![The Best Android TV Box for 2018 […and we tested them all]](https://androidpcreview.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif)
UPDATED For 2018!
Picking a streaming device can be tough. There’s so many to choose from and it seems like everyone is there to tell you that theirs is the best TV box.
So if you’re looking for your first streaming device, or if you’ve outgrown your current player and want something better, or if you just want a new toy….this article is written for you in mind.
Quick Look At Our Top Picks
#1 Skystream Two |
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Buy Now |
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#2 EZ Stream |
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Buy Now |
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#3 NVIDIA Shield TV |
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Buy Now |
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#4 Amazon Fire TV |
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Buy Now |
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If you’re buying your first streaming media player, I created a perfect starting point to learn more about TV boxes. Or, look here if you’re just looking for a good, cheap Android TV box.
Won’t any device work?
Let me be clear about something: The best streaming media player depends on what streaming services you want to use.
If you’re going to be using it solely as a Kodi box, then the field is open, and you have your choice of TV boxes. But…if you’re planning on streaming a good portion of your content through Netflix or Amazon Prime, then you’re going to be limited.
Netflix only has a short list of devices that can stream in 4K, and Amazon will force you to use their hardware in order to get the best picture quality.
Why? That’s a good question.
The short answer is that there are DRM (Digital Rights Management) services which will limit who can see specific content to those devices that run those services.
Think about it this way: Would you rather watch a crappy camcorder version of the latest movie or go see it in the theatre? Sure, the cam version is cheaper (i.e. free), but you’re missing out on the experience.
For Android media players, you need Netflix Approval and a Google Widevine Level 1 licence to playback DRM 1080p or 4K video streams. For HBO Now you’ll need a Microsoft Playready licence as well.
Without the right hardware, you’ll never get better than Standard Definition (SD) resolution with those streaming services.
What should I look for?
There are some “must-have” features that you should be looking for in your next Android TV box, so I’ve made this list with those in mind.
Note: If you’re wondering What is an Android TV box, click on the link to find out. Each of the devices I recommend will have a list of which features it supports and which ones it doesn’t. Think of it like your own personal shopping checklist. Missing features will be highlighted in red.
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow (or higher)
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and\or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
Not every device on this list will have all of these features. That would make things way too easy. But, the way I’ve set this up, you can decide for yourself which of these features is important to you, and which you can skip this time around.
If you’re just starting out and want to get more information before you choose which TV box to buy, I’d suggest reading “Getting started with TV boxes.”
Best Overall:
Skystream Two
Skystream is back again with the SkyStream Two and this time they’ve doubled down on their success.
OK…sorry for the bad pun. I can’t resist. 🙂
In all seriousness though, Skystream took what made the Skystream One a killer Android TV box and doubled it.
The processor has been upgraded to the Amlogic S912 octa-core CPU – double the cores from the One. The internal storage has been doubled from 16 GB up to 32 GB. System memory hasn’t quite been doubled, but it has definitely been given a big boost. There’s now 3 GB of memory, up from 2 GB. And now DDR4 memory, which has the edge in performance over the older DDR3 in most TV boxes.
There’s also a slick new custom interface which is more modern than the brightly colored interface from their older boxes. You’ll still find most of the large icons where you’d expect them to be, but they don’t jump out at you as much as they used to.
What really gets me excited is the extra features that they’ve crammed into the Skystream Two.
They’ve integrated Google Voice Search into the media center so you can search for whatever you want to watch instead of typing it out on the on-screen keyboard. With Google Assistant, “OK Google” is always available to answer questions.
Also new on the Skystream Two is Widevine certification. It’s one of the main requirements for getting Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and Hulu in HD quality.
What to love: Looking at the specs, there’s a lot to love. More memory. More CPU power. More storage. Pair that with the famous Skystream support network, and we’ve got a great TV box.
What’s missing: Still missing USB 3.0 which will really hurt transfer speeds from external hard drives. There’s also an increase in price to go along with the increases in memory, storage and CPU.
Checklist:
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Android 7.1 Nougat
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and\or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
Find the best price on the Skystream TWO directly from Skystream.com
IPV 320×100 (set 8)
Runner Up:
EZ Stream Media Player
The EZ Stream Media Player is the third, and newest TV box on this list. It replaced the SkyStream One, which was one of the most popular devices I’ve ever reviewed.
So why the change?
The SkyStream One had a great run, but time and technology moves on. The AmLogic S905 chipset that powered the SkyStream One was updated and replaced by the AmLogic S912. The S912 still has all of the award winning compatibility of the S905, but it ups the performance significantly.
But does that performance really matter?
Definitely. Here’s why.
We’re getting more and more video content at higher resolutions. You may not have access to 4K videos right now, but I’m willing to bet you will soon. Probably sooner than you think.
If you’re buying a brand new streaming device, you should get one that can keep up with you. That means one that rocks 4K.
Here’s more reasons why the EZ Stream Media Player is on this list: Element Technologies are based here in the USA, with customer service team in Florida. If you have a question or a problem, you’re talking to someone in the same country and not halfway across the world. That’s a big deal.
In addition to the local support department and the great Facebook support forum, you can also extend your support with a 2-year extended warranty which you can get for $9.99. If the box stops working within the first two years, they send you another one to replace it.
What to love: Great performance and even better support network. There’s also a new Android Launcher and an automatic E-Z Stream Updater app.
What’s missing: This is going to sound familiar, Netflix is still a spotty experience. There’s a Netflix HD app included, but performance may not be what you’re used to.
Checklist:
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- 1080p 3D
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and\or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
Buy the EZ Stream Media Player direct from ezstreambox.com
Runner Up:
NVIDIA Shield TV
Honestly, this isn’t even a fair fight.
NVIDIA, the graphics powerhouse behind most of the world’s top performing PC gaming systems, stormed on to the scene in May 2015 with the NVIDIA Shield Android TV console. Unlike the Razer Forge TV, which never really caught on, the Shield has a devoted following of Kodi enthusiasts, developers and causal gamers that have made it extremely popular.
Now redesigned for 2018, the Shield TV is aimed at the user who want more power and storage from their streaming device than a Roku or Fire TV can give, but don’t need to go into the super high-end streaming devices like the Cyrus Stream Xa or Naim ND5 Xs. It has the high-end Tegra X1 CPU, 3GB of RAM and a graphic processor with a whopping 256 cores!
The Shield user interface is one of the slickest I’ve seen. Google’s official Android TV interface runs on top of Android 8.0 Oreo – the only device on this list to use the latest version of Android.
What to love: The Shield TV has most of the items on our checklist. It is also one of the few devices to have 4K Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube streaming. Both the controller and remote fit comfortably in your hands, and both include NVIDIA’s voice search using Google Now. As one of Kodi’s Diamond Sponsors, NVIDIA has the support of Team Kodi, so you can be sure that the latest versions of Kodi will work the way they’re supposed to.
What’s missing: Not much now that Amazon Prime Video has joined the party. It’s worth noting that while it has 5.1 and 7.1 audio passthrough, there are some issues getting HD audio passthrough to work within Kodi at the time of this writing. Other services do not have this issue.
Checklist:
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Android 8 Oreo
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and\or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
The NVIDIA Shield isn’t cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for. It’s not quite the perfect streaming device, but it’s as close as you can get at this point. The 16GB version lists at $179, while the 500GB model will set you back $299 US.
Find the best price on the NVIDIA Shield TV at Amazon.com
Are you a Kodi beginner?
It’s OK…we’ve all had to start somewhere.
That’s why I’ve created my largest ever guide on How to set up Kodi the right way. Check it out here or using the image below!
Best TV Box for “easy setup”
Amazon Fire TV
If I had to pick a streaming device to give to my mother, the new Amazon Fire TV would be the one.
But, if you want to get the best quality from your Amazon Prime Video subscription, then you’re going to need the Fire TV since it’s the only player that will stream in both 4K and HD. The cheaper (and more popular) Fire Stick will only play in HD quality.
The Fire TV runs a proprietary version of Android, designed for media players. It has the familiar up\down menu system with the main categories listed along the top row. There’s a large preview window, with your recently used apps and recommended videos underneath.
What to love: Easy setup. Seriously. The Fire TV has a simple, “Plug and Play” interface that even the most technology challenged can feel comfortable with. Full 4K and HD streaming for Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube. The Voice search is amazing, and with Alexa, it’s only getting better.
What’s missing: The Google Play Store. The Amazon App Store is great, but it doesn’t offer that same level of familiarity and comfort as the Google Play Store. Plus, some apps are curiously absent. If you’re looking for Kodi, for example, you’ll need to side-load it or download an alternate app store, like the Aptoide app store.
