If you want to know what a Smart TV set-top box is, what it is needed for, how it works, what opportunities it provides and how to use it, then you have come to the right place. In this article I will tell you everything about these devices. Let's look at a few examples, I'll show you what set-top box is connected to my TV and what I use it for. This information will primarily be useful to those who are thinking about buying a Smart TV set-top box for their TV and want to learn more about the capabilities of these devices.
“Smart” set-top boxes became popular after the advent of TVs with the Smart TV function. When there was a need to somehow add Smart functions to regular TVs that do not have built-in support for Smart TV. I already talked about this in a separate article: how to make a Smart TV from a regular TV.
Comparison table
| Rank/Name | Expert assessment | Price range, rub. |
| The best models up to 5000 rubles | ||
| Rombica Smart Box 4K | 78 out of 100 | From 5 490 * |
| X96 Max+ 4/64Gb | 94 out of 100 | From 4,340 to 4,690 * |
| MECOOL KD1 TV Stick | 98 out of 100 | From 3,990 * |
| Xiaomi Mi TV Stick 2K HDR | 94 out of 100 | From 3,288 to 5,291 * |
| Android TV Box Transpeed H616 4/32GB | 90 out of 100 | From 3,390 * |
| TV BOX T95 2GB/16GB, Android 10 | 90 out of 100 | From 2,750 * |
| The best models from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles | ||
| MECOOL KM6 Deluxe 4Gb + 64Gb | 90 out of 100 | From 8 590 * |
| Google Chromecast with Google TV | 96 out of 100 | From 7,100 to 7,250 * |
| MECOOL KM9 Pro | 96 out of 100 | From 6,390 to 6,400 * |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | 92 out of 100 | From 5,200 to 5,790 * |
| Magicsee N5 NOVA 4/64 Gb | 84 out of 100 | From 5,190 to 5,590 * |
| Xiaomi Mi Box 3S | 94 out of 100 | From 4,899 to 8,290 * |
| H96MAX RK3566 4Gb + 32Gb | 96 out of 100 | From 3,499 to 3,550 * |
| The best models over 10,000 rubles | ||
| NVIDIA SHIELD PRO | 94 out of 100 | From 24,990 to 27,940 * |
| Apple TV 4K 64GB, 2021 | 90 out of 100 | From 19,500 to 21,490 * |
*prices are valid for February 2022
Our rating includes the best models that can be found on the market. When selecting models, we considered not only their characteristics, but also reviews from users who have already purchased such a product.
Conclusion
We reviewed the best Smart TV set-top boxes for your TV. The rating includes models of all price categories, so everyone will find an option for themselves. The main thing is that the TV box fully meets your needs. For example, if you only need it to watch movies on the Internet, then there is no point in buying an expensive model. Google Chromecast 2015 is quite suitable for this purpose. And for more demanding users, Apple TV or Vontar X96 Max are perfect.
Other interesting articles:
Marusya or Alisa - which is better? Comparison of voice assistants
The best Smart TV set-top boxes under 5,000 rubles
This category includes budget devices that will satisfy almost everyone. Most of them support the now popular 4K UHD format. And this suggests that such devices have minimal disadvantages.
6
Rombica Smart Box 4K
Editorial rating 85 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
A modern ultra-high definition media player (Ultra HD), with support for 3D video and multi-channel sound. It has all the advantages of a classic media player combined with Android 6.0, KODI media center and Google Play, Yandex application stores. The player interfaces allow you to connect any TV, projector or audio system.
The device contains an advanced media center with services for watching films, TV series, cartoons (Netflix, AMEDIATEKA, IVI, Megogo), as well as 100 free TV channels via the Internet. Includes HDMI 2.0a cable, power supply, learning remote control (can control TV). Supports connection of keyboard and mouse.
A sufficient number of connectors, as well as the ability to connect a computer, make this console interesting for users. There is no broadcast mode (but it shouldn't be on budget devices). The main drawback is the large number of pre-installed applications that cannot be removed (and they take up memory).
- Price: from 5,490 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 3.9.
- Maximum resolution: 4K UHD.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Miracast.
- Features: there are USB 2.0 Type A, USB 3.0 Type A, Ethernet 10/100 interfaces, stereo audio output, composite video output, HDMI output.
