TOP 6 Best Smart TV Boxes for TV

Smart TV set-top box is a device with which even an old LCD TV will become "smart". Also, the equipment is used to improve the smart capabilities of a modern TV panel. The TV box opens up access to the Internet (connected by cable or wirelessly via Wi-Fi), you can play any media content on it - this is the main functionality, but it is much wider. At the same time, the set-top boxes are compact and practically do not take up space; they can be easily hidden behind the TV or attached to the wall, if the model provides it. The price for them is different, it all depends on the hardware, that is, how efficient the device is, and additional functions. We have compiled a rating of the 6 best TV boxes. Also, the article will discuss the features of such devices and the subtleties of choice. No smart TV can be compared to a good set-top box in terms of smart functionality!

In addition, a relatively fresh TV can be upgraded with a TV set-top box. Even smart TVs with their own smart TVs in 4-6 years will be much inferior in terms of capabilities to a modern set-top box. During this period, the OS on the TV stops updating, applications stop working and the smart TV becomes common, although the picture quality still meets your requirements.

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Android TV box - why you need it

A smart TV box is a mini-computer with its own operating system (usually Android, but there is also iOS). It is connected to a TV set via HDMI or AV cable, and it “turns” an ordinary TV panel into a multimedia device with Internet access. At the same time, the technical characteristics of the TV itself do not play a role, it is only needed as a monitor (of course, the higher the display resolution, the better, because the picture quality depends on it). All functionality is embedded in a TV box, a small box - there is a processor, memory, and all the necessary outputs. Roughly speaking, your TV will become with the functionality of an Android tablet with the ability to install applications (games, programs for watching movies and everything else) from Google Play.

Android set-top boxes have the form flash drives (stick) or boxing... The first ones are small, convenient, inexpensive, but with reduced functionality. In addition, they often fail, as there is no cooling provided in their case, which leads to overheating. A box-shaped smart device is a classic version with more serious parameters. It looks like a regular router, and it has all the necessary inputs / outputs for connecting the Internet, keyboard with mouse, camera, joystick and other peripheral equipment.

The technique, although compact, is capable of many things:

• playback of media content... The format and resolution of videos does not matter - consoles are usually "omnivorous" and can easily play even 4K videos. Usually a media combine is already installed in a TV box, for example, Kodi - it has video content divided into catalogs. In general, there are many programs for playing video, the user himself can select and download them;
• search and watch videos online... In this case, you do not need to download anything to the USB flash drive. There are legal services, for example, Okko and ivi, and illegal ones. The most famous program is HD VideoBox. The user just needs to enter the name of the movie in the search, after which the system will offer the results for playback. Everything takes no more than 5 seconds, and we are talking about films, TV series, cartoons and much more in high quality, with the ability to select an audio track, subtitles;
• Youtube... The popular video service is now on TV. The interface is the same as on mobile devices. Additionally, a special version for children is available - YouTube Kids;
• access to terrestrial TV channels... There are such programs on the TV box.Moreover, there are even more channels than in standard cable packages. As a bonus - an archive, that is, you can watch a program that has already been shown on TV, for example, a football match;
• partially replaces the game console... The TV box works on Android, which means that all the games that support this system are put on it. And that's not to mention the various emulators and NVidia Shield. For convenience, a joystick is connected to the equipment.

How to choose a good TV box for your TV

Choosing a technique is not an easy task, especially if you cannot think of anything in technical terms. What characteristics to consider when choosing an Android TV box:

• CPU... This is the main link in the hardware base of the set-top box. Speed, performance depends on it. It should be noted right away that Apple chips are more productive than analogs installed on Android versions. The new boxes have processors with 4, 6 or 8 cores. And there is one point: the requirements for content and applications are constantly growing, which means that the power is never low. However, if the set-top box is taken just to watch movies from a flash drive, 2 cores are enough;
• video processor... It is required in those boxes that allow the use of games. By today's standards, Mali G is a good graphics accelerator. It can handle 4K resolution without any problems, and at the same time will produce from 60 to 120 FPS. At the same time, the video processor significantly increases the price of equipment;
• RAM... Briefly - RAM. The speed and multitasking of the console depend on this characteristic. Here it is worth starting from the goals: to play content, 1 GB is enough, but if you plan to actively use the capabilities of Smart TV, you will need more - from 2 to 4 GB;
• inner memory... There is never enough free space, as there is always something to download and install. A value of 16 GB is not a bad option. If you plan to play games on the TV box, more space will be needed, preferably 64 or 128 GB.

It also plays a role in how the set-top box will be connected. Option 2: wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired connections. If you want to watch "heavy" videos, with high resolution, you need a good data transmission channel. If the signal from the router reaches the box without any problems, you can also do with the "over the air" connection.

It is worth considering video inputs - groups of ports through which the equipment is connected to the TV. Smart consoles have different inputs, which largely depends on the generation of the model:

• HDMI. A modern connector to which a coaxial cable is connected, capable of transmitting digital in high quality;
• RCA or tulips. Cable with three multi-colored plugs. The video quality will be worse, since the video input pulls the maximum HDTV and FullHD format;
• AV. Audio-video port found on older consoles. Has a low bandwidth, so the picture quality is no more than HD (720p);
• VGA. The same port is available on the PC - a monitor is connected through it. This video input is available in boxes with a built-in video processor.

Rating of the best smart TV boxes

The rating is compiled in descending order. The most functional, reliable and productive models first. TV boxes are cheaper sometimes "lag", but their capabilities are enough to make the old TV "smarter".

