Rating of the best Android TV boxes for 2022

A TV box is essentially a compact tablet or smartphone, only without a display, which expands the capabilities of a conventional TV to a smart one, only it costs 3-4 times cheaper. Yes, and replacing such a device with a more productive one is much easier and cheaper than the TV itself.

What is the TV box capable of?

Such set-top boxes can play audio and video content from any source (drive, video hosting), and in any resolution. True, for a box capable of playing content in 4K resolution, you will have to pay more.

By the way, about playback sources.You can watch the same series without first downloading from any sites, both official online cinemas and not quite legal ones. It is enough to drive in the name of the movie in the search and get a list of several sites.

Thanks to the prefix, you can watch not only Youtube and its children's version, but also a huge number of channels of standard television air. For the last option (the number of available channels is close to the standard cable package, or even exceeds it), you may have to pay extra, but in most cases they ask for a symbolic amount.

As for audio content, owners of TV boxes have access to a huge database with music of different directions and genres, plus a library for listening to audio books and a decent selection of radio stations.

Well, of course, work in game console mode, streaming from Steam, Skype calls - that is, transferring a picture from a PC or laptop monitor to a TV screen, plus voice assistants, like Google's Assistante or Alice.

What to look for when choosing

The country of origin, as well as the brand, do not really matter. Most consoles are made in China. The difference is only in price - branded ones are more expensive.

Specifications

Inexpensive boxes with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of built-in (standard, in general, characteristics), a dual-core processor will cope with playing high-definition video content or undemanding games.
If the set-top box is needed for resource-intensive games, it is better to choose a more expensive model with an increased hard drive capacity, expandable memory and a processor with at least 4 cores.

When studying the technical characteristics, pay attention to the list of file formats supported by the set-top box.Ideally, the more there are, the better. And the minimum list should include DivX, MP4, MKV, WMA/WMV.

The method of connecting to the Internet is also an important criterion when choosing, since in order to view “heavy” high-definition video files, you need a reliable data transmission channel. If there is a router at home, and even at a short distance from the TV, you can safely take a media set-top box with Wi Fi, if not, it is better to choose a wired connection. The main thing is that the connectors on the TV and TV box match.

It is also worth paying attention to the type of adjustment of the video sequence to the refresh rate of the TV (autoframe). The standard TV indicators are 60 frames per second, and there are only 24 of them in one second of the video sequence. Set-top boxes without an autoframe rate “decide for themselves” how long to show one frame - it can be 30 ms or 60. As a result, we get a twitching picture, which is especially annoying in dynamic scenes.

Adjustment can be systemic or so-called modern. In the first case, the system will stubbornly adjust screen updates to the frame rate in the video, even where it is not necessary - hence the incorrect rewind and incorrectly working applications. Modern tuning allows you to set parameters for each specific application. True, such consoles are more expensive.

The noise reduction effect (default on all boxes based on the Amlogic processor) removes all extraneous, according to the system, noise. In the case of a high-resolution picture, this option will rather lead to the opposite result - the image will be blurred.Therefore, it is better to take a set-top box with the function of turning off noise reduction, although there are a lot of videos on the topic of how to turn off the option manually on the Internet, and even with a step-by-step description of the process.

Interface

Depending on the manufacturer and model of the box, either standard Android adapted for remote control, or Android TV from Google, which was originally created to work with a TV.

The difference in these two interfaces is huge. The first one is easier to customize (and not be content with what they give), installing applications from the play store or completely unlicensed. Of the minuses - the lack of a voice assistant, mediocre design.

Android TV is licensed and works with licensed content. Of the pluses - a beautiful design, a large catalog of programs adapted to the TV screen and regular updates that expand the possibilities of using the set-top box.

What to choose - decide for yourself. Appreciate simplicity and convenience - take a device with Android TV, respect freedom of action and want to customize the set-top box for yourself - ordinary Android.

Reviews

This is probably one of the main criteria when choosing any technique (parameters, such as the name and number of processor cores, do not tell most users anything at all). Look for models with the most positive detailed reviews.