Advantages:
- Full Ultra HD;
- Wi-Fi support;
- Efficient CPU;
- 100 free channels;
- Learning remote control;
- 3D support.
Flaws:
- Unfinished software.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
5
X96 Max+ 4/64Gb
Editor's rating 88 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
Inside this set-top box there is a fairly powerful 4-core Amlogic S905X3 Cortex A55 processor, Mali-G31 graphics accelerator, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, 64 GB of internal eMMC memory. This allows the box to display a picture in a resolution of 3840 x 2160 with HDR10 support.
Wi-Fi standards 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac are supported, so the transmitter is capable of operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. There is also a Bluetooth transmitter and a gigabit LAN port. The set-top box runs on the Android 9.0 operating system. The warranty period for this device is 6 months.
- Price: from 4,340 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 4.7.
- Maximum resolution: 4K UHD.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Miracast.
- Features: HDR10 support allows for an expanded color range.
Advantages:
- Wi-Fi on 2 bands;
- OS Android 9.0;
- Gigabit LAN;
- Processor Amlogic S905X3;
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM;
- Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Miracast support;
- Reasonable price tag.
Flaws:
- It gets very hot.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
4
MECOOL KD1 TV Stick
Editorial rating 90 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
Compact TV box with a powerful quad-core Amlogic S905Y2 processor with a frequency of up to 2 GHz, two gigabytes of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory. The stick does an excellent job of playing videos with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels via YouTube, as well as other streaming services, is officially certified by Google, and runs on the new version of Android TV 10.
The stick supports a large number of video formats and works well with all applications for watching high-quality videos, IPTV, social networks, web browsers and office programs. The powerful Amlogic S905Y2 processor allows you to use all the capabilities of the Android operating system, while saving energy well; the stick requires a current of only 1A to operate.
The cost of this box is fully justified by its functionality, since it has a powerful chip, overheating protection, a built-in browser, and other useful things. The box is perfect for playing video files of various formats. If you buy this set-top box, you will not need a separate receiver or flash drives, since everything is online.
- Price: from 3,990 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 4.9.
- Maximum resolution: 4K UHD.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
- Features: set includes set-top box, power supply, IR sensor, instructions.
Advantages:
- Full Ultra HD;
- Powerful Amlogic S905Y2 CPU;
- OS Android TV 10;
- Supports a large number of formats;
- Compact dimensions;
- Moderate heating;
- Wi-Fi on 2 bands.
Flaws:
- There are no significant ones.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
3
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick 2K HDR
Editor's rating 92 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
The ultra-compact device, which looks like a GSM modem, runs on the Android 9.0 operating system. The media player provides the ability to access various online resources, including IPTV. “Traditional” television (cable and terrestrial) will not be used.
Miracast support implemented in the media player allows you to transfer images to the TV from smartphones, tablets and other devices. The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick media player supports the FHD standard. The player is designed to be powered from the mains. There is support for Google Play, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video.
This is a proven TV box that practically does not heat up, supports teletext, works smoothly and loads content quite quickly (however, this depends on the speed of the router). Its advantages: it practically does not freeze and provides high-quality images in Full HD.
- Price: from 3,288 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 4.7.
- Maximum resolution: 1080p.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
- Features: included power adapter, USB – microUSB cable, HDMI extension cable, remote control, user manual.
Advantages:
- Low price;
- Compact dimensions;
- Thoughtful management;
- Integration with different platforms;
- Supports a large number of formats;
- Dual-band Wi-Fi;
- Powered by mains.
Flaws:
- There are no significant ones.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
2
Android TV Box Transpeed H616 4/32GB
Editor's rating 97 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
The device runs on the Android 10.0 operating system and has a very user-friendly interface. The heart of this device is the powerful Allwinner H616, Cortex-A53 processor with a maximum clock frequency of 1.8 GHz. Thanks to the Mali-G31 MP2 video accelerator and hardware support for modern codecs, high-definition video will always be of high quality.
Using an HDMI cable, you can connect the Transpeed H616 set-top box directly to your TV and set up a home theater with 6K Ultra HD images. The device's RAM capacity is 4 GB. The built-in storage has a capacity of 32 GB and is expandable with a microSD memory card.
The disadvantages are that the device heats up too much during intensive use. But the device functions normally and is suitable for playing high-quality video content. The device is set up quite simply and performs all the tasks of a high-quality media player.
