The best Android TV boxes are more than just media streamers - they are versatile devices that provide countless entertainment forms with the utmost ease, right from your living room.
Like the Fire TV Stick and Roku Express media players, Android TV boxes provide all of the mainstream subscription and free streaming platforms, such as Prime Video and Netflix, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. However, unlike these devices, the boxes are not restricted by a television-based operating system - they run on, and no prizes for guessing this - Android, the same system found in smartphones. The Android platform, a Google property, allows the TV boxes to download all that the Play Store offers. This includes media and streaming apps, but also games and services. Savvy tech-heads can even sideload software if they are so inclined.
Android TV boxes also have a lot more computing power than a media stick, which allows them to perform much more testing processes - hence their suitability for gaming, both local and streamed. They can also play host to popular services like Plex and Plex Media Servers. They have internal storage that allows for locally stored videos and media to be accessed, and their Bluetooth connectivity can link up to keyboard, mouse, and gaming controllers and headsets.
As Android is a Google property, you’ll find many carrying Google Assistant for voice control and Google Home compatibility. Those who prefer Alexa won't be disappointed either, as compatibility with Amazon's assistant is extremely common.
What we look for in the best Android TV boxes:
Brand Recognition
The technology behind an Android TV box is positively rudimentary by contemporary standards. While that does mean that impressive things are achievable at reasonable prices, it also means that many devices found online may boast great stats and features but are, in fact, unreliable and poorly made. To ensure the best experience possible, stick to reputable brands with proven track records in providing what’s advertised.
Memory
Memory, both read-only and random-access, are key to the performance of an Android TV box. RAM, working alongside the processor, will drive the device’s performance. To prevent lag, drag and general sluggishness, 2GB is the minimum here. While important for all users, those looking to game will want to pay particular attention to this.
Storage memory is important to note too. 8GB will work for most users and 16GB will be positively roomy. Those wanting to store content locally will be glad to know that USB and microSD ports can be used to extend a device’s memory.
Cinematic Assistance
While all the best Android TV boxes offer 4K UHD payback, some extras can really optimise this ability. Upscaling tech will help elevate all media to the crispness of 4K, while the like of Dolby Vision will add more life via HDR. Of course, cinema isn’t all about the visuals - audio is hugely important, too. A device with Dolby Atmos will give some of the best home-entertainment sounds possible, so long as compatible TVs and soundbars are at hand.
Interfaces
A HDMI 2.0 connection is necessary for a 4K UHD player, but it’s the additional interfaces that help set Android TV boxes apart from one another. USB connections allow for external storage and local playback, with USB 3.0 outperforming USB 2.0 in read/write speeds. MicroSD cards are used to the same end.
When it comes to connecting to the world wide web, in-built WiFi is going to offer plenty of flexibility. However, ethernet ports will help the TV box maintain a stable connection to the internet, which will give heavy streamers and gamers extra peace of mind.
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The best Android TV boxes:
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
Nvidia Shield TV
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Fire TV Cube
Xiaomi Mi Box S
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
The best Android TV box
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is an incredibly versatile and powerful, and is our favourite Android TV box around.
In addition to the essential subscription services, Google Play and Chromecast, the Pro comes with PLEX Media Server preinstalled. It runs at 4K UHD with a smart and efficient upscaling AI maximising the visual quality of all content. Dolby Vision is here too, taking care of the HDR, while Dolby Atmos provides the 3D-sound (so long as there’s a TV, soundbar or speaker system that can handle it). The 3GB RAM and NVIDIA® Tegra® X1+ Processor have plenty of grunt for optimum performance, even on more demanding tasks. Users can expand the 16GB onboard memory and play media files via the two USB 3.0 ports.
The SHIELD Remote is just as good, featuring backlit buttons, Bluetooth connectivity, IR blasters, voice commands and a lost-remote locator.
True to NVIDIA’s gaming credentials, in addition to the games offered on Google Play, the Pro allows for cloud-based gaming service over a range of titles, from Fortnite and The Witcher 3, through to Apex Legends and Worms W.M.D. A gamepad can be connected via Bluetooth.
Features:
Android 9.0 Pie | 4K HDR | AI Upscaling | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | 16GB Storage | NVIDIA® Tegra® X1+ Processor | 256-core NVIDIA GPU | 3GB RAM | 16GB Storage | NVIDIA GeForce NOW | NVIDIA Share | Chromecast 4K | Google Assistant | Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatible
Interfaces:
HDMI 2.0b | USB 3.0 x2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | WiFi | Ethernet
Size:
98 x 159 x 259 mm, 250g
Nvidia Shield TV
The second best Android TV box
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The Nvidia Shield TV is the little sister of the Pro, carrying a similar feature set within a smaller form factor, and with a little less power (it still flies compared to most, though). Google Play and the related services, Netflix, Prime Video and PLEX are all on board, as are Dolby Vision and Atmos. The resolution sits at 4K UHD, with AI upscaling.
