If you get one of the best Android TV boxes, you can make sure that the experience is as fast, seamless, and enjoyable as possible. You can instantly access all of your favorite video and music apps, along with some light games, without buying a new TV. The best of the best are the options that you can choose from.

When it comes to the best Android TV boxes, our overall pick is the Chromecast with Google TV. The new Chromecast is perfect. It has a great remote that is easy to use and comes in at an incredible price. The star of the show is the special software that's on top of Android TV, offering new features and an upgraded design that we think you will love.

The NVIDIA Shield TV is a solid choice if you don't like what Chromecast has to offer. It makes up for the higher price with a faster processor, 4K upscaling, and a more premium remote.

It is also worth considering the very similar NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. The Shield TV is almost the same as the regular Shield TV, but it has extra storage and ports. If you have a lot of SmartThings-enabled gadgets in your home, this is a great touch.

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...

Chromecast With Google TV

(Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

The best of the bunch is the Chromecast with Google TV, which is the only one of the bunch that will be available in 2021. No matter how you slice it, the latest Chromecast is a perfect streaming companion for any living room.

Everything you need for high-quality streaming is here. A processor that keeps things running smoothly is one of the things that the Chromecast has. The remote is well-built and has good utility in a sleek and compact form factor.

The new interface of the Google TV is what gives the Chromecast a big edge over the rest of the options. While it is technically powered by Android TV, it has been added with a new software to create a brand new experience. Everything is more visually appealing, all of your apps work the same, and the new home pages are designed to help you find what you're looking for more easily. The only way to get a better user experience is to use the Chromecast.

The price of the device makes this even better. It is one of the most affordable TV boxes on our list, and it is the best one in the market. Talk about a win-win.

Some users have reported various bugs and problems since its debut, such as freezing apps and entire system crashes. It doesn't seem like everyone is affected by these things, but if you plan on picking up the Chromecast, it's something to consider.

The best one to get in the world of TV boxes is the Chromecast with Google TV. The thing that puts it over the edge is its competitive price and unparalleled software.

NVIDIA Shield TV (2019)

(Image credit: Phil Nickinson / Cordcutters)

If you don't like the look of the Chromecast, you can consider the NVIDIA Shield TV. The Shield TV is one of the most compact boxes you can find. It is not a box but a small tube. It is easy to hide regardless of your entertainment setup.

The Shield TV has all of the streaming tech you could want, including support for 4K. It uses artificial intelligence to convert HD content into 4K for a better image. If you prefer a wired connection for faster streaming, there is an Ethernet jack.

The Shield TV can access the cloud gaming service from NVIDIA that allows you to play PC games on your television.

The Shield TV is one of the best ones to get in the world of TV boxes. It works with the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service.

NVIDIA Shield

(Image credit: Android Central)

If you like what you see with the Shield TV, but want something more capable, the Shield TV Pro is for you. It has everything that makes the regular Shield TV great, including 4K streaming, 4K upscaling, and more.

There is a reason why the Shield TV Pro hardware is larger. If you have a lot of smart home gadgets under the SmartThings brand, you can use the Shield TV Pro as a hub. There are two full-sizeusb ports on the back, connecting external storage devices, over-the-air antennas, and keyboards. The Pro has more storage and RAM than the regular Shield TV.

The Shield TV Pro is a better choice for power users that need their TV box to do as much as possible because of its larger size and increased price.

The Shield TV Pro is similar to the regular Shield TV, though it comes with a few notable upgrades. For a few extra dollars, you can get more RAM and storage, and the box can be used as a SmartThings hub.

Walmart Onn Uhd Streaming Box

(Image credit: Walmart)

Unless you shop at Walmart frequently, the onn. brand might not be something you recognize. At least with the onn, you might want to start paying attention. The device is for streaming TV. This box is the cheapest way to get into the world of streaming.

You will not have to worry about annoying and intrusive ads telling you to sign up for Walmart+ because you will enjoy a stock Android TV experience. The included remote is almost as good as the streaming device. The remote has a dedicated button for the Google Assistant, as well as four shortcut buttons for some of the best streaming services.

There are some concessions that need to be made with a streaming device. 8GB of non-expandable storage is the biggest issue. If you plan on watching downloaded content, you will need to look elsewhere.

The bottom line is with the onn. This streaming device is extremely affordable and has support for Dolby Atmos. The storage is limited and you won't find support for Dolby Vision.

TiVo Stream 4K

(Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

We understand that the Shield TV and Shield TV Pro may be too expensive for many shoppers. If you fall into that group, we recommend you go with the TiVo Stream 4K. Even though it's a lot cheaper, the Stream, 4K from TiVo, still supports 4K HDR content, works with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and comes with a voice remote for easy access to the internet.

Access to the exclusive TiVo Stream app is the biggest draw to the TiVo Stream 4K. Personal recommendations of shows and movies to watch are made by the company. The Stream app houses access to all of your other streaming services so that you can access them in one convenient place. It is not as seamless as the experience on the internet. The Stream is an excellent choice if you want a traditional TV interface with high-quality recommendations.