If you’d like to see how the Fire TV Pendant stacks up against the NVIDIA Shield TV, check out my NVIDIA Shield vs Fire TV article here.
Checklist:
- 5.1 Audio Passthrough
- H.265 Hardware Decoding
- Fire OS – Proprietary version of Android
- Dynamic Refresh Rate Switching
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and\or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
Buy the Amazon Fire TV direct from Amazon.com
Your TV box is only as good as the streaming services you use. Find out what we think the Best Streaming Services are!
The Verdict
As I mentioned when I started, the best Android TV box for you, depends on what services you use.
So what do I use? My main device right now is the 16GB version of the NVIDIA Shield, but I also have a new Amazon Fire TV as a secondary device on my office TV. Both will give me great 4K resolution in Kodi, but the Shield just feels quicker to use. It doesn’t hurt that it can also play some games during downtime either.
What do you think? Have anything that you think would be a better choice? Let us know in the comments below.
Want a new Android box that won’t break the bank? Check out the cheap Android TV boxes that I recommend!
No mention of the Transmart Draco’s Meta & Telo boxes…
does that mean they are no where near as good as the ones in your list?
Actually, if I had to vote for the “Biggest disappointment of 2015” the Tronsmart Draco would win. From a hardware perspective the box is amazing. The stock firmware that drives it is just buggy beyond belief. Even Finless from Freaktab gave up on it the last time I checked.
Can yor comment be quoted on Tronsmart’s fotum?
Did you really test each device or your assessment is based on what you see on internet? According to your comment, you don’t test Draco!
I think you misunderstood my comment. You can see in my Tronsmart Draco review that I had very high hopes for this TV box. Unfortunately, the box just didn’t live up to expectations.
and the M8S with amlogic S812 and mali 450? even the original M8 amlogic S802?
Very interesting
Interesting Article
AFAICT you’ve coreevd all the bases with this answer!
Thank you for the reviews you provide.
Thank you for the information.
I am think of getting one of these thanks for the info and leads!! 🙂
You’re welcome! Let us know which one you get.
Sounds great!
i think this would be useful for my sis who goes off the grid every summer
Smart TV boxes are great for anyone who just wants to have more control over what they watch, without spending a fortune on the cable companies.
Thanks for your comment!
Nice. I was actually looking at getting the MINIX NEO Z64-W
It’s a great minipc. Have you seen my review of it? http://androidpcreview.com/minix-neo-z64-windows-8-1-minipc/2208/
Can someone please explain to me if go surf is a good box…i want to be able to watch live tv …and am not savvy when it comes to these boxes.
I just watched a couple of your youtube video about the Android tv boxes. I didn’t know what these were before! lol. Pretty stinkin cool. 🙂
Thanks! You did subscribe to my YouTube channel, right? 😉
sounds great !
This is a great idea. I normally lose juice when I’m at work out and about so this would be great!
Thanks for the informative article! I’ve been reading some really great things about the MINIX NEO Z64-W, and will probably go for it!
You’re welcome. Thanks for the comments!
Is the DigiXstream DX4 the same as these devices? Do these devices have the same capabilities as the DigiXstream DX4? (Free streaming of just about anything)
Newbie needing advice. THX.
Wow. Please tell me you didn’t already buy one of those.
Seriously. Retailers like them really get me furious. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON why an Android TV Box should be $299, especially one that is based on the Amlogic S802 chipset. Put it this way, you can find something built on the same exact hardware like the Tronsmart Vega S89 (that I reviewed here) for under $100. And that review was written almost a year ago, so there’s plenty of newer (and better) devices out there.
As far as “free streaming of just about anything”, that is all a feature of the software that is installed. Usually its done through Kodi addons, which may or may not be legal where you live. If you want more information on those types of addons, one of the most weel-known places to look is tvaddons.ag
No matter what you do, please, please don’t waste your money on a Digistream box, or any other shady outfit like that.
THX! Technology is advancing so quickly but it seems that this area still needs refinement / better ease of use…and more capabilities. Still trying to decide when we want to jump into this area. 🙂 THX again.
Thanks for the info , actually I was looking for a few month to buy android tv box but I can’t settle on one, I was debating between Gbox box Q or minix U1 or the expensive one RVeal , appreciate your answer
Hi Moon. Thanks for the comment. And you’ve actually given me the subject of my next “Don’t buy this Android TV Box” article with the RVeal. It’s $299 and includes almost the same specs as the Tronsmart MX3 which costs $54.99 at GeekBuying. I’d steer clear of that brand.
Between the GBox Q and the MINIX U1, I’d go for the MINIX every time. They have better specs and better firmware support. You can’t really go wrong with their TV boxes.
Hey Tim, great article just wondering your thoughts on the GooBang Doo M8S-II Android 5.1 TV Box…TY
Matricom G box Q, any feedback?
Thanks for the info. Have you tested any of the boxes listed above w/ a touch screen monitor such as the Dell P2314T or the Acer T272HUL or any other multi-touch monitor out there? I’m wondering how the drivers would work via android..
Also any thoughts on the VOYO V2 running Windows?
I haven’t tried any of the Android TV boxes with a touch-screen monitor, and here’s why.
Most people looking at these devices are looking for something to hook up to their living room TVs to stream movies to. Those people really wouldn’t have a need for a touchscreen monitor as well as their TV.
There is a smaller set of people who are looking for digital-signage devices and come across an Android box as an option.Those people may want a touchscreen as a display screen for their digital signage box. Unfortunately though, you’re the first person since I started this site to even ask about touchscreen monitors.
I think digital signage boxes are one of the cooler applications for Android boxes and something I want to look at in the future. Maybe there’s an article down the road, now that you’ve planted the idea in my head. 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
PS: Check out my initial thoughts on the Voyo V2 mini-PC here.
You know, I found this comment because I have been searching for EXACTLY this. I bought a Nexus Player and a Dell P2314T, expecting to have touch capacity. I was floored when it was completely incapable of handling touch events. I’ve asked questions on XDA, but it looks like maybe OP and me are the only people in the world interested in doing this. Hey OP, maybe we’re leading the pack, eh?
Anyway Tim, I’ll be looking for your article.
Haha. You guys are going to make me buy a touchscreen monitor “for testing”, aren’t you?
Twist my arm…
I too have a P2314T touchscreen monitor that I assumed would support out-of-the-box for Android Lollipop. My Minix U1 just won’t recognize touch even with an .IDC file named with the correct VID:PID of 2149:2316.
Have you (or anyone else) been able to find an Android box that works with this popular Dell touch screen?
Have you heard of the INL3D Android TV Box? Im not techie at all but looking for an alternative to cable and wondering which box to go with.
Can some one tell me what tv box is the best for watching movies and sport please
Which should I purchase? The MINIX X8-H Plus X8 Plus or the Minix Z64?
Hi Ron.
Thanks to Tim’s review I went for the Minix X8-H Plus and it’s a great little thing. It does everything I ask with ease although I spend most of my time on Kodi.
The remote control that came with the box frustrated me quite a bit & after a bit of research I opted to go for a wireless keyboard & mouse. There is also an Android remote control app for the Minix and one for Kodi as well.
Once more thank Tim for the reviews.
Thanks for the kind words, Ron. I love my MINIX X8-8 Plus. Of everything I’ve tested, it is STILL the box that’s sitting next to my living room TV.
Oh, have you seen my article on the Yatse remote and Kore remote for Kodi?
Oh and the A2 remote or the A2 Lite?
You need to add the new M8S to this list I think!
Hi James. Thanks for the comment! The M8S looks very similar to the SkystreamX quad-core box I reviewed last year. The “Under $100” category on this list was a hard one to pick. There are a lot of great TV boxes in that price range, and there are even more coming out for next year.
How would you rate the I-Box on this list ? I’m struggling to decide which box. I mostly want to use for Kodi.
The idroidnation i-box **
i have owned an android mini pc since they were dual core (a minix ) it was kind of buggy. since i’m on a fixed income i had to settle for a tronsmart mxlll 2g 8g. i gotta tell you its a nice little box. it does everything i need it to and more. i have them on all my tv’s. at this very moment i am putting movies and tv shows i had on my hard drive on my desktop to a micro sd card. then all i do is plug the card into my box and open kodi and hit play. and it will play all night if i let it. i also have blutooth headphones so i dont disturb my wife while she sleeps. one day i hope to afford a really nice box. until then this one serves my needs pretty well.
