Android TVs are readily available on the market right now, but you don't necessarily have to splurge on a new TV just to get all the smart features. If your regular old "dumb" TV still has some years left in it, then you can consider buying a new Android TV box or a stick to get all the fancy new smart features, complete with the new and updated Android TV platform.
It's true that the selection of the best Android TV boxes and sticks on the market is fairly limited, but you can still find some reliable ones to get your money's worth. So if you want to experience the new Android TV platform but aren't quite ready to splurge on a new Android yet, then check out my selection of the best Android TV boxes and sticks you can buy in 2023 below.
Amazon Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle
Amazon's stylish new smart speaker, the Echo Pop, is a cross between the Echo Dot and a fuller, richer-sounding Echo speaker. It sounds great, and it's so, so cute. And it's usually $40. For Prime Day, it's down to $18.98 with a free Sengled Color smart bulb, which makes this one of the best Prime Day deals we've seen so far. Buy this, thank us later.
Best Android TV boxes and sticks in 2023
NVIDIA Shield TV
Still the Android TV device to beat
The NVIDIA Shield TV runs on the latest version of Android TV and comes with built-in Chromecast support.
- Reliable performance
- Great remote
- A good variety of native 4K content
- Supports Nvidia's GeForce NOW cloud gaming
- AI upscaling is known to be a bit aggressive
- Doesn't come with a controller
The Nvidia Shield TV has been around since 2019, but it continues to retain the top position thanks to its performance and reliable set of features. It has incredibly powerful specs, and it offers a ton of impressive features, including support for the Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming service.
In terms of specifications, the Nvidia Shield TV is powered by the company's own Tegra X1 processor with a 256-core Nvidia GPU. It comes with 2GB RAM and 8GB of storage, which is further expandable via a microSD card. It also has built-in voice control, and it supports both Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa. The Shield TV runs Android TV and comes with Chromecast 4K built-in, too.
This sounds like a lot, but the Shield TV also has a very compact form factor. It's significantly smaller than a lot of other Android TV boxes, including its sibling, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. Its tube-shaped body also makes it stand out from the sea of other Android TV boxes with a generic design.
My favorite aspect of the Nvidia Shield TV, however, is its remote. Not only does this Toblerone-shaped Shield remote fit comfortably in your hand, but it also offers a lot of controls, including Bluetooth and IR controls. There's also a mic for voice control. The Shield TV offers everything you'd expect from a modern-day streaming box in 2023. As a bonus, you also get support for GeForce Now, Nvidia's cloud gaming service that allows you to play PC games on your TV without spending money on a powerful gaming rig.
Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
For a no-frills 4K Android TV experience
The Chromecast with Google TV is a simple and relatively affordable streaming device for casual users that'll also offer you personalized recommendations.
- Affordable price tag
- Google TV interface with Google Assistant
- dedicated compact remote
- Limited storage
- No AV1 codec support
Google's Chromecast with Google TV easily stands out as one of the best streaming devices on the market. It may not be as feature-rich as the Nvidia Shield TV, but there's still a lot to like, especially when it comes to its form factor and its affordable price tag.
The Chromecast is essentially a TV stick that connects via the HDMI port. The device itself is quite portable, which is something I can't say for a lot of other streaming devices mentioned here. Even though the Chromecast will mostly stay hidden behind your TV, I appreciate Google's effort to make it in three different colorways: Snow, Sunrise, and Sky. You also get a color-matched remote, which is a very nice touch.
On the hardware front, the Chromecast supports everything you'd expect from a high-quality, modern streaming device. It offers 4K HDR streaming, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and it's reliable for all practical streaming needs thanks to the Amlogic S905X3 processor. It also packs 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.
It also ships with a Google TV interface that's very similar to Android TV. Google TV pulls content from your streaming service of choice to offer personalized recommendations. The Chromecast TV stick with Google TV carries a $50 price tag, which is impressive considering everything it brings to the table. That makes it one of the most affordable streaming devices in the US, if not the most.
Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen)
An affordable alternative to NVIDIA Shield TV
The 2nd gen Xiaomi Mi TV Box S is a slightly upgraded version of the original Mi TV Box S that comes with the updated Google TV interface, a better chipset, support for Bluetooth 5.2, Dolby Vision, and more.
- Compact form factor
- Affordable price tag
- Support for 4K, Dolby Vision content
- No USB-C port
- Not as powerful as the Nvidia Shield TV
The 2nd Gen Xiaomi Mi TV Box S, as you'd expect, is a slightly upgraded version of the regular Mi TV Box S it's replacing on this list. The newer model has upgraded internals for better performance, and it also comes with the updated Google TV interface out of the box. This is essentially a more affordable alternative to the Nvidia Shield TV that comes with all the features you'd expect from a modern Android TV box in 2023. The Mi Box S supports 4K output at 60 FPS, along with some noteworthy features like Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and more.
Just like its predecessor, the Mi TV Box S also comes with the usual extras like built-in Chromecast, which is something we've come to expect from modern streaming devices. You also get a pretty good remote with the Mi Box S with a minimal design, although batteries aren't included. Overall, it's a great option to consider if you're hellbent on buying an Android TV box instead of a Stick and don't want to spend as much as $150.
Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
The best option for those who are still rocking a 1080p TV
The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is a cheaper Chromecast that can only do 1080p playback, but for a lot of people, that's all you need.
- Affordable price
- Supports AV1 codec
- Reliable performance
- Limited storage
- Only $20 cheaper than the 4K model
The Chromecast HD model is essentially just a more affordable version of Google's Chromecast 4K stick. Just like the one that came before it, the new Chromecast HD also comes with Google TV, which is essentially a version of Android TV that's made specifically for Chromecast. The Google TV experience is going to remain largely the same, as the only thing that's changed with the new device is the output.
The Chromecast HD's body has the same oval design that tucks neatly behind the TV. It has a short HDMI cable that allows it to hang itself off the back of the TV. It also has a USB Type-C port for power, similar to the Chromecast 4K device.
One of the biggest differences between the Chromecast HD and 4K is, as you can imagine, the resolution. The newer device supports basic HD video — or 1920×1080 video — which is perfect for older, smaller, or "dumb" TVs that don't necessarily need the 4K support. The Chromecast HD can also handle HDR content, which is a nice touch by Google.
The Chromecast HD also has different internals compared to the one inside the 2020 model. The new one has an Amlogic S805X2 with support for AV1 decoding, which is a big step forward from codecs like H264 and VP9.
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
For those who want the absolute best Android TV box
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro costs $50 more than the regular model but it comes with some additional features to add more value to the overall package.
- Powerful internals
- Can run a Plex server
- Better ports selection
- Expensive at $200
- No USB-C port
The standard Nvidia Shield TV is my favorite of the bunch, but what if you're a power user? That's where the Shield TV Pro comes into play. This particular streaming device offers everything that makes the regular Shield TV great but with a few noteworthy upgrades.
The first thing you'll notice about the Shield TV Pro is its bigger form factor. It's relatively bigger than the regular Shield TV as it has room for its powerful internals. The Shield TV Pro comes with a bunch of ports, including two USB ports for connecting accessories like external storage, keyboards, and more. The Pro model has also received a spec bump compared to the regular one, with 3GB of RAM instead of 2GB and 16GB of storage instead of 8GB. You can also configure the Shield TV Pro as a SmartThings hub and control supported smart home devices. What I also like about the Shield TV Pro is that it comes with the same remote, complete with the traditional button layout that features dedicated media controls.
And just like the regular Shield TV, the Pro model also supports GeForce Now for game streaming. You can also use the Pro model as a Plex server, which is another great functionality to have. So it's a more powerful device overall and should be able to keep up with whatever you throw at it.
TiVo Stream 4K
A more affordable 4K TV stick than Google's Chromecast 4K
The TiVo Stream 4K is one of the best affordable Android TV sticks you can find on the market right now, with one of the best remotes.
- Solid performance
- Affordable price tag
- 4K and Dolby Vision HDR
- The UI can be a bit confusing
- Not the best design or build quality
If you don't want to spend too much money to add some smarts to your regular TV, then I recommend checking out the TiVo Stream 4K. You can grab this particular streaming device for as low as $40 from Amazon at the time of this writing, making it even cheaper than Google's Chromecast 4K with Google TV.
Don't let the lower price tag make you think less about this device, though. It comes with awesome features, like supporting 4K HDR content that works with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also comes with its own UI that you can use instead of Google's stock Android TV. In terms of specifications, the TiVo Stream 4K is powered by an Amlogic S905YE processor, and it comes with 2GB of RAM. You also get 8GB of storage which is the same as what you get with other options, including the Nvidia Shield TV.
As for the hardware itself, the TiVo Stream 4K resembles the Google Chromecast. It's a small box that sports an HDMI connection on one end, a Micro-USB port for charging, and a USB Type-C port for connecting other accessories and peripherals. It connects to your television through HDMI to turn it into a smart TV, and it also comes with a remote. The included remote is physically larger than the one included with Chromecast, but it supports more functions. It also has an ergonomic design that makes it easier to hold.
Best Android TV boxes and sticks in 2023: Final thoughts
There are plenty of options on the market to smarten your old TV, but the Nvidia Shield TV is the best one out of the bunch. It's one of the best-looking Android TV boxes, and it's compact enough to sit in most setups comfortably. Its tube-shaped design also makes it look unique. It may not be as powerful as the Pro model, but the Nvidia Shield TV is good enough for most users. It also has all the essentials, including support for both Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa and a built-in Chromecast 4K. The highlight of Nvidia Shield TV, however, is the support for the GeForce Now game streaming service.
I've also added some other budget options in case you don't want to splurge a lot of money trying to salvage your old TV. This is an ever-evolving list, so I'll keep an eye on the market for some new streaming devices and see if they can be added to this list. In the meantime, you can also stop by our collection of the best smart TVs to check out some other options for upgrading your media setup.
NVIDIA Shield TV
The Nvidia Shield TV is the best Android TV box overall as it offers a good set of features and specifications at a palatable price.