UPDATED For 2018!
This post should confuse some of my longer readers, because I’ve always argued against buying a fully loaded Kodi box.
So why the sudden change of heart?
I’ve heard from a lot of readers who have bought TV boxes that were advertised as a ready-made, out of the box solution for Kodi. They claim to have all the Kodi\XBMC addons you’ll ever need pre-installed.
The reality is that, if you get the wrong one, they can be more trouble than they’re worth.
Quick Look At Our Top Picks
#1 Skystream Two |
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Buy Now |
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#2 EZ-Stream Ti8 |
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Buy Now |
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What’s changed recently
When this article was originally posted, it highlighted three XBMC box manufacturers that tried to include all of the add-ons that anyone could possibly want to use. Then, there were a couple of high-profile legal cases in the United Kingdom and Europe that changed the marketplace significantly.
Early in September, the EU passed a law that box sellers will now have to verify that the links they include with their TV boxes do not infringe on any possible copyright laws. Obviously this is a logistic nightmare for sellers. The more add-ons that are included, the more links that are there to verify. To make it easier, many companies have simply stripped out the add-ons, but set up tutorials on how to install them after you purchase their device – sidestepping the law.
Later that month, the first person charged with selling TV boxes in the UK which are able to stream illegal content is heading to trial. Brian Thompson, who sells Kodi boxes in Middlesbrough, England, insists that he’s done nothing wrong. Although he’s wiling to test his business in the court system, there’s still a lot of uncertainty around selling a fully loaded Kodi box.
When “fully loaded” is a “load of …”
Third party add-ons can be pretty frustrating sometimes.
In fact, dozens of you have emailed me saying that crappy add-ons as one of your biggest challenges when trying to watch a movie or live TV.
I hear from dozens subscribers who tell me that they just purchased a “Kodi Box” and it doesn’t work as advertised.
I wish I could say I’m surprised.
Most of the addons that are included are, to put it bluntly, absolute crap. Almost all of the TV box manufacturers will throw any add-on they can find on their fully loaded Kodi box and use it as a selling point.
This makes it difficult for anyone to figure out which box to buy, especially someone new to Kodi devices and streaming boxes.
That’s why I’m writing this article.
Advice on buying a fully loaded Kodi box
My main reason for starting this site was to help make sure that no one reading this site ever gets ripped off because you don’t have enough information.
There are a lot of scummy sellers out there. Until now, my advice has always been to avoid anyone selling fully loaded Kodi boxes or paid Kodi addons after the fact..
The add-ons are free, so you can install what you want just by following a couple of Android box YouTube channels. You can buy a really good bare-bones TV box like a MINIX, Zidoo or ProBox2 and add whatever Kodi add-ons or apps you want.
Be together, not the same, right?
That’s the power of Android. Configure it how you like. How it works best for you.
But….
But what I’ve heard from you is that you want a box that works – one that is set up right from when you take it out of the box. All of the add-ons are there for you.
No muss. No fuss.
That’s something that manufacturers like MINIX won’t give you. They give you the blank slate, not the finished product.
So if you’re looking for a fully loaded Kodi box, then I feel it’s my responsibility to help.
It’s my responsibility to try to steer you in the right direction, just the same as if you were buying a bare-bones TV box.
What makes up the best Kodi \ XBMC box?
What makes a good seller doesn’t change because their product does.
Good sellers have good support, fair prices and quality products.
Good Support
Anyone I put my seal of approval on has to have a good support network. You won’t find any sellers that just sell the TV box and disappear. No eBay or Craigslist, fly-by-night sellers here. You need to have an active forum network with both company representatives and end-users who will gladly help out other users who have issues.
One other big thing: There has to be a warranty.
In short, you need to be taken care of after the sale. That should be a basic requirement, but surprisingly, most companies get this one wrong.
If you think that a good support network is the most important thing on this list, then you’re right.
Regular firmware updates
Good firmware can make or break a device. If you’ve got crappy firmware, I don’t care how good the hardware running the TV box is – it’s just not going to save it.
To be considered, there has to be regular firmware updates. It doesn’t have to be monthly, or even bi-monthly. but there has to be a history of firmware updates after a device is released.
Fair Prices
I’ve written posts before about sellers who rip people off by marking up a $50 TV box to $300. Nothing pisses me off more than a company taking advantage of people like that.
So one big criteria for me is that the device has to be within a “fair price range” which is comparable to other devices with similar specs.
This generally means a price limit of around $160 US for a TV box. If something is more expensive than it’s competition, there better be a really good reason.
Quality Products
This one is admittedly fuzzy. I’ve tested device from this company before. I’m familiar with how they work and what their quirks are.
So trust me when I say that I’m confident in the quality of their products.
Are they perfect? No, of course not.
Every device, even the $300 NVIDIA Shield which is mostly amazing, has it’s flaws. And sometimes those flaws are pretty annoying.
But, when I mean “quality”, I mean is the product at or above the level of build quality and “daily use” quality of other devices in it’s price range. If a device costs $100, does it look, feel and act like at least a $100 product?
Two great choices for the best fully loaded Kodi box
Both EZ-Stream (formerly Element Technologies) and SkyStream One are doing things the right way. I’m a fan of supporting the local companies and its great to see them both pumping out such high-performing boxes.
Let’s start with what they both have in common:
- Both have one-click updating apps to keep all of your Kodi addons running smoothly. They do the maintenance for you.
- Both companies are based in the USA, with customer service teams 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.
- Both offer actual telephone support (M-F, 9am-5pm Eastern time)
- Both have Facebook support groups monitored by their customer service teams as well as power-users from the community.
Now let’s look at their differences…
SkyStream Two
The SkyStream Two is the brand new entry from SkyStream. Under the hood it’s got the newer Amlogic S912 CPU which is a favorite with Team Kodi programmers because its compatible with almost every type of media codec there is. In other words, it’ll play just about anything you can throw at it. You can read my full SkyStream Two review here.