Tim,
Really appreciate the article – i had an MK809 stick before but I was having too many issues with wifi and power. Looking to get a new device and (here’s a rookie question) whats the difference in capability between a TV box and a TV stick ?
Thanks,
Kevin
i am in the market for one of these Android box and some of them are mygica how good is by the way i live in Canada. and can i get live local TV channels as well?
I am in the market for purchasing an Android box and some of them are recommending MyGica how good is it?
will any of these box let me watch local TV channels?
by the way i live in Canada
Based on some research and your article, I just orderd the Minix Neo X8H Plus. I was running mini ATX desktop with Plex because my original hacked Xbox classic went missing in my last move. (Damn you, Craigslist movers) It died a couple weeks ago and I’ve been looking for a replacement. I bought a couple chromeboxes to Kiosk at my job and started looking into set tops. Thank god there’s a Plex Server add-on for Kodi. Hopefully, I’ll have this thing tomorrow so I can start setting it up. Looking forward to my 800+ movie collection on my 4tb external.
Anyway…. thanks for the helpful reviews.
Good article thanks. I currently have an M8S box but struggles with 1080p content although not sure if that’s just my internet speed (25-30Mbps average)? Anyway I’d like to upgrade now and trying to decide between the Z64 (android) and the X8-H Plus. I don’t have a 4k TV and was told the Z64 was a bit more responsive than the X8-H Plus. What would you advise? I’d only be using Kodi on it. Cheers, Paul
Hi Paul. Thanks for your comment.
Between those two, I’d go with the NEO X8-H Plus for the sole reason that it can handle 4K video playback. The NEO Z64 is limited to 1080p.
Although, the new MINIX NEO U1 is also a good choice. 🙂
What about Matricom g-box q are those any good?
Great question! Actually, I have a review of the G-Box Q coming out in the next few days.
Hey Tim,
Thanks for the article and the reviews.
Seeing as we’ve moved into 2016 and with the release of some new boxes into the market – could you please kindly advise on which of these boxes would be suitable for a first time Android TV box user?
It’ll be mainly for Kodi with Add-ons – wouldn’t really make use of the gaming function much to be completely honest.
A couple of the boxes that stood out based on what I’ve read so far;
Minix X8H
Minix Neo U1
Matricom G box Q
Amazon Fire TV
NVIDIA Shield
I’m based in the UK and ideally would like the box to be below the £100 mark (that probably rules out the shield unless there was any on-going sales).
Can you please kindly provide some insight into the above choices and which you would pick if you were faced with a similar situation?
Kind regards
Minix u1, it’s simply the best Android box available bar none. No amount of cores or fancy adverts should convince you to get a shield
Do you have an opinion on the Beelink M18 @ $65-$75 delivered?
hi.. can you tell which is best android tv with DVB-T or DVB-T2 port, i wanted all in one package so that if internet is slow or not working, i can still watch live sports events via cable channel on my LED monitor (not a tv)
Have you tested this? dreammachinetv
It looks like the lesser expensive boxes on the market, but with added software.
Have to disagree, the u1 is the best I’ve used so far. The Shield is useless unless you want to stream games (Netflix 4k is built into any 4k TV worth having). The remotes are rubbish and Android TV is pathetic, everything is a chore on the shield. Save your cash and get a minix u1 as it will play everything on kodi and plays 3d is files aswell, set it up exactly how you want, use proper ask, proper Web browsers and a proper remote. Shield is just a fancy firestick
Hi Tim,
I have a fairly new M8S (bought new about 3 months ago). It’s my first android tv box. I bought it to run KODI through my TV. It is pretty good but buffers a lot and often jumps out of the menu or just freezes up. I am frequently rebooting it to restart it from the home screen. I have the highest speed fibre internet service available so I think it is the M8S causing the problem. I had an Apple TV and ran Netflix without any problems. I have heard the NVIDIA Shield TV box is the best and your review seems to support this. I can’t find any direct comparison reviews between the two.
So, my question is – is it worth buying an NVIDIA Shield TV box? Will it be significantly better than M8S?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Paul
Hi Paul. Thanks for your question. If you are -solely- going to use it as a Kodi player, then the Shield isn’t going to give you a big enough difference to justify costing at least twice the price of the M8S or any other Android TV box. But…if you want to get the best resolution out of Netflix, YouTube or any of the other major streaming services, then yes, it absolutely will. I wrote an article a few months ago about what devices are able to stream Netflix in HD and 4K, and it’s a pretty small list.
One word of caution though, if your Kodi setup is buffering, there are a lot of different reasons for it which have nothing to do with the box itself. For example, my own personal setup buffers because of network traffic on my own local network. Others will buffer because they’re using slower streaming servers. Some just need to change their settings in Kodi itself. Unfortunately, it involves a lot of testing to figure out exactly what the issue is on each individual setup.
But the bottom line is that if you want to use the device for more than just Kodi, then the NVIDIA Shield is the way to go.
Can you sideload apps to the Nvidia Shield?
I’m also wondering if there’s a stock android experience on it or is it some custom skin?
Thanks in advance.
Sean
Hi Sean. Great question. You can sideload apps into the Shield, however you may still run into some compatibility issues because it’s the Android TV OS and not stock Android. Which should answer your second question as well. The interface on the Shield is not a skin, but a different (but similar) operating system. Some manufacturers like Matricom have copied this interface for the G-Box Q2 but they’re not the same. Matricom uses a skin. NVIDIA is the operating system.
Hope that helps!
Tim, do you plan to review the G-Box Q2 by Matricom? Just finished reading the review of the old G Box… I’m torn between thi and the Minix Neo U1.
Hi Daniel. Unfortunately not. It’s weird. Matricom has on office across town from me in Orlando, but they’ve repeatedly ignored my questions and emails.They have a lot of fans, but something has always bothered me about them. I’ve seen negative comments and questions on their official forums disappear. To me, if a company deletes any criticism, then they start to lose the trust with their customers.
Hi, I really need help I have read your reviews and they are great but being sixty seven years old and a dinosaur in this field I don’t understand most of the terminology you used sorry. So if I tell you what I have and what I want to get can you please help. I have over in Spain a Samsung smart tv and 6mb Wi Fi and I want to watch British TV ie BBC / ITV 1-2-3 etc plus Films and Sport live football and golf on sky if possible ? . I was advised to buy a Minix x8 plus but now I am completely confused so can you please teach an old dog new tricks with you expert advice
. Regards Barry
Hi Barry. I’m on the wrong side of the Pond to answer that question, unfortunately. But, I’m sure one of our UK or EU readers can help out.
Now the Rippl_TV V2 is on the market, it works with widevine Level 1 and would be also one of the best 10 Android TV Boxes.
guru
Hi Guru. That box will be interesting to take a look at. That being said, $90 for only 1GB of RAM is a bit pricey. Most of the other S905 based TV boxes are considerably cheaper for similar specs.
It’s brand new, so I’m going to hold off putting on the “10 best” list until I’ve tested it personally, ok? 🙂
I’m new to this and have only just heard about android tv boxes….I used to have cable and separelty monthly subscribe to Netflix and Hulu .. What would you recommend? I’m not into gaming and I mainky want to get various tv shows, that I used to get on cable eg The Proftt, Follow The leader Major Crimes and other shows that are on TNT, CNBC! OWN( and of course my local tv channels).
What would you recommend I’m hoping to spend less than $150
Hi Sharon. The box is just the hardware that plays the video. You’re going to need to look at various streaming services to replace those shows, whether thats Hulu, SlingTV or going the Kodi Addon route.
Can we install Remix OS on Minix U1? or at least use like a computer? Can we use NVIDIA Shield for browsing purposes like a computer using keyboard?
Hi Sany. I haven’t tried the Remix OS yet, but if you flash the MINIX U1, you should be able to install it on there. When you say “use it like a computer”, are you talking about web browsing? The U1 and most other TV boxes can do that with no problem. The NVIDIA Shield cannot yet, because there isn’t a browser for the Android TV OS yet.
Interesting review – thank you. Since your review, the MINIX NEO U1 now has a lot of competition. The Beelink M18 is, IMHO, a far better deal as it costs about half the price of the Minix device, and performs just as well. It has exactly the same spec – I guess that’s progress eh?
BTW – I live in Spain – the guy (Barry) that was asking about the MiniX X8 a few posts back – I say forget the Minix – buy the Beelink M18 – but NOT before upgrading his 6Mb internet 😉
Oh & BTW – I am even older than him 😉
Hi Paul, Thanks for your comment!
