So, we are in 2018 which can be considered as the changing point of media streaming and entertainment world where people are more comfortable with watching movies, serials, dramas online than on their normal TV network. And that’s not all customers of this era want their gadgets to be smart and enabled with the factor of multi-utility which should provide them with all the superb features and apps all at one place.
In this article, we will be talking about the best Android TV boxes and not some ordinary TV box. These will be the best Android TV boxes which mean these will be running on Android OS which supports most of
the amazing features offered by streaming media players that a normal TV user could not even dream of achieving. These TV boxes can convert your old boring TV into a Smart TV with just little investment.
So, what exactly is there which makes these 8 Android boxes stand out so much? Well, exactly not only these 8 best Android TV box support a software called KODI which is the best media player software used by millions of people. Also much more software Like Netflix, Hulu Tv etc.
| TV Device | Controls | Special Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi box | Remote | Voice UI | Check Price |
| NVidia Shield TV Pro | Remote | Voice UI, Game streaming and Controller | Check Price |
| Q-Box 4K | Remote | Kodi and Media Services Optimized | Check Price |
| Minix Neo U1 TV Box | Remote | Kodi and Media Services Optimized | Check Price |
| SkyStream ONE | Remote | Kodi and Media Services Optimized | Check Price |
| Kitbox X92 | Remote | Kodi and Media Services Optimized | Check Price |
| NEXBOX A1 | Remote | Kodi and Media Services Optimized | Check Price |
| Amazon Fire Tv Box | Remote | Kodi and Best for casting | Check Price |
It is very necessary to know everything about the product you are going to buy. So here we have listed the features and important things you should know about the Android TV Box.
Display Quality:
By the display quality of the Android Box, we mean that Output of the Box. If you see HD is a not enough for the Users so now the time is 4K quality. The Output Display Quality is the important thing you need to check.
Hardware & Software:
Hardware is the thing how to run your Android Apps and another thing without any hassle. So always buy the Android TV box who offers you a nice hardware quality like RAM & ROM and Chipset which is embedded into the Box. Talking about the Android TV box, software is the important thing you need to consider. You must take a look at the Android system which is running in the Android Tv Box.
Ports:
Port is things which let you connect the Box with Display units and other peripherals. But no of the port is not the only thing you need to check it should be latest also like USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0 as well.
Media Player Compatible:
Talking about the Media Player Compatibility then Kodi is the first one which comes to every user’s mind. Kodi is the unparalleled open source, free software used by the multimedia player to turn any device running Linux, Win, IOS, OS X, & Android into a powerhouse multimedia player. Kodi has handy features that include powers to stream directly through the internet or watch and collect your favorite series collection. The other Kodi alternative as Plex, Emby, Mediaportal, Playon etc is also compatible with Your android tv box. Well, we have listed only those which support the Kodi and other media player.
Media Servies Compatible
A user also wants Media Services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime are also compatible with these Android Tv Box. Actually, we only listed those Tv Boxes who have these services. Because these are the most popular Media Apps which almost every user use. So, they also need that the tv box they are buying also compatible with them.
Feature which Every Android TV box Should Have
- Android 5.1 Lollipop (or higher)
- OTA Firmware Updates
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.0
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and or Gigabit Ethernet
- The latest version of Kodi
- Casting
8 Best Android Tv Box for Kodi and Other Streaming Services
1. Xiaomi Mi Box Android Tv – Best Android TV Box
As we all know Xiaomi never settles at one product and the versatility of its range of products completely defines this. This Xiaomi Mi Box comes with a sleek and stylish material design and supports 4K & HDR video playback. It comes with Android version 6.0 Marshmallow along with a Cortex A53 2.0 GHz Quad core processor that runs alongside 2 GB RAM and it also has Mali 450 GPU engine to boost the gaming experience further more.
It costs you not more than 70$ which is considerably the biggest pros of this TV box. The Mi Box comes with the fastest Wi-Fi band and also has a Dolby Digital Plus & DTS multichannel HD audio encoding. As the Mi Box comes with Android 6.0 you can just go to the play store and download the official KODI app and you’re good to go.