In addition to the phone and Facebook support listed above, they’ve also got a live chat option, if you don’t want to be bothered talking to anyone on the phone.
They also offer 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. Honestly, if you look at what you’re saving compared to other boxes, that $10 bur two years of hassle-free support seems like a pretty good deal.
Find the best price on the SkyStream One direct from Skystream here
EZ-Stream Ti8
Note: Element Technologies recently changed their name to EZ-Stream. You may see some references to this box as the Element Ti8 or the EZ Stream Ti8. It’s the exact same box.
EZ-Stream has put together one of the best fully-loaded TV boxes I’ve seen in a long time. The EZ-Stream Ti8 has the newer Amlogic S912 CPU, which gets better performance than the older S905. It lacks some of the polish of the SkyStream Two, but it edges it out in raw performance. You can read all about it in my full EZ Stream Ti8 review here.
Find the best price on the EZ Stream Ti8 direct from EZ-Stream here
The Verdict
There you have it. Of all the TV boxes I’ve seen, there are very few that offer a high quality, “fully loaded” solution.
I like not paying a fortune for streaming boxes. A lot of cheap boxes have great specs. But that’s not enough.
So why do I think they’re the best fully loaded Kodi boxes?
You get a ton of value for not a lot of money.
What do you think? Do you have a fully loaded Kodi box that you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH. The “fully loaded” boxes are going to lead to the demise of Kodi. I RARELY speak up and am not a typical article hater – but – Matricom themselves have said that the USB drive “keys” do more harm than good to their setup and typically lead to errors and issues. Kodi is considering legal action against boxes selling Kodi loaded with third party add-ons with “questionable” content.
A better answer to what box is the best “fully loaded” box is NONE. Kodi developers have been getting more and more angry – some have even threatened walking off the job if something isn’t done to stop the “fully loaded” boxes. People buy them, don’t understand how Kodi works, call the Kodi developers, then are upset even more because Kodi doesn’t support these 3rd party add-ons with questionable content.
The best advise to give to someone looking for the best box is – learn all about Kodi – take the time to learn how to use and then put together the setup that suits you the best. I agree, the Matricom G Box is probably the best one (I have two) – although I DO LOVE the NVidia Shield. Mini PCs actually run Kodi more stable.
The reason I love the Matricom G Box Q is that they DON’T “fully load” the box and they don’t blatantly support content of questionable legality. Their boxes have great technology and they have good support.
STOP PROMOTING FULLY LOADED BOXES AND “KEYS”
John, first off, thank you so much for the comment. Seriously. It is great to see someone so passionate about TV boxes and Kodi.
I have to admit, I’ve fought with myself over writing that article, because I don’t like the idea of installing all sorts of crappy, piracy add-ons and calling it a “fully loaded” Kodi box. My philosophy is the same as yours: learn about Kodi (or Plex, or Emby), configure it how you want and what works best for you. Personally, I’m more of a MINIX fan than Matricom, but at least we can agree on the Shield.
But…..the reality is that people are going to buy these “fully loaded” boxes no matter what you or I say. I’d prefer they at least steer clear of the eBay\Craigslist sellers, or the websites that charge rip-off prices, or the sites that will sell you a Kodi box and then disappear.
If someone is going to buy a fully loaded box anyway, I’d prefer to help them pick a good one.
Hi, I just came by you site through a Google search. I’m looking into the Sky Stream X5 box. I went into their site and had a chat with one of their agents. He told me that the X5 is discontinued and it’s being replaced with the new Sky Stream One.. We had a long chat and we both agreed I should try the X4 . I want to do this for one reason,being I’m not sure if I will like a set top box. I know someone who is selling an X4 (fully rooted) for $50.00. He is selling because he wants to buy the new Sky Stream one! He also told me that if I want to get local TV channels,I would need to have an HD antenna. As you can see,I know nothing about these boxes. Being in my seventies,I need to catch up! lol Please add me to your mailing list..
Best regards, Lou
I know I’m more than a little late with this post, but I think the issue is important. THERE AIN’T NO SUCH THING AS AN “HD” ANTENNA! Any antenna used before digital conversion is still effective now after digital. That’s the only reason there has ever been confusion. HD has nothing to do with reception. It’s all in how your TV/Set Top Box converts the signal once it travels down the lead-in.
The reason I’m adamant about this is how much “HD” antennas are costing versus what THE SAME ANTENNA USED TO COST before digital conversion. Don’t get caught.
I bought an HD (supposedly) antenna on Amazon for 36 bucks and it gets all my local channels that are broadcast in HD
What do you think of easyview tv?
I’m just getting into this stuff, I bough an Easy View at a home show, $279.00 Played with it for two weeks. Had to exchange it twice and finally asked for my money back. Dealer wanted 25% restocking. Wow!! After some persuading I got my full purchase price back. Guess he figured I would show up at too many shows. LOL Don’t buy one!!
Personally I believe the best way to enjoy Kodi addons is to buy a blank android media player for $30-$50, after doing your homework of course. A bundle with a wireless keyboard would be helpful for adding addons. Once you get the box and load Kodi, mosey on over to YouTube. Do a search for KODI {Current Month} {Current Year}. So right now I would search for “KODI 2017” or “Kodi April 2017”. I personally ignore builds videos. Find a current videos with “the best addons”, there will be tons of them. Watch a few, you may gravitate to one or more personalities, subscribe to them. Once you learn how to add addons, very easy, eventually you can skip through videos to save time and just record site, zip name and plugin name. Get yourself a good set of 6-8 movie/TV show addons so that as some go down, you have backups until you find new ones.
That’s all well and good when you have the time to do it. But if you’re a busy person like me you don’t want to be messing around setting up a box. St the end of the day the question I ask myself is how valuable is my time? And believe me my time is way more valuable than a box. So when I have the rare time to just chill and watch a movie for a couple of hours, I just want to be able to plug the box and go. No time wasted downloading, learning, programming or configuring.
