Do you often get bored while watching TV due to not having enough content? There is a simple and effective salvation from such boredom - a TV set-top box, which is also a media player. It will allow you to easily stream interesting Internet content on TV and download applications from Google Play.
And our rating of the best TV boxes in 2019 will help you choose the right model for a reasonable price. It is based on user ratings from Yandex.Market, as well as on the results of testing various TV Boxes on specialized sites such as Android PC Review, Snapgoods, Expertreviews, etc.
The best TV boxes for Android 2019
3. Nvidia Shield TV
The average price is 16 390 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- playback MKV, DivX, XviD, FLAC, APE
- HDMI 2.0 interface
- operating system Android 7.0
- network connection via Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- service support: Google Play
The 2019 Media Player Ranking opens with the Tegra X1 chipset, which is powerful enough to run all your favorite streaming apps in full 4K HDR. This box also has enough power to run local Android games. But for full-fledged gaming, we advise you to choose a console from best game consoles of 2019.
An interesting feature of this model is GeForce Now, a gaming service platform that runs games on Nvidia servers throughout Europe. And you can play them online. For normal operation, GeForce Now needs a good Internet connection, WI-FI alone is indispensable. The service automatically adjusts the image quality depending on the bandwidth of the Internet channel.
To set up Nvidia Shield you don't have to "dance with a tambourine", everything is already set up almost out of the box. Separately, we note the good work of voice search and input.
pros: fast work without freezing, the ability to control from the remote control or gamepad, there is support for external HDD and USB drives.
Minuses: high price, custom power connector, no SD card slot.
2. Sunvell T95Z Plus 3/32 Gb
The average price is 5,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- playback MKV, DivX, XviD, FLAC, APE
- HDMI interface
- operating system Android 7.1
- network connection via Wi-Fi and Ethernet
This is one of the best media players of 2019, both in terms of features and appearance. Its body has a hexagonal shape, and the top is made in the form of a honeycomb.
Box, T95Z is controlled by a very attractive remote control with LED backlit buttons, allowing you to use the remote in the dark. The remote also has a button specifically designed for Kodi so you can launch the app immediately.
The T95Z Plus box runs Android 7.1 and is equipped with an Amlogic S912 processor. The amount of RAM and internal memory ranges from 2-3 GB and 16-32 GB, respectively.
This gadget can play 4K and High Definition (1080p) videos at 60fps without delay. And you can connect accessories such as a keyboard, mouse and external drives to the USB port.
pros: dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabyte Ethernet port, IPTV support, almost no heat during operation.
Minuses: Not all controls are available with the remote control, we recommend purchasing a wireless mouse with this console.
1. Xiaomi Mi Box S
The average price is 5,190 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- playback MKV, DivX, XviD, FLAC, APE
- HDMI 2.0a interface
- Wi-Fi network connection
- service support: Google Play
A rare rating of Android set-top boxes for TV in 2019 is complete without mentioning the products of the Chinese company Xiaomi in general, and the most popular model Mi Box S in particular. It comes in a compact plastic case that houses a quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM.
The internal memory is only 8 GB, but it can be expanded with a flash drive that plugs into the USB port on the rear panel. There is also an HDMI port that delivers 4K HDR content to a connected TV.
The set-top box runs Android 8.1 Oreo and has a proprietary "Android TV" shell, with which you can easily access applications from Google Play, listen to music and play mobile games like on a smartphone.
pros: quick setup even for beginners, remote with Bluetooth and built-in microphone, support for IPTV, AirPlay and Miracast.
Minuses: no Ethernet.
The best smart TV boxes
3. MINIX Neo U1
The average price is 5,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- playback MKV, FLAC, APE
- HDMI 2.0 interface
- operating system Android 5.1
- network connection via Wi-Fi and Ethernet
It is a device that allows you to go online and enjoy streaming without buffering provided you have a good internet connection. The set-top box supports 4K Ultra HD video, which is played back at 60 frames per second.
It comes with a powerful Amlogic S905 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of flash, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS, which allows you to download and install apps and games from the Google App Store.
