Purchasing and setting up an Android TV box is one of the best ways to improve your TV viewing experience.
There is just one problem…
How do you find the right product that fits your budget and your needs?
I created this Best Android TV Box 2017 guide to answer that question and help you find the device that is right for you. If you don’t know anything about streaming boxes yet, I suggest you read this Buying Guide before taking a closer look at our Android TV box reviews.
What is the best Android TV box for 2017?
There are many different brands available so it may seem your choice is endless, but the truth is, not all of them are reputable.
The list below includes only the most trustworthy brands and is compiled based on user recommendations, ratings and information from sites that test these items.
| Ranking | Product | Price Range | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Fire TV (Bestseller) | $ | Learn More |
| 2 | Nvidia Shield TV | $$$ | Learn More |
| 3 | Nvidia Shield TV Pro (Editor's choice) | $$$$ | Learn More |
| 4 | Minix Neo U1 | $$ | Learn More |
| 5 | Skystream ONE | $$ | Learn More |
| 6 | Skystream ONE Cable Cutting Package | $$$ | Learn More |
| 7 | Matricom G-Box Q² | $ - $$$ | Learn More |
| Rating | Product | Price Range | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Fire TV | $ | |
| 2 | Nvidia Shield TV | $$$ | |
| 3 | Nvidia Shield TV Pro | $$$$ | |
| 4 | Minix Neo U1 | $$ | |
| 5 | Skystream ONE | $$ | |
| 6 | Skystream ONE Cable Cutting Package | $$$ | |
| 7 | Matricom G-Box Q² | $ - $$$ | |
1. Amazon Fire TV – Best Plug and Play TV Box
One of the most popular streaming media players available on the market, the Amazon Fire TV is the best “plug and play” TV box on our list.
It is one of the highest selling, and highest rated TV boxes available!
Highlights
- Very easy setup
- Supports 4k for Netflix and Youtube
- Alexa Voice Remote
Setup and Updates
Amazon Fire TV is super easy to set up. It is one of the few TV boxes that can be plugged and then played almost immediately. This makes it suitable for you even if you’re new to the world of streaming media players.
Nothing complicated about updates either:
You just need to be connected to the Internet and software updates automatically download and install.
Overview
With the Fire TV, you get a 4k Ultra High Definition picture quality, high-definition 1080p streaming for non-4k TVs, and Dolby surround sound on supported apps. Amazon Fire TV box is one of the only devices on our list capable of streaming Netflix, Youtube and of course Amazon Video in 4k UHR.
It runs a proprietary version of Android 5.1 Lollipop, but you can’t access the Google Play Store. It supports 7000 plus games and apps, and you can install them from the Amazon App Store.
The Fire TV doesn’t come with Kodi, but you can side-load it anytime.
It also has support for Alexa, the web assistant by Amazon, making the Fire TV voice command operated.
The voice search function is one of the best things about this Android TV box:
You get an almost hands-free experience by having Alexa do all the work for you. It can do pretty much anything you want, from looking up the weather to quick links for shows and movies.
Along with accessing media and games on it, you can even use the Amazon Fire TV box as a search engine, and it will answer your queries immediately.
Some users report issues with the Fire TV remote. Unfortunately, it seems that other devices using Bluetooth within the range of the Amazon hardware can disrupt the connection with the remote. Resetting the Bluetooth settings on the Fire TV should fix the issue.
Tech Support
Amazon is known as the king of support. Aftersales services and their support is not just for third party items that they sell, but also for the items they produce. With call, email, live chat and forum support, Amazon ensures that your issues are dealt with and fast.
Design
The device is about 4.5 inches wide, 4.5 inches long and 0.7 inches thick. It comes with a remote and needs constant electricity to function. The device weighs only 9.5 oz.
All in all, this Android TV box by Amazon is a good device that provides its users with a great, hands-free experience. And if you have an Amazon Prime Account*, the Amazon Fire TV is a blessing for you. With 4k Ultra High Definition picture quality, accompanied by a Dolby surround sound, the Amazon Fire TV elevates your experience from “Meh” to “Wow”.
*Amazon Prime is a paid program that gives members access to e-books, streaming music, videos, free two-day shipping, and other Amazon services and deals.
