Top 9 Best TV Boxes: Inexpensive, Gaming, and Smart TV
Set-top boxes are designed not only for games, but also for watching digital TV. Analogue channels are gradually becoming a thing of the past, but not all TVs support digital signal. The best TV boxes will help you get access to it. The assortment of such products is really huge, so choosing the right device is not difficult. This will help an overview of the best models, ranging from budget ones to gaming and smart TVs.
Rating of budget TV boxes
The main function of models in this category is to provide the user with access to digital channels. Simple devices are tuners intended only for viewing digital content. More advanced models additionally have access to Android TV. Budget media players are easy to set up, require no specialized maintenance, and do the job well. Four models are recognized as the best in this category.
NEXBOX A95X Pro
This model has many useful features. Among them - the presence of a regular Android TV and voice control. The device also supports control of the remote control. It is included and has a built-in microphone. There is no air mouse function, but the device copes with switching perfectly. The console is built on a stripped-down Amlogic S905W chip, so it is not suitable for games. The gadget supports most of the file formats (MKV, AVI, MPG, MP4, RM, etc.), including audio and graphic, and is suitable for a wide range of users. The body has stereo audio, optical, HDMI and composite video outputs. There is the ability to connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, via a fixed Ethernet cable and USB-connector. Together with a weight of only 0.8 kg, this makes this model one of the best for home use.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 7.1 |
| HD support | 4K UHD |
| Processor / Chipset | Amlogic S905W |
| RAM size | 048 Mb |
pros
- remote control with microphone included;
- support for Android TV;
- voice search function;
- supports microSD and microSDHC memory cards;
- affordable cost.
Minuses
- does not support Google Cast technology;
- some users are complaining about unstable Wi-Fi connection.
TV Box X96 mini
One of the simplest and most convenient TV boxes to use. The device runs on Android OS and provides high-quality viewing of videos from YouTube or movies from online cinemas. Users appreciate the convenience of connecting to IPTV. A functional remote control is provided in the kit, but if desired, the user can set up an ordinary TV remote control to control the set-top box. Another obvious plus of the device is its compactness. The device fits easily in the palm of your hand, so you can take it with you on business trips or to the country. In the back of the case there are an Ethernet port, HDMI and AV inputs, and on the side wall there are two USB ports and a microSD card reader with a capacity of up to 64 GB. The holes for mounting on the wall or to the back of the TV are located at the bottom of the set-top box.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 7.1.2 |
| HD support | 4K UHD |
| Processor / Chipset | Amlogic S905W |
| RAM size | 2 GB |
pros
- democratic cost;
- remote IR receiver with high sensitivity;
- remote control included;
- RAM 2 GB;
- Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 GHz band.
Minuses
- the factory cooling system requires improvement;
- Android OS is sometimes buggy.
World Vision Foros Combo T2 / S2
An inexpensive but reliable combo receiver based on the GX6605 processor has enough functionality for home use. It supports reception of satellite channels of the DVB-S / S2 standard. The body has a built-in terrestrial-cable tuner that supports reception of digital channels of the DBV-T / T2 and DVB-C standard. Additionally, there is a connection to a wireless Internet via a Wi-Fi adapter based on Ralink RT5370 and Mediatek 7601 chips.Thanks to this, the user will be able to watch videos from YouTube and online cinemas.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android |
| HD support | 720p, 1080i, 1080p |
| Processor / Chipset | GX6605 |
| RAM size | 64 MB |
pros
- support for HD 750p and 1080p;
- there is a delayed viewing mode;
- remote control included;
- compact dimensions (130x30x65 mm);
- easy setup.
Minuses
- not a very high quality remote control;
- sometimes it takes a long time to connect to the Internet.
D-Link DIB-120
The TV set-top box rating will be incomplete without the DIB-120 high definition digital device. It allows you to view digital content over any broadband IP network. In combination with an interactive navigation menu, the user will be able to view high-quality content in HDTV mode at any time. The set-top box also allows you to view video from the Video on Demand (VOD) server in HDTV and SDTV modes. Connecting to this server provides not only high image quality, but also a convenient online search.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Linux |
| HD support | 1080i, 720p |
| Interface | Fast Ethernet 2.0 |
pros
- weight 0.67 kg;
- 2 USB ports in the case;
- HDTV support;
- MPEG2 codecs MP@HL/H.264, MPEG-4 part10 MP @ L4;
- simple settings.
Minuses
- not a very high quality remote control;
- large dimensions in comparison with analogues (215x48x157 mm).
What are the best TV boxes for gaming?
If the device is bought not only for watching videos, but also for playing games, a review of the two models will help to determine which TV set-top box is best suited for such purposes. According to user reviews, these devices successfully combine the functions of a tuner and a game console.
