Rankings
The Google TV Streamer 4K delivers smooth 4K HDR video with Dolby Vision and a voice-controlled remote, backed by 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage. Its main trade-offs are Wi-Fi 5 only and non-expandable storage, which may limit power users. Best suited for families in the Google ecosystem who prioritize streaming quality and smart-home integration.
The MINIX U8K-Ultra is a high-end Android media player delivering true 8K@60 Hz playback with AI-enhanced upscaling and robust connectivity. Its fanless design and bulkier chassis are notable trade-offs. Ideal for home-theater enthusiasts who need premium video and audio support with ample local storage.
The Roku Ultra 2024 is Roku's fastest streaming player, offering 30% faster performance, 4K 60 fps with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, plus a premium rechargeable remote. Its lack of Apple AirPlay 2/HomeKit and a barrel power connector are notable limitations. Ideal for cord-cutters and families seeking top-tier performance and cinematic experience.
The RockTek GX1 is a compact Google TV 12 set-top box that offers 4K UHD streaming with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, backed by a fast Realtek processor and 4 GB of RAM. Its Ethernet is limited to 100 Mbps and the chassis lacks ventilation, which can affect heavy usage. Best suited for users who want a small, Wi-Fi 6-enabled 4K player with strong HDR performance at a reasonable price.
The Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen is a compact 4K streaming box running Google TV with a quad-core CPU, 2 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, excelling in Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and premium HDR/audio support. Its drawbacks are limited RAM and the absence of an Ethernet port, which can affect multitasking and wired stability. Ideal for families and casual streamers who value 4K HDR and voice control without needing heavy multitasking.
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is a premium Android TV streaming media player and micro-console with a powerful Tegra X1+ processor, AI upscaling and support for Dolby Vision, Atmos and GeForce NOW cloud gaming. Its lack of HDMI 2.1, AV1 decoding and limited internal storage make it feel a step behind newer devices. Best suited for power users, gamers and home-theater enthusiasts who need top-tier performance and expandability.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus offers 4K Ultra HD streaming with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi 6, powered by an Alexa Voice Remote and AI-driven search. While it provides premium picture and audio, its 8 GB internal storage is limited and occasional lag can occur under heavy use. Best suited for Alexa-enabled households seeking high-quality 4K streaming.
The Kickpi KP1 is a Google-certified Android TV box with 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage and support for Dolby Atmos and 4K HDR streaming. Its entry-level CPU and 100 Mbps Ethernet may restrict performance for demanding tasks. It fits users who want a compact, voice-controlled streaming device within the Google ecosystem.
The Roku Ultra LT (2023) is a compact 4K streaming player that offers Dolby Vision HDR, a voice remote with private-listening headphones, and Ethernet stability. It lacks a USB port and can suffer from Wi-Fi 5 inconsistencies, which may affect users who rely on wireless connectivity. Best for budget-conscious 4K TV owners who want premium HDR and a dedicated remote with headphones.
The ONN Android TV 4K UHD Streaming Device offers solid 4K HDR performance with Dolby Vision at a very affordable price, featuring a voice remote and built-in Chromecast. Its drawbacks are the absence of Ethernet and modest 2 GB RAM, which can affect multitasking. Ideal for budget-conscious cord-cutters who rely on Wi-Fi and don't need extensive local storage.