You can find a collection of free channels from the likes of Tubi, Cheddar, and Tastemade at TiVo Stream. If you have a subscription to Sling TV, you will be able to watch it in the app.

Want a budget-friendly TV box? The Shield TV is feature-rich, but the TiVo Stream 4K delivers all the basics while keeping more money in your wallet.

Dynalink Android TV Box Lifestyle

(Image credit: Dynalink)

Dynalink has an affordable TV box. This isn't as well-known of a product as the other ones on our list, but it could be worth a look for budget shoppers. The Dynalink TV Box has 4K video streaming and a remote with voice control. We like that you get dedicated buttons for your favorite websites to use with the Assistant button in the middle of the remote.

The small and lightweight TV box is portable. The Dynalink only has two ports on it, a microUSB for power and an HDMI port on the back. If you want to bring your home theater system with you on a road trip, this will make it easy to pack it.

This budget box has a few issues as it is still running and has not been updated yet. You will miss out on expandable storage and are limited to the 8GB onboard without adding any external storage. You won't find Dolby Vision compatibility while there's Dolby Audio support.

If you are looking for robust features in an affordable TV box, the Dynalink is a good choice. It's easy to put almost anywhere with 4K streaming, Dolby Audio support, and a small form-factor.

How to pick the best Android TV box

You have a few options when shopping for a TV box, but the one that stands out to you is the one that comes with the Chromecast. It comes in at a very reasonable price and has a lot of features.

The Chromecast is a great device to watch movies and TV shows on. Thanks to its support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, you can ensure that your picture and audio quality are as good as it gets.

The new Google TV software is something that makes the Chromecast unique. All of the shows and movies from your various streaming apps can be found in one place with the help of the Google TV. It eliminates the hassle of juggling between multiple apps to find something to watch, and it is a useful addition that you won't find anywhere else.

1. What's the name of the TV?

A brief overview of what Android TV is at its core is the first thing.

There is a special version of the operating system that is designed for TVs. You will notice that it looks different than the software that powers your phone. The interface looks and feels the same on the big screen as it does on the small screen.

You can download various apps for your TV on the internet. If you are looking for a fun way to kill time, some basic games are available to download. The Apple TV app was the biggest missing piece from the content library. It has been on the TV for a long time.

There are a couple of nifty tricks that can be found on the Android TV platform that you won't find on other smart TV platforms. It is baked into your phone and speakers, just like it is into your TV boxes. If you press the microphone button on the remote that comes with the box, you can ask the assistant to control smart home devices, bring up your calendar, start streaming a show, and a lot more.

The TV boxes are double as targets. If you tap the icon on the phone app, it will send you something to watch on your TV, just like that. If you want to show off an app that doesn't support Chromecast, you can mirror your entire phone screen.

2. Is it better to buy a streaming box instead of a TV?

You can buy a full-on television that comes with a built-in Android TV software when you buy an Android TV box. If you are in the market for a new TV and know you want it to run the Android TV interface, but you don't want to commit to a box, these can be useful.

The cheapest TV boxes are more convenient than the best ones. If you already have an excellent non-smart TV, a TV box is a cheap and easy way to fix it. It is a great way to get familiar with the operating system if you have never used it before.

It is easier to return a small box instead of a giant TV if you get an Android TV box and it turns out that it is not a good fit. The Shield TV and Shield TV Pro have better processors and are more reliable in getting software updates.

3. What is the difference between Fire TV and Roku?

If you don't like any of the choices on this list, you may want to consider shopping for streaming boxes powered by a different smart TV platform, like Amazon Fire TV.

The most popular software for smart TV interface is called Roku, which has built-in options for both streaming boxes and TVs. Having more hardware options and more apps is a benefit to the company. The selection of apps on Android TV is better than it was a few years ago, but there are still many smaller channels that you can't get on Roku.

The Amazon Fire TV is popular. It doesn't have many different hardware choices for Fire TV boxes, but the available ones are cheaper than the top picks. It also benefits from having a built-in Amazon voice assistant.

4. Can you tell me more about the game?

If you are still confused about what it is, here is what you need to know.

You can play PC games on virtually any device with the help of a service called GeForce Now. Similar to how you stream movies and TV shows, GeForce streams video games. It works with a lot of free-to-play games and ones you have purchased through platforms like Steam, with some of the supported titles including Just Cause 4, Control, and Rainbow Six Siege.

You can use the service for free, but only for an hour. Once that hour is up, you can just get back into your game and play for another hour. The paid tier gives you access to longer continuous play sessions, priority access to the GeForce Now server, and support for even better looking games.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a TV box that streams endless content on your television. If you pick up a Chromecast or the TiVo Stream 4K, you will have a reliable and capable device for streaming the day away.