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV
This is a universal device of high quality that does not have to be modified or improved on your own. The manufacturer has provided the ability to connect a wide variety of devices for maximum user convenience. For example, you can connect a mouse, keyboard, and multiple gamepads to your media player to make it more comfortable to operate. For local content consumption, it is possible to connect an external hard drive and USB drives. The set-top box is equipped with a built-in voice assistant that recognizes the Russian language.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 7.0 |
| HD support | 4K UHD |
| Processor / Chipset | NVIDIA Tegra X1 |
| RAM size | 3072 Mb |
pros
- remote control included;
- universal device for watching videos and games;
- there is an internet radio;
- stable operation of the OS;
- built-in voice search.
Minuses
- not very convenient remote control;
- Streaming games from a PC is limited by the type of video card.
Apple TV Gen 4 32 GB
The model belongs to the latest generation of Apple consoles. The square body of the device has a discreet design, and the matte soft-touch coating makes it even more stylish. In comparison with the previous generation consoles, this model has practically not changed in appearance. The weight of the product has increased to 450 grams. The height has also become larger: from 23 to 35 mm. This is due to the increased internal memory of the device. Inside is the A8 processor for two cores. RAM of 2 GB ensures high performance of the device. Support for Dolby Digital 7 technology guarantees high-quality surround sound.
| Characteristic | The values |
| Operating system | tvOS |
| HD support | FullHD 1080p |
| Processor / Chipset | Apple a8 |
| RAM size | 2 GB |
pros
- stylish appearance;
- you can set up the set-top box without turning on the TV;
- support for 4K UHD;
- reliable operating system tvOS;
- voice assistant Siri.
Minuses
- high price;
- there is no Russian language in the voice assistant.
The best smart TV boxes
Buying a smart TV box doesn't just expand the functionality of your regular TV. With this small device, the user can access thousands of applications, movies and games, and can use voice search. Three models are considered the best in this category.
Hybrid OTT Amlogic S805
This is a universal model that successfully combines the functions of a T2 tuner and the capabilities of an Android TV box.The media player is powered by Amlogic S805D quad-core processor with a frequency of 1.5 GHz. 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, coupled with a graphics accelerator Mali-450MP, ensure good performance and high definition of the picture. The versatility of the set-top box is also expressed in the fact that it can be connected to almost any TV. The analog video-audio AV output and HDMI output are responsible for this. Also, the set-top box allows you to connect a PC webcam to the TV for convenient communication with family via Skype video calls.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 5.0 |
| HD support | 1080p FullHD |
| Processor / Chipset | Amlogic S805W |
| RAM size | 1 GB |
pros
- support for 1080 FullHD;
- remote control included;
- the amount of Flash-memory is 8 GB;
- light weight - 0.4 kg;
- a game joystick can be connected.
Minuses
- some users find the remote control not very ergonomic;
- Android 5.1 OS is sometimes slow to start.
Smart tv box A95S 4K
The set-top box is powered by the powerful Amlogic S905W processor and is able to complement any TV or monitor with all the capabilities of Smart-TV. Fast work is provided by 4 processor cores, a frequency of 1.5 GHz and 2 GB of RAM. In combination with the 5-core Mali-450MP video accelerator, this indicator turns the console into a multifunctional device. The Android 7.1 operating system is practically non-buggy, so it makes no sense to change or reinstall it.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 7.1 |
| HD support | 4K UltraHD, 1080p FullHD |
| Processor / Chipset | Amlogic S905W |
| RAM size | 2 GB |
pros
- support for video formats 4K Ultra HD, 1080p Full Hd;
- 16 GB flash memory;
- there is a slot for microSD;
- wired and wireless internet connection;
- 2 GB of RAM.
Minuses
- dubious ergonomics of the remote control;
- the body is easily exposed to mechanical damage.
Rockchip H96 MAX 4 Gb
4K UHD media player with Android 9.0 operating system. This is the most current version, so the user can count on usability and regular access to updates. The RK3318 processor has a relatively low cost and impressive performance, so the video does not slow down or freeze while watching. There are 2 USB ports in the case for interacting with peripheral equipment. The AV connector is useful for connecting the set-top box to older TV models. The model is connected to more modern devices via the HDMI connector. Separate connectors are provided for memory cards and the Internet cable.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Operating system | Android 9.0 |
| HD support | 4K UHD |
| Processor / Chipset | RK3318 |
| RAM size | 4096 Mb |
pros
- unique back cover design;
- sufficient amount of permanent memory (16, 32 or 64 GB to choose from);
- affordable cost;
- modern operating system;
- control panel included.
Minuses
- sometimes the video freezes on YouTube;
- periodically comes across a marriage.
Most users prefer to buy TV boxes on Android. They do not require any special settings, they are distinguished by their functionality and ease of use. But when choosing a model, you should definitely take into account the scope of the gadget. If the device is needed only for viewing digital channels or low-definition video, budget models will suffice. But experts recommend giving preference to Smart TV set-top boxes. They are distinguished by advanced functionality and allow you to turn any modern TV into a "smart" device.