In addition, Minix Neo helps you save on energy costs by going into power saving mode if you don't use your media player for a long time.
pros: Intuitive interface, fast and stable dual-band Wi-Fi operation, wireless keyboard and mouse can be connected.
Minuses: small amount of RAM, inconveniently implemented control via the remote control.
2. Yandex.Modul - media player with Alice
The average price is 1,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- will show popular films and TV series in KinoPoisk and videos from the Internet in Yandex.Video on the big screen
- supports Yandex.Ether with personal recommendations and thematic selections of videos, films, TV series and cartoons
- as a gift a subscription to KinoPoisk + Amediateka for 3 months worth 649 rubles per month
- will turn on your favorite playlist on Yandex.Music or a fairy tale for children
- control via a smartphone or smart speaker with Alice
- FullHD resolution (1080p)
- HDMI connector
This compact and inexpensive media player is part of Yandex's Smart Home ecosystem. Through the HDMI port, it connects to the TV and allows you to watch videos from Yandex applications.
The module can be controlled both by text (write to Alice in the chat), and by voice, via a smartphone or one of the best smart speakers 2019... However, for this you need to be near the column.
Since the device is very "raw" (it was presented in May 2019), the company is actively improving it, so in the future it is worth waiting for new functions, such as activation of the USB port, SD card slot and family account (for now Yandex.Module is tied to only one profile).
If you do not have a subscription to KinoPoisk and Amediateku, then using the Yandex.Module you can search for videos on the Internet or chat with Alice.
pros: a large set of TV channels (100+), and thematic Yandex channels, the My.Efir function - a channel based on your video preferences.
Minuses: can only be controlled from a smartphone, no Wi-Fi 5G, no filters when searching.
1. Apple TV 4K 64GB
The average price is 14,760 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- FLAC playback
- HDMI 2.0a interface
- operating system tvOS
- network connection via Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- service support: iTunes, Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime
Apple was one of the first major streaming media player makers with the original Apple TV back in 2007 (even before the iPhone!) And is still a popular choice when it comes to the best set-top boxes for digital TV. Especially if your smart home works with Apple devices.
It is enough to bring your iPhone to this set-top box for the Apple TV to receive data on Wi-Fi hotspots networks and passwords, saving you the trouble of setting them up.
Thanks to the large number of image output options, even owners of CRT TVs will be able to choose a resolution that is comfortable for themselves.
The manufacturer has provided not only support for a large number of services, but also Internet radio, and, of course, integration with the Siri voice assistant.
pros: support for Dolby Vision and IPTV, very convenient and functional remote control, you can connect a joystick and speakers via Bluetooth, there is Ethernet.
Minuses: no HDMI cable included, you cannot connect an external HDD due to the lack of a USB connector, Siri does not work if Russian is selected as the main language of the set-top box.
Choosing the best Windows 10 media player
3. Mini PC Beelink Z83II
The average price is 6 691 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- 4K UHD support
- playback MKV, DivX, XviD, FLAC, APE
- HDMI interface
- operating system Windows 10
- network connection via Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz
This interesting device is a miniature computer that can be used both as an ordinary set-top box and as a replacement for an old and bulky system unit.
It is powered by an Intel Atom-X5 Z8350 quad-core processor, typically designed for low-cost laptops and tablets. For a media player, its capabilities are more than enough to make all applications fly, and you don't have any performance problems.
In addition to two standard USB 2.0 ports, this model also has USB 3.0, which is perfect for connecting an external HDD. And using Bluetooth 4.0, a wireless keyboard or mouse can be connected to the mini PC.
pros: great massive heatsink, Ethernet is available, storage can be expanded from 32GB to 128GB.
Minuses: only 2 GB of RAM.
2. Beelink BT3 Pro
The average price is 11,500 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- Ultra HD (4K) support
- playback MKV, FLAC, APE
- HDMI interface
- operating system Windows 10
- network connection via Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- support for SD, SDHC memory cards
Beelink is one of the most popular brands of the best smart TV boxes of 2019, and for good reason. Its models feature powerful processors, rich video processing capabilities and modern design.
Beelink BT3 Pro comes with Intel Atom x5 - Z8350 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB flash storage. This configuration allows you to watch Ultra HD (4K) video without buffering, freezing, and frame rate drops like older devices.