The great thing about covering the tech industry is that there’s always something better coming out. MINIX has been one of my favourites for a long time, but Beelink makes some really good devices too. I haven’t tried the M18 yet, but it looks like it has a lot of potential. Thanks for the tip!
If I have sony android tv, can I get the same application to watch tv inside my sony, because the google store in the tv doesnt have a lot of application
Hi Abraham. It depends on the app. Check out this article where I talk about Android TV vs Android TV Boxes. That will hopefully point you in the right direction.
I appreciate your review however I have a question about MINIX NEO U1 where you have mentioned that “The latest version of Kodi” is not available. How would this affect the consumer? I thought once you have Kodi you are good to watch what ever is available via Kodi?
Thanks
Hi. Thanks for your question. That’s true. But, keep in mind that Kodi is just like any other piece of software – it needs to be updated. Team Kodi is constantly (daily, in fact) updating the program to fix bugs, add new functionality and generally make it a better program for everyone to use. If you’re using an older version, you won’t have access to any of that.
It’s true that as modifications are made to Kodi that the version that comes preloaded will become outdated. However what would prevent the user from simply downloading the newest version from the Play store?
Hi Rick. Great question.
Nothing would stop a user from downloading the latest version of Kodi – assuming their system meets the minimum requirements. However, some manufacturers customize their XBMC\Kodi installations so that your performance can actually decrease if you’re not using their version. The trick for consumers is that it is VERY hard to figure that out until after the fact.
Thank you Tim for your prompt reply. I am not a “super”technical person, in your view how hard would that be to upgrade Kodi to newer version for Minix Neo U1?
Will the unit still be supported by Minix if I upgarde to newer Kodi?
Also how often new versions of Kodi are released?
I have almost ready to purchase Neo U1 and looking for little bit of additional details before hitting “Buy” button.
Looking forward to your expert advise.
Thank you
MINIX will still support the device – no matter what apps you install on it. Unless you open up the case or root the device, it will still have the the manufacturer’s warranty.
The nice thing is that it’s not hard at all to upgrade Kodi. It can be done through the Google Play store, just like you’d download any other app. The “hardest” part is switching the shortcut on the launch screen to point to the new version instead of MINIX’s version.
Kodi updates their software frequently – say every 1-2 months. It all depends on what parts of the program they’re working on and how much progress they’ve made. If you install it through the Google Play store, you can set it up for automatic updates and then you don’t have to worry about it.
SM said this on June 26th. “The latest version of Kodi” is not available. How would this affect the consumer?”. I can only state what the new version of Kodi 16.1 has meant for me.
My box is a MXQ Pro+ and came loaded with Kodi ver. 16.0 as a pre released version. One of the problems was is that it would not shut down correctly. It would take between 15-20 seconds to shutdown. I uninstalled that version and installed version 16.1 and that problem went away. So in my case, updating the Kodi software fixed a problem.
So the moral of the story – at least in my case is this. I recommend you select the latest version of Kodi you can get your hands on that is NOT a test or pre released version. That version will normally give you the best results.
Oh and my MXP Pro+ box – I don’t recommend it. Someone for some reason decided to lock down the box as far as updates from the app store are concerned. Couldn’t update Chrome which was a very old version. Had to sideload the new version. Couldn’t update most of the Google apps. Netflix wouldn’t work nor would many other apps. Also at least 50% of the preloaded repositories did not work.
I deleted everything and started sideloading everything I wanted. After about 8 hours of work I finally have a box that works MOST of the time but still randomly reboots every once in awhile. This box is NOT for someone who wants a plug and play device, ha ha.
Have a great day.
Tenho o tablet NVIDIA shield k1,será que vale a pena comprar uma Android TV box?Se sim,que preço, mais barato,mais caro?!
Oi, Celestino. Obrigado pelo comentário. Vou tentar isto em Português para você. O Shield tablet é um aparelho muito bom, mas a Shield TV é projetada para fluxo de vídeo para sua TV de 4K. Vai dar o melhor desempenho do que o seu tablet. Desculpem o meu Português pobre. Espero que isso faz sentido. 🙂
Hi, I’m using a T95 box and it’s really good for kodi. I’m looking to upgrade to a better box especially for live sports (huge sports fan) and local tv channels being that I’ve done away with cable. I really only use the kodi app.
I totally agree that the nvidia shield is the best box I program people boxes for a hobby as so many people have trouble setting their boxes up , My main machine is a nvidia shield, and my bedroom unit is a slice box by 5 ninja’s, the rest of the TVs have raspberry pi 3 running openelec and osmc, no for the shield it is very easy to install APks without side loading I first installed hall launcher then down loaded the wukong remote from there I loaded Firefox megaboxhd , showbox and happy chick, I would save your money and just huy the 16 gig model as since it runs 6.0 you can add a external drive you cannot do this with to many other boxes other then the slice, t8s pro q10 box MINIX boxes are great and a great choice as I have also found the zidoo x6 pro a nice box for the price and I am programing a geek box and for such a small box it runs pretty well plus it can run openelec and yes I would stay from dragon boxes and digi stream boxes I laugh at people who pay 300 dollars for a box with 50 dollar sped boxes
Hi there to every body, it’s my first visit of this blog; this webpage includes amazing and in fact good
information designed for readers.
I have 2 boxes, a 3 yr old Minix Mini and a 2 yr old Mygica 1200. Have had the Mygica in the shop 3 times for software issues which were promptly resolved. When I bought the Minix from my friend he was having probs with it. After updating all the apps including KODI it has worked great since. I still use the Mygica, but the Minix is my main box. So, saying all that, what is YOUR opinion of the Mygica?
Hi Dave. The one thing I liked about MyGica was their support network. There are so many users, especially in Canada, that it’s usually very easy to find someone else who’s had the same issue as you and found a way to work through it. They’re also one of the few that have all the documentation on their website, and actually organized so you can find it.
Tim would you say that the Mygica tv boxes work just as well when compared to the other Android boxes?
Hi Ryan. As a company, I like their stuff. I haven’t had the opportunity to test them myself, but I’ve got family up in Canada that likes them.
Which budget box is better for kodi and games? Amlogic S812 or Amolgic S905 or Amlogic S905X or Rockchip 32xx?
Hi Amin. The devs over at Team Kodi definitely prefer AmLogic chips, so I wouldn’t go with the RockChip. Of the rest, the S905X is the newest chip and should have the best performance.
Hi, I have been searching for a new box and was looking at the stream smart s4 or Rveal. Both are expansive and appear similar. What do you think? I want the best box, can you help?
Hi Joe. Both of those TV boxes are expensive – like, unreasonably “You paid HOW MUCH?” expensive. Avoid them both. You can almost get two NVIDIA Shield TV’s for that price.
Hi friend. Yes, I am a new Kodi beginner. What do you think about theMQX 8 Android TV Box.EBay has some of these around $40-50 dollards.
I strongly advise against buying an Android TV box on eBay. You never know what you’re going to end up with. Check out that article for more details.
Funciona con perfección, mando de voz teclear…
Todo lo estoy utilizando en TV Sony KDL-50W805C sigan de esta manera!
Is this still the original article, or have you upgraded the information about Androids available, your article is now over a year old, its hard to determine as I am no expert on these, and its not a dated article, but comments are over a year old.
It is a very useful and informative, well designed article. Thank you very much for putting your expertise on line.
Hi John. I actually upgraded this article in March. I used to create one of these per year, but I found that people were still visiting the old one and getting outdated information. This way all of the latest information will always be on this page.
What an excellent post, I have been searching around for a while now for a good comparison for the best performing android boxes on the market. I have to agree with your number one the Shield, but for me it’s not worth the hefty price tag, when or if it comes down in price I will more than likely buy it. I wanted to know if you have much experience of HPH Nagrace ? They have a 4GB ram 32GB rom version on a RK3288 chip, In the UK it’s hard to find it’s on this site bit.ly/2fdtquJ The company seem to make a lot of development board under the name firefly, I would be really interested in a review
I just realised that the link wont work heres the full link https://www.droiddude.co.uk/shop/hph-tv-box-quad-core-rk3288/
Hi Colm. RK3288 boxes are old technology and this guy is selling it for 100-140 GBP? Stay away from that one.
In the UK, I’d recommend either EntertainmentBox or Droidbox. They’ve got a couple of different boxes available at reasonable prices.