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 5.1 Lollipop |
| Processor | Quad-Core (Dual Core ARM Cortex A72 @ 2GHz, Dual Core ARM Cortex A53 @ 1.573Ghz) |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD at 30 fps |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual-Band, Dual-Antenna, 802.11ac (MIMO) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes + 7.1 |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | microSD slot |
| HDMI | 1 x 1.4 |
| USB | 1 x 2.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very easy setup | Remote issues |
| Loads very fast | Remote mobile app is glitch |
| Alexa Voice Search | Not compatible with certain 4k HD TVs |
| Excellent support | Kodi not pre-loaded |
| High-resolution 4k HDR support | No HDMI 2.0 |
| Supports 4k streaming for Netflix and Youtube | No USB 3.0 |
| Free Cloud Storage (only for Amazon content) |
2. Nvidia Shield TV – Best Premium Android TV Box
The Nvidia Shield TV Streaming Media Player is the best Android TV box for 2017. With its killer 4k HDR graphics and voice command friendly interface, it truly is the best Android TV device for all those who wish to get more from their TV.
Read our Nvidia Shield TV review to learn more about this streaming box.
Highlights
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- Streams Netflix, Youtube and Amazon Prime Video in 4k
- Expensive
Setup and Updates
Nvidia Shield TV is just as straight-forward to set up like any other TV box on our list. Once you’ve plugged your unit and started it, you can easily set it up using your Google account. To do this, you can either use an Android phone, tablet, or the remote.
Because it is “the streamer for gamers”, there are some gaming and sharing aspects to consider, but once it’s set up, the interface is extremely easy to use.
Naturally, being a premium streaming device that it is, updates are automatic and offered Over the Air.
There was a major update to Shield TV at the beginning of this year. The original 2015 Shield TV was upgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat and SHIELD 5.0.
Overview
All Shield TV boxes now come with 7.0 Nougat, the latest version of the Android OS. It brings quicker navigation, faster access to recently used apps and picture-in-picture support.
Among other changes, the Shield 5.0 update brings the NVIDIA Games app, which replaces the previous Hub app, and the Amazon Video app, which gives you access to thousands of TV shows and movies. Nvidia is also a Diamond Sponsor of Kodi\XBMC.
Netflix is one of the most popular video-on-demand streaming services today, and even though it supports the Ultra High Definition or 4k resolution, not all devices are allowed to get this type of content. Most manufacturers, including some of the more established brands, are not in that Netflix-approved list. Nvidia is an exception to this as it can play Netflix, but also Youtube and Amazon Prime Video in 4k when used with compatible TVs.
Shield TV is also one of the few Android TV boxes with 3GB RAM. It does not, however, come with an IR receiver, meaning your universal remote may not work with Nvidia TV.
Tech Support
With an active online community, the Nvidia website has many FAQs, covering every area of the query, along with a thriving forum section where tech experts and fellow Nvidia owners swiftly deal with all your queries.
Design
The box comes with a Nvidia Shield TV, a remote, a power adapter, a controller and a charging cable for the controller. The Nvidia Shield TV is about 9.5 inches wide, 8.4 inches long and 4 inches high. It weighs a little less than 4 pounds.
It’s worth knowing that when the 2017 version of Shield TV was released, the new box came with a refreshed design, improved controllers and new features. The new compact design is great, but it means that the microSD and micro-USB slots were removed, a move that has angered many.
Shield TV also comes with a new remote that not everyone likes. The company removed the headphone jack and replaced the rechargeable batteries with a 1-year long-life battery.
The Nvidia Shield TV is the best Android box for 2017. It is one of the fastest streaming devices available in the market today and one of the few allowed to stream Netflix in 4k UHR.
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Processor | NVIDIA® Tegra® X1 |
| Memory | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual-Band 802.11ac (MIMO) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes + 7.1 |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | Over USB |
| HDMI | 1 x 2.0 |
| USB | 2 x 3.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Faster than its competitors | Expensive |
| High-resolution 4k HDR support | No IR receiver |
| Supports 4k for Netflix, Youtube and Amazon Prime Video | The removal of the SD card and mini USB slot |
| Can access media from other sources through intranet | New remote with no headphone jack |
| Comes with new redesigned controller |
3. Nvidia Shield TV Pro – Best Android Box for Gaming
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro comes with all that the standard Shield TV has got to offer, but it does come with a couple of major differences. Apart from the price, that is.
