Are you looking for affordable 4K streaming device then in this article we’re going to be checking out the five best Android TV boxes I made this list based on my personal opinion and hours of research and I have listed them based on price, design, features, and picture quality.
I have included options for every type of consumer so if you’re looking for an affordable 4k streaming device or a powerhouse media machine we will have the product for you if you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned ensure to check the links in the description.
- Best excellent choice - NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
- Best Good performance - NVIDIA SHIELD TV
- Best overall - Mi Box S Xiaomi Original
Table of Contents
The 5 best Android TV Boxes 2020 are:
- Fire TV Stick 4K
- Roku Express HD
- Mi Box S Xiaomi Original
- NVIDIA SHIELD TV
- NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
- The most powerful 4K streaming media stick.
- Watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO, and more. Stream for free with Pluto, IMDB TV, and more.
- Launch and control content with the Alexa Voice Remote.
The fifth product on our best android TV box list is the Fire TV Stick 4K. This is our best value android TV box. 4K is not difficult for streaming and is the full focus of the Fire TV Stick 4K. It is specifically designed for those who want 4K gaming without paying a high fee and without sacrificing the content they like to watch.
The device itself is just 4 inches long with an HDMI connector and a micro USB port that also comes with an HDMI extender if you have trouble fitting it on the back of your TV. The device was designed for easy setup with a simple plug-and-play approach. Once connected to the TV a set of instructions are received by the user to sign in with their Amazon account.
Prime members who appreciate the ease of use here because it will automatically detect your subscription and provide you with the appropriate content, the Fire Stick comes with a remote control with Alexa support as well as traditional controls for volume and navigation are included. Alexa will detect vocal commands with the push of a button on the remote and allow you to find the content you want while enabling voice-controlled playback at the same time.
It can also take control of your TV volume control, reducing the need for multiple remotes around the living room. The device runs on Fire TV OS which is an easy to navigate user-friendly interface that not only promotes Amazon’s own content, but also Netflix and other third-party content providers. The 4K streaming performance is superb and can handle UHD or HDR media for full Ultra High Definition support.
This is largely due to the Quad-Core CPU and 8 GB of RAM that powers the device as well as excellent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The device does not come to sleep in its absence with the Ethernet port leaving Wi-Fi hardware and the results are excellent. There is even support for 5G home networks.
Key Features
- Versatile: You can watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO and more streams for free with Pluto IMDB TV, and more.
- AI Assisted: It launches and controls content with the Alexa Voice Remote.
- Excellent Video: You can enjoy brilliant picture with access to 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Huge Content Library: You can choose from 5000,000 movies and TV episodes on Amazon Prime as well as Netflix and other streaming services.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great Quality
- Speed Interface
Cons
- No Ethernet
Affordable: Priced under $50, it is an excellent low-cost 4K streaming solution.
Great Quality: This device supports HDR 10 and UHD 4K standards covering all the bases.
Speed Interface: The Fire OS interface is as fast and responsive as Alexa voice functionality.
No Ethernet: This device does not come with an Ethernet port for wire connectivity.
It costs $50, a set of Fire Stick TV 4K and forgets it like a device. The goal is to get you streaming 4K content from the smallest mess. Plug it in, follow the prompts, and enjoy a versatile very fast 4K experience with no slowdown or lag in speaking.
- New Disney and Apple TV are now streaming on all Roku devices
- Streaming made easy: Roku express lets you stream free, live and premium tv over the internet right to your tv; it’s perfect for new users, secondary tvs and easy gifting but powerful enough for seasoned pros
The fourth product in our list of the best Android TV box is Roku Express HD. This is our best budget Roku TV box. Roku offers a great option for cost-conscious buyers looking for a great TV box that does not need to be sacrificed completely to get the job done. This is a basic extremely easy to use device that can be set up in just minutes so that you can watch your favorite programs.
It is one of the most popular OS interfaces in the TV streaming world. The Roku Express is just 3.4 inches long, so it won’t take up too much space when connected to your TV. It is powered by a micro USB port that comes with an adapter to plug it directly into the TV which is great for users with compatible sets. Every Express comes with a 2-foot long HDMI cable and adhesive tape to situate Roku in the best location available.