Great point Nancy. I think more people are going to start thinking like that. Kodi is great, but it was never meant to be a mainstream streaming device. It’s designed by tweakers…for tweakers.
Sometimes all you want is something simple.
Nancy’s point is not a great one. If she’s too busy to take the time to learn this stuff, then she is too busy to watch Kodi. It’s not like Kodi is the only source of entertainment. I’m assuming you are employed since you claim your time is of high value. Then just subscribe to cable the old fashioned way
That’s not a great argument either. So only unemployed people will use Kodi? I guess that rules me out then. And people who are busy have as much right to watch TV as you do. Why on earth would you want something to be more complicated than it needs to be?
Maybe you need a job and a couple kids then your free time will feel way more precious to you
LOL! My time is precious and I just have a job and a dog. I can’t imagine if we threw kids into the mix. 🙂
Many Thanks for the reviews and the links.I do like the sound of the Entertainment Box although still considering the latest Amazon fire tv box.The only thing that I find missing in you reviews is whether the box can connect to a av receiver and whether 2gb ram would be better than 1gb ram unless i missed this after so much reading
Hi Seriman. Thanks for your question!
Almost all (if not all) TV boxes can connect to a receiver through either an HDMI port, or a digital audio (SPDIF) connection. Absolute worst case you can usually find an analog audio connector there, but that’s not going to give you very good quality. Stick to either HDMI or SPDIF.
2GB is the absolute lowest I’d get a TV box with. Even on Android, apps and programs are getting more complicated and need more memory to run effectively. Look for a box with between 2GB and 4GB of RAM.
Hello TIM,
I appreciate the time and effort you put into this article and the fact that you take the time to answer posts that are made. I must I also like the integrity you display.
Unless I missed it what stringent testing did all these products pass?
Hi Frank. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate it!
I have two points I want to stress: First, this particular “Best of” list is different, because I’m looking at the manufacturers as much as the individual box. I’ve seen more than my share of TV boxes with good specs and benchmarks when the companies disappear after the sale. I wanted to only include companies that were taking care of their customers long term. That’s why half of each entry was on support and customer education.
Second, both Matricom and SkyStream have just introduced new models. Had this article been written a month earlier, I would have been focusing on the G-Box Q (reviewed here) and the SkyStream X4 (reviewed here). I’m still waiting on the review samples for each of the new devices, unfortunately, but both are based on existing chipsets so I have faith that they will carry on their predecessor’s good legacy. For Entertainment Box, I have been playing with their device, I’ve just been writing Kodi tutorials which have been very in-depth.
I know…bad on my part. But, on the plus side, I’m getting ready to hit publish on my longest article ever: a complete setup guide for Kodi for beginners – all using Kodi 16.
What do u think about the Element Ti8? I bought a Ti4 a while ago, after reading about it as being one of the best fully loaded Kodi boxes, 1-2 yrs ago. Now, I can’t find any comments about the Element Ti8.
Thx much!
Gina
Hi Gina. Thanks for the comment. I haven’t had a chance to look at the KodiElement Ti8 yet – which is a shame because evidently they’re also local to Orlando. Specs wise, i seems to be a good box for a good price. The interface looks easy to use and well designed. I’ll have to reach out to them and see if I can get my hands on a review sample.
Hi again Gina. I’ve gotten quite a few requests for the Element Ti8, so I finally got my hands on one to review. You can check out my Element Ti8 review here.
First and foremost! Tim, great read. I love reading your kodi anything articals.
Anyone wanting to purchase a box or get into the kodi seen should do a little research before making a decision. Especially if your wanting to cut the cable. There are few key things to consider. Internet speed. Patients! Time! Patients!
This is only my opinion. But I tell noobs to think of kodi as a hobby. Once you get comfortable with the box, only then consider dropping cable. Kodi is not for everyone. YouTube and Google have reviews and lots of great info. The boxes listed above are good for beginners. Don’t expect much from a $30.00 box.
Peace!
Hi, Tim
I recently saw a box running Linux & they proclaim how much better & longer lasting it is/will be than one running Android.
Any thoughts on that? I’m wanting to buy one soon & getting to decide which one to get.
Hi Steve. There are quite a few TV boxes that run Linux. I know Tronsmart makes one, among several other companies.
As for which is better Linux or Android, that’s a touchy subject. You’ll find very passionate people on both sides who will say that their choice is the best. Personally, I find Linux too much effort to get installed, working and get stable for most people. Android is already on most of the smartphones and tablets in the world, so it’s already something that people are familiar with.
Unless you’re a tweaker at heart, I’d skip Linux and stick with Android. But that’s just my opinion. Any Linux fans care to chime in?
You can do a lot worse than buy a Raspberry Pi and run Kodi on it (there are Distributions available for RPi with a Kodi build preinstalled.)
If you accept that kodi isn’t plug and play – but is a hobby package, then why not run it on a $50 top of the range Pi? …….. Some learning is necessary, swearing is optional.
“Some learning is necessary, swearing is optional.”
I think that may be my new favourite phrase. 🙂
Hi Tim,
As you know, there are so many loaded kodi boxes out there. Technology gets better, newer chipsets, etc.
Have you done any research on the streamsmart or digixstream boxes ?
Hi Tim,
I appreciate everything you wrote on this article. I am new to the TV Box scene and I have been debating what box I’m going to purchase for my very first! From what I’ve read most people have different opinions of what they think is the “best” box and it is totally up to the user and what they use it for. For myself all I plan on using the box for is streaming video through Kodi, Netflix, Youtube and the odd game.
I’ve have been leaning towards the G-Box Q2. In your honest opinion should I go for the G-Box or something along the lines of: MXQ Pro 4K, Minix Neo X8 Plus, M8 Miracast or simply just a MXQ.