Boxy BOXY is a compact Android TV 11 box that delivers certified 4K streaming with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and AV1 codec support, backed by a voice-controlled Bluetooth remote. Its trade-offs include modest 2 GB RAM, limited 100 Mbit/s Ethernet, and a small 16 GB flash storage that can restrict heavy usage. Ideal for home-theater enthusiasts who prioritize premium codec support and streaming certifications.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is a pocket-sized HDMI dongle delivering smooth 4K playback with Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. Its limitations include the absence of AI upscaling and no wired Ethernet, which may affect users in dense network environments. It is best for travelers and secondary TVs where portability and 4K streaming are priorities.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 GB | 3 GB | — | 2 GB | 4 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 8 GBbest | 2 GB | |
4 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | — | 32 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 128 GBbest | 8 GB | |
— | — | — | 1best | — | — | — | 1best | 1best | 1best | 1best | 1best | |
— | 2best | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2best | 1 | 2best | 1 | 2best | 1 | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.018 kgbest | 0.25 kg | 0.045 kg | 0.091 kg | 0.162 kg | 0.167 kg | 0.115 kg | 0.34 kg | 0.5 kg | 0.122 kg | 0.253 kg | 0.028 kg |
2 yearsbest | 1 years | 1 years | — | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 2 yearsbest | — | 1 years | 1 years |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||||||||||||
RAM (GB) | 2 GB | 3 GB | — | 2 GB | 4 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 8 GB | 2 GB |
Processor | — | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ | Mediatek MT8696D | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 | — | Quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex A55/A53 | Realtek RTD1325TPV | Amlogic S905Y2 | Amlogic S905X4-J | Amlogic S905Y4 Quad-core Cortex-A35 | Amlogic S928X-K (Cortex-A76 + Quad-Core Cortex-A55) | Quad-core Cortex-A55 |
GPU | — | 256-core NVIDIA GPU | — | ARM G310 V2 | — | — | Mali-G57 | — | — | ARM Mali-G31 MP2 | ARM G57 MC2 | ARM G310 V2 |
Display(1) | ||||||||||||
Maximum Video Resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K | 4K | 4K | 8K | 4K |
Storage(1) | ||||||||||||
Internal Storage (GB) | 4 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | — | 32 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 128 GB | 8 GB |
Connectivity(3) | ||||||||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 6 | Wi‑Fi 5 | Wi‑Fi 6 | Wi‑Fi 6 | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 | 802.11ac | 802.11ac dual-band | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 | Wi‑Fi 6 |
Bluetooth Version | headphone mode | 5.0 | Bluetooth | 5.2/5.3 | 5.1 | — | 5.2 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | — | 5.2 |
Ethernet Port | true | true | — | false | true | true | true | false | true | true | true | false |
Audio(1) | ||||||||||||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, DTS‑X, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Audio | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital | Dolby Atmos passthrough, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos (TrueHD + MAT), DTS:X, DSD/SACD, FLAC | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS HD |
Ports(2) | ||||||||||||
HDMI Version | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.0b | — | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.1 | — | HDMI 2.1 | 2.1 | HDMI 2.1 | — |
USB Ports | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Controls(1) | ||||||||||||
Remote Type | Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with backlit buttons | Hands‑free Google Assistant | Alexa Voice Remote | Bluetooth voice remote | Voice remote | Voice remote with headphones | Voice Remote | Voice remote with Google Assistant | Bluetooth remote with microphone and IR | Voice remote | — | Bluetooth voice remote |
Software(1) | ||||||||||||
Operating System | — | Android 11 (Android TV) | Fire OS | Google TV | Android TV OS | Roku OS | Google TV 12 | Google TV (Android TV 10) | Android TV 11 | Android TV 12.0 | Android AOSP 11 | Google TV |
General(1) | ||||||||||||
Warranty (years) | 2 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 2 years | — | 1 years | 1 years |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||||||||
Weight (kg) | 0.018 kg | 0.25 kg | 0.0454 kg | 0.091 kg | 0.162 kg | 0.167 kg | 0.115 kg | 0.34 kg | 0.5 kg | 0.122 kg | 0.253 kg | 0.028 kg |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 4.9×1.0×5.0 in mm | 6.26×3.86×1.02 in mm | 38.6x17.5x141.2 mm mm | 97x17x97 mm mm | 76.2×25.4×162.56 mm mm | 25.4x124.4x127 mm mm | 93.98x22.86x93.98 mm mm | — | 100 x 20 x 100 mm mm | 96 mm × 23 mm × 96 mm mm | 128x28x128 mm mm | 90x40x165 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers hail the Roku Ultra 2024 as the most powerful and fastest Roku device, emphasizing its lightning-fast interface, seamless 4K/Dolby Vision/HDR10+ playback, and premium remote that together deliver a cinematic experience for any living-room setup.
Everyday users consistently praise the ultra-fast app launches, smooth 4K streaming over Wi-Fi 6, and the convenience of the Voice Remote Pro with its finder and headphone jack, while recurring complaints focus on shipping limitations, the barrel-style power connector, and occasional Wi-Fi range concerns.
