Android tv box chart 2020

For streaming I think Mi Box S as well as Google Chromecast 2020 should be a very good choice especially for new users. Then Nvidia Shield TV is another good choice if you are willing to pay for the performance. If for some reasons you do not like these two, you may want to consider Option 6, especially S905X3/S905X4 boxes.

Chromecast 2020 is kind of Mi Box S killer with a faster CPU, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Mecool KM2 is another option with a bit better connectivity option but the brand is not as famous as Xiaomi and Google.

Nvidia Shield TV (usually S$200++) have all the advantages of Mi Box S and none of the disadvantages of Mi Box S.


The above video is a good summary why Mi Box S is often recommended as the streaming device to go.

A) It is a streaming device which makes your TV smart or smarter than it is now. This is true for TVs like those Samsung Frozen OS based smart TV, LG Webos based smart TV and even Xiaomi TV running Patchwall Android based OS.

B)It runs official Google Certified Android TV OS which is easy to use.

C) Very good streaming support due to running Certified Android TV OS, Netflix 4K and YouTube 4K are supported.

D) Good voice remote with Google Assistant

E) Chromecast 4k function built-in. This is one of the best feature of Mi Box S. You can use apps like Netflix, YouTube, Starhub Go, SingTel TV Go, Singtel Cast, HBO Go, Viu Premium, etc, on the phone (iOS or Android) and then cast to your TV with this function. Basically this covers most of the popular Streaming services here in Singapore. Take note you can still use your phone for other things after the shows started on the TV. You can run Netflix, YouTube, SingTel TV Go and Singapore Cast on Mi Box S itself as well.

In terms of cost, typical cost in Lazada/Qoo10/Shopee is around S$70-90, depending on offer and coupon. Take note Chromecast Ultra (4k support) itself cost more than S$100. Even the cheaper Chromecast (1080p) costs more than S$50.

The main disadvantages of Mi Box S are the following.
a) The author mentions relatively weak CPU and occasionally lag or skip frame if you set the interface resolution as 4k. Still it is actually very good for streaming and even casual gaming due to good software optimization.

b) Relatively limited interface, only one USB 2.0 port and no Ethernet interface. Still take note the Dual Band AC WiFi works well.

c) Relatively small 8GB storage but you can add a fast USB Flash Drive to expand the storage

Depending on your needs you may consider the following streaming hardware options, from easy to more difficult. Option 8/9/10 may sound easy but I think they may have legal issues and should be avoided.

1) Starhub Fibre TV or SingTel TV, still the best for old folks.

2) Starhub TV+ box runs operator tier of Android TV OS with Netflix 4K support. But the feedback is that it is not stable and often you need log out and log in back. It is also locked down so that you can not side-load apps.

3) Apple TV and Apple TV 4k which are good option for Apple users

4) Mi Box S or Chromecast 2020 or Nvidia Shield TV running official Android TV OS whch supports Netflix 4k and YouTube 4k. They have built-in Chromecast 4K function as well.

You can load other apps as well with some exceptions like Starhub TV+. But you can use Starhub TV+ on the mobile and cast to TV.

5) Amazon Fire TV stick 4k, 4K Max or Amazon Fire TV Cube 2nd generation, which supports Netflix 4k as well, again you can side load other apps but they do not support Chromecast.

6) Other Android TV boxes, say those from Minix and Mecool. They may have better build quality than the generic boxes from Option 7. I will recommend those with official Android TV OS since they have Chromecast function. They do not have Netflix 4k support though. For example, you can consider Minix NEO T5 (S905X2 based) or Mecool KM3/KM1 (S905X3 based) or KM6 (S905X4 based) or KM7 (S905Y4 based). They support Chromecast.

Beelink and Ugoos can be considered as well but take note they do not seem to have devices running official Android TV OS. So you will not get Netflix 4k or Chromecast function.

7) If your budget is low, then you can consider generic no brand boxes with S905X3/S95X4 CPU running mobile version of Android. Build quality may vary and they do not support Netflix 4k or ChromeCast. They will not support Amazon Prime Video, Singtel Cast and TVB Anywhere+ either.

8) Preloaded boxes like UnblockTech Ubox with relative comprehensive live TV app UBTV. EVpad is another popular brand in this category but it is getting worse after year 2020 crackdown of its servers.

I will say to avoid them as they are considered illegal now.

9) Other preloaded boxes sold at Sim Lim Square, other shopping centres or online market place or even Facebook, most if not all are problematic and do not expect good support. Avoid them.

10) Not HW boxes but just paid IPTV subscription. Not recommended as well.

Of course there are other alternatives like smart TV from Samsung (Tizen OS), LG (Web OS) and Sony/Sharp/Philips (Android TV OS), among which Android TV OS is the smartest with more apps. Xiaomi TV China version is only recommended if you are only interested in mainland China contents. There are Global version of Xiaomi TV with Netflix 4K support as well but make sure you contact the vendor for the details.

Then there are things like Roku box which is popular in US but may not be good for use in Singapore.

More info here:

If you are into Gaming, here is the reference:

Xiaomi TV box discussions

Nvidia Shield TV discussions

Google Chromecast 2020

The Android TV box charts here can be of some reference value.