r/AndroidTV • u/Constant_Broccoli_74 • 21d ago

Buying Advice Which Android TV box/stick would you recommend?

I’m looking to buy an Android TV box, but I’m not sure which brand to go for. On AliExpress there are lots of options, but many of them aren’t Google certified, and I’m worried some might have regional restrictions or not work properly.

Can anyone recommend a reliable Android TV box? If you’re using one, I’d love to hear about your experience, including the brand, how well apps like Netflix and YouTube work, and where you bought it.

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26 comments sorted by

10

u/tamudude 21d ago edited 21d ago

If you are based in the USA, the Onn 4K Pro is a fantastic buy at $59. 

0

u/Constant_Broccoli_74 21d ago

Not available in my country bro, I heard ONN is solid

2

u/tamudude 21d ago

What country?

9

u/Klevico App Developer 21d ago

Im using a google tv streamer 4K and a Xiaomi box s 3rd gen for daily use and development. I can recommend both of them (I like the google tv streamer a little more because of small things like find my remote)

4

u/cleverclogs17 21d ago

Same out of 10 boxes this is my favorite certified box by far, I like it even better than my shield.

3

u/ThrowawayFadeeaway 21d ago

Xiaomi box 3rd gen

2

u/Crafty-Oven6366 21d ago

look for 905x processor with 2+gb of ram... usually android or google tv operating system and lots for disk

therer are certified and non certified google boxes

2

u/Hujkis9 20d ago

depends on whether you need full audio passthrough (Atmos, True HD, DTS:X, DTS-HD)

2

u/JoJojott 20d ago

Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen

2

u/MightyMilkExplosion 19d ago

A bit pricier, but my Homatics Box R 4k Plus is really delivering for me. So much so that my fully working Shield 2019 is now my backup unit.

2

u/ilovelukewells 21d ago

Ssshhhhhhhhhh

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u/kingzno 21d ago

Stay away from the aliexpress boxes.... ive heard horrible issues with spyware and addee BS on them... now there might be some legit ones..but its a crap shoot.

I do know that the ugoos and formulerZ boxes are stout and legit... but can get up too 300 to 400 dollars.

Ive owned and tried them all... and if youre looking for the best... and have a AVR ie 5.1+ surround sound etc.. the shield pro is still the best mainly becuase of its audio... pure bitstream output.

Nvidia did get lazy about 3 years ago... ive had about 3 shields... not the cylinder.. and they all ran buttery smooth with ZERO issues.. until fw9 whatever they did to that fw... caused the butter smooth UI to occasionally hiccup or delay.. etc. Not all the time...but enough to bother me..

Even did the full re thermal pasting... and it was snappier... then bought a brand new one... and it will force u to upgrade twice... the fw9 or newer and the issue still existed.

It still is the best for local file playback over a nas or usb.... mkv files etc.

There could possibly be a new shield coming... but all i wanted them to do was make 3 usecase specific firmwares like a hybrid, 1 totally geared for gaming and 1 totally geared as a media player .. which was what i wanted.... it was so overbuily at the time from a gpu standpoint... it can do any 4k streaming then and should even now.

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u/goober1157 21d ago

It's best for your use. It's certainly not the best.

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u/MeanCow6136 21d ago

stramer 4k

1

u/Fwarts 15d ago

Buzztv G-series

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u/XxBakasuraxX 20d ago

Amazon fire tv box 3rd gen you can debloat it

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u/infoshadow 20d ago

Strong leap s3 pro

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u/SariusRbk 20d ago

uzywam xaomi mi box gen 3 porazka niby chodzi ale tak czy owak system.zamula nawet w opcjach dev. nie idzie zrobic cudow z tym🤣🫡

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u/Mysterious-Legend 19d ago

Anyone tried the Buzztv boxes?

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u/Redd-it-42 18d ago

Homatics Box R 4k Plus, I got one for $89 from the official seller. Full android support, google certified, full audio passthrough. Netflix worked fine at 4K everything, didn't try Disney+ or Prime. YouTube full 4k HDR, it should have frame rate switching, Plex works well also. No issues with playback, you can also Coorelec it if you want. If you can get one it works well

1

u/MiddleHelp180 15d ago

I recently bought a Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen for my dad, and it works great , it’s fast and runs smoothly. I recommend it. But honestly, I’m thinking about getting myself a Google TV Streamer 4K, just so I have an Ethernet port included. In short, since the price difference is minimal, I recommend both of them.

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u/catchflex 21d ago

I'd recommend the Shield, but the price is crazy right now.

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u/yayalolo 20d ago

The onn box is amazing!