Hopefully this isn’t too much of an annoying question to answer but I truly would be thankful with an answer!
Thank you!
Hi Dylan. For Kodi, any of those boxes would work great. I would go with either the G-Box Q2 or the MINIX, personally. BUT…and this is a bit but….none of those boxes will play Netflix or YouTube in HD (1080p) or 4K. Netflix is very picky about what devices it lets stream in HD or 4K, and it’s usually only the largest companies like Roku or NVIDIA. Check out the article here for the list.
Not the best on my computer, so I have no idea how to load Kodi. I might be able to follow a written article so the reason to join in on your newsletter. I have not purchased a tv box but I would definitely want top of the line. Anyway, I hope I will be able to follow your instructions for beginners. Thanks, enjoyed reading your article.
Hi David. If you’re looking for an article about how to install Kodi, you’re in luck. I happen to have just such an article. 🙂
This is another home run. I enjoy your weekly news. I am still searching for a new box, This just gives me more to think about. Thanks–Steve
This is a great source of sound advice, based on experience and knowledge. I am from Scotland and starting up and take great reassurance from your articles and hope to follow them on an enjoyable journey into and along with a fascinating concept….Kodi.
I can’t thank you and your colleagues enough for excellent, down to earth,honest advice,congratulations!
The problem witth many people is they cant or wont learn how to install anything.It iis not so unusual that alot of people are not at all tech savy hence the need for “fully loaded boxes” I do agree iits not cool for some scum sucking fly by nite company to fill a kodi box full of worthless and unproven junk.Thatt still doesnt change the fact that there are way more channel changers than tweakers, thats why this site is a great place for anyone to get very good and fact based info.thanks for all your hard work.
MIKLO
Thanks for the kind words Miklo! I appreciate it.
Hi Tim.never used android box and i need ur advice to buy the right box to watch The Nba games live! any suggestion?
Hi Tim, I just learned about Kodi boxes last month and found your site and a few others while trying to learn a little more about them and which ones were a quality build. After reading your different articles and reviews, one inquiry to you and a few calls to Skystream I went forward with the purchase of a Skystream One. My questions to Skystream were fairly simple but after getting their voice mail 2 times and receiving a return call within 5 or 10 minuets after each one the deal was closed. Like you I am more than willing to pay more for a good product backed by reliable customer service. I live in Costa RicaI and visit Florida a few time each year and this was also a contributing factor in my choice.
I was in Saint Augustine, Florida on vacation (Ha Ha) when hurricane Mathew came through, luckily my box was delivered the day before Mathew hit us and I was able to return with it on Sunday to Costa Rica full of anticipation and worry, would it function with my slow 3g internet service, or would it bog down and leave me sitting in front of the screen waiting forever for the buffering to finish.
My days of anxiety were for nothing, I don’t have anything else to compare it to but all I can say is that it WORKS. Our satellite TV is limited in regards to US television and a great deal is dubbed in Spanish, watching your favorite football team (if you are lucky enough to find it a few times each season) play with a Spanish announcer sucks, which pretty much keeps me from turning the satellite box on, I exist on 50% of the Netflix library due to Geo restrictions and pay for a VPN to get access to Amazon videos, NOT ANY MORE. My internet speeds vary between 2.4 and 4.0Mbps and usually hovers at 3.0. At first I was using a WiFi connection and getting some buffering, hard wiring seems to have eliminated this. With my limited knowledge I found it easy to find my way around the home screen and get to Kodi to start enjoying what this little gem can do. I find the standard remote lacking, I have trouble toggling back and forth on the mouse button and have no clue as to what the red dot next to the navigation button indicates, a new wireless keyboard is so much easier and solved the issue.
I must admit that it is not as convenient as Netflix to use but getting last nights show instead of being a year behind with Netflix is well worth the effort. I have downloaded Trakt and use it with Exodus and even though I haven’t completely figured out yet, it has made things easier. What I would like to do is have a simple program like Netflix which allows me to find the all of the series I am watching and be able to resume where I left off. If you know of a program that might be easier please let me know.
It is very unusual for me to post anything, good or bad on any site, but I still can’t believe what Kodi has opened up for me and I want thank you very much for your site and the information that you provide in helping people to learn about Kodi, how to use it and mostly for allowing us to make an informed purchase, as I could have easily made a bad purchase that wound up in the trash and ended my experience with Kodi boxes.
Vern
It’s comments like this that remind me why I do what I do. Glad I could help Vern!
The best advise to give to someone looking for the best box is – learn all about Kodi – take the time to learn how to use and then put together the setup that suits you the best. I agree, the Matricom G Box is probably the best one (I have two) – although I DO LOVE the NVidia Shield. Mini PCs actually run Kodi more stable.
Fully loaded android boxes are great for the beginner as long as they are loaded with the latest kodi addons.
A lot of people have to watch out for ordering a android box that is an older model, usually the cheaper fully loaded ones on amazon, because of this most addons won’t work and will have to reprogram kodi with different addons. It is best to find out the best device for kodi and best to learn everything you can about kodi and it’s legality’s before even diving into the world.
Hi Tim
I have been looking into an android box for about a yr now , Just when Ithought I had it figured out I am startimg to see different boxes offering a 2 gig/16 gig configuration . Most of them also have all the minimum specs you recommend in your guide tobuying your first android box. My question is ,is this becoming the newnorm andshould I hold off for a few more months on buying one, Ny other question is about remote updates . Many sellersare advertising free or low cost lifetime support and updates via their remote app. This seems like a huge red flag to me allowing some unknown person access to my home network or am I just being paraoid ?