Interestingly, this is not an ordinary TV box, but an all-in-one mini-PC, because Beelink chose to abandon Android in favor of Windows 10. This gives the gadget a lot of new possibilities, and if you add a monitor, keyboard and mouse, then get a stripped-down version of a PC that can be used as a working tool (surfing the Internet, working with an office suite), not just for fun.
pros: works quickly, does not heat up and does not make noise, there are three USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port.
Minuses: inconvenient power button.
1. Wintel W8 Pro
The average price is 5,700 rubles.
Characteristics:
- media player without hard drive
- operating system: Windows 10
- processor: Intel Atom X5-Z8350 1.83 GHz (4 cores)
- RAM: 2GB DDR3
- storage: 32 GB (eMMC)
- interfaces: WiFi 802.11 b / g / n, LAN, Bluetooth 4.0, 2xUSB 2.0,
USB 3.0, HDMI 1.4b, Micro USB, Micro SD, 3.5mm audio jack
This full-fledged micro PC is powered by an Atom x5-Z8300 quad-core processor with an initial clock speed of 1.44 GHz and a boost clock of 1.84 GHz.
Although the W8 Pro cannot boast of a large amount of RAM and flash memory (32 GB), the latter can be increased by inserting a microSD card.
Of course, you won't be able to play demanding computer games using Wintel W8 Pro (but the old ones are quite), but for a reasonable price you will have a TV box with Windows 10 on board, and the ability to watch online videos and movies, surf the Web and work with various Windows applications.
pros: compact size, the speed of the USB 3.0 port corresponds to the declared, there is an Ethernet port.
Minuses: hard to find on sale in Russia, but you can on Aliexpress. There is a radiator, but the case has no ventilation. As a result, the media player heats up under load, although the device does not freeze.
Rating of set-top boxes for digital TV DVB-T2
You can learn more about good set-top boxes for digital TV in our article: the best 2019 DVB-T2 digital set-top boxes... Today we have selected three inexpensive but popular and high quality models.
3. Selenga HD 950 D
The average price is 1,194 rubles.
Characteristics:
- DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-T2
- support for 1080p mode
- file playback
- HDMI output
- remote control
The disconnection of analog broadcasting in Russia has already taken place, and if you have not yet decided which set-top box for digital TV to choose, then we advise you to do it quickly. A suitable option is the Selenga HD 950 D model, which allows you to watch digital and cable TV of the DVB-T2 / DVB-C standard.
Despite the low price of this digital TV tuner, it has everything you need to work efficiently, including display, teletext, Dolby Digital support, external HDD support and even Parental Controls.
pros: solid metal body, you can watch Youtube and MEGOGO via Wi-Fi, easy to set up and connect.
Minuses: it heats up during work, it is advisable to turn it off at night.
2. World Vision T62D
The average price is 1,061 rubles.
Characteristics:
- DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-T2
- support for 1080p mode
- file playback
- HDMI output
- remote control
The most inexpensive model in the rating of set-top boxes for digital TV boasts the ability to receive both DVB-T2 and DVB-C, an external power supply and support for the AC3 / Dolby Digital codec.
The manufacturer's website is in Russian, and World Vision T62D is being updated with firmware that improves the operation of this device.
pros: there is a display with adjustable brightness, teletext and time delay mode.
Minuses: Wi-Fi adapter will have to be purchased separately, no parental controls, you need to update the firmware to find all available cable TV channels.
1. Oriel 421
The average price is 1,271 rubles.
Characteristics:
- DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-T2
- support for 1080p mode
- file playback
- HDMI output
- remote control
This is an easy-to-use and, perhaps, the best combo set-top box for the price and characteristics, which allows receiving digital TV signals in the DVB-C and DVB-T / T2 standards.
It features a large number of interface connectors, including a loop-through antenna output and two USB 2.0 ports. And parents will be happy to discover "Parental Control", which will save their child from a long stay in front of the TV screen.
pros: there is a display, teletext, deferred viewing mode, does not heat up during operation.
Minuses: small buttons and labels on the remote control, there is no Wi-Fi module included, you will have to buy it separately, for example, on Aliexpress.