The only caveat is required to produce a straight line between the unit and the included remote control and users should keep this in mind during setup. Roku OS complements the device’s less powerful hardware components by demanding less from them. It is one of the most well-known and respected OS interfaces ever designed for a TV box and Roku continues to trend here.
It is very easy to navigate and find the right content you want and Roku will also give you suggestions. Netflix, Amazon, HBO and Google Play support are all here, including many others, and with 3,500 channels to choose from, there is no shortage of things to watch. Image quality may not match Firestick TV properly as it only handles 1080p video. This is expected from the device at this price range.
However, the Full HD quality is still very good and more than adequate for such a device. The included remote control has basic navigation buttons that you will need including some shortcut buttons for popular streaming platforms unlike the FireStack TV 4K. However, it lacks a built-in microphone for voice searching. This can be offset by installing the Roku app on your smart phone which is an excellent program that can handle voice search and give you a flexible alternative to the remote.
Key Features
- Streaming Made Easy: Roku Express lets you stream free live and premium TV on the Internet on your TV. It is perfect for new users, secondary TVs, and easy gifting but powerful enough for seasoned pros.
- Quick and easy setup: Just plug in your TV with the included high-speed HDMI cable and connect to the Internet to get started.
- Tons of Power: Compact and power-packed, you will easily stream your favorites from movies and series to Apple, TV Plus, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus, Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to Cable alternatives, such as Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation View, enjoy the most talked-about TV in free and paid channels.
- Low cost: The Roku Express streaming device for $30 includes a high-speed HDMI cable and no monthly device achievement. With access to free TV on hundreds of channels, there is plenty to stream without spending extra.
- Simple Remote: This remote features shortcut buttons for popular streaming channels are incredibly easy to use.
- Endless Entertainment: Stream including free TV, live news, sports, and more. Never use award-winning shows, the latest blockbuster hits, and more than 500,000 movies and TV episodes that you love and cut back on the cable TV bill.
- Free Channels: Stream live TV, 24/7 news, sports, movies, shows, and more on the Roku channel, as well as a large collection of free entertainment from the top channels featured.
Pros
- Very Affordable
- Roku OS
Cons
- No 4K
- Basic Remote
Very Affordable: Roku Express offers great value for under $30.
Roku OS: This device includes one of the most iconic interfaces in the market, full Roku OS support.
No 4K: This device can only stream 1080p.
Basic Remote: This device features a traditional IR remote requiring direct line-of-sight with the Roku box.
The Roku Express HD is perfect at $30 for those who don’t need 4K video or technical bells and whistles and simply desire good streaming content for an affordable price. It is slightly lower on the remote control and does not offer 4K like the Firestuck TV on our list, but it makes up for it with Roku interface functionality.
- Mi Box S is powered by Android 8.1, easy to use and supports Google Assistant and Chromecast as well as delivering a world of content the whole family can enjoy
- Compatible with thousands of apps, giving you access to tons of premium video services and a constant stream of fresh new content
The third product in our list of the best Android TV boxes is the Mi Box S Xiaomi Original. This is a great value Android TV box. The MI Box S Xiaomi is a 3.5-inch by 3.5-inch set-top TV box that features 4k support in a small affordable package. This is a good option for those who want less restriction than the Amazon or Roku interfaces and enough for it to stand apart as a contender.
It includes an HDMI port, a USB port, and a 3.5mm audio port for a minimal port. Powering it is as easy as connecting the HDMI cable and following some on-screen instructions. Xiaomi is a lot more Google-centric than the previous devices in our list, even going so far as to offer Google Assistant support. 4K support also includes HDR.
With the built-in Android TV 8.1 functionality, anyone can access a wide range of apps from Google Cast to Play. The device is powered by a Quad-Core Cortex-A53 CPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and 5 GHz Wi-Fi capabilities with Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. It supports a plethora of video codes, including H.264, MPEG-4, MOV, and MKV playback, but the image quality is not quite as good as the Fire Stick TV 4K or Roku Express.
