Rating of Smart TV boxes: the best models for TVs in 2022

Modern Smart TV boxes make it possible to broadcast video, photo and audio files from a smartphone, tablet or computer to a large screen TV or monitor.

Many models support internet connection, allowing you to play online content, download and install applications, and perform other tasks.

In this review, we will consider the best Smart TV set-top boxes on sale, analyze their characteristics, features, pros and cons.

What characteristics to look for when choosing a Smart TV set-top box?

Before purchasing a device, it is important to study its functionality, connection options, technical parameters, pay attention to other key points inherent in equipment of this type:

• Main features.
  The simplest TV adapters connect to a smartphone or tablet and have a minimum amount of memory, they simply broadcast content to an external screen.
  More advanced Smart TV boxes also provide Internet connectivity, support the installation of a variety of applications and services.
  The most powerful devices support high-speed Internet (both wired and wireless), ultra-resolution images up to 4K, voice control, gaming and many other options.
• Attachment connection.
  A widely used option for connecting a set-top box to a TV is HDMI technology.
  This method provides the highest possible data transfer rate, picture and sound of perfect quality.
  If some TV receiver model is not equipped with an HDMI port, when choosing a set-top box, you should pay attention to the presence of the appropriate connectors (most often these are AV outputs).
  To connect the smart set-top box to the Internet, a LAN or Wi-Fi connection is used.
• hardware component.
  Smart TV boxes are characterized by high performance with perfect smoothness and picture quality on the TV screen.
  Modern devices are equipped with iron, comparable in power to the level of a home PC.
  The composition of the filling includes 2-8 core processor, 2-4 GB of RAM and 8-64 internal memory.
• Operating system.
  The most popular and versatile are set-top boxes with Android systems - they support the ability to install a huge number of applications, voice control and other functions.
  Smart set-top boxes from Apple, based on tv OS, are characterized by the ability to connect with iPhone, iPad, AirPods headphones, and have a subscription to the Apple TV + cinema.
  Chrome OS devices from Google have a wide range of applications, including online cinemas, browsers and galleries.
  Set-top boxes with Windows OS allow you to turn your TV into a full-fledged multimedia center - these are a kind of mini-computers connected to the TV.
• Additional functionality.
  In addition to standard accessories, a number of set-top boxes support additional devices that expand the capabilities and improve the usability of smart equipment.
  These are both remote keyboards and remote controls, as well as webcams, microphones, and other useful gadgets.

Pros and Cons of Smart TV Set-Top Boxes

Smart consoles are characterized by a wide range of features.

Many of them allow you to install third-party software, support a large number of options, have built-in programs, games, video streaming services.

To pluses attachments include:

• more affordable, in comparison with smart TVs, price tag;
• the presence of a large amount of both RAM and built-in memory;
• convenient control from the remote control, smartphone, tablet, keyboard or mouse;
• the ability to broadcast content from a mobile device or PC to a TV;
• reading video, photo and audio files of most modern formats;
• the ability to launch streaming content and games, including online.

From shortcomingsinherent in set-top boxes, it should be noted the need to connect them separately to the TV and use two separate control panels.

TOP 2 Apple Smart TV Boxes

Media devices from Apple allow you to access various services, watch TV shows, movies, listen to music, playincluding using mobile gadgets.

Review of the TOP-2 smart TV boxes under the control of Apple according to the recommendations of experts.

Apple TV 4K 32GB (2021)

The Apple TV with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technology will provide users with the best TV content with juicy, bright pictures and great sound.

The device plays video at a frame rate twice the HDR standard.

The system is based on the Apple A12 Bionic processor.

The prefix perfectly copes with complex dynamic scenes.

If necessary, the image can be adjusted using the iPhone.

The model is equipped with a second-generation Apple TV Remote, power cable, Lightning / USB cable.

Technical specifications:

• device type - prefix;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• processor - Apple A12 Bionic;
• built-in memory - 32 GB;
• operating system - tvOS;
• interfaces - Ethernet, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - MOV/MP4/H.264/HEVC (H.265), JPEG/TIFF/GIF/HEIF, MP3/AC3/AAC/FLAC/WAV/HE-AAC/Apple Lossless/AIFF/E-AC-3;
• features - remote control, web services, AirPlay, Dolby Digital, Dolby Vision, iPhone support;
• overall dimensions and weight - 98 × 35 × 98 mm, 425 g.

Apple TV HD 32GB

The Apple TV media player is a high-quality set-top box with which the user gets the opportunity to view video content in Full HD resolution.

The model connects to wired and wireless Internet, is compatible with mobile gadgets.

Photos or videos can be viewed from a smartphone or tablet.

The device supports the ability to download and install applications - gaming, news, multimedia.

The package includes an Apple TV Remote with touch controls, a power cord, and a Lightning to USB cable.