T.I.A .Tim
Hi Barry. Great questions. You’re right. It is getting more and more common to find 2GB/16GB configurations. But, 32GB Android boxes aren’t necessarily right around the corner. Most people use these devices for streaming, so there’s less demand for something with a high internal storage. Even someone like me who streams my own media will usually store all of my movies in some sort of network storage which can be accessed by any device. That being said, you may start seeing devices with 4GB or RAM sooner rather than later. It’s not something I would necessarily hold off purchasing a device for, though.
Ahh…remote updates. So yes, technically, any time you allow an app to go out of your network and bring something back in you are taking a risk that they’ll do something bad to your system. So my question is, if you don’t trust them to update your device, why do you trust them enough to buy their product? 🙂
Tim, I live in Connecticut and I am a big Yankees fan. Comcast has removed Yes Network that broadcast the Yankees games from its line-up because of price increases. Would I be able to get Yes Network with any of the above mentioned boxes? They are still broadcast on Cox and other cable suppliers.
thanks, John
Hi John. There are plenty of addons that will get you free sports channels. Some legal, some not. When I was testing the SkyStream One and the new Element box, both had lots of different options for sports channels. I’m sure you can find the Yankees on there. 🙂
Tim , I’m new to all this . So first thanks for all your articles and research , it’s very helpful to newbies. What is your opinion on the Rveal boxes and who can they include some of what thye do and stay on the legal side of things ? You can buy these boxes online at Walmart and many electronic retailers
I’ve always stayed away from the Rveal boxes because they’re far too expensive. You’re getting the same hardware in the RVEAL 2 as in the SkyStream Two or the EZStream Ti8, but you’re paying over $100 more.
I can’t get past the price tag.
Thanks Tim , yes they are a bit mire for sure , guessing they all give you about the same
Hi. I am very new to all this. Today I was given a Streamsmart Pro as a gift. I have not found much information on this product outside of the company website. It seems to work very well, what little I have played with it. Fairly easy to use and navigate, and most content has worked the first time, no problem. Any thoughts on this company and model? Thank you for your time.
Hi Jeremy. Sorry for taking a couple of days to get back to you, but I looked into the StreamSmart boxes and my response turned into a full-blown article. I’ve only ever written one “Don’t buy this box” article before, but I felt that StreamSmart deserved to be the second one. You can read my thoughts on StreamSmart here.
Now…what does that mean for you since you were given one as a gift? My main gripe with the company is that they charge insane prices for old technology. Since you weren’t the one that bought the box, it doesn’t really affect you that much. If you want to (and can) return it for a refund, you can buy a couple of better devices and still have money left over. But if you like the way the box works, or don’t want to upset the person that gave it to you, you may as well keep it. The situation kind of sucks, but the damage is done now.
I have been doing a lot of research looking for the best android tv box to get. I have narrowed it down to the skystream one and the kodi element ti8. What box would you prefer and why? I read your reviews for both boxes and noticed the element significantly outperformed the skystream in the benchmark tests, how important is this? Also, the element also has the newest chipset which is nice. I’m fairly new to this so I hope you get the chance to respond. Any additional input would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Brandon. I’m a fan of both, but for pure performance, I’m going to have to go with the Element Ti8. It’s a newer chipset that outperforms the SkyStream One. There are a lot of similarities between the two, so you can’t go wrong either way.
How relevant is the chipset difference if you have no need for 4K streaming?
Hi Felix. The chipset makes a lot of difference actually – and not just for 4K.
I’ll highlight two main areas: Kodi compatibility and box features.
Team Kodi (the official team, not the addon devs) have preferences of what chipsets they like. Usually they like the ones that are easiest to program. If a particular chipset is troublesome (AllWinner, for example), they may stop supporting it. It doesn’t matter how cheap something is if you buy a streaming device with a chipset that they don’t support.
Box features are also determined by the chipset. For example, the AmLogic S905 cannot support USB 3.0. So no matter what device you look at with an S905, it CANNOT have USB 3.0. Hardware design is always a give and take. Just be sure you know what you’re giving up when you make a decision.
Greetings from Michigan. I have been using Kodi for quite sometime now on my Macbook Pro and my wife brought home this SkyStream One box last week and it completely blew my mind. I wasn’t able to stream Kodi on our TV because we have the Gen 3 Apple TV which is unrootable.
I began doing my research and I have come up with a few top winners and trying to really determine the major differences between the SkyStream One vs Nvidia Shield. I know the basics like like the Skystream is a fully loaded but I am not quite sure what the major differences would be based on our needs.
My wife and I plan on cutting our cable but keeping the internet and we need it primarily for streaming shows from Disney Jr, Nick Jr and Sprout for our two daughters. Catching up on shows throughout the seasons (Chicago Fire, Gray’s, Blue Bloods etc.) and Kodi for movies.
We do not have a 4k tv or 3D tv so the 4k stream isn’t a big deal. I am open to suggestions.
Thank You in advance!
Hi Tim,
I’d like to know what you think of the Rveal streaming media player and how it compares to SkyStream One?
Thanks,
John
The Rveal RT1 is the cheapest TV box on their website at $279 and it’s using an older quad-core AmLogic S812. With that kind of hardware, I’d expect the price to be well under the $100 mark. Even the brand new Skystream Two is less expensive than that.
The T8 android box is the best in my opinion. I would avoid all 1GB boxes as they are too slow and can’t handle Kodi.
Tim,
I am also a “newbie” to cord cutting, and I just came across the article you wrote about a year ago recommending the SkyStream One. Given that technological advances occur every other second, is this still one that you highly recommend, or has another company or product “won you over” since then?
I just bought a Roku Streaming Stick, am looking at a digital antenna, and also was thinking about a Kodi box to round out the package. Am I heading down the right path?
Thanks in advance for any input you can provide, and thanks for the articles – all good and informative reads!
Mike
Do you have a good source to buy the best loaded box? It seems like prices are all over the place.
Any opinion on the Netmaster NII?
Well…their website looks like it was designed by a ten year old and their TV boxes are $429 and $599. That’s WAY too much money for a TV box. Scam alert!
