Recommended TV Boxes
Which TV Box Should You Buy In 2023
A lot of people keep asking me which is the best TV Box or what TV Box should they buy. Well the answer to that question is not that easy because everyone has different needs and also different price range. So let’s try to put an order into this question.
This list is always updated when new, worth mentioning devices become available so make sure you visit it again in the future!
-
Amazon Fire TV Stick (Firestick)
US:https://amzn.to/32bL5aB UK:http://amzn.to/1UlJIzd
This is without doubt the most cheap device and also the slowest device but comes handy because of the size and easiness to use. When it comes to KODI it performs pretty decently but if you want to install the latest build, you may struggle. It comes with an excellent remote control, the closed ecosystem from Amazon which you can by-pass by sideloading apps (even though it may be a pain in the ass!). There is no keyboard so you may have to purchase one. Decent but nothing special, just the essential. My opinion, invest 10$ more and get something better or if you want to stick with Amazon, go for the 4K version which is a little more powerful and handles heat better.
-
Amazon Fire TV 4K
US:https://amzn.to/32bL5aB UK:http://amzn.to/1UlJR5P
The next solution from Amazon. Overall is a decent box with excellent build quality. Specs-wise we find a Quad Core CPU (a dual-core at 2.0Ghz & another dual-core CPU at 1.6Ghz), a PowerVR GX6250 GPU, 2Gb of RAM and Dual BAnd Wifi. The only downside is the 4K supported is “just” at 30 fps when the S905X and S912 CPU from Amlogic can deliver easily 4K at 60 fps (fps= frames per second). If you need this device for Amazon Prime content you will be very satisfied. But when it comes to KODI you may look elsewhere at this price and specs. Excellent remote control with voice control (Alexa).
-
Beelink GT1
INT:Gearbest.com/GT1 EU:GeekBuyiingEUROPE/GT1
Powered by an Amlogic S905X2, a Mali G-31 GPU, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, this Android TV Box features also Dual Band WiFi 2.4G and 5G, a Gigabit Ethernet port, USB 3.0 and HDMI 2.0a for real 4K at 60Hz. Pretty impressive for the price and also the specs on such a small device in 2019. It has some lacks, for example there is no Netflix HD/4K and the YouTube app has some issues which can be fixed though by using the Youtube app by Beelink in their App Market. The remote is very good and if you want a device just for KODI and streaming APK, you have a winner here. You can watch my Beelink GT1 Mini review here.
-
Mecool KM9 PRO
US:Amazon Link UK:Amazon Link INT: https://bit.ly/307ANdp
Also powered by an Amlogic S905X2, an ARM Mali G-31, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage this Android TV 9.0 Pie device offers a great overall performance! Snappy interface and multitask, it has a very fast Dual Band WiFi 2.4G and 5G, supports 4K HDR and it is certified by Google with Google Assistant working with the excellent remote control and Chromecast built-in. Also Youtube comes with the Android TV version and it supports the VP9 codec up to 4K / UHD. In my opinion lacks just in two things, it isn’t certified by Netflix so no Netflix HD / 4K unfortunately and the Ethernet port is 100M. For my review on the Mecool KM9 PRO click here.
-
Xiaomi MI BOX S
Fantastic Android TV despite the average specs has a brilliant performance and does exactly what it promises and more! Supports 4K HDR @ 60 FPS and has great audio quality as well. If you are looking for an Android TV device and spending for an NVIDIA Shield is simply too much, this is the best alternative! Now it also supports voice commands from the remote control and comes with the default Google TV launcher as any Android TV device. Powered by an Amlogic S905X and 2GB of RAM it only has 8GB of local storage but you can always use external hard drive. Lacks of an Ethernet port but the WiFi is Dual Band b/g/n/ac 3.Ghz and 5Ghz with great performance. Amazing value for money, highly recommended for anyone that wants to watch NETFLIX in 4K / Netflix HD.