Highlights
- 500GB storage
- IR receiver
- Original remote with headphones jack
Here’s what’s different between Shield TV and Shield TV Pro:
Design
As mentioned in our Nvidia Shield TV review above, the 2017 edition came with a refresh, which gave it a new compact design. In fact, the 2017 Shield TV is about half the size of the original box.
The Shield Pro was not redesigned and retains the size of the 2015 box.
Features
While the new compact design of Shield TV means the microSD and micro-USB slots were removed, the Pro retains these slots, and many people are happy with that.
Although the microSD port means you can expand the storage of your TV box and the Micro-USB port gives you a direct connection to your computer, you might not actually need these features. Shield Pro offers over 30 times more storage, and PC connections are possible via one of the USB-A ports anyway.
One of the most important differences is the inclusion of the IR receiver on the Nvidia Pro. The receiver gives you the opportunity to use any universal IR remote with the box. Without it, the universal remote you might already own would be useless.
Storage
Another major difference between Shield TV and Shield TV Pro is the storage capacity. The Shield TV comes with 16GB of internal storage, while the Pro offers a whopping 500GB of storage.
The Pro version is a good choice if you intend to download a lot of games, movies, and TV shows on the box. If not, you will be fine with the standard version as the USB ports allow you to connect an external hard drive for extra storage.
Remote and Controller
Both Shield TV and the Pro come with the redesigned Shield Controller, but depending on which version of the box you buy, you get a different remote.
Shield Pro comes with the original remote, meaning it has batteries that you can recharge via the Micro-USB cable and a headphone jack.
When it comes to deciding which Nvidia device to buy, it all comes down to your preferences. Know that the Pro is more expensive, but comes with 30 times more internal storage, the microSD and micro-USB slots, IR receiver and rechargeable batteries.
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Processor | NVIDIA® Tegra® X1 |
| Memory | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 500 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual-Band 802.11ac (MIMO) |
| IR Receiver | Yes |
| Ethernet | Gigabit |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes + 7.1 |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | Over USB |
| HDMI | 1 x 2.0 |
| USB | 2 x 3.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Micro-USB and microSD slots | Expensive |
| IR receiver | |
| 500 GB internal storage | |
| Headphone jack on remote | |
| Comes with redesigned controller |
4. Minix Neo U1 – Best Android Box for Kodi
With a 64-bit Quad Core, the Minix Neo U1 is described to be the “ultimate home entertainment media hub”. It brings web browsing, real-time and lag-free live streaming and extremely high-definition playback of videos – making it live up to its title.
Our Minix Neo U1 review takes a closer look at this highly rated Android TV box.
Highlights
- Supports 4k UHD at 60 fps
- HDMI 2.0
- Regular updates
Setup and Updates
Setting up this Minix Android TV Box is very easy, just connect it through the HDMI cable to your TV, and you’re almost set. It takes about half a minute to boot, and you can then choose the type of launcher you want to use.
Minix Neo U1 offers regular Over the Air firmware updates, helping you constantly improve its performance.
You can download the updates in two ways:
Using the Minix System Update app, which checks for new updates and automatically prompts you to download and install them.
Using the update section in your device settings.
Overview
As mentioned before, this Android TV box by Minix uses the Amlogic S905 64-bit Quad Core 1.5GHz processor that makes it fast and efficient. Along with it, it supports the full version of the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS, which means you have access to thousands of apps and games from the Google Play Store.
The 4k Ultra High Definition video plays at 60 frames per second (fps) and supports up to 10-bit colour format. This increases the range of colours displayed, adds new depths and vibrant picture quality not offered by any of the previous Media Hubs.
Unfortunately, Minix doesn’t run the official Android TV OS, meaning it’s not able to stream Netflix in HD or 4k. The same goes for Amazon Prime Video.
Minix Neo also comes with its own custom version of Kodi called the “XBMC MINIX Edition”. They are Kodi’s Diamond Sponsors and one of the best Kodi streaming boxes available today!
Tech Support
Minix offers support over email as well as has official forums where all your queries are taken care of by the official tech support team, as well as other Minix Neo U1 owners.