If you order a set-top box on Chinese sites, also be guided by the seller's rating. Large stores with high ratings will not take risks and sell outright consumer goods at an inflated price - reputation is more expensive.
It is worth paying attention to the reviews regarding delivery. Still, technology is a fragile thing, and troubles with a return are hardly interesting to anyone.And yes, if you buy a TV box to connect to an old TV, keep in mind that it is better to buy an AV cable, taking the set-top box with you.

Rating of the best Android TV boxes for 2022

Priced up to 5000 rubles

Transpeed 6K

Budget, with support for video in 6K format, RAM for 2, built-in memory for 16 GB, expandable up to 32 GB using a TF card. HDMI, AV video outputs (cable included). Suitable for watching movies, but with the playback of additional TV channels will not cope.

The reviews are not bad, but many users noted that it is better to immediately replace the remote control with a regular or wireless mouse. There are no questions about pre-installed applications, but downloaded ones may not work correctly (the cursor is not displayed on the screen, the picture freezes during playback).

The rest - no complaints. It works smartly, easily and quickly set up (there is also a Russian language in the settings menu), suitable for old TVs. However, there is no AV cable included. And, yes, this is one of the few media attachments for which there are no complaints about the build quality.

Price - 2900 rubles.

• compact;
• good build;
• OS Android 10;
• does not heat up.

• problems with the work of downloaded applications;
• no cable for AV connection.

SELENGA R4

A good budget option based on a Quard Cortex-A7 processor and Mali-450 GPU graphics. There is a slot for microSD memory cards, 4 USB 2.0 ports, plus HDMI and AV outputs. The device supports FAT16, FAT32, NTFS formats and is capable of playing video content in Ultra HD 4K resolution.

Of the benefits - pre-installed Google Play, popular applications like IVI, MeGoGo. The build quality is good, no backlash, no super-cheap plastic on the body.Installation is as simple and convenient as possible.

Of the minuses - periodically comes across a marriage. When you connect the HDMI cable out of the box, either starts to warm up. In fairness, it should be noted that there are very few user reviews reporting such problems.

Price - 3590 rubles.

• comes complete (from HDMI-HDMI cable to remote control with batteries);
• does not heat up;
• supports all standard Android applications;
• compact;
• Plenty of connectors - you can connect both a keyboard and a mouse.

• OS - 7 version of Android, without the possibility of updating;
• A stable Wi-Fi signal is required for stable operation.

Rgeeed X96q

Nimble set-top box with the latest OS version, support for almost all audio and video formats. Another plus is that it is suitable even for old TVs. It loads quickly, does not freeze, catches the signal without any problems. True, you can’t play games - it’s rather weak, but for watching movies or listening to music, that’s it.

A clear interface makes the setup simple and understandable as much as possible. Well, pre-installed services are also a big plus.

Of the minuses - the difficulty with the selection of an AV cable. This model is made in China and, of course, they do not adhere to any GOSTs. Therefore, in order not to make a mistake with the choice of cable, take the set-top box with you to the store and check compatibility on the spot.

Price - 3000 rubles.

• compact;
• price-functionality ratio;
• connectors for the keyboard, mouse (you can connect wireless);
• Apps you need can be installed from the play store.

• There are no special ones, except that it gets very hot during long continuous operation.

Xiaomi Mi Box S

With Android TV 9, it almost completely copies Apple TV in appearance.Built-in licensed services allow you to watch videos in high quality, and an optimally selected set of interfaces allows you to quickly configure the device to suit your needs.

The performance is enough for watching movies, TV shows, playing undemanding and low-capacity games. Thanks to the modern auto frame rate, the picture adjusts to the parameters of the TV screen updates.

Of the minuses - there is no cable connection, so this option is suitable for owners of routers with a stable signal.

Price - 4900 rubles.

• quality performance;
• price;
• licensed software;
• design.

• no.

