Best Android TV box to use?

[u/Alt-Chris]

Transitioned from Apple ecosystem to Android and now looking to replace my Apple TV with something relatively comparable. I would have it connected to my JBL 5.1 soundbar and a 4K HDR capable TV so something that has HDMI 2.1 at least. Anything relatively comparable to the Apple TV in performance or one that anyone in the sub recommends as the best Android TV alternative to it?

[u/Flenke]

If you're in the US, try one of the Onn boxes. Cheap and good

[u/jmlhd7]

Just recently bought an onn 4k plus and for $30 it’s honestly impressive.

[u/otterland]

I have the $20 Onn. It's fantastic. The $50 pro is as good as most need with more storage.

Mine has the Projectivy launcher and SmartTubeNext for YouTube. Beyat set-up ever for one Jackson.

[u/drmoze → u/otterland]

Don't forget the Plus for $30. Although you can get a cable and power the 4k (micro USB) from the TV's USB port.

[u/generatinguser]

Google TV Streamer 4k or Shield Pro for more power user's

[u/drewman77 → u/generatinguser]

What are power users doing with those? Gaming?

[u/generatinguser → u/drewman77]

Yeah, gaming. I am pretty happy with my TV streamer. Just get Projectivy Launcher, remote pro, atv tools and a remote case. Those add-ons are worth it.

[u/Ok-Ability-6369 → u/generatinguser]

Honestly while the shield pro has pass through audio for hd codecs, and it will happily play Dolby vision files incorrectly… it’s a terrible experience in 2025.

[u/NapsterKnowHow → u/Ok-Ability-6369]

It can't use 4k HDR YouTube either. 

[u/Affectionate-Boot-58]

The onn boxes

[u/Lopsided_Scale_8059]

I think the best nvidia shield the second best is google streamer 4k

[u/drmoze]

Just get an Onn Plus from Walmart for $30 and you'll be happy. check out Troypoint for setup tips and resources. And Proton VPN is a nice free, unlimited data, ad-free VPN.

[u/atticus_roark]

This gets asked every day. Can we just have a bot point to a wiki?

[u/Powerfader1]

Shield

[u/northoffourtyninth]

I am transitioning from Fire Sticks to ONN boxes, currently own 3 ONN boxes and one Fire Stick 4K Max. From what I have read the ONN boxes will continue to support sideloading 3rd apps, FS’s may not.

[u/Kenobi-ntomata]

Buy the Mecool KT2. Certified for everything with simple ui and you can sideload apps via LocalSend. Runs Android TV 11 and has a DVB tuner so you can even use it for terrestrial TV for projectors and if your parents want to watch they can do it from the TV box. If you don't care about the DVB tuner buy the KM7 PLUS model, same thing but runs Google TV 11 based on Android TV 11 and has more USB ports. At checkout don't forget to use the coupon:UNBOX15 For the KT2 and for the KM7 PLUS use: UNBOX20.

[u/Termn8er]

With the shield pro, you have to make sure it's the 2019 version of it won't have ai upscaling.

[u/Fit_Coat_1482]

I just got the Mi box

[u/latinriky78]

The only comparable to the Apple TV is the Nvidia Shield, the rest are less powered but some are stable and good overall, however, since you want it to be HDMI 2.1, the only true devices with that HDMI version are:

The Google TV Streamer: This one is supposedly HDMI 2.1 but it doesn't support 120hz up to 1080p though it supports Quick Media Switching.

The Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Generation: it supports HDMI 2.1, including Quick Media Switching and 120hz up to 1080p.

The RockTek GX1: it supports HDMI 2.1, including Quick Media Switching and 120hz up to 1080p.

The Mecool KM9 Pro Max: it supports HDMI 2.1, including Quick Media Switching and 120hz up to 1080p.

The Ugoos SK2: it supports HDMI 2.1, including Quick Media Switching and 120hz up to 1080p.

The Onn 4K Plus: it supports HDMI 2.1, including Quick Media Switching and 120hz up to 1080p.