On the audio side, Xiaomi supports Dolby DTS. The Android TV navigation app is very clean thanks in large part to Google’s similar design, which looks about the same regardless of what it is. It is easy to find the content you want without any hassle. However, Minimal Remote Control does not provide as many functions as the previous TV box on our list, only providing two basic navigation buttons and two buttons for Netflix and Live TV.
A lot of content can be found from major streaming networks such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Pandora, Crackle, and Spotify to name but a few but no support for Amazon videos that Prime members want to note. The inclusion of Google Assistant is a win by pairing with TV to query your search commands.
Key Features
- Google Centric: MI Box S is powered by Android 8.1, is easy to use, and supports Google's Assistant and Chromecast as well as delivering a world of content that the whole family can enjoy.
- Lots of content: This unit is compatible with thousands of apps, giving you tons of premium video services and a continuous stream of fresh new content.
- Good Tech: It has a 4K output resolution of 3840 by 2140. The CPU is a Cortex-A53 quad-core 64-bit. The GPU is Mali-450. The RAM is 2GB DDR3. The storage is 8GB eMMC and the operating system is an Android 8.1.
Pros
- Affordable
- Google Centric
Cons
- Basic Remote
- Picture Quality
Affordable: Priced under $60, this device is an affordable 4K Reddy streaming solution.
Google Centric: This device integrates more closely with traditional Google interfaces and apps, including Google Assistants.
Basic Remote: Remote control lacks the bells and whistles of others in its class.
Picture Quality: This device does not offer good picture quality like the others in its class.
Fast. Really Fast. SHIELD TV takes media streaming to a whole new level, powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, SHIELD TV is the world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player.
The second product on our Best Android TV Box list is NVIDIA SHIELD TV. This is a great overall Android TV box. The NVIDIA SHIELD TV is a great Android TV device that focuses on powerful hardware to maximize your viewing experience. NVIDIA has packed too much into this small tubular device, while still offering great value for those who want a 4K ready TV within an acceptable price point.
An NVIDIA TEGRA X1 PROCESSOR gives the heart of the shield TV allowing for 4K videos from all major content providers including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video and YouTube to name just a few. If you have content, it fulfills your choice. The video come alive thanks to the shield support for Dolby Vision HDR, as well as Dolby Atmos support for powerful surround sound when paired with your home theater.
Even your low-resolution TV shows and movies have the skills of non-4K content. This version of Shield TV does away with its predecessors with an angled box design favoring tubular modules with Ethernet port, power indicators, HDMI ports, and micro-SD, which reduces its footprint and connects to your TV and makes it easy to do. No need to worry about placement either thanks to the shields advanced Bluetooth support.
In fact, you compare a multitude of devices to shields, including keyboards and mice. Sadly, the lack of a USB port prevents the ability to increase storage capacity via external drives. It comes with an intuitive remote that has all the necessary navigation buttons and a dedicated Netflix button, as well as a built-in mic for Google, assisted voice commands that allow you to find content easily and quickly. It is a device built for convenience first and foremost.
Key Features
- Very fast: The latest upgraded NVIDIA Tegra X1 + processor offers 25% faster performance than the previous generation. This makes shield TV hands-down the world's most powerful Android TV streaming media player.
- Cinematic Experience: Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound, providing ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio. Enhance HD video to 4K in real-time for clear, crisper visuals using the power of next-generation AI upscaling and NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processors.
- Powerful design: design with gigabit Ethernet, dual-band AC Wi-Fi, a built-in power supply and a micro SD card slot for storage expansion. It is powerful, feature-rich and made for behind-the-scenes. The all-new remote is more advanced than ever with motion-activated, backlit buttons, including user-customizable buttons. With voice control, Bluetooth, IR control for your TV and a built-in lost remote locator, you have the most advanced remote yet.
- Unlimited Entertainment: You get the most 4K content of any streaming media player. Watch Netflix, Amazon video, Vudu in crisp 4k HDR, YouTube, Hulu Live, Google Play Movies & TV and more in 4k.
Pros
- Small and Dedicated
- Powerful
- Great Remote
Cons
- No USB port
Small and Dedicated: Shield TV is a small device that opens up a lot of placement options and does not require direct line-of-vision for a remote.
