Buying An Android TV Box?

Here is your comprehensive guide to buy the best Android TV box in 2025. By the way, Android TV box is also known as a Smart TV Box.

To choose the best Android TV box for yourself, it is very important to understand the box's purpose.

• Some users convert non-smart TVs into smart TVs using an Android box for entertainment, requiring basic hardware configuration and the latest official Android TV OS.
• Gamers use Smart TV boxes for high-performance gaming, demanding high RAM, storage, a powerful GPU, and support for external controllers based on game requirements.
• Developers utilize Android boxes for large-screen app development, requiring both horizontal and vertical display switching options. They also prefer open-source operating systems for easier root access.
• Security agencies rely on Android TV boxes for remote CCTV surveillance and various other applications.

Knowing the exact purpose lets you decide the best Android Box.

