, you can upgrade to the Fire TV Cube, which is also available at Best Buy.
- Unlocks major streaming services in 4K
- 2 GB ROM and 16 GB RAM
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio
- Ethernet connection
- Fully-fledged Alexa Speaker
The Fire Cube is a significant upgrade on the stick with 2 GB of ROM and 16 GB of RAM, plus it has a GB Ethernet connection that means you can make the most of your bandwidth (this needs to be bought separately for the Fire Stick).
And the Cube doesn’t just integrate with Amazon Alexa, it is also a fully-fledged Alexa speaker. So, if you have been thinking about getting an Alexa speaker, and you are also thinking about getting an Android TV box, then this is a good choice. (Alexa speakers will cost you at least $50 on their own.)
The Fire Cube also uses the Amazon Fire Operating system, which brings with it levels of frustration. But if you are willing to do the workarounds, then this is a great choice.
3. NVIDIA Shield Android TV Box – Best Premium TV Box
If you can’t stand Fire TV, then for just a little bit more you can get the NVIDIA Shield standard streaming device, which runs on the Amazon operating system and is significantly more powerful than the Fire Cube.
- Unlocks major streaming services in 4K
- 3 GB ROM and 64 GB RAM
- Tegra X1+ processor
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio
- Ethernet connection
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
The NVIDIA Shield device is a big step up with 3 GB of ROM and 64 GB of RAM. But in addition to this, it also has a Tegra X1+ processor, which is easily the most powerful processor on the market. It is 25% faster than anything that comes before it, making this a very speedy machine indeed.
And you don’t miss out on anything when you switch to the NVIDIA brand. NVIDIA devices unlock Netflix and Prime Video in 4K, deliver Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio, have a GB ethernet connection, and are compatible not only with Amazon Alexa but also with Google Assistant.
The only thing that I don’t understand about this particular model is that it does not have a single USB port if you want to connect an external hard drive with your own content or link up a keyboard. In most cases, you will be able to do this using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth anyway, but it seems like an oversight.
It is certainly something gamers will miss, but this is probably part of NVIDIA’s plan to get gamers to upgrade to the Pro model (keep reading the list).
But for streamers that don’t want to pay extra for the gaming model, this device is more than you need whether streaming from Netflix, playing your own media library, using Kodi, or even torrenting. But, if you are doing these last two things, don’t forget to protect yourself with a VPN.
4. Roku Streambar Pro Cinematic Audio – Best For Sound
These days most of us have a great 4K TV, and we can stream fantastic 4K content, but it is often the sound that lets us down, because even the best 4K TV doesn’t come with great speakers. Roku solves this problem with its new Streambar, which integrates a top quality bar speaker with a good Roku TV box.
- Integrated high-end speaker
- Unlocks major streaming services in 4K
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio
- Ethernet connection
- Compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home Kit
The speaker comes with lots of nice features, including virtual surround sound, dynamic base, and auto adjustment to make voices pop against the background noise. If you prefer to listen privately, you can also plug your headphones into the remote control.
The streaming box part of the device is pretty good quality and will let you watch Netflix, Prime Video, and everything else in 4K. Though it isn’t as good as the previous NVIDIA device by any measure.
But what some people will love about this is that it integrates with everything! You can use it with Amazon Alexa, with Google Assistant, or with Apple’s Siri.
I know it’s cheating since Roku isn’t Android, but I couldn’t resist including this awesome box. But it is a closed system, so you don’t have as much freedom to download what you want on Roku.
5. NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro – Best For Gamers
If you want to use your Android TV box not just for streaming but also for serious gaming, then you are going to want an upgrade. And that is exactly what the NVIDIA Shield Pro is, an upgrade on the NVIDIA Shield streaming device specifically for gamers.
- Unlocks major streaming services in 4K
- 4 GB ROM and 500 GB RAM
- Tegra X1+ processor
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio
- Ethernet connection
- 2 USB 3.0 Ports
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Most notably, you get an extra 4 GB of ROM and 500 GB of RAM, all run on the Tegra X1+ processor, making for a very powerful machine. You also get two USB 3.0 ports, so you can connect to whichever external media that you want.
As this is made with gamers in mind, you also get access to the NVIDIA game collection on GeForce.
If you are looking for a TV box that is powerful enough to game, but doesn’t compromise on any of the essentials when it comes to streaming, then this is your best option.
The Verdict
If you are looking to get your next Android TV box at Best Buy, then the above are five top-quality options that won’t disappoint.
Which one is right for you depends on what you are looking for in a TV box. If you just want something that does the job properly in 4K, you can get away with the affordable Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. But if you are looking for more of a media hub, fantastic sound, or the gaming experience, then one of the other options on our list will be better.
What’s your favorite Android TV box that you would recommend to others? Share your advice in the comments section below.
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