Powerful: The NVIDIA Tegra X1 + processor are much faster and more capable of handling 4k HDR content.
Great Remote: The shield TV offers a robust remote control with a built-in mic for voice assistance functions.
No USB port: The lack of a USB port makes it impossible to expand device storage through the use of an external hard drive.
At $150 the NVIDIA SHIELD TV is a small device with an incredible amount of hardware under the hood, loved by those at the cutting edge of TV streaming device technology. It doesn’t necessarily focus on razor-sharp 4K content and lots of options for gaming like the Shield TV Pro, but it’s good for those who don’t care much about gaming and will focus on rather multimedia content.
The Best of the Best. SHIELD TV delivers an amazing Android TV streaming media player experience, thanks to the new NVIDIA Tegra X1+ chip. Enhance HD video in real-time to 4K for clearer, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling. 2x USB 3.0 ports for storage expansion, USB cameras, keyboards, controllers, and more. Plex Media Server built-in, 3 GB RAM, and 16 GB storage.
The first product on our best Android TV box list is the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro. This is our best overall Android TV box. NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is the king of Android TV boxes due to its incredible feature set and powerful hardware that can throw anything and then some. This machine not only handles 4K from almost every provider, but does so with HDR processing and the ability to play video games which is a great addition to the family living room.
NVIDIA SHIELD runs on a powerful NVIDIA TEGRA X1 chip that can easily deal with 4K video in an upscale traditional Full HD content at the same time. This is an excellent feature to enhance the quality of your favorite shows and movies that are not in 4k. It includes 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for setting up your favorite streaming apps as well as unlocks support for third party apps.
NVIDIA SHIELD TV offers the distinction of being able to stream games from your gaming PC to the device via GeForce Experience software for low-end high-quality gaming on your TV. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair any compatible game controller with the device for instant gaming. It also includes GeForce Now integration and Google Play game support for making ready-made games easy.
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV incorporates Dolby Vision technology with HDR support for vivid deep blacks and bright photos, while Dolby Atmos technology can pump amazing multi-channel surround sound to your home theater system. The remote control includes all the functions needed for navigation, a voice search button, an IR blaster to control your TV, and even a lost remote locator as well as Google Assistant functionality.
This device comes with two USB 3.0 ports that can be used to connect a thumb drive or act as an expansion port for an external hard drive. It is compatible with cameras, keyboards and mice and can also act as a Plex server with built-in support. It also includes a high-capacity Ethernet port, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
The integration of a media-centric streaming box and a game compatible device means that the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is an all-purpose addition to the living room making it perfect for the entire family with the best quality 4K video playback and ability to play videogame at the same time. The expandable USB storage options make it a device on which you can build without worrying about inherent constraints.
Key Features
- Hardware: This device includes an NVIDIA TEGRA X1 + chip to enhance HD video to 4K in real-time for clear, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling.
- Dolby Support: Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR and surround sound with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus to deliver ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio.
- Versatility: Shield TV Pro level gives you more storage space, 2x USB 3.0 ports expansion capability, Plex Media Server and premium android gaming.
- Content: Enjoy the most 4K HDR content of any streaming media player, and access to thousands of apps and games, including top apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Hulu. The most comprehensive of music services including Amazon Music and Spotify listen from the collection. Add a game controller (sold separately) and play today's most popular games such as Fortnight and GeForce Now.
- Voice Control: Built-in Google Assistant allows you to search content and deliver navigation commands to the shield for ease of use.
Pros
- Powerful Streamer
- Gaming Ready
- Expandable Storage
Cons
- No Controller
- Limited Storage
Powerful Streamer: This device is possibly the most powerful 4K streamer on the market.
Gaming Ready: This device can play games natively or stream ultra-power games from your PC to your TV.
Expandable Storage: The storage of this device can be extended with an external drive plugged into its USB 3.0 port.
No Controller: The shield TV Pro does not come with a gaming controller included.
Limited Storage: This device includes very low storage capacity which increases the possibility of expansion.
The $200 price point of NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is an indicator of the overall design of the device that keeps costs down while offering a premium level TV box. It is an amazing Android TV box that produces great 4K playback, giving families and friends a choice of games on the side.