It’s a whole new world for the aged. I am fascinated by the set top TV boxes and your discussion, product reviews, and advise. Thank you. I am an old long time experimenter, and do love reading articles like yours. Being from the northern hemisphere (Canada), we have limited opportunity for products south of the 49th. I cannot find a distributor for your two boxes you recommend. Purchases from below the 49th with invoke high shipping costs, and border fees which makes it almost out of reach. I was leaning to the Rasberry 3 B, with Linux. I noticed you didn’t include, or I missed any of your comments for this possible Box. Do have any thoughts? Thanks again Tim for your good work and time.
Thanks a lot for this.
I really appreciate this forum and thank everyone for their participation in it. It’s really helping me to learn the steps I need to take to get the heck off of Directv permanently.
I am currently paying $167 a month for Directv and I swear I am so done with them. That’s over $2K a year to watch TV and I don’t even get all the movie channels! To be honest…I don’t hardly even watch TV. it’s more for my kids. So I started researching to cut the cord and I was looking at the “DreamBox”. Seems nice but very expensive. I liked tha they said you can get your local channels with it. Or at least that is my understanding of it. I’m so glad I found this article. = )
Anyway, today is May 7th and I have a some questions that I believe many others may also have. So I hope this contributes to the forum.
Is the best box to get still the Ti8, or is there a new one coming out soon that I should wait for?
Do you need a separate box for every TV in your home?
Is there a way on the box to set a rating limit to block unwanted and inappropriate content from reaching children? Do these boxes come with TV guides built in so you can scroll through quickly and conveniently to see what’s currently on and what is coming on later on in the day/days to come?
Can you watch any and all live TV and any and all live sporting events?
Is the only way to get your local channels live via a separate house antennae?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses. I hope these questions and their answers to come will help many others out there who are completely brand new to this like me.
Hi Tim,
Do you still stand by your recommendation?
Is it still the best in the market in June 2017?
Definitely. I keep updating this post whenever I find something better. 🙂
You think there may be a difference in refurbished or purchasing second hand from someone else selling the E-Z Stream Ti8? If you think it i shouldnt trust it i wont go through with it. Thanks for your awesome article, i am trying to upgrade from my current AppleTV, which dated itself… My AppleTV guy who does this stuff and has life time warranty suggested the Sheild to me and it would be nice to purchase from him as if i ever have a problem he is local and text ready for any questions i have or he has updated my device… What do you think?
There are some things that I always purchase new, and anything that I’m entering my personal information (logins, passwords, etc.) and connecting to the Internet is right there on the top of that list. It’s similar to buying from eBay. I just feel more comfortable with my privacy and security when I’m buying a new “computer like” device.
As long as your AppleTV guy is charging you a fair price for a fair service, then I say go for it. I like supporting the local guys – which is one of the reasons why I like SkyStream and E-Z Stream so much.
Plus…something in me just screams out in joy when an Apple guy recommends an Android product. 🙂
What about the infinity 4k? How does that measure up?
With the SkyStream, the E-Z Stream and the Rveal boxes, do you still have to purchase a subscription for an IPTV service?
Nope. You can use the boxes straight out of the box. (pun intended) 🙂
I want to know if I can get BTN & ESPN. I don’t want to give up my Prism until I have an answer and then only after I have tried it.
I wonder if this review stands in 2017? Would love to know if Tim Wells feels the same now.
Hi Hugo. Yes, actually. I’ve continually updated this article since finding the “best” is always a moving target. To your point though, I should add a “Last Updated” section at the top with the latest changes. Thanks for the comment!
How does the SkyStream and E-Z Stream compare to the Rveal?
The Rveal seems like a lot of money for what it is. It’s not in the “ripping you off” level as a StreamSmart, but it’s not cheap. If you’re spending that much, get an NVIDIA Shield TV instead.
If I’m not into gaming, whats better about Nvidia Shield vs SkyStream One and E-Z Stream?
I am from Canada. Would I have to get the package that includes the antenna to obtain the local HD channels.
Looking for the best fully loaded box in Canada (with live TV). Please, advise.
Tigerstream and Callebur both state the following and come fully loaded. What can you tell me about these two.
5. We Have Premium Channel Providers
We have negotiated agreements with many Subscription Channel Providers so you do not have to pay subscription fees! If you have a different streaming box, you would have to pay extra fees every month to get the add-ons that we provide for our customers for FREE. We will continue to add to this great growing list of premium add-on providers, creating more value for you as a Callebur media player owner.
When we add a new channel partner, it will be loaded into your box through the automatic updates. Customers that have subscribed to our list will receive an email update with details.
Thanks
Hi Jesse. I don’t see that on Callebur’s website anymore. I wonder why…
In all honesty, it’s really hard for major companies like Netflix or Amazon to negotiate with subscription channel providers. I highly doubt that some little TV box retailer would be able to do it. Plus there’s the matter of the $599 sticker price of their TV box.
Tigerstream charges $399 for an Amlogic S905X box – which goes for well under $100. I’m a little worried that they say that their older models (the 4X) are “down for maintenance due to technology advances” but they’ll happily take $100 off your next order. Gee thanks!
I’m going to call them both a scam and tell you to stay away from them.
Do Not Buy Your Kodi TV Box From http://www.boxkodi.com This Dealer And Manufacturer Are A Fraud.
I Bought An H96-Pro-Fully-Loaded-Kodi-TV-Box From Them And Only Got 25 Days Use Before It Suffered An Electrical Breakdown. This Gadget Was Supposed To Come With A 30-Days Money Back Guarantee Plus A One-Year Manufacturer Warranty But They Have Totally Ignored My Repeated Requests For A Replacement Or Refund.
Thanks Billingham. I hate hearing horror stories like this, but I’m always glad when someone shares them. Maybe we can save someone from getting scammed like you did.