-
Beelink GT KING
INT:https://dimitrology.com/recommends/gtking/ EU:GeekBuying/GTKING
Call it also the Benchmark Monster, this Android 9 TV Box has an incredible performance with top specs! It is the only TV Box that fills the gap towards the NVIDIA Shield, comes with the flagship 64bit CPU by Amlogic S922X which is a Hexa-core CPU (6 cores). The GPU is an ARM Mali-G52 MP6 GPU which is great not only for media but also for gaming. Then he find 4GB of DDR4 RAM, 64GB of internal storage, Dual Band WiFi b/g/n/ac 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz,1000M Ethernet port, 2 X USB 3.0, 1 X USB 2.0, SD Card Slot and HDMI 2.1 for 4K UHD at 75Hz! With one word: powerhouse! The default launcher is it’s weakest point but that you can easily fix by downloading a different one from the already pre-installed Google Play Store! A great plus in my opinion also the excellent air remote control that also supports voice search. You can watch my review of the Beelink GT KING here.
-
Apple TV 4K (ATV 4K)
Call me paranoid but this amazing device when it comes to hardware is also the most expensive to maintain. You can watch almost anything but with a higher price than any other device. In order to install KODI you will need to pay or if you are a very advanced user you may install it for a little less since you still need to pay for a developer certificate. It is sad that such a powerful device with great specs and features isn’t that supported by apps and games. And yeah, that price in totally Apple style is a little too high for what it has to offer. If you want to install KODI on an Apple TV / Apple TV 4K watch this video tutorial with easy-to-follow steps. My personal recommendation, is if you are not an Apple fan-boy and do not care about the Apple Eco-system, there is no reason to buy the device. Nice hardware but lacks third-party support, especially for free.
-
Nvidia Shield TV
US:http://amzn.to/2saK4OP UK:http://amzn.to/2kjlmLd CAN:http://amzn.to/2rMa9Dv
Without doubt the top of the category! Powered by the best CPU, the Tegra X1, the Shield TV is capable of flawless 4K HDR playback, has 3gb of RAM, comes with the most powerful GPU with 256 cores and delivers some exclusive features like PC gaming, voice command, Netflix in 4K HDR, Youtube in 4K, Plex Media Server with hardware transcoding. Even if it uses Android and not a KODI-based OS, the performance in KODI is outstanding! You can install any build you want, the playback is outstanding, it comes with an excellent remote control (the best in the category) and there is a Pro version with 500gb! For gaming is simply the best, comes with a fantastic gamepad for experiencing the best games from Google Play Store and the NVIDIA GeForce Now even the most demanding! For my review on the NVIDIA Shield click here.
Do you have a tv box you feel I missed or had experience with? Please share your thoughts in a comment below. This list will always be updated so feel free to keep visiting whenever you need it!
MyGica ATV1800e or MyGica ATV586
Heard good things about it but never had the pleasure to test on yet.
I have my Gica 1800e as well, and it’s the best, love it!!,.. Minix is early nice too!
Minix works flawless even 4K
I agree great media player and good price
My ugood ut3s would dick any of them other than the shield. This article is bollocks. Firestick shouldn’t even be mentioned. A shitty mxq box is better!
The article tries to include everything, also considering value. There’s no doubt that a box is better than the stick. But you can buy a stick on offer for $19 and that makes it an unbeatable product for it’s value if you just want the basic stuff on KODI.
The Minix 8h plus is what I use and I have no problems with it it has 2Gb ram as well and the qwerty air mouse works great
I have the zidoo x9, I deleted the stock kodi and now run on Jarvis. Everything I through at it works perfectly and I can plug my laptop into the hdmi in port and record off that. Don’t ever see it mentioned so just wondered if anyone else had one
Thanks for your input, gonna check it out too ;)
I have one, it is finally good to find someone else who does
I have the nvidia shield and it is by far the best performing box out there, I also have the zidoo x6 and it’s pretty good as well and I also have the mygica1900ac but I have removed the OS and installed aversion of openelec called ember
Yeah the zidoo X9 looks very good I don’t have it from Spectrum when I write it comes close to the himedia pros 10 butt it has a external hard drive which I don’t like but that’s just personal preference I’d rather have it inside so you don’t see it and it looks more professional but for the most part himedia protein is one of the best boxes that I’ve seen as well as yes the Nvidia Shield is expensive but it’s expensive and most people don’t unless you’re a tech or someone that knows what they’re doing or a gamer you can spend that money but for the same price you can get regular pc I-5 gaming machine that will blow the Nvidia Shield away probably the same price
Wouldn’t buy any of those cheap ones as they don’t work properly ie auto refresh rate change, HD audio passthrough etc. I have owned a shield, acer revo,minix x8h+, setup a minix u1,firesticks,mx boxes and currently have a gt1 and Beelink minimx3 v1 and the minimx3 flashed with Libreelec is the best out of the lot. The shield is only good for games and the official apps.