The another best thing about the Xiaomi Tv box is you can control the Box through Voice. Yes, you heard right, the voice UI controller is a great way to control the TV box but there is one thing missing File manager. Overall the Xiaomi Tv box is the great option along with it is budget friendly also.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Android 6.0 | ⊗ File Manager is not pre installed. |
| √ 2 GB RAM & 16 GB ROM | |
| √ 4K Display Quality | |
| √ Voice UI |
2. Nvidia Shield TV Pro
Well for those who don’t know much about this TV box the Nvidia Shield TV comes in two variants one is Shield TV and the other is Shield TV pro as the names suggests both have their benefits but the Pro version can be considered as the prime choice for users as it comes with extra benefits
The Nvidia Shield Pro comes with Android 7.0 Nougat and has the unequaled Nvidia Tegra X1 processor along with 256-core Maxwell GPU for boosting its performance even more. This is considered as the most advanced and power packed mobile processor ever built that has powers to deliver 8 times better performance than Amazon Fire TV and 34 times better performance than Apple TV. And this is not all this product is the only TV box capable of running 4K, H.265 & even VP9 videos at 60 fps and do that without breaking a sweat.
There is no doubt in terms of the Performance by the Nvidia. This Tv box is special design for the Game lover. Along with the Tv box, you have also got the Controller for the better gaming performance and control on the tv box. The Price of the Tv box might be an issue but you won’t feel regret of that.
It comes with full support of Dolby Digital Plus making the overall experience more realistic. Another best thing here is the cool looking pair of controllers that are enabled with Google voice search. Where one is for gaming while the other is for multimedia consumption.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Best Tv box for the Game lover | ⊗ Too expensive |
| √ Game Controller is in the box | |
| √ 4K Display output | |
| √ Running On the Android 7.0 |
3. Q-Box 4K
The Q-box 4K has been manufactured by Tonbux Technology and looks slightly off the track but don’t go with the looks as it comes with the built quality same as to benchmarks like Amazon or Nvidia boxes. At the price range of $60, this could be nice Tv box. This device comes with an Amlogic S905 Quad core ARM Cortex-A53processor clocking upto 2.0 GHz along with Penta-core Mali-45MP GPU and 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage capacity it can stream videos upto 4K and also has an optical audio out as well as compatibility with external storage.
To make things easier it comes preloaded with apps like Netflix, YouTube & Kodi. Furthermore, you can also update Kodi and add additional features to it without even worrying about initial Kodi setup.To add more space with Tv box you also have the memory card slot and better connectivity 2 USB, 1 HDMI port is available for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Preinstalled Netflix, Kodi | ⊗ Not Good for Gaming |
| √ Budget friendly |
4. Minix Neo U1 TV Box
The Minix Neo U1 TV box is specially made for those who want to simply unwrap it plug it into the TV and starts watching it right out of the box as it already has Kodi Pre-installed which makes things much easier for new users. The highlighting features found here is an external upgradable Wi-Fi antenna that provides exquisite signal reception even though your home modems or routers are on the other side of your house.
Other prime features found here include 10-bit color format support. It also has 4K video playback at 60fps with increased dynamic range and inimitable performance. The Minix Neo U1 has an Amlogic S905 SoC along with a Quad core ARM Cortex A53 64 bit CPU clocking at 2.0 GHZ it also has a Penta-core Mali-450 GPU for the powerful gaming experience. These will be supported by 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ The Great Responsive Tv box | ⊗ As far the users didn’t face any kind of issue |
| √ A lot of media streaming apps are preinstalled | |
| √ Fast processor and responsive graphics |
5. SkyStream ONE
Not a big name into the Streaming Devices but still having a good reputation. The SkyStream One Streaming Media Player gives you instant access to your favorite streaming applications for endless hours of entertainment. You can get instant access to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, Youtube and more.
The live tv streaming is not supported by the all TV box but SkyStream is not a normal TV box like others. Here you can watch live tv using applications like SlingTV, which includes almost all the channel as ESPN, HGTV, TNT, AMC, Food Network, ABC Family and more! Listen to your favorite music using streaming applications like Pandora, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio or you can install any app if you want.
Talking about the specification the SkyStream is may be small but packs a streaming punch like no other player on the market. It is powered by a lightning fast 64-bit quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and 1 SD Card slot helps you to expand your storage. The 4 USB ports, 1 HDMI output for better connectivity with your TV. The 2 Gb RAM will let you run any App and Games seamlessly without any lack. The SkyStream is a 4K HD Streaming box which let you stream the video or games on the 4K quality.