Tim … can you recommend a “bare bones” Android box if I want to start with a blank slate and install the add-ons myself? Also, is there a list of recommended add-ons anywhere? Thanks.
For a “bare bones” Android TV box, I recommend (and use) the NVIDIA Shield TV. That’s not a cheap box, by any means. If you’re looking for something lower in the price range, You can get either of the boxes in this list (and just not use their automatic setup app), or take a look at MINIX. They make barebones TV boxes that have some of the best quality I’ve ever tested.
I have a firestick with kodi but have been hearing a lot about this ibox or whatever they are…. i think I found my answer. Now is this kodi box better than the amazon firestick??
In terms of performance, yes. Either of these will blow the Fire TV Stick out of the water. The benefit of the Fire Stick is that there is a HUGE userbase that has tutorials and support if you have problems. Thankfully, both EZ Stream and SkyStream have great customer support.
Can you give your advise on FOMOstream Fs1mini? Is it worth the price?
Nope. There’s no reason in the world to pay $300 for a TV box. You can get both an NVIDIA Shield and the new Fire TV for that price and still have money left over.
Hello Tim,
I’m based in the UK and I’m tired of being ripped off on eBay with ‘Fully Loaded Jailbroken Kodi’ boxes that die after a month, or can’t be used (no addons are updating, no streams found etc).
I really want to just have an Android box on which I can watch TV Shows and some movies now and again (with a bit of YouTube here and there). The companies and android boxes you recommended are US based – have you heard of any good UK companies? Or if I buy from Amazon states a good 2gb (that’s what I should be looking for right?) kodi box I can just use. It don’t understand all the proprietary language and tweaker terms. I just want something straightforward.
Thank you!
Hi Beverly. If you’re in the UK, I’d recommend getting your TV box from Entertainment Box. They’re a great company that’s been around for years. The way the laws are in the UK though, you’re not going to find anyone reputable that’s selling a “fully loaded” Kodi box. Everyone I’m aware of has decided to play it safe and only sell barebones devices.
Hi, Aliexpress is having there 11:11 sale now. I have about 6 more hours to make a decision. I have 2 in my shopping cart, the XGODY S10 Kodi Media Player Android TV Box 7.1 Amlogic Octa Core S912 DDR4 3GB RAM eMMC 32GB ROM 4K TV Receiver Streamer and the 2GB 16GB MX9 Pro Android 7.1 Set-top box Smart TV Box RK3328 Quad-Core 2.4G WiFi Bluetooth 4.0 H.265 VP9 HDR 4K HD Media Player.
But then I googled and read your blog/articles.. Now I’m completely confused. I already have AMXq Pro 4k box and of course nothing but trouble and had to try to clean it out and re-install Kodi and no luck yet. Spent two days trying. I’m no expert, used Utube videos, Macnanga and a few more. No luck I find I spent enough of my time. I want to thank you for this site. I joined and had your “Ten Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Android TV Box” emailed and I will be readinf every inch.
Only 1 question I have since I read from many sites now that these China boxes are crap and fake and dont buy pre-loaded. The reason i bought it originally is I have many friends that do have them and they work. So, reading your article, I won’t. But again after reading till I’m dizzy, I checked a few, like the Miniz you recommend but these are way out of my price range. Like $200 Cdn of course when I sepnt $30 on my MXQ pro and I;m willing to spend a little more but my question after all of this is ……..are you ready ?
WHICH ONE ? What do you recommend and which one will be easy to get movies and foreign channels ?
That is all I want to know.. Nothing else and I don’t care much about the legal aspects as I find cable companies screw us enough as is and because they have monopolies they now are angry about tv boxes.. :}
Thanks for your reading, was long but I need to make a quick decision now.
Cheers !
Hi Rob. I’d stay away from anything RockChip at the moment (the RK3328 box). Team Kodi doesn’t like to develop for them, which means their performance in Kopdi is a little suspect. The Amlogic S912 is a great chip, especially paired with the increased RAM and storage that that one has.
MINIX is a great company, but it sounds like you’re looking for more of a fully loaded solution. Their boxes will come bare-bones, so you’ll need to configure them yourself. If you’re looking to take that bit of work out of it, check out either of my recommendations in my “fully loaded Kodi Box” article. SkyStream is coming out with a new box very shortly, so if you can wait a few weeks, that will be the one to go with. I’ll have a review of it soon!
I have been reading all of your articles and I want to get away from cable but keep my internet, so what Kind of box do you recommend, I’m new at this.
I have to admit you all are prolly gna hate me right off the bat because I don’t know hack about computers let alone this kodi box. I heard about all the amazing things it can do and I want tyo get one of the ones you’ve suggested, but I habe two questions: First, i am afraid if I don’t get one pre loaded with the things I will need, im afraid it will end up being to much of a hassle to find out online how to do all the things I want to do by watching you tube videos. So my first thought is to get a “fully loaded” one. But i really just want to see all the streaming stuff and movies. So is that just one “3rd party app” or will i need several to do that? And second, where do i go to buy one of these devices that i know is a trusted source instead of ebay or something? Thx for your help!
Hi Ryan. Getting a fully loaded Kodi box will make it easier on you. Usually there are several third party addons that Kodi will use to get access to the latest movies and content. If you don’t like tweaking things to get them “just right”, then buying something “fully loaded” will save you that step. It’s not a necessity by any means, but it will let you skip ahead.
Usually you can purchase the boxes through trusted retailers like Amazon, GeekBuying or GearBest. You can also buy them directly through some retailers like SkyStream or EZ-Stream from the links in this article.