Which would you recommend between the Beelink GT1 or Mecool BB2
If you mean the Mecool bb2 PRO, the PRO!
No I mean the non pro bb2
What do you think of the X92? Not many reviews. Also which boxes offer the best OS updates, with nougat here, I think support is important for the product’s longevity. Not easy to find this information for different box manufacturers. Also I like the sound of the upcoming beelink gt1 ultimate. Have a choice between the Mecool bb2 pro 3gb, X92 3gb or h96 pro + at the moment.
On paper seems pretty good but I haven’t tested it yet. Until now the Mecool BB2 PRO impressed me more than the H96 PRO+, tomorrow I will start testing also the Ultimate.
my FOMO Streams box sucks!!! freezes, reboots on its own!!! Same as digixstream box did. DO NOT BUY THESE BOXES, just get a box and install dimitrology
Zidoo X9S (also Zidoo X8), Beelink SEA are great boxes. Also been hearing good things about MXIII-GII…supposed to be even better (very slightly) than the GT1 (pricing, wifi and benchmarks).
how do i remove the py script that makes sure the addons are installed on launch?
on the next releases will be automatically deleted on the second re-start of KODI
Hi, Is it also possible to use with all android boxes miracast? Problem mine s7 edge doesnot mirrowing to my samsung smarttv. Therefore looking for streaming from my s7edge to an android box
Also are there too android boxes with pvr by having in and out hdmi and also miracast for my s7edge?
Thanks, John
almost all the devices in this list support miracast, yes!
Dimi i also have the X92 3gb ram 16gb hd version. If you get a chance could you please test and benchmark it against some of the other boxes as I’d like to know how it stands against those. I think it is a great machine runs Kodi and external apps well but without comparing it I really don’t know if it stacks up. Preferably up against the Mecool BB2 Pro as I’m thinking of buying an additional box for another one of my rooms.
Two words NVIDEA SHIELD enough said the end.
Hi D, I bought me the MXQ pro+ 4K…..okay struggling a bit to connect it to router it’s Huawei Mobile WiFi E5573
SAMSUNG SMART 3D TV, Series 7
BLUELOONG ANDROID GAME CONTROLLER WITH WITCH I’M ALSO STRUGGLING
So any info u have, will be appreciated.
I’m from South Africa, Cape Town….so we abit behind lol….
Thnx chat laterr
Have sum vision android box show box and Mobd pics and sound but all builds on one alliance build I’m suddenly only getting pics but no sound anyone any ideas
I would certainly look into the MeCool M8s, Pro L. It has a voice remote, 3 Gb of RAM, and 32 Gb of ROM, I got it from Gearbest during a sale at $65. It runs Android TV so does Netflix at full HD. Certainly beats the Xiaomi Mi Box, but is below the Nvidea Shield.
I just got the mxq pro from wish I haven’t set it up is it a good product or can you suggest which box is better
Hate to break it to you but you just bought an old, outdated box. Will it work, sure? But depending on what you need, this box is 2 years old and not everything will play as needed. That sais, if you just need KODI and some apk, most should play up to 1080p but the 1GB of RAM is now days very low. Any box in this list is better…
Thanks for the recommendation
hi. i want to buy a tv box to watch the new 1080p cosmote tv. so it must not be rooted. also i want to cast(via ethernet, not wirelessly) from my pc chrome browser. any suggestions?
The most affordable for what you are looking for is the Meccol KM1 Classic, here is a link if you want more info and buy one: https://dimitrology.com/recommends/km1-classic/
Unless you plan on ditching your android box within a very short period of time, I think it’s absurd to choose any android box that comes with less than 4GB or RAM, 32 GB or storage, and 1000 Mbps (1 GB) LAN. Cheap 5G wifi chips are usually the first start giving you performance issues. It’s ALWAYS best to use an ethernet cable to connect to the internet.
Another serious consideration is the CPU and chipset. You want the latest that’s tried and tested. It’s easy to slap together chips onto a mainboard and install Android and expect things to work well. That’s rarely the case these days.