Technical specifications:

• device type - media player;
• Max. resolution - 1080p;
• processor - Apple A8;
• built-in memory - 32 GB;
• operating system - tvOS;
• interfaces - Ethernet, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - MOV/MP4, JPEG/TIFF/GIF/HEIF, MP3/AC3/AAC/FLAC/WAV/HE-AAC/AIFF/E-AC-3;
• features - remote control, web services, iPhone support;
• overall dimensions and weight - 98 × 35 × 98 mm, 425 g.

TOP 2 Smart TV boxes Windows

Set-top boxes running Windows OS are productive devices with an intuitive interface that do not require special knowledge for configuration and management equipment.

Rating TOP-2 Smart TV set-top boxes for TVs running Windows based on customer reviews and ratings.

Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter P3Q-00000

The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter P3Q-00000 TV adapter will allow you to display the picture from the screen of your tablet, laptop or smartphone on a TV or monitor.

The device supports streaming content, broadcasting presentations, viewing personal files.

The system allows you to install a large number of applications.

The set-top box provides the easiest connection to an HDTV TV or monitor via USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Its setup is intuitive.

The device allows you to mirror or expand the screen, ensuring minimal delays during operation.

Technical specifications:

• device type - adapter;
• Max. resolution - 1080p;
• interfaces - USB-A, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• features - web services, Miracast;
• overall dimensions and weight - 104 × 22 × 11 mm, 30 g.

Microsoft Wireless 4K Display Adapter UTH-00025

Powerful and reliable TV adapter Microsoft Wireless 4K Display Adapter UTH-00025 allows you to project high-definition video and photo content on the big screen.

The model supports work in conjunction with most modern TVs.

The device is characterized by excellent optimization, fast and uninterrupted connection.

Wireless image output to the monitor is carried out via Miracast.

This technology provides improved resolution at 30 frames per second.

The built-in Wi-Fi module guarantees a reliable connection over the air at a distance of up to 10 meters.

Technical specifications:

• device type - adapter;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• interfaces - USB-A, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• features - web services, Miracast, HDMI-CEC;
• overall dimensions and weight - 105 × 35 × 11 mm, 65 g.

TOP 4 Smart TV boxes running Android

Smart set-top boxes based on the Android operating system are the most accessible, popular and convenient media gadgets with an intuitive interface without any restrictions on content installation.

Rating and review of the TOP-4 smart TV set-top boxes for a TV with Wi-Fi running Android in terms of price and quality.

Xiaomi Mi Box S Global

Powered by Amlogic S905X processor, Xiaomi Mi Box S Global provides 4K HDR video playback at 60 fps and support for surround sound audio formats.

This device is equipped with 2 GB of RAM.

The amount of built-in memory is 8 GB.

The set-top box runs on the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system with a proprietary shell adapted for multimedia playback.

The device supports the installation of applications from Google Play, content streaming.

Management is entrusted to a Bluetooth-remote with a proprietary voice assistant.

Technical specifications:

• device type - prefix;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• processor - Amlogic S905X;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• operating system - Android 8.1;
• interfaces - USB-A, audio output, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - MKV/AVI/WMV/ISO/VOB/MOV/ASF/TS/MP4/DAT/MPG/FLV/RM/RMVB, MP3/AAC/FLAC/APE/DTS, JPEG/GIF/BMP/PNG/TIFF;
• features - remote control, HTTP, DLNA, web services, IPTV, support for iPhone, Miracast, exFAT, NTFS (reading);
• overall dimensions and weight - 95 × 17 × 95 mm, 147 g.

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Global

Running the Android 9 operating system, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Global ultra-compact TV adapter will expand the functionality of a TV that does not support Smart-TV.

The device provides the ability to access online services, plays IPTV.

For viewing, the user only needs to organize an Internet connection via Wi-Fi.

The model supports Miracast technology, FHD standard.

The device receives energy from the mains. To do this, the adapter is equipped with a power supply.

Also included in the package is a USB / micro-USB cable, an HDMI extension cord, and a remote control.

Technical specifications:

• device type - adapter;
• Max. resolution - 1080p;
• processor - Amlogic S805Y;
• built-in memory - 8 GB;
• operating system - Android 9.0;
• interfaces - HDMI, micro-USB (power), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - AVI/MKV/WMV/ISO/TS/RM/MOV/MP4/VOB, JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIFF/GIF, MP3/WMA/AC3/AAC/OGG/FLAC/DTS, PSG/SUB/SRT;
• features - remote control, web services, IPTV;
• overall dimensions and weight - 92 × 30 × 15 mm, 29 g.

Smart TV Box OneTech X96Q 4K Android 10.0 2/16 GB

Running Android 10, the OneTech X96Q TV Box has a powerful Allwinner H313 processor with an integrated Mali-G31 video chip, which provides support for playing content in 4K resolution at 60 fps.