In 2019, this console won the title of "most powerful", however, even today not every model is able to compete with it. As for the hardware, inside is a 6-core Amlogic S922X-H processor and a 6-core Mali-G52 video chip. A special feature is also the case, made not of plastic, but of metal. The device is multifunctional, but the emphasis is on games - the TV box is equipped with a cooling system, so it does not heat up under load.

Features GT-King enough to seamlessly display video content in 4K format (with 75 FPS), in addition, the set-top box supports 3D video formats. For game fans, this is a godsend - PUBG Mobile or World of Tanks run at maximum graphics settings.

The manufacturer did not pass by the connoisseurs of sound. This Android box has Dolby DTS, DTS Listen Surround, 7.1 channel audio sound. Installed audio chip DAC-ES 9018, amplifier RT6862, which significantly improves the audio path.

The set includes a multifunctional remote control that supports voice search and air mouse functions.

This TV box, as the name suggests, is designed to play 4K content. The console looks traditionally stylish for Apple: a rectangular matte-glossy body, a rubberized bottom that provides stability, holes for cooling.

To unleash its full potential, it is recommended to connect the box to a 4K TV. The set-top box is also compatible with iOS smartphones and Mac computers. There are no questions about performance: inside 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, an A10X Fusion processor (this was installed in the iPad Pro in 2017).

Works on the AirPlay wireless protocol. At the first launch, the user will see many pre-installed Internet services: Apple Music, HBO, Netflix, Showtime, iTunes and others. Judging by this, we can say that the box is "sharpened" for streaming (no USB port). But there is support for Dolby Vision and HDR10. This is not an Android box, as the gadget works on tvOS, where most of the services are available only with a paid subscription.

Bonus comes the Siri voice assistant (in English) and the stylish remote control (with built-in accelerometer and gyroscope) that acts as a joystick for most Apple TV games.

High-quality Smart TV box running on a 4-core AMlogic S905X3 processor (Cortex-A55 core), with a Mali G31 video chip. RAM is 2 GB, built-in - 16 GB. The memory can be expanded if desired with a microSD card. These characteristics allow the device to easily play streaming 4K 60 FPS videos and new games in high detail downloaded from the Play Market.

X3 CUBE runs on Android 9 OS, on top of which stands the proprietary Ugoos shell, which will delight you with a pleasant and convenient interface. It connects to the Internet directly or via Wi-Fi. There is a Bluetooth module required to connect wireless peripherals. HDMI video input, so the TV box has support for multi-channel audio. Additional connectors on the case: AV, USB 2.0 and 3.0.

The advantage of Ugoos TV boxes is that they do not cause problems at all in terms of firmware. The manufacturer regularly "rolls" new updates, and the update takes place "over the air". What other advantages does the firmware have:

• switching the refresh rate of the screen;
• processing of interlaced media content;
• unlocked Root;
• setting up a gamepad;
• built-in server

It's only recommended to connect the box to the Internet directly with a cable, since the manufacturer uses not the best Wi-Fi modules.

This smart TV box is the best-selling box on Aliexpress. The AMlogic S905X chipset with 4 Cortex-A53 cores and the Mali-450 video accelerator are responsible for the performance.There is 2 GB of RAM, which is enough for watching streaming, 8 GB of internal memory, but you can always connect an external hard drive or USB drive.

OS - Android TV 8.1, adapted specifically for TVs. There is support for the voice assistant Google Assistant (a button on the remote control), the GoogleCast function (broadcasting content from a smartphone to a TV screen), support for playing 4K HDR video, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1. But the performance for these purposes is not enough, there may be slowdowns. With less voluminous videos, things are much better.

Controlling a set-top box is no more difficult than a conventional "smart" TV. At the same time, Mi Box S is a certified device for watching the Netflix service, so there is a special button on its remote control to quickly launch the application. Another advantage is that the set-top box is integrated into the Xiaomi smart home.

The only drawback is the lack of an Ethernet port, which means that the TV box is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

A compact media player from a well-known brand, with Android TV on board, capable of playing content in FullHD resolution. The device connects to the HDMI port and makes a "smart" TV out of a regular TV. Briefly from the capabilities: a variety of streaming services, watching videos from your home network, support for the ChromeCast function.

A media attachment based on the AMlogic S805Y chip works. Video chip - Mali 450, RAM - 1 GB, internal memory - 8 GB. These parameters are enough to play FullHD content.

After the initial setup, the interface opens - the desktop, where you can set the display of applications and collections. There are many preinstalled programs (video services). If something is missing, you can download it from Google Play. At first it seems that 1 GB of RAM is not enough for normal operation, in fact it is enough. There are no lags, no brakes, videos, music from the Internet play quickly. The reaction to commands from the complete control panel is responsive. In short, Mi TV Stick is a well-optimized device, one of the best smart adapters in its form factor.

It is an inexpensive, simple and affordable streaming media player used to watch or listen to content. The device looks like a keychain connected to a TV. It comes with an adapter and a micro-USB cable.

Unlike other media players, there is no Bluetooth support here. But dual-band Wi-Fi is supported, there is micro-USB and a built-in HDMI port. Google Chromecast easily connects to your audio system.

Using the media player is easy, especially since many streaming media playback apps support Chromecast technology. That is, those who have an Android smartphone can transfer any content from the phone to the screen. This is not possible on iOS. Google says the adapter is capable of streaming 1080p video at 60 FPS.

Video: How to choose a good Smart TV box