Quick question for you. I have been hearing a lot about these Octa Core boxes. They sell on ebay for under $100. The 2 people I know with the box rate them very high. They stream 4k video, connect to Netflix, and carry the newest versions of kodi (I am told). I have not been able to find much in the way of quality reviews for these boxes. Just looking for some clarification as to what these are or if they are worth it. Thanks.
Follow up question. Is this still your top 3 list? Curious since it was updated in March and some newer lists don’t even mention the Nividea or Neo U1. Thanks again.
Hi Joe. The NVIDIA Shield and MINIX U1 are definitely still on the list. The next box to be replaced on this list is the WeTek Core, but I have to narrow down their replacements. There are a couple of possibilities, including a new one from WeTek, that I’m looking at.
If you’re seeing some other site’s lists that don’t include the NVIDIA Shield, then I would seriously question them. The Shield is hands-down the best TV box on the planet.
Hi Joe. I see a couple of red-flags. First, please, please, please, don’t buy a TV box on eBay! The same goes for buying a TV box at a county fair, or flea-market. You don’t know exactly who you’re buying from and that’s just asking for trouble.
Second, anything can connect to Netflix. The hard part is if Netflix certifies your device to play 4K or even HD videos. I’ve go into more detail about what’s required for 4K or HD Netflix above, so I’ll just say that it’s very hard for a manufacturer to get their device certified. Some random device on eBay won’t be able to get Netflix in 4K.
Third, be careful when someone advertises and Octa-Core device. At this point, I’ve only seen eight-core video, not eight-core CPU’s. If you think about it this way, most of the higher-end desktop PC’s are running 4-core Intel CPU’s. And that’s enough for them. A sub-$100 TV box isn’t going to have a faster CPU than Intel is putting out.
Something smells fishy with that to me.
Very informative,
Is Minix making soon a model that supports Netflix HD.
Hi Able. They’ve been trying to get certified from Netflix for at least the past year. For whatever reason, Netflix has been dragging the process out. I go into a little more detail in this article about Getting 4K Netflix.
Hello , is there any android tv boxes you would recommend for someone on a budget ?
HI Matthew. I actually created a “cheap Android box” list just for people on a budget. You can check it out here.
Hello Tim,
Thanks so much for this article. It helped me enormously. Unfortunately, here in Canada we don’t have the models you recommended. What was have most often is myGica. I’ve looked around and I think I might go with the myGica atv1800v.
Could you give me your opinion on this brand and which of their models you recommend?
Thanks so much!
I believe that Himedia Q10 Pro could easily unseat Minix Neo U1 or even NVIDIA Shield spec-wise. The Q10 Pro has all the check marks of the “must-haves” features and more with the only OTT box to feature HDD enclosure up to 8TB for local media from hard drive. What’s your take on this?
Hi Sol. The Himedia Q10 Pro looks like it has a lot of the same features, but I don’t know about adding an internal hard drive. That increases the size of the box significantly.
I’d still like to put it head-to-head against the Shield. If anyone at HiMedia is reading this…I’m ready if you are. 🙂
UPD. Probably BD3D is not urgent need, but I have a pair of shutter glasses which costed me much, so I’m not ready to get rid of them.
5.1 Audio Passthrough is needed, cos I want my Pioneer receiver to process sound for me. In fact, it can do it in 7.1, but I don’t have enough space to place back-surround speakers, so I think 5.1 might be enough for me so far.
Could You explain the difference between MeMoBox MBX-Q Amlogic S805 & MeMoBox MX Max? The second one has more powerful processor and memory, but costs twice and a half higher.
Can first of them cover my needs, or You can suggest some better model?
Sorry for my English,
Regards, Vladimir.
The AmLogic S805 is a very old chipset right now. It won’t be compatible with newer versions of Android, and by extension, newer versions of Kodi. I wouldn’t even consider an S805 device anymore.
I like the M8S however it runs on kitkat 4.4 and soon it will be noncompatible with Kodi 17. What do you recommend that’s similar?
I wouldn’t buy anything that runs Android 4.4 anymore. Even devices that run Android 5 are now two versions of Android behind, now that Android 7.0 Nougat has been released. Side note: it’s pretty good. Noticeably better battery life on my Nexus 5X.
Any time that a new Android version comes out, you’re going to see a bunch of new devices that come out shortly after. TV boxes won’t come with Android 7.0, but you’ll start seeing more and more with 6.0.
As for my recommendations…did you read the article? 🙂
And one more question:
Why pay $800 and more for players like OPPO BDP-103 (105)? Еhe difference in picture and sound is really THAT great?
Hi Voldemar. Great question. I’ve always been that guy that appreciated great audio products, but I really couldn’t hear the difference. As you might have read, I worked in a big box electronics store, so I got to see and hear all the brand new stuff right after we got it for sale. In my opinion, you would be happier getting a $100 Blu-ray player and $700 in media than buying the $800 OPPO BDP-103. There are people that can hear the difference. I’m not one of them.
Thanks a lot. That’s a relief. Just couldn’t get OPPO out of my mind))) Now I hope I will.
Another thing; Some say, that to watch 1080p video on android boxes and not having them overheated, one must dril some holes in the housing, install additional radiators and coolers on the chip and so. Are there items that do fine without “dancing with a tambourine” (a russian idiom expressing some strange shamanistic activities to make something (esp. made in China) work properly.
Which brand is more reliable in this case? I’m looking at MINIX NEO U1, MeMoBox MX Max, Tronsmart Vega S95 Pro, R-box Pro,MECOOL BB2, YOKATV KB2?
Last three with the latest Amlogic S912 and Android 6.0 on board, and HDMI 2.0, everything as You suggested.
Nvidia expressed me much. But it doesn’t have 3d playback feature.
Still have a pair of 3d shutter glasses for my Panasonic Viera, so I don’t get rid of the idea of 3DBD Iso playback. Tronsmart Vega S95 Pro even has “Support 3D MKV,3D BDMV and 3D ISO Playback, can play 3D Blu-ray folders directly, also support BD-J Menu Navigation via Vidon XBMC” in the specs. Can others do it also?
And 5.1 audio passthrough via SPDIF is nesessary, cos my receiver doesn’t have HDMI port.
Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Regards, Vladimir
Great article Tim !!! 2 quick questions….. If I am buying a new box today, what version of android should I be looking for? Secondly, since its been a year since you wrote this article, in your opinion what is the best ” bang for its buck” box right now, under $150.
Thx again
Hi Jack. I haven’t seen any TV boxes yet that are running Android 6, so you may be stuck with one of the Android Lollipop TV boxes out there. Unless you go for the official Android TV (cough…Shield…cough)
The original date of the article is over a year old, but it’s been updated several times since then. The Shield is still my main box (it’s sitting in my living room), and I still love the NEO U1 (it’s on my bedroom TV).
That being said…I’m really psyched about the SkyStream One, but I haven’t gotten to try one yet. Who knows, it may find its way on this list.
Any review AND/OR comments on the PROBOX2 Air running Android 6?
Hi Jay. Not yet. Hopefully I’ll get a review sample from ProBox soon. I’ll keep you posted.
Looking forward to that review. Seems that there could be space for a “budget” category.
Funny you mentioned that Daniel. Just this morning I published a Buyer’s Guide to a Cheap Android TV Box.
Hi there! Have you heard of MTP Media Box? My friend has one and she loves it. I think its a Canadian company who makes them. They say they’re an independent company. Any thoughts?
Great blog just what I’m looking for I’ve bought nexbox A95X it was a bit hit and miss so give it to my dad so now looking for a better replacement in the £50 range I’ve been looking at MXIII g and the M8S ii and the Q box can anyone point me in the right direction I’m after it for streaming, watch sports and movies in HD thanks in advance
Thanks for all the great advice. I am looking at one of the newest boxes on the market, I think it meets all your suggested criterea. It is the Yoka TV KB2. Please let me know what you think.
hat
Hey guys.
When you mention that Netflix in most devices won’t show HD… You’re talking about 1080p? Or 720p?
That means you only get regular SD?
Hi Dan. That’s correct. Netflix has a list of “approved devices”, and if your TV box isn’t on that list (and almost all of them aren’t), then you’re only going to get regular SD playback.
Interesting. Thanks for the quick reply. I always thought you could get at least 720p… but damn, regular SD, sucks.
Much obliged…good job on this piece. Can you find the time to test the boxes at the low end of the market, ..kindly do the under USD50 category, some good ones on discount on Amazon too its interesting to hear what you find. i have the MXq which is cool and only needs a cold boot once in a while when hung.
Very interesting…
All are awesome android media box.
Hey Grayson, Under USD50 is not possible but Under USD100 possible.