Design
The Neo U1 comes with a small, but highly efficient remote. The Minix Neo U1 is 16.5 inches wide, 12.5 inches long and 13 inches tall. The product is lightweight and weighs about 1 pound.
Manufactured by Minix, a Hong Kong-based company, the Neo U1 is one of the fastest and smoothest TV streaming boxes available in the market today. It comes with a pre-installed version of Kodi (Xbox Media Center), making it extremely easy for first-time users to watch and live stream their favorite TV shows, movies or sports events.
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Processor | Amlogic s905 Quad Core @ 1.5GHz |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual-Band 802.11ac (MIMO) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes + 7.1 |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | microSD slot |
| HDMI | 3 x 2.0 |
| USB | 3 x 2.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent tech support | Expensive |
| Supports 4k at 60 fps | Remote doesn’t work with certain apps |
| Built-in custom version of Kodi | HD streaming unavailable on certain apps |
| Regular updates | No USB 3.0 port |
| HDMI 2.0 | Doesn't stream Netflix or Amazon Prime Video in HD or 4k |
5. Skystream ONE – Best New Android TV Box
The SkyStream One was created with the sole objective of reducing the high cable bills most people pay today and provide them with a cheaper and faster alternative.
The One is sleek, fast, and one of the most powerful streamer boxes available today. Our Skystream One review takes a closer look at this new Android box.
Highlights
- Excellent customer service
- Supports 4k UHDR streaming
- Unique design
Setup and Updates
Setting up Skystream is extremely easy. You need to plug the power cable and then HDMI to your Android box and TV, and you’re ready to go.
Skystream is designed to look for updates automatically, but you can also check for updates through the SkyStream Updater App. It is your go-to place for firmware, app and addon updates, but keep in mind that you need to periodically update the app itself as well. Through the updater app, you can choose between the “Family Friendly” or Adult version of Kodi.
Overview
Skystream ONE comes with Android 5.1.1. Lollipop and offers access to the Google Play Store. Through that, you can download thousands of apps, games, and subscriptions based streaming services.
The ONE runs the fast Amlogic S905 Quad Core processor and comes with 2GB RAM.
Kodi comes pre-installed on ONE, but you can choose between two versions of it. They are completely identical, but the Family version removes any apps that give access to “adult only” viewing.
Skystream supports 4k Ultra High Definition resolution when used with compatible TVs and Full 1080P HD for others. Unfortunately, Skystream One doesn’t meet Netflix’s strict rules, and videos/movies are only available in standard resolution.
Tech support
SkyStream offers a variety of support options for its customers. The customer service team is based in the United States, and you can contact them any time through a toll-free hotline. It also offers access to quick and easy FAQs and an official forum, where all your needs and queries are looked after.
Design
With a white color scheme, as opposed to the usually gray/black one finds Android TV boxes to be, the SkyStream One definitely stands out. Its sleek look and modern and bright, colorful packaging is what makes it different from other similar devices. The TV box is 5 inches wide, 5 inches long and about 1.25 inches tall.
Some people are having problems with the universal remote. The customer service team will help you deal with this problem, but you may want to opt for a wireless keyboard with a touchbad for easier navigation.
The SkyStream ONE Android TV Box is a little heavy on the pocket, but with an Android 5.1 OS, 4K UHDR capability, and a great support network, you are getting your money’s worth!
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Processor | Amlogic Quad Core S905 @ 2GHz |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual Band 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Ethernet | Gigabit |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | microSD slot |
| HDMI | 1 x 2.0 |
| USB | 4 x 2.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent customer support | Expensive |
| Easy setup | Remote issues |
| Comes with pre-installed Kodi and other important apps | Front light is too bright |
| Simple-to-use interface | No USB 3.0 |
| Supports 4k UHD resolution | Doesn't stream Netflix and Youtube in HD or 4k |
6. SkyStream ONE – Cable Cutting Package
The SkyStream One Cable Cutting Package is on our list because it offers a little bit more than just the Skystream One Android box.
It comes with all the same specs and features, but the package includes Skystream’s new Air Mouse and an HDTV indoor antenna, which will both enhance your television watching experience.
The sole purpose of SkyStream is to reduce your dependency on cable and help you save money. They have done that by adding the HDTV indoor antenna that will give you access to all the local HD channels in your area.