The NVIDIA® Tegra® X1+ Processor runs alongside 2GB RAM, with 8GB storage which can be expanded via microSD. Games can be played from local storage or the cloud service.
Features:
Android 9.0 Pie | 4K HDR | AI Upscaling | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | NVIDIA® Tegra® X1+ Processor | 256-core NVIDIA GPU | 2GB RAM | 8GB Storage | NVIDIA GeForce NOW | NVIDIA Share | Chromecast 4K | Google Assistant | Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatible
Interfaces:
HDMI 2.0b | MicroSD | Bluetooth 5.0 | WiFi | Ethernet
Size:
40 x 165 x 40mm, 137g
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Best user experience
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Though its name is a bit uninspired, the Google Chromecast with Google TV is the best implementation of Chromecast we’ve seen. It combines easy device streaming with Android TV to provide the most well-rounded device Google has offered thus far.
The convenience of the Chromecast functionality is here and operate as standard. It allows users to stream movies, YouTube videos and music directly to a TV from their smartphone, tablet or computer.
Bolstering this valuable if limited tech is the Android-powered Google TV, a platform compatible with over 6,000 TV apps, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. Catch-up apps are supported, so BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All4 are here, too. The user interface is superb, presenting the user with information cleanly and offering up genuinely solid, curated recommendations. As a Google device, Google Assistant is on board, offering up its excellent and responsive voice-control for improved user navigation.
The Google Chromecast with Google TV can output in 4K UHD and supports Dolby Vision. Dolby Atmos is here to provide cinematic sound (when paired with a compatible speaker or soundbar).
Features:
Google TV OS | Google Chromecast | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Google Assistant
Interface:
HDMI | WiFi | Bluetooth
Size:
125 x 60 x 160 mm, 55g
Fire TV Cube
Best for large and smart entertainment systems
Amazon does a pretty good job of hiding the fact that, underneath its Fire TV skin sits an Android base, courtesy of Google. For many, that Fire TV landscape is a big draw - it’s clean, easy to use and intuitive. Others, who are not embedded in the Amazon ecosystem with Prime memberships and Alexa devices, will find it more restrictive with its forwarding of Amazon services and reduced app choice.
While some of the versatility found in the likes of the NVIDIA Shield Pro is absent here, there’s still plenty to get excited about. Naturally, Amazon Prime Video takes centre stage on the home screen, but other on-demand and subscription services are readily available, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. There are plenty of other great utilities available, including Plex, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Pluto TV and even Roku. For those who are confident with tech, adjustable settings allow apps from outside the Fire OS system to be installed, too.
The main reason for getting a Fire TV Cube over a Fire TV Stick is the IR cube, which allows speakers, AV unit, game consoles, Blu-ray players, satellite boxes and other media streamers to be controlled via voice command. The system quickly gets to know the user's preference too, so voice commands can get shorter over time. This is in addition to the Alexa, Ring, Hive and Echo smart home integration that we’ve all become accustomed to.
Features:
Fire TV OS | 4K UHD | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Hexa-core Processor | ARM Mali G52-MP2 GPU | 2GB RAM | 16GB Storage | Amazon Alexa
Interface:
HDMI | WiFi | Bluetooth 5.0 | Ethernet
Size:
86 x 77 x 86mm, 465g
Xiaomi Mi Box S
Affordable, low-profile
The Xiaomi Mi S is a user-friendly entry-level Android TV box. The Android 8.1 OS is easy to set up and operate, with Google Assistant only adding to the convenience. The 2GB ram is nice and nippy for streaming and Google Play gaming, while the USB 2.0 connection allows for external media to be viewed and explored. This, plus Chromecast streaming, makes the Mi Box S a very versatile little device. The remote control is similar in form and operation to the Fire TV or Roku devices, complete with a dedicated quick button to launch Netflix.
Some UK-centric native apps like BBC iPlayer and Freeview are not supported - though they can be streamed through Chromecast.
Features:
Android 8.1 Oreo | 4K UHD | Dolby Audio | DTS 2.0+Digital Out | Cortex-A53 Quad-core 64bit Processor | Mali-450 GPU | 2GB RAM | 8GB Storage | Chromecast | Google Assistant
Interfaces:
HDMI 2.0a x1 | USB 2.0 x1 | Audio Out x 1 | Bluetooth 4.2 | WiFi
Size:
20 x 140 x 100 mm, 145g
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