I’m from chile and want to buy a tv android. What is the best? BB2 Amlogic S912 Octa Core?
I’ve enjoyed the minix series of boxes for quite awhile…all things considered…they have been flawless in every way…and the support and forums are great..once again kudos minix..your team and boxes are awesome
Hi did you know of this andriod 6 and it tickets most of the boxes here the link http://tinyurl.com/zb7olus
I am not sure who makes it I am sure its oem and re branded through. What do you think?
Also their new MINIX Neo U9-H coming out also when I dont know but the specs look very close to your checklist.
Hi Umar. I haven’t heard much about the X92 until now, so I’m afraid I can’t say anything one way or the other. As for the MINIX, I’m really looking forward to that one and I think it will end up replacing the NEO U1 on this list. The Amlogic S912 chipset is a little rough around the edges right now because it just came out. All it needs is someone to develop the right firmware and it’ll be the next mainstream CPU.
MINIX, as a company, are a class act. They’re supportive with their customers and release regular firmware updates. You can’t go wrong with one of their TV boxes.
I am trying to decide between the nvidia shield and the sky stream one cable cutter. I want to replace my cable and be able to get local stations too. It must have Amazon prime video, Netflix and hboGo on it and be easy to use. I would like it to have an HD quality on all the signals plus access to tons of movies and sports. This will be my first box. My wife does not care for tech stuff and will want as easy as possible. Do both of these products update the apps frequently? Are there any other boxes that might better fit my needs? Thanks!!
You should definitely check out the Sunvell T95Z Plus!!!!
Thanks. I’ll take a look!
Do not buy this box..very buggy? Heats up the cpu chip and can watch 70mins of stuff and leaves u hanging…will never buy this box or recommend to friends. Will buy A Sheild.
Wilke, thanks for the recommendation. I looked at this unit and liked the specs, it also has a good looking case, but it is brand new without any reviews and living in Costa Rica I don’t want to take a chance on it and go through the trouble of getting a new one shipped to me if it fails.
Not sure why I have not heard back from Tim.
I want to let others on this site know that I called Sky Stream twice and left a brief message both times and I had return calls within 10 minutes, which amazed me. I am in Florida now and If Tim doesn’t respond to my questions with a different recommendation I will order a Sky Stream One to take with me when I return to Costa Rica this week.
Vernon
Hi Vernon. Sorry, I’m not able to respond to every email. As you can probably imagine, I get a lot of them. 🙂
The Skystream One is a really good TV box. I’m putting the finishing touches on my review of it today, actually. You can’t go wrong with one of their boxes.
Hi Tim, Based on your comments, Amazon reviews and the quick and informative response from Sky Stream I ordered a box early this morning. I will get it installed next week when I return to CR and I will let you know how it is working.
Thanks, Vernon
I just got an android box and it’s undeniable one of the best things since sliced bread
Great article and website. I am looking for a good box that has HD tuner DVR recording capabilities for OTA to replace an older TiVo. I see an Aura Live box and an older SkyStream. Any suggestions or preference?
Both of those boxes are running older versions of Android, so they’re both at the end of their lifespan. That being said, I haven’t seen a newer box with a HD tuner in it running Android 5 or 6 yet, so I don’t have anywhere to point you. If you want to go for one of those two devices, I’d stick with the Skystream box.
I bought the Beelink GT1 with an 8 core Amlogic 912, missing 4K but it work really good! I think for the price, it’s unbeatable.
So which Android box is better & economical
Tim: Just wanted to say I have enjoyed your reviews a lot. I am 66 years old and never had an android box but after watching your review on the SkyStream 1 I’ve been really considering getting one. I have a Roku 3 previous to that I had the 2 and they work very well for Netflix and Amazon and HBOgo but thats about it. If I get one the SkyStream looks like the one for me I also went to their website and FB. My friends that have been talking me into one are all retired programmers or something else to do with computers but I am not. The SS1 looks pretty easy to set up out of the box. Do you think the air mouse remote with the keyboard on the back is a good one or would I be better off for about the same price getting a full size logitech with a USB Dongle and also my internet since I live in the country is 20Mbps but I can upgrade to 40Mbps and thats it unless I go through a lot of expense to get cable internet a lot I have Dish. They said there is a lot of bandwidth in this area which I also don’t understand but said I would get a steady 35-38Mbps. Think I would need to upgrade? Roku works fine. Sorry didn’t mean for this to turn into a book but this stuff is confusing but interesting and I would like the Support included with the SS1.
Hi Pat. Thanks for the comment and the kind words. I appreciate it!
I’ve been using the air-mouse features of my remotes less and less as time goes on. I think it’s because apps like Kodi, Plex and Netflix are designed to be used with a regular remote with a directional pad, or up/down/left/right arrows. There’s really not as much reason to use an airmouse with the most popular apps. Now…if you’re running an app thats designed for an android phone or tablet, then all bets are off and you’re going to need something to simulate the “swipe” on the screen. I find myself using an HTPC keyboard with a trackpad when that happens.
As far as your internet speed, you should be fine with 35-38Mbps. My internet speed is between 45-50Mbps and it’s overkill for my needs, except when I’m downloading files from a cloud server. For streaming, anything above 10-15Mbps is good enough for two concurrent streams in HD and a little extra for your other devices.
Great article and discussion board, I read most of them. I did not read anything about the new Element Ti8 that came out recently. Any info or reviews on this device Tim? I’m looking to upgrade from the fire stick to something better and sturdier. I would like to be able to run kodi, netflix, Amazon video and such on the device. I’m torn between the nvidia shield, minix neo u1, and element Ti8. Any info and/or recommendations would help me. Thanks!
Hi Luis. I haven’t had a chance to try the KodiElement Element Ti8 yet, but it looks like a really good device from the specs.
From what you want to watch, you’ll need to make a choice. Netflix, as you may remember, is really picky with what devices it lets run in HD and 4K. Similarly, Amazon and Google are fighting, so if you want Amazon Prime on the Shield TV, you’ll have to sideload the app.
All three boxes are some of the top options out there, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. It all depends what is most important to you.
Hi Tim, I have sky stream x and use KODI to watch many many things. However, I feel like I have the potential to watch a lot more. My biggest question is Does this box have the capability to for me to watch live local tv or live sporting events? If you can answer the question I will figure out how. I just don’t want to keep trying for nothing. Thank you Soooooo much, Terry
HI Terry. The short answer is yes, the SkyStream One has the ability to watch live TV.
But…there’s much more to it than that, unfortunately. To be perfectly honest, EVERY Android box has that ability. So does your smartphone, PC, tablet and (yes) even your Apple TV.
There are several different ways of doing it. You can get different addons through Kodi, which may or may not be legal in your country. Personally, I like HDHomeRun and an HD antenna. I actually write a summary article for the HDHomeRun tuners if you’d like to find out more.
Hi Tim, I have started doing lots of research on android boxes, and I think I’m more confused than ever. Out of all the articles I’ve read, I find yours the most useful. Thank you. I live in Canada. My main goal is to get Kodi, but I’m not sure what direction to go. I have the 4th gen Apple Tv, and thought I may install jodi on that. Not sure if that’s a good idea. I think I should just by a fully loaded jodi box? Which one would you suggest? I would like to get free live tv with lots of live sports, including american channels. Please help!
New here, and have been reading alot. Any comments or suggestion for 2017 on the T95Z Plus, running 6.0 Marshmallow.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated
I would think, at this stage in the game, HD OTA input should be a requirement.
In this case, if same box integration for streaming media and watching live TV is important, than Aura and Sky Stream are your only true, simple out of the box choices.
The upcoming NVIDIA Shield TV is even better. King always the king… 🙂
I agree Jayce. I got one of the new 16GB versions on the release day. I’ll be posting some side-by-side pics and comparisons soon.
Can’t go wrong with the MXQ Pro for a decent box, but the Shield is still a beast, nothing looks to come close right now.
@tim wells
great article, please give me a hand here:
Based ONLY on Picture quality, how does the minix fare against the nvidia for SD/HD/4K ?
based on your experience is there a difference – on a normal screen size – between the new realtek 1295, the new amlogic s912 and himedia V200 chipset ?
Thanks Karim. I don’t game on my Shield TV at all – it’s only a streaming device for me. The box it replaced as my daily use TV box was the MINIX U1, so you could say I’m a big fan of the quality of the Shield. It lets my watch Netflix and YouTube in 4K, which the MINIX cannot.
U9-H will be delivered tomorrow… will let you know my opinion Tim, alternatively if the minix forum comes back online I will be providing support info there too!