The original remote only comes with eight buttons and a D-pad. The new Air Mouse comes with a full QWERTY keyboard, giving you full control over your Android device and offering even programming ability. The mouse uses infrared not the USB signal to turn your box on and off and works in the 30 feet range.
The SkyStream One Air Mouse can also be purchased separately. It connects to your ONE box through the USB dongle and doesn’t need to be paired.
The SkyStream One Cable Cutting Package is a one-time investment that will save you a lot of money in the future. It’s a must buy for anyone who wants to enjoy HD content at low prices.
7. Matricom G-Box Q² – Best Cheap Android TV Box
The G-Box Q² is a step above the previous version, with a faster processor, newer 5.0 Lollipop Andoid OS, and Amazon Prime Video support.
Read our Matricom G-Box Q² review to learn more about the features of this popular Android TV box.
Highlights
- Supports Google Play Store, Amazon Apps and Kodi
- Supports 4K at 30 fps and 3D content
- Android 5.0 OS
Setup and Updates
The G-Box Q² is easy enough to set up with a simple HDMI connection to your TV. Updates are done Over the Air (OTA) automatically, and you can check for them in the system settings too.
Overview
The Matricom G-Box Q2 supports 4k Ultra High Definition streaming and 3D video content.
It upgraded from AmLogic S802 to AmLogic S812, a newer but still not the latest version processor. The upgraded S812 CPU paired with the Mali 450 Octo Quad Core graphics processor offers much faster streaming than the old version.
The G-Box runs the full, unrestricted version of Android 5 Lollipop. This means you have full access to the Google Play Store and most of the apps that work on your smartphone will work on your G-Box too.
Matricom also fully supports Amazon Prime Apps and Video and comes with a built-in Kodi Media Center. This means you pretty much get a 3-in-1 device at the price of one.
Tech Support
Matricom provides tech support in the form of in-store support (in Florida), email support and has a new public forum where their tech experts and community members assist people and answer queries.
Design
The box is 4 inches long, 4 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. It weighs about 8.8 ounces. The device comes with a remote. It has the logo of the company on the top that illuminates when the device is on.
The Matricom G-Box Q² is a handy device and is ideal for you if you want your games, movies, TV shows or videos to be Ultra High Definition without compromising on the speed your device works at.
SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Android OS | Android 5 Lollipop |
| Processor | Amlogic s812 Quad Core @ 2GHz |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Supported Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD at 30 fps |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual Band 802.11 |
| Ethernet | 10/100 |
| 5.1 Audio Passthrough | Yes |
| H.265 Video Decoding | Yes |
| Expandable storage | microSD slot |
| HDMI | 1 x 1.4 |
| USB | 2 x 2.0 |
PROS | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports Google Play Store and Amazon Apps | Runs an older version of Android OS |
| Comes with Kodi pre-loaded | Runs an older CPU processor |
| 4k Ultra High Definition picture quality | Issues with Internet connectivity |
| Supports 3D content | 2.2 firmware update made the box buggy |
| The quality of the remote is a notch above other similar products | No USB 3.0 |
| No HDMI 2 | |
| Doesn't stream Netflix or Youtube in 4k |
Best Android TV Box 2017 – Buyer’s Guide
In case you don’t know what an Android TV box is, here’s a small summary:
An Android TV box is a small device that can be plugged into pretty much any TV to turn it into a fully customizable Smart TV. You can find great smart TV reviews on top7.tech.
Although they are mainly used to stream TV shows and movies, they also support most of the apps and games available in the Google Play and/or Amazon App Store, turning your TV into a multi-functional device.
Android boxes come with different types of hardware, memory, specs, support network, etc. so before you can pick the right Android TV box, let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider.
OS Android 5.1 or Higher
When taking a closer look at the specs of a potential TV box, make sure to check which version of Android it runs. Even some big manufacturers still offer devices with the older Android 4.4 version, so make sure your chosen device comes with Android 5.1 Lollipop or higher.
Devices running the older version may be cheaper, but they won’t come with improved performance, bug fixes or support for the future.
Updates
Make sure the manufacturer of your chosen model offers regular firmware updates. Without them, you may end up with an outdated box sooner than you expected!
Additionally, make sure those they offer those updates over the air (OTA). Some brands still require manual updates, which may end up being too complicated for most people.
