Rankings
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is a high-performance Android TV streaming box with AI-enhanced 4K upscaling and built-in GeForce NOW cloud gaming. Its limited 16 GB internal storage and lack of HDMI 2.1/AV1 support are notable trade-offs. Ideal for power users and gamers seeking premium performance.
The RockTek G2 Chromecast with Android TV 14 delivers 4K UHD playback with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and AV1 support, backed by Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet and a Bluetooth/IR remote with Google Assistant. Thermal throttling and a non-certified Android fork can limit stability and premium app compatibility. Best for budget-conscious users upgrading non-smart TVs who want advanced codec support and casual cloud-gaming via GeForce Now.
The XGIMI White Streaming Dongle is a compact 4K Android TV stick that offers native 4K@60 Hz video, HDR and low-latency gaming support. Its main trade-off is tight integration with the XGIMI ecosystem and the absence of a separate power adapter. It is best suited for owners of XGIMI projectors seeking a cable-free, integrated streaming solution.
The ONN Android TV 4K UHD box offers 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and a voice-controlled remote at a budget-friendly price. It lacks an Ethernet port and has only 2 GB of RAM, which can cause occasional lag. Best suited for cost-conscious cord-cutters who rely on Wi-Fi.
| Attribute | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
— | 60 Hzbest | 60 Hzbest | 60 Hzbest | |
2 GB | 3 GB | 4 GBbest | — | |
8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GBbest | — | |
1 countbest | 1 countbest | 1 countbest | 1 countbest | |
1 count | 2 countbest | 1 count | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 340 g | 250 gbest | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Software(1) | ||||
Operating System | Android TV 10 | Android 11 | Android TV 14 | Android TV |
Display(1) | ||||
Maximum Resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K UHD | 3840x2160 |
Performance(3) | ||||
Processor | Amlogic S905Y2 | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ | Amlogic S905X4-K | — |
GPU | — | 256-core NVIDIA GPU | ARM Mali-G31 MP2 | — |
RAM (GB) | 2 GB | 3 GB | 4 GB | — |
Storage(1) | ||||
Internal Storage (GB) | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | — |
Connectivity(2) | ||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 | — |
Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0+ | Supported |
Ports(1) | ||||
USB Ports (count) | 1 count | 2 count | 1 count | — |
Build & Design(2) | ||||
Weight (g) | 340 g | 250 g | — | — |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | — | 98x159x26 mm mm | 25.4×114.3×114.3 mm mm | 3.3×0.63×1.37 inches mm |
Features(1) | ||||
Remote Type | Voice remote with Google Assistant | Hands-free Google Assistant | Bluetooth/IR remote | — |
Audio(1) | ||||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers agree that the ONN 4K streaming box punches far above its weight class, delivering impressive 4K HDR picture quality, Dolby Atmos audio, and a responsive Google TV experience despite its modest hardware. They commend its value, fast boot times, and solid Wi-Fi performance, while noting the lack of Ethernet and limited RAM as the primary trade-offs.
Everyday users echo the reviewers' praise for price-to-performance, highlighting quick app loading, vibrant 4K streaming, and the convenience of the voice remote and built-in Chromecast. Recurring complaints focus on occasional lag, limited internal storage, no wired networking option, and a basic plastic build.
“best for PC game streaming to TV”
“Excellent 4K@60fps playback with Dolby Vision/HDR10+/AV1 support and auto frame rate/color space matching”
“Modified Android 14 lacks Google certification, leading to inconsistent Play Store/Widevine L1/Netflix 4K support.”
Choose Shield Pro for premium gaming, AI upscaling and guaranteed app certification; choose Rocktek G2 for budget 4K streaming with AV1 support.
Professional reviewers commend the SHIELD TV Pro as a high-performance media powerhouse, emphasizing its AI upscaling, 25% faster Tegra X1+ CPU, dual USB expandability, and robust GeForce NOW 4K cloud gaming. However, they note the hardware design has not changed since 2019 and that it lacks newer interfaces like HDMI 2.1 and AV1 decoding, making it feel a step behind the latest competitors.
Everyday users praise the device for smooth 4K streaming, excellent Plex integration, reliable NVIDIA firmware updates, and powerful GeForce NOW gaming. Recurring complaints focus on the limited 16 GB internal storage, occasional Wi-Fi drops, voice-control glitches, lack of AV1 support, and a setup process that can be daunting for non-technical owners.
Professional reviewers commend the Rocktek G2 for its impressive 4K HDR and AV1 decoding, fast Wi-Fi 6 networking, and convenient voice-enabled remote, positioning it as a strong budget alternative to premium boxes. However, they caution that the non-certified Android fork, thermal throttling, and HDMI limitations diminish its appeal for power users who need guaranteed app certification and advanced gaming features.
Consumers generally appreciate the G2's ability to deliver smooth 4K streaming, reliable casting, and high-quality audio without breaking the bank. Common praise centers on its codec support and network performance, while recurring complaints focus on software update irregularities, remote connectivity issues, and occasional heating during long sessions.
Professional reviewers describe the dongle as the ultimate 4K Android TV upgrade for home theaters, highlighting its breathtaking 4K visuals, premium streaming experience, and hassle-free integration with XGIMI remotes via HDMI-CEC. XGIMI's own blog emphasizes AI-driven content recommendations, Google Assistant voice control, and low-latency gaming support, positioning the device as a transformative add-on for projector-based entertainment.
Everyday XGIMI owners commonly praise the plug-and-play simplicity, the ability to access thousands of Android TV apps, and wireless casting without extra hardware. The main recurring theme of dissatisfaction centers on the product's tight coupling to the XGIMI ecosystem and the absence of a separate power adapter, which limits use with non-XGIMI equipment.