3 key points to remember when selecting an android box…
Support
Support
Support…
I would just like to watch Kodi on my tv. I need to know what device is the least expense but still great for downloading and watching Kodi without issues. I downloaded Kodi and set it up on my android phone and my tablet along time ago. Now that I’m home more I want it on my tv. Unfortunately I have the world’s worst “Smart” tv as in it’s not smart at all. It’s a Hisense 42″ that says it’s smart but you can only use apps from it’s Opera store which is full of apps and movies no one on earth has heard of or cares to use. It has a Google browser but you still can’t download anything from it or even watch videos online like Watchseries32. Can someone help me out. I would really appreciate it. PS this is the first flat screen I’ve ever had. I’m use to watching tv on my phone as I was never home before. I’m feeling clueless for a reasonably intelligent person. Lol
Hey Tim! I have been reading the articles. And streaming movies is easy. What’s a good box and set up for streaming live sports and live tv on kodi? Sports is always hit or miss for me. I either have a somewhat HD stream. Or glitchy sub par blocky stream. I have a 2g box with 2.3/5g wifi. I have it directly hard wired on my Ethernet. And have broadband 150! So I want a box where I can stream any content without buffering and blocky issues. Like I said. Movies and tv are easy with exodus on pretty much any half decent box.
I’m looking forward to your response because I’d love to cut my cable completely and recommend it to others. But not until I find a reliable set up.
Thx!!
Hi Tim,
I am looking really hard at the NVIDIA Shield 2017 but am not sure if it will function properly for me. I am currently overseas in Germany and have heard many people say if the device isn’t “unlocked” it won’t work. I have no idea what this means. Is this a fact? Will I need to unlock it somehow or is that false? It would seem to me if I purchase a product directly from the manufacturer it should come ready to operate once plugged in and hooked up. Also, is this only because I’m in Germany and not the US, and will it work once I move back to the US. I’d appreciate any assistance or knowledge on the subject you can provide since my current understanding of this is very limited.
Thank you,
SJ
Hi, will the Minix U1 or U9 be able to play 4K from YouTube ?
Thanks for the info, it’s not stated clearly in any article I have read from your website, more focusing on Netflix 4K.
Excellent material to read by the way 😉
Sebmex
I find bluetooth to be very nice on my MXIII. I just plug in the dongle and navigate with a wireless mouse and type addresses for add-ons from my wireless keyboard. Maybe you should add Bluetooth to your checklist.
Pretty sad day for me
-My 2 year old M8s ott box just died refuses to power up Totally ready for the Dustbin.
-My Amazon Firestick overheated and the charging port to the stick fell out?
Plus recently made redundent from offline work on same day
But so going to save up for that Shield
Great reviews
Thanks
Great. Please tell me how to set up a Kodi for this box?
Hi Joice. You might want to start with my Kodi Setup Guide here. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Hey Tim I’m new to the android tv box what advice can u give me concerning the mx3 and the g box thanks in advance
I’d stay away from the G-box. Matricom used to be a market leader, but they’ve fallen on really hard times lately. Their forums have been down and their support Facebook and Twitter sites haven’t been used in months.
Very good article, and very clear everything. thank you very much
Looking at android tv box called yagala. Is it good?
Hi Corey. It’s a rebranded T95Z. They don’t develop anything for the device. They just slap their logo on the top and ship it out. I’d stick with a company that actually puts some development into their product.
Can you run STB on the MINIX Neo U1 box?
I prefer to have a channel list rather than Kodi.
User-friendly for my family, in my opinion.
Greetings all:
Hope you will excuse an uneducated question from a confirmed ludite.
Is it possible to configure a Kodi capable box on a wireless home network to transmit to all our devices (in our case 4 TV and 3 computers)?
Hi Dartell. Unfortunately not. Kodi is designed as a media player, not a media server – that’s where Kodi and Plex differ. You can run separate instances of Kodi on each of your 3 computers, and any smart TV’s or TV’s that have a streaming device attached to it. If the TV’s are “dumb” TV’s (eg. not smart TV’s), then you’d need a separate device for each.
Technology advances are a two edged sword. I appreciate the standards you list for a good android box that won’t be outdated in a short time period. There are a lot of old junk boxes flooding the market right now. That said, I have a Nvidia Shield and T95Z 3gb box and find them both to be good reliable streamers. The only real difference I see is in the boot up time, with Nvidia the clear winner. For the price difference, it may not be worth it for most folks.
Is buying an android tv box means a one-time payment investment only? I came across this site beastboxstreaming.com and ask this question since they offer a one-time payment for their android tv box.
Hi Lorraine. This looks to be another box seller trying to overcharge for old tech. The box is $325 (on sale) and can’t stream 4K.
They SAY “Our Android TV box is 100% legal! All our software does is provide links to content that is already posted on the internet. We do not host any content, nor do we know who does. We do not promote illegal conduct of any kind.”
Then my only question is why would anyone pay almost 3 times the going rate for streaming devices when they link to stuff that you could find for free anyway?
Bottom line: This is another scam like StreamSmart and SmartKodi. Save your money and get one of the boxes on this list.
Is that ranking still the same now?
Yes. The article is updated as new devices make the list and replace the old ones.
what about x8 rocket freestreambox- 10 times better than most boxes for $299.00 to $355.00 its
worth spending this type of money for an excellent box from the good old USA–unfortunately its
seems trying to buy one now in november 2017 there is no place to buy one i have trid to buy
a second box with no luck anywhere in the USA or Canada
If you have to ask my opinion about an Android Box that’s priced at $300, you might want to take a look at any of these:
Don’t Buy This Box: StreamSmart S4 and PRO
Don’t Buy This Box: SmartKodi TV box
What nobody tells you about paid Kodi addons and IPTV services
I know NVIDIA Shield works with Playstation Vue but do the others?
This is an excellent list. However where is the Beelink GT1? Its a great little device with an Amlogic 912 Octa Core. Plays 4K like a beauty.
Yeah Tim :))
Where is the GT1. Ive had mine for a few months and love it. (Thus Far)
I do have a question for you though, is there a way to find out when you added reviews, blogs, information ?
Everything i read anywhere on your site, i have no idea if its 13 months old, or if im actually reading something that is about current events.
Thanks alot and Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙂
What’s your thoughts on a x96 mini?
I own a few boxes the NVidia shield pro first gen great box but had issues with iptv , I also have the himedia q10 love this box for everything and I love the storage on this box my main unit is the egreat a10 it plays everything with no issues, and I also bought the skystream one for my parents as they are not techie plus at 149 not bad bad price plus they really have a great help desk for people to use , I am looking to buy a new box for my family room but still looking for something better then the egreat a 10
What do you think of StreamDaddy? I purchased one two years ago for just under 300 bucks at a state fair. I did so because I knew people who had purchased one the year before and were still happy with it. Now, I have zero tech ability, and I don’t think the people I took advice from at the time do either. The SD seems to have an active support department, as they are always upgrading and dumping old add-ons that don’t work, and there is a community of users and support folks that are always giving advice of where to find the most recent add-ons the box has to offer. As a user I don’t have to go find new add-ons all the time, they are just put on the box for me. I wouldn’t know an add-on or where to find one from Adam. Is it dumb for me to think I have paid 30 bucks for the box and 260 for the support for the last two years and counting? Talk to me like I’m 4. (I don’t have cable or or over the air TV, only interent at 10mg and live in a rural area. I can barely figure out my wireless internet) https://streamdaddy.tv/
Good lord the StreamDaddy box is expensive! It’s list price is $599 which puts it well-and-truly in the Rip-Off category.
If you want a fully loaded box that you don’t have to worry about, then I’d suggest taking a look at these Kodi boxes instead.
I just bought an Element Ti8 box. but cannot stream in HD. Have a 4K TV. I am looking to buy a second box and would like to know which ones are excellent for a 4K TV. I am a novice and not very literate re the android boxes. I would like one which comes set up and easy to manage. Would very much appreciate your advice.
This is a Q for Tim. Will the NVIDIA work with a low downspeed of 3.94MBPS? I’m at the end of Ma Bell’s CDN line here in the forest of NS. Netflix streams good video, but I do receive audio dropouts as I must have the std. DD for DVD, i.e.,5.1 . UT is no longer receiving support payments from Panny for my DVD player. UT has mediocre compressed audio, but the video often pixelates when the neighbourhood children are still gaming and chatting before the inevitable parental tuckin. hahaha
Hi John. It will work, yes, but you’ll have to workaround that low of an Internet speed. What I mean is you’ll either be streaming in a lower quality than 4K, or you’ll have to download the content to either a Plex media server or external hard drive beforehand and watch it from your local network. Don’t worry, that’s much easier than I just made it sound. Think of it just like downloading a movie file to your PC to watch later.
