Whether you want to use it as a Kodi box, a platform for emulating retro games, or just an all-round media streaming hub, here are the best Android TV boxes you can buy.
1. Nvidia Shield TV
The power user’s Android TV box of choice, the Nvidia Shield TV is an absolute beast. It’s also the most expensive at $179.
Packing a mighty quad-core Tegra X1 processor, 3GB RAM, and 16GB storage (expandable via external USB storage), the Nvidia Shield TV has the specs to match its huge app library via the Play Store and the seemingly endless list of features.
This premium Android box offers 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos, and DTS-X surround sound, has built-in 4K Chromecast support, can be used as a Plex media server, and even doubles up as a smart home hub with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
That’s all without mentioning its gaming credentials, as the Nvidia Shield TV can play Android games, stream PC titles, and stream games via the cloud with GeForce Now. There’s even an option to buy the Shield TV with a Bluetooth controller in addition to the standard remote.
There are rumblings of a 2019 model being in the works, but for now the 2017 Nvidia Shield TV is still the best, most up-to-date Android TV box out there for anyone with money to burn.
2. Xiaomi Mi Box S
Xiaomi
From the high-end to something far more affordable, the $69 Xiaomi Mi Box S is a semi-upgraded version of the Xiaomi Mi Box with identical core specs, but added 4K HDR support. The Mi Box S also comes with Google’s version of Android TV based on Android Oreo and has Google Assistant and Google Cast functionality baked into the box and remote.
Unfortunately, those underpowered specs mean the actual performance for streaming 4K content leaves a lot to be desired, however, if you’re happy with 1080p streaming then the Mi Box S is a solid, cheap alternative to the Nvidia Shield TV.
3. Skystream Three Plus
Skystream
So far we’ve listed devices from recognizable brands, but there are plenty of options out there from companies that you’ve probably never heard of. These devices almost always have an Amlogic SoC and a customized version of Android TV.
Related: 10 best Android TV apps!
One of the more powerful Android TV boxes in this category is the Skystream Three Plus, which has a beefy specs sheet, supports 4K streaming (with Widevine certification for HD Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime), has Kodi pre-installed, and has more ports than you could possibly ever need.
The regular Skystream Three comes with 2GB of RAM, but the more widely available Skystream Three Plus model goes one better with 4GB of RAM (DDR4). It’s not cheap at $149, but there are very few Android TV boxes that come as fully loaded as the Skystream Three Plus.
Those are our picks for the best Android TV boxes. We’ll update this list as new Android TV devices are released.
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