Technical Support
Depending on your budget and personal needs, you may opt for a box with a pre-made build or choose to set up your box from scratch. If you do decide to customize it yourself, you need to have at least some technical knowledge as most boxes are not “plug and play.”
Some brands offer technical support over the phone, some brands have built support forums or thorough Frequently Asked Questions pages, but you won’t have these options with many of the cheaper models on sale.
Connectivity
Android TV boxes require the use of Internet to connect you to some of your favorite apps. There are three things to pay attention to in this regard:
First, your Internet connection needs to be fast enough to support the resolution of the video you intend to stream. Most manufacturers recommend a minimum of 4-5Mbps for HD content.
Secondly, some boxes need to be set up with an Ethernet cable; others also support wireless Internet. Keep in mind that there can be significant differences when it comes to how well video is streamed over WiFi versus over a cable. If you intend to use your box over WiFi, check how it’s meant to stream over a wireless setup and make sure it comes with a dual-band router for more power.
Third, if you do run higher speeds and use Fiber Optic Internet, you need to make sure your TV box supports that. Some models use Fast Ethernet, which supports speeds up to 100Mbps, while others come with Gigabit Ethernet which can handle speeds up to 1000Mbps.
Audio Passthrough
Audio passthrough allows you to send the signal from the box to another device without affecting the quality of it. Some sources recommend the box to have a minimum of 5.1 audio passthrough, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have a Home Theatre System and don’t mind using regular (TV) speakers.
Most Android boxes these days come with some sort of passthrough capability anyway, and many are 5.1 surround sound capable.
HDMI 2.0
This is something you should pay attention to if you intend to stream a lot of 4K Ultra High Definition content. Services like Hulu, Netflix, and even Youtube are already offering movies and TV shows in UHD, but these can only be enjoyed uninterrupted if your chosen Android box has the HDMI 2.0 port.
The 2.0 version offers higher bandwidth compared to the older version and is the only way you’ll be able to play 4K videos at a consistent 60 frames per second.
USB Ports
If you plan to use a keyboard/mouse for easier navigation or plug in an external hard drive/a microSD card reader, you might need more than one USB port. Make sure your box comes with a couple of ports, and at least one of them is USB 3.0. The newer version is much faster and more powerful than 2.0.
Devices like speakers, keyboards, etc. don’t require higher speed to work effectively, but if you want to stream movies from a hard drive, you’ll need the 3.0 port to ensure the quality of the video is not affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an Android TV box work?
An Android TV box runs an Android operating system and works just like a smartphone, with the exception of better input/output options and additional add-ons like an air mouse, wireless keyboard, remote control, etc. The box needs to be first connected to your TV via an HDMI cable and then to the Internet via WiFi or Ethernet. After set-up is complete, you can proceed to downloading apps and games.
How to set up an Android TV box?
Setting up an Android TV box is very easy. You first need to plug all the cables and then connect the box to the Internet via Ethernet or WiFi. The process is basically the same as connecting your phone to your chosen network.
The next important step is checking for any firmware and software updates. Then, you’re ready to install your favorite apps and media players like Kodi or Plex.
Please refer to your manufacturer’s instructions for additional information.
How to use an Android TV box?
An Android TV box works very similarly to Android smartphones. If you’re new to this Operating System, you might need some time to get used to it, but it is very simple to understand. The exact interface you have to work with depends on your chosen device.
Which Android TV box is the best?
There are many companies that manufacture Android TV boxes but nothing beats devices produced by Nvidia. The Shield TV and Shield TV Pro come with Nvidia’s latest Tegra X1 processor, Android 7.0 Nougat, the ability to play Netflix, Youtube and Amazon Prime in Ultra High definition, and much more. Amazon Fire TV is the best plug and play TV box and easy to use even if you don’t know much about technology.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, there are quite a few things to look at when choosing your streaming box. Since some of them are pretty expensive, you want to make sure you buy a device that lasts longer than a couple of months.
I hope you got all the information you need to purchase your first TV box. If you have any questions or comments, let us know below.
About the author
Max is a 28-year-old French blogger, passionate about new technologies, outdoor activities and travelling.
He is an online marketing professional, currently working as a Head of SEO in a web agency..