Sorry this is a total noob question..a buddy of mine says go cheap and just buy a China box (ie a95x A1) and pay a third party to do the hard work for u (I assume updates etc). He pays $15 a month and says he doesn’t have to worry about anything. My question is, is it worth the money to pay for a nicer box (I know the answer to that to be honest) but will you still have to pay someone else to babysit the box for you? I see Rveal u can buy the box and service and not have to worry about it but is the price tag worth it? I imagine these boxes date themselves as fast as computers do…
We are a live sports family living in Canada and just want to watch hockey games hah. What do u suggest. Thanks so much!!
I’m not opposed to paying someone to keep the device updated. After all, that’s basically what you’re doing when you take your car into the shop for an oil change. Just make sure that you feel like you’re getting a good value for the money. $15 per month sounds reasonable, as long as they’re keeping things running smoothly.
You can get a good box without spending a ton of money. As much as I love my NVIDIA Shield, you don’t have to spend that much to get a great box. The new Fire TV gives it a run for the money in terms of picture quality (not for speed), and it’s less than half the price. You are right about the boxes getting dated quickly though. Normally I’d say that you get at most two years out a box unless you’re deliberately buying for the future.
I feel you with watching hockey – Go Habs. I actually don’t use an addon for my sports viewing. I have a subscription to Sling TV and get the NHL TV upgrade. $30 a month and it gets me most games including HNIC, which is hard to find in the States.
What do you think of the H96 Max Rock Chip
I try to stay away from RockChip boxes. Not much in the way of support from Team Kodi.
Hi. Which box would you say is the most future proof? So it will last longer than 2 years?
Well…the Shield TV has been #1 on this list for about 2 years now… 🙂
Nice article. Straight talk and right to the point. Just what I like.
Need a good quality box(s) for a church setup. Like to have them hardwired so I don’t have to deal with streaming wifi to 15+ boxes at the same time. I need to keep it affordable (in the $50 range ~ yea I know but I must be frugal). Any recommendations? I don’t need 4K and I’d like to be able to block most internet traffic or at least customize the front end page for just the apps I want direct access to.
Any suggestions?
So how do you “side load” Kodi ?
You don’t have to sideload Kodi anymore. It’s in the Google Play Store so you can download it like any other app. But, if you want to sideload an Android app, I have a tutorial for that.
Interesting insight and well put. That said, I’m still partial to XBMCmart boxes… I just ordered the X10, and wish to hear your review. Not looking for a fuss, just your opinion. Thanks!
Hey Anthony. Thanks for the comment, but why would there be a fuss?
The X10 looks decent. Specs are good and the price is in-line with many of the other boxes. Probably wouldn’t be my first choice at $169, but that’s because I don’t know the company or their history. They could be awesome. They could be terrible. I don’t know enough to say one way or the other.
If you end up getting it, wanna write a review? 🙂
I have a H96 Pro+ and recently the netflix has quit me. It has a message that says the mediabox launcher has stopped try again, when I do it says the mediabox launcher keep stopping ?
What is the current (26-mar-2018) best advice re Android Box if one in Canada wants to:
1. watch movies, nba, international basketball and championships, etc., that are of much, much higher quality than what one can find on ROKU 3 box (that one paid over $100 and got 0 i.e. ZERO in return. I mean is there anything worse than ROKU 3?! I cannot believe that I paid $110 for that piece of junk).
No 4K so 4K is not the requirement. I’ve heard Netflix US is much better than Netflix Canada, so the requirement is Netflix US (should in that case Express router be a necessity?_
2. continue with 1) for at least 3 years, hassle free
3. Doing 1) and 2) completely free of charge (I mean if I have to pay, shouldn’t I then go back to ROBBERS and pay them like I did for DECADES, on contracts I COULD NOT cancel?)
Hello, Nice post. Straight talk and right to the point. Just what I like.
Both the SkyStream II and the Ti8+ look really good, but neither will stream Netflix in 4K. I asked both companys, and both replied very quickly to me question. Kind of very disappointed that I’m limited to either the Roku Ultra or the Nvidia Shield if I want to watch Netflix on my HDR TV in the livingroom. In the bedroom, I have a FireStick hooked up to my ancient 1080p 65″ PLASMA (!!!) and it works great. I just can’t decide what to hook up in the livingroom…
Hi Tim,
I didn’t find your site until after I bought my android box which cost me $189 AUD, as I am in Western Australia, I have noticed that the T95Z Plus Kodi Octa Core 4K Android TV Box 3GB/32GB (Android 7.1!) and Wireless Keypad × 1 which I bought isn’t on any list of your best android boxes, does that mean I just wasted my money??
Not at all Susan. From a hardware perspective, the T95Z is a good box, but it can be tough to get any support after the sale. Most of the versions I’ve found are from companies that churn out box after box, but never really put out any updates to them. In all likelihood, the way it is now is the way it will always be.
Thank you for your input…I’m looking for NFL, NBA, Boxing (free PPV) plus movies and tv shows. I have a StreamsmartTV that i got 5 yrs ago and now it emms they have sold out and there 50 Streamsmart out there, plus no back up service.
Thanks for any help in which one would service me without a monthly charge’
Thanks again,
Howard Ward
I’d recommend either the SkyStream Two or the EZ-Stream Ti8.
hi,
is there any overheating problem with the skystream two after running it for an hour or two? I would like to purchase one if its ok.
tks, bob
What do you think of the Freestream pro box
After much deliberation, I’ve decide to go with the NVIDIA Shield TV. I seriously considered the Amazon Fire TV Pendant but it just sounded like it was underpowered for 4k 10-bit HDR play, and you had to jump through hoops to install even basic apps like KODI. I was sidelined by the Zidoo X10, but it seemed hard to get, and not that well supported. One question I have–is it hard to transfer KODI’s userdata from say, a Mac, to Android?
I am interested to buy the Nvidia shield for me and the Skystream 2 for my parents, will they work in Europe. I live on a small island in Malta.
You are sharing a big list of android boxes here but my question is that which is cheapest one and work better among all these.
My problem is:
I have a H9 TV Box 4k.
When I download a subtitle in Portuguese with
several different characters like ~ , ç and other
they appear as Chinese characters.
This does not happen in my Android tablets.
Do you think that any of these TV Boxes will solve
this problem?
Thank you
Hélio COSTA
Sorry for my poor English, short thanks for your analysis on your choice of tv box, I too am looking for a fast box tv opening fluid that does not freeze and USB 3. but if we look at the feedback of several cosumers full of problems comes with the nvidia shield and the SkyStream Two, which is quite expensive (in Canada) I put my hope on the SkyStream two but there I am discouraged feedback!
Hi, do you recomand : Kingbox- [2018 last Version] K2 Android TV Box [2GB RAM+16GB ROM] with Mini wireless keyboard
Quad-Core CPU 64 Bits Smart TV Box Support 2.4G WiFi/BT4.0/Android 6.0
Hi Tim,
I am considering replacing my mimic neo 8h and I am a little conflicted given the excellent selection of options on the market.
My local supply options are minix neo 9h or the
NVEDIA shield. Price difference is minimal between them and the various reviews I have read or seen have not really helped me decide which one to go for.
Any suggestions?
Regards
Richard
Hi Tim, a couple of years a go you and others had raving reviews about the Minix Neo U1, it was rated just below the shield, Minix had a great support structure and a very helpful forum, unfortunately that is no longer the case,based on the reviews i purchased a MINIX neo U1 , the box worked great till couple of months a go, now I cant access the setting page any more, when I press on setting it just flickers and stays on the apps or home page, everything else works fine but without the settings page it will be impossible in the future to manage the box, I tried contacting Minix trough the help page on their website but got no response, doing a Google search of the problem shows that others are having the same problem after an update., I bought a Minix neo U9-h for my cousin last year and has the same problem
Do you have any idea how to fix this or do you have a costumer service number that is working and that could help me with this problem, issues like this where usually talked and solved on the Minix Forum but that is no longer available,
This android boxes where top rated and on the high end of cost and one of the top selling feature was the outstanding support from Minix, unfortunately that seems to have disappeared and without access to settings this boxes will eventually be unusable
Apparently doing a factory reset will only work until you do an update to any of the installed apps and the the problem returns
Your help is greatly appreciated
Steve