Sorry to burst your bubble but SkyStream customer service is the WORST. I bought one of their boxes and had nothing but trouble. Followed the directions and NOTHING. No movies available anywhere. I FINALLY got a hold of someone in their customer service department and discovered that the box was not loaded with ANYTHING. I had to unplug it and take it to another room in order for him to try and get it loaded over the phone. Took over an HOUR. When I continued to have issues not being able to just plug it in and find movies (that’s how this box is advertised!), I had to leave work an HOUR early in order to catch their customer service during their working hours which are 1 hour later than central time. There are no evening hours that they work or weekends!!! I left work early on TWO occasions just to be able to get my box fixed and talk with their customer service people. One of these instances I specifically told them, “I’ll be calling you about 15 minutes before your quitting time, so WAIT for my call and don’t leave!” Ya you guessed it, No answer. I eventually ended up sending the stupid thing back. They get a -10 customer service rating from me. Sorry.
If I was to buy The Amlogic S912 loaded can I at some stage wipe it? do firmware & upgrades or do they stay locked. I like to play but Kodi is a name I have just discovered.
Also can you convert a phone or pc to a Kodi box.
Also forgot to add do you need a VPN other wise you cant access other countries tv ???
It depends if the content is geo-blocked by location. I have some more info on geo-blocking in my NordVPN review.
Hi John. You can install Kodi on many devices – PC, smartphones, tablets as well as Android boxes and even Android powered TV’s like my Sony X850D. The Android boxes you see on this site are configured like a streaming device with HDMI outputs, USB ports and card slots that your smartphone won’t have.
You can always wipe and resore any Android device. But, you might (read: probably will) lose any apps that the manufacturer installed. You’ll be left with a clean slate to install anything you want. Firmware is a different story. Depending on the manufacturer, you may get consistent updates, or you may get absolutely nothing.
After reading one of your articles last week on boxes that you recommend, I contacted SkyStream to ask what channels were available on their box “as is – right out of the box”.
SkyStream responded that their are no channels available “out of the box”. They apparently do not market themselves as a “loaded” Kodi box that is ready to use for TV viewing. They stated that their boxes are “not designed for live TV”.
Today I received an email from you recommending them as a “fully loaded” box.
This is very conflicting information. For cord cutters, VOD is great, but some live TV is desirable for news, weather, sports, etc. Without live TV available, I don’t consider this anywhere near a well loaded Kodi box.
Android boxes in general aren’t designed for Live TV in the way that a cable box is. Their explanation on that was spot-on. There are third party services or addons that can get live TV. SkyStream even has a Cord Cutting package that includes an OTA antenna. That will get you any local channels that are available in your area. But the way that a streaming device accesses live TV is fundamentally different than your cable TV box so a channel list doesn’t really apply.
Regarding being “fully loaded”, what they said was correct…from a certain point of view.
Legally, in most countries, they can’t pre-configure the box to include addons to get you content that you would otherwise have to pay for. That is piracy, after all.
What box sellers have done to get around that is have an auto-updater app that customers can run after they turn on the box for the first time that configures the box with all of the latest addons. Now, you’re slightly involved in the process by having to make the decision to run the one-click updater app after the purchase. I go into this in more detail in my SkyStream Two review.
Basically, the way that “fully loaded” boxes are sold has changed, but the principal is the same. The sellers are doing the legwork of configuring addons so that you don’t have to.
What fully loaded box for UK please
The laws have changed drastically in the UK, so it’s no longer legal to sell a fully-loaded Kodi box there. If you’re looking for a great box seller with tons of support to help you get the box set up, then I recommend EntertainmentBox in the UK.
First thank you Tim for taking so much time to break this down for us. I’ve read thus whole thing. As a self-confessed Luddite I have to ask a pointed question that I’m afraid was answered but I need to make sure. If I buy one of these two boxes you recommended is there an avenue for me to get movies and tv shows (scrupulously or otherwise) without paying subscription fees? If so, will the companies’ customer service departments walk me through how to do that? I am returning a Bomix and want to make sure I don’t waste my time a second time. Thanks again!
Hi Tiffany. Both of these devices let you install Kodi addons (one click installation) that let you stream many new movies. Obviously this is a legal grey area (see my Is Kodi Legal article for more details). You may have to click on several links to find a stream that works or is in the quality you want, but if saving money is the primary goal, this will definitely do it.
Does any one have comments of The World’s Best Box that runs loaded kodi? I have tried wwit fine resures although, I get “steem not not available” often when I had tried it. Are such messagme typical? I use prime, Netflix, & holu which are dependable.
If you’re using Prime, Netflix and Hulu, why are you spending $349 on a box that won’t work as well as a $60 Fire TV?
Hi Tim. Thank you for the time you have put into this. Couple of questions for you. Are there any set top boxes that you do recommend for live tv? That is what I watch the majority of the times (ie…local broadcast tv shows, NBA,NFL,NCAA,MLB). As far as Skystream 2 is concern, (which I am leaning towards purchase after my 2 year contract is up with DirecTV) after my first initial setup of the auto-updater app, do I need to run it everytime I turn on the device/TV? Do I install Kodi during initial setup or is it already installed?
What I like about both the SkyStream and the EZ-Stream is that they have auto-updater apps for Kodi. So the Kodi that’s put on there from the factory is a clean version – no addons or anything. That way if you want to configure Kodi yourself, you can do that.
But if you want them to set it up for you, all you have to do is click the Updater app and it will configure all the add-ons you’d ever want.
Hey Tim,
Will I have any trouble with SkyStream and/or EZ-stream living in Australia. If so could you give any advice as to what/where to get the Aussie equivalent?
Hi James. Not at all. Either box (any box really) will work as long as you have an Internet connection. Some content may be restricted depending on where you live, which is why I recommend using a VPN for streaming to get around those restrictions.
A heads up for all buyers Tim: W-sh.com sells a lot of knock offs. I paid for a 2G/16G MXQ Pro box and was sent a #hitty box with Rockchip 3229 board. Buyers beware of bait-and-switch. I didn’t know it until I was told to open it and see what was inside after I had “memory full” isues, and the box wouldn’t boot up.Consumers should open and inspect the board upon receipt.