The device is equipped with basic and additional interfaces - USB, AV and HDMI.

There is a slot for a Micro-SD memory card up to 64 GB, an IR receiver, a 100 Mbps LAN port, a 5 V power supply connector.

Through the air, the device connects to the TV via Wi-Fi.

This instrument has 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. The amount of built-in memory is 16 GB.

The product is equipped with a remote control, an HDMI cable and a power adapter.

Technical specifications:

• device type - prefix;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• processor - Allwinner H313;
• RAM / built-in memory - 2/16 GB;
• operating system - Android 10;
• interfaces - HDMI, Wi-Fi;
• formats - H.265/VP9/AVS/H.264/H.263/MPEG-4/MPEG-2/MPEG-1/Xvid/Sorenson Spark/VP8//WMV9/VC1;
• features - remote control, web services, micro-SD support;
• overall dimensions and weight - 88 × 88 × 18 mm, 180 g.

Android 10 X96 Mate + G10 Air Mouse voice control

The X96 Mate with G10 Air Mouse is a state-of-the-art high-definition video playback solution with powerful hardware and software support.

The system is easily customized for user tasks.

The device is provided with a large number of ports for connecting multimedia.

The device is powered by Allwiwer H616 A53 quad-core processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM module.

The amount of internal memory is 64 GB.

The model supports AirPlay and Miracast technologies, dynamic range expansion.

The user can supplement the pre-installed set of applications with programs from Google Play.

Technical specifications:

• device type - prefix;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• processor - Allwiwer H616 A53;
• RAM / built-in memory - 4/64 GB;
• operating system - Android 10;
• interfaces - audio / video inputs, optical input, USB-A, Ethernet, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - AVI/MKV/WMV/TS/RM/TP/MOV/TRP/M2TS/MP4/IFO/FLV/ASF/M2T/DAT/MPG/RMVB/VOB, JPEG/PNG/BMP/GIF, MP3/WMA/ AAC/APE/OGG/FLAC/WAV;
• features - remote control, HTTP, DLNA, web services, IPTV, Internet radio, AirPlay, Miracast, support for microSDHC, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, display;
• overall dimensions and weight — 140×55×190 mm, 435 g.

TOP 2 Best Google Smart TV Boxes

Google Chromecast set-top boxes are popular media devices from Google, compatible with modern HDTVs, supporting voice control and video streaming in 1080p-4K UHD resolution.

An overview of the best digital set-top boxes based on Google.

Google Chromecast (2018)

The Google Chromecast TV Dongle is an updated version of the popular TV Dongle that delivers high-quality Full HD video playback and music playback from your smartphone.

The model supports connection between gadgets over the air and through the use of an HDMI port.

The device has an IPTV function, allowing you to watch streaming broadcasting of Internet television channels.

Also, the adapter has support for playing music and listening to Internet radio.

The product is provided with a micro-USB port (for charging). The device operates under the operating system Chrome OS.

Technical specifications:

• device type - adapter;
• Max. resolution - 1080p;
• operating system - Chrome OS;
• interfaces - HDMI, Wi-Fi;
• formats - AVI/MKV/WMV/MOV, JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIFF/GIF, MP3/AAC/WAV;
• features - control from a smartphone, web services, IPTV, Internet radio;
• overall dimensions and weight - 14 × 52 mm, 40 g.

Google Chromecast with Google TV

The Google Chromecast TV box with Google TV will allow you to broadcast photos, videos, games, music and other content from your phone, tablet or computer to the big screen.

The device allows you to install a huge number of applications, including Kinopoisk and YouTube.

The device supports Dolby Vision, HDR10.

Its control panel has a built-in voice assistant, supplemented by an accelerometer, an infrared port, a microphone.

The prefix is ​​provided with Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Wired connection is via HDMI port.

Technical specifications:

• device type - prefix;
• Max. resolution - 4K UHD;
• operating system - Chrome OS;
• interfaces - HDMI, USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• formats - AVI/MKV/WMV/MOV, JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIFF/GIF, MP3/AAC/WAV;
• features - web services, iPhone support, remote control with accelerometer, infrared port, microphone;
• overall dimensions and weight - 61 × 162 × 13 mm, 55 g.

Useful video

From this video you will learn how to choose a TV box and what to look for:

Reviews

Conclusion

• Modern Smart TV boxes provide viewing of web content, broadcasting video, photo and audio files from external devices on a large screen TV or monitor.
• When choosing a Smart TV set-top box, you should pay attention to its main and additional functionality, the type of connection to the TV, hardware and software components.
• Smart set-top boxes are characterized by a wide range of features, have an affordable price tag, are provided with convenient controls, and support modern digital formats.
• The disadvantages inherent in smart set-top boxes include the need to connect them separately to the TV, as well as the use of two separate remote controls.