Cost up to 15000 rubles

Ugoos X3 Plus

A powerful and productive device with 4 GB OS and 64 GB of internal memory, expandable using an SD Card (the maximum allowable capacity is 32 GB). Supports all formats of video, audio content. Instantly loads, does not hang. Synchronization with external devices is no problem, whether it's a bluetooth headset, a native remote control or a mouse.

Built-in autoframe (system and modern), a large selection of settings and Android 9 OS version. You can control it from your smartphone, you just need to download the app.

Price - 7500-8500 rubles.

• high image quality;
• compactness;
• root-rights for advanced and easy setup and connection for ordinary users;
• performance;
• few pre-installed applications, but this can be considered a plus - everything you need can be downloaded from the Play Market;
• frequent updates with expanded functionality;
• great build.

• a short HDMI cable - but this is more of a nitpick;
• judging by the reviews, marriage often comes across (but it is not known whether this is the fault of the manufacturer or unscrupulous sellers selling fakes);
• the remote control out of the box, like many similar devices, it is better to immediately replace it with a mouse.

Beelink GT King

Suitable for both watching movies and gaming, thanks to the Amlogic S922X 6-core processor with a frequency of up to 1.8 Ghz and Arm Mali-G52 MP6 graphics. The amount of RAM and internal memory is 4/64 GB, respectively.

It almost does not heat up, it connects quickly (on the case there are HDMI, 3.5 audio and optical SPDIF outputs), the cable is included. Able to play video in 4K resolution and automatically adjusts the image to fit the screen.

The design deserves special attention - an engraving depicting a skull on the top panel. In standby mode, the "eyes" of the skull glow green, when turned off, the backlight changes color to red. If the included set-top box is inactive for a long time, a screensaver is launched that displays beautiful photos on the TV screen - of course, it does not affect the functionality in any way, but the solution is interesting.

The case is plastic, but the assembly is solid, without backlash and feeling cheap.

Price - 10500 rubles.

• functionality;
• comes with a cable, charger and remote control (the latter works well, but there are problems with ergonomics - the buttons are flat, located almost on the same level with the case);
• built-in autoframe with the ability to fine-tune;
• root rights;
• 4K video plays without problems.

• no complaints, but the quality largely depends on the assembly (or rather, the country of origin, the most complaints are set-top boxes assembled in India);
• There are no instructions in Russian.

TX3 mini

It works on the basis of a quad-core Cortex A53 processor, copes with video playback in 4K format. It is suitable for watching movies (pre-installed YouTube, Kodi, StalkerTV applications, you can add the ones you need from the Play Market), games, chatting via Skype. By the way, movies can be watched directly from the torrent, without downloading.

OS - Android 8.1, 2 high-speed USB ports, a slot for a memory card - everything is standard here for set-top boxes in the middle price segment. Of the benefits - a user-friendly interface, a clear, logical menu (according to reviews, even a child can cope with the settings).

Price - 10200 rubles.

• compactness;
• supports most audio, video formats;
• easy setup;
• functionality.

• the instruction is in English, although, judging by the reviews, you can deal with the connection without it.

Mecool NOW KA2

TV box with Android TV 10, built-in microphone and camera for ZOOM, chatting with Google Duo video connection or shooting short videos (tripod mount included). Since the OS is licensed, you will not be able to install applications or watch movies from semi-legal sources.

The interface is bright, there is a function of quick voice call of the most frequently used applications. There are no problems with the settings either - you can customize it for yourself. The case is plastic, with a passive cooling system, it does not overheat even during long continuous operation.

Price - 12,000 rubles.

• Licensed Android 10 OS, and these are regular updates, the voice assistant, in general, will be convenient to use;
• built-in camera - for video conferencing, you will have to purchase either a remote control with an air mouse function, or the mouse itself;
• does not freeze when playing a heavy video;
• works silently.

• no.

So, TV boxes are a great alternative to Smart TV. And in terms of money it costs an order of magnitude cheaper, and in terms of functionality they are in no way inferior, or even superior to smart TVs.