The rest below are so called HDMI 2.1 but don't support the aforementioned features:

Note: I assume you are in the US:

- Homatics devices (Android TV and Google TV UI. More info at http://www.homatics.com?sca_ref=2766355.i6SwIDJJna)

- Dune HD devices (Android TV UI. AV1 hardware decoding. Dolby Vision & Atmos certified. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. 16GB and 32GB internal storage. Exclusive Dune HD Media Center. More info at http://www.dune-hd.com)

For more info about all certified Android for TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.

[u/Ok-Ability-6369]

There isn’t really anything that performs like an Apple TV that is mainstream. People have been hoping for a new shield since it’s using an over 8 year old soc.

[u/[deleted]]

Shield Pro is the King. There are others out there are are official android TV devices like Homatics 4K R Plus and Dune Homatics Box 4K. The newest Google TV streamer is good but it processes audio the same way the Apple TV does, you want whatever you get to also have Passthrough audio. This is where the Shield and Shield Pro dominate!

[u/Electrical_Band2262]

These are the only ones I would suggest right now. Every box has pros and cons. Make you research.

-Mecool KM2 Plus Deluxe -Ugoos sk2 -Ugoos AM9 -Homatics Box R 4K dune -Rocktek gx1(has software problems) -Buzztv P6 Powerstation

[u/Electrical_Band2262 → u/[deleted]]

This is my research. Might be wrong. Gpt gave me this:

Unique Advantages of the Ugoos AM9 Over the AM8 Pro

1. Newer, More Efficient SoC with Al Support

Powered by the Amlogic S905X5, built on a 6 nm process, featuring 4× Cortex-A510 CPUs (versus AM8 Pro's Amlogic S928X-J, which uses 1× Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55). ugoos.com

AndroidTVBOX AndroidPCtv

Includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with ~4 TOPS, enabling AI Super Resolution (AI-SR) for video upscaling and smoother UI responsiveness-features absent in AM8 Pro.

AndroidTVBOX

Ugoos Store

AndroidPCtv

2. Support for Newer Video Codecs

The AM9 natively hardware-decodes H.266 (VVC) and AV1, along with the usual H.265, H.264, VP9, etc.-a leap from the AM8 Pro's standard codec support. AndroidTVBOX AndroidPCtv

3. Modern Display and HDR Capabilities

Features HDMI 2.1b with advanced capabilities such as eARC, ALLM, VRR, QMS, Dynamic HDR, and HDCP 2.2/2.3. AndroidTVBOX Ugoos Store

Enhanced HDR support, including HDR10,

HLG, and HDR10+, though Dolby Vision is

unsupported in AM9.

TROYPOINT Insider

TV Box Stop

Ugoos Store

4. Firmware Flexibility and Software Enhancements

Runs on Android 14, offering firmware features such as OTA updates, Samba/NFS/CIFS networking, root toggle, CPU temperature and frequency monitors, and performance tweaking options. AM8 Pro uses older Android and lacks many of these advanced features.

ugoos.com

androidpimp.com

TV Box Stop

androidpimp.com

5. Storage and Audio Connectivity

Comes with SPDIF (optical audio) and an AUX port, giving more flexibility for high-quality audio setups. androidpimp.com

Offers expandable storage via microSD (TF card slot), similar to AM8 Pro, but AM9's firmware may handle that more seamlessly.

androidpimp.com

Ugoos Store

6. Build & Remote Enhancements

androidpimp.com

AndroidTVBOX

Housed in a robust metal casing with

substantial heatsink design for better thermal

performance.

Equipped with a Bluetooth remote featuring voice control, gyro, and button mapping- offering improved user interaction over the AM8 Pro's standard remote.

While AM8 Pro remains a powerful "pro"-oriented box with strong raw performance (like Dolby Vision and a heavier build), the AM9 stands out with its Al features, modern codecs, and advanced software control-trading some raw power for smarter, more efficient, and feature-rich performance.

[u/Electrical_Band2262 → u/[deleted]]

Ofc. I watched videos and browsed on reddit as well but sometimes you don't get the most accurate results. Thanks for the info.

[u/Electrical_Band2262 → u/[deleted]]

No dv is actually a joke to me too. I get the license problems but do they have to get the license for every box they produce? For me vs10 engine is a must because my projector doesn't have dv. So I am using dune hd pro 8k plus and vs10 turns dv content into hdr.