“best for PC game streaming to TV”
“fast streaming, easy to setup, great apps”
“Works fast... perfect for streaming.”
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, while noting the hardware design has not changed since 2019 and lacks newer interfaces like HDMI 2.1 and AV1 decoding.
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 Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for its lightning-fast app starts, fluid navigation, and AI-driven search that feels smarter than previous generations. They highlight the premium picture and audio quality from Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, as well as the added value of Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming. Wi-Fi 6 is praised for delivering reliable 4K streaming even on congested networks, though reviewers note minor lag under heavy use and the limited 8 GB storage compared to the 4K Max.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the device's speed, easy setup, and high-quality 4K/Wi-Fi 6 performance, often calling it "fast streaming, easy to setup, great apps" and noting its suitability for small spaces thanks to the HDMI extender. Recurring complaints focus on occasional lag and the limited internal storage, but overall satisfaction remains high.
Professional reviewers praise the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen for its substantial storage upgrade, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and full Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos support, calling it a solid, compact home media player with a clean Google TV interface. However, they criticize the limited 2 GB RAM and the absence of an Ethernet port, noting that these constraints may affect heavy multitasking and wired network stability.
Everyday users love the device's smooth 4K streaming, generous 32 GB storage and easy voice-remote operation, especially when enjoying Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision content. The most common complaints revolve around the 2 GB RAM causing occasional lag, UI sluggishness, and the lack of a wired Ethernet option.
Professional reviewers commend the Google TV Streamer 4K for its fluid 4K video playback, rapid app switching, and extensive Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos support, while also highlighting the value of Gemini voice integration and Matter/Thread smart-home features. However, they criticize the lack of Wi-Fi 6, the fixed 32 GB storage without expansion, and the limited gaming performance, questioning whether the specs justify its 2024 price for power users.
Everyday users praise the device for seamless 4K streaming, quick app launches, reliable Ethernet connectivity, and the convenience of a voice remote, noting the noticeable speed boost over older Chromecasts. Recurring complaints focus on Wi-Fi 5 bandwidth constraints, the inability to expand storage, and insufficient power for gaming.
Professional reviewers commend the Ultra LT for delivering a full-size Roku Ultra experience in a smaller, cheaper package, especially noting its solid 4K 60 fps performance, Dolby Vision support, and Ethernet stability. However, they flag the missing USB port and limited GPU details as notable compromises.
Everyday users consistently highlight the device's sharp 4K picture, fast UI, and convenient voice remote with headphones, while recurring complaints focus on the lack of USB connectivity and occasional Wi-Fi reliability issues.
Professional reviewers commend the GX1 for its striking Dolby Vision and HDR10+ performance at 2160p60, smooth AV1 playback, and the polished Google TV 12 experience. However, they point out the 100 Mbps Ethernet as a bottleneck for high-bitrate local streaming and note the absence of VC-1 support and limited ventilation as drawbacks for power users.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the GX1's video and audio quality, compact size, and responsive interface, often calling it a top-line product that outshines competitors. The most common complaints revolve around screen-resize issues on certain LCD TVs and the lack of Gigabit Ethernet for heavy NAS-based media consumption.
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.
Professional commentary is limited to a single YouTube overview, which praises Boxy's premium codec support, ISO 4K Dolby Vision playback and Netflix certification, while calling out the Ethernet speed ceiling and modest RAM/storage as the main compromises.
No consumer reviews or ratings were found in the research, indicating that everyday users have not publicly shared feedback on Boxy yet.
Professional reviewers commend the U8K-Ultra for its reliable 8K@60Hz decoding, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, ample RAM and storage, and stable performance, while noting that AI upscaling is helpful but not revolutionary and that the fanless design and larger size are minor drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently praise the flawless high-resolution playback, expandability via USB and micro-SD, and the robust hardware decoder, with occasional concerns about the bulkier chassis and the limited thermal headroom of the fanless design.
Professional reviewers praise the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) for delivering performance on par with much larger TV boxes, highlighting its smooth interface and substantial CPU/GPU improvements, while noting the lack of AI upscaling as the main drawback.
Everyday users consistently commend the device for its lag‑free 4K streaming, portable form factor, and responsive UI, with few complaints aside from the missing AI super‑resolution capability.