In software point of view, the SkyStream is running on the Android 5.1 Lollipop. It is not the latest Android but still performs nicely. The streaming quality and the versatility of the TV box is unmatchable. As you can see it is able to play all the music, Videos, and Live Tv from the most of the popular channel and App as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ The Great Responsive Tv box | ⊗ Setup this Tv box is slightly hard. |
| √ Capable of playing most 4K videos at 60fps | |
| √ 4 UDB Ports are available |
6.Kitbox X92
The users who are looking for a Good configuration TV box which can run all of your Apps and Games seamlessly then Kit Box X92 is the best for you. The Kit Box X92 is the TV box comes with the 3GB DDR3 RAM with Android 6.0 which improve performance. There is another version of this TV Box with 2GB RAM so keep that in mind before buying it. In my personal suggestion that goes with the 3GB RAM option. Like MiniMix it also has an external antenna and a neat LCD display on the front of the box. This feature is only available in the latest Tv box.This X92 TV box will handle all type of the media like Videos, music etc. The X92 support 4K video quality, the processor of the TV Box made this very easy and impressive. The 3GB of RAM made the faster data transfer rates. You can easily do the customization and setup the TV box with your TV.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Comes in two variants 2GB/3GB RAM | ⊗ Responsive time is high |
| √ Gaming Performance is Nice | |
| √ Box have the notification screen | |
| √ Wi-Fi antenna for better connectivity |
7. NEXBOX A1
NEXBOX is not a big brand like others but still bringing the latest Android TV Boxes equipped with the newest technology to your home. The NEXBOX A1 is powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow and running on the Octa-Core Chipset. NEXBOX A1 Android TV Box has the 2 USB Port, 1HDMI Port(2.0), 1 LAN, and 1 DCI port. The latest intelligent streaming media players featuring 4K Ultra-HD support powered by the Amlogic S912 SoC.
The TV box is Powered by the 1.5GHz octa-core 64 bit ARM Cortex-A53 with tri-core ARM Mali-T820 graphics. The integrated dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Gigabit LAN makes connectivity a breeze for any installation wired or wireless. The Dual-Band Wifi enhances the connectivity of TV box. The best part is in this tv box you are getting the Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Browser, Hulu Plus pre-installed. So Now you can watch & listen to music and movies. You can also download any app from the play store for additional control on the feature.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Stereo Audio quality | ⊗ Video Quality Is not Good |
| √ Pre-installed apps are available | ⊗ Not able to Play 4K at 30fps |
8. Amazon Fire Tv Box
Well, we all have heard about Amazon and yes this is also one of its many products which are made by Amazon only, & obviously available at Amazon only. Although for those who really don’t give the budget a thought or certainly don’t care about prices should have gone with Nvidia Shield Pro. But, for others who do care about the money, the Amazon Fire TV is a much better option as this media player supports 4K, has voice control and also the most popular media player software Kodi.
Although installing Kodi here is not like others because Amazon goes with the policy of using apps available on their own store but this player also allows side loading and if you want to know more about it please search for it and you will get the solution right away. Even without Kodi, this Firestick has lots more to offer you can stream over 300,000 TV movies & episodes and enjoy features like Alexa, or play games or download other apps from its store of over 7000 apps, or listen to unlimited range of songs which are streamable on Amazon Fire TV box through providers like Pandora & Amazon Music.
| Pros | Cons |
| √ Best Tv box for Streaming | ⊗ Not an Android Tv box |
| √ Multi-search is a great option | ⊗ Prioritizes Amazon content |
| √ Ready to play streaming just plung it | |
| √ Running On Fire OS |
- Tanix TX3 Review Mini Android TV Box Supports Kodi, Netflix & Other Streaming Services
Over To You
We have listed out some of the Best Android TV Box for you. Not only Tv box along with their specifications, features, positives, negatives aspect also. Before going with anyone you need to know about everything about that so we also have provided the buying guide for the Android Tv box. Each and every product listed here is unique in its own manner. So feel free to go through all the Android TV Box listed here, compare their features and get the one best for you and your family.