- Price: from 3,390 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 4.5.
- Maximum resolution: 4K UHD.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Miracast, Bluetooth.
- Features: there are interfaces: optical audio output, composite video output, HDMI output, USB 2.0 Type A x 2, Ethernet 10/100 x 2.
Advantages:
- AirPlay, Miracast support;
- All necessary interfaces;
- Efficient CPU;
- Work with microSD cards;
- Graphics adapter Mali-G31 MP2;
- Small sizes.
Flaws:
- High heat.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
1
TV BOX T95 2GB/16GB, Android 10
Editorial rating 99 out of 100
Description
Specification
Reviews
The set-top box runs Android 10. This allows you to watch videos from YouTube, IVI, OKKO, HD Videbox and other popular services in 4K resolution, download applications from Google Play, and also play games. The Smart TV set-top box is connected to the TV using an HDMI cable.
To connect to the Internet, the model is equipped with a Wi-Fi wireless interface and an Ethernet port. There is support for video formats such as AVI, MP4, H.264, HEVC (H.265), as well as the ability to work with a microSD memory card. The device has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.
- Price: from 2,750 rubles.
- Customer Rating: 4.5.
- Maximum resolution: 4K UHD.
- Wireless connection: Wi-Fi.
- Features: set-top box, charger, remote control, HDMI cable, instructions included.
Advantages:
- Good performance;
- microSD support;
- Android 10 on board;
- Small sizes;
- Light weight;
- Full Google Play;
- Powerful processor.
Flaws:
- Wi-Fi for 2.4 GHz.
Yandex Market Prices on Yandex Market
E-Catalog Prices in the E-Catalog
Video review
Connection
I’ll say right away that almost all boxes support multiple connections:
- HDMI is a special standard for sending multimedia data. This is the most acceptable standard due to the quality of the picture and sound.
- AV – in Old Slavonic they are also called “Tulips”. If you have a particularly old TV, you can also connect it via the AV output.
Now we go to the TV and place the set-top box next to it. Don't plug it into the network yet, let's first connect all the wires. Connect the HDMI cable as shown in the picture below. On some set-top boxes there are two of these ports: AUT and IN - you need to connect to the AUT port. If there is only one, then we insert it into it.
There is also nothing complicated about connecting tulips. Insert three tulips into the corresponding connectors on the TV. Yellow is for video output, and red and white are for audio.
If you connect to the router's network via a wire, then insert one end of the network cable into the set-top box, and the other into one of the yellow connectors on the router.
With a wired connection, you will immediately have access to the Internet and your router’s local network. But the wireless connection will need to be configured:
- Go to the menu and select settings by clicking on the gear icon.
- Select the network or Wi-Fi icon.
- There will be two connection methods: “Wi-Fi” (Wireless connection) and “Ethernet” (Wired). We choose the first option.
- Next you will see a list of all available connections. Select your home network and click on it. Then everything is simple - enter the password for it and connect.
- Now you have a network and internet on your TV.
If you encounter any difficulties when connecting, write about it in the comments in as much detail as possible, and I will help you. It will also be very useful if you leave a review about the set-top box that you bought.
Choosing an Android Smart TV set-top box for your TV by size
Smart TV set-top boxes can be made in the form of a small flash drive - a TV Stick, which will hardly even be visible behind the rim of the monitor. It is suitable for performing simple tasks - simply connecting the TV to the Internet to watch videos.
Another type - in the form of a small box - TV Box, which, roughly speaking, is a tablet without a monitor.
Of course, the larger the case, the more connectors it has for connecting additional auxiliary devices, as well as the better technical characteristics. This is already a full-fledged multimedia device, not inferior in functionality to any smartphone, to which you can connect a bunch of additional storage devices and peripherals to “have a blast.”
Problems and their solutions
The more interfaces a device has, the more diverse the equipment that can be connected to it. It is important that the box contains connectors such as HDMI, USB, AV, DC, S/PDIF, Ethernet and LAN.
If you see a message on your Android TV that the device is jailbroken, this means that the device is "rooted", in other words, a bug has been installed that allows the user to bypass internal protection.
This is a risky process because, although it provides increased access to the operating system, it is possible to download malware and even remove pre-installed applications. After this, the user loses the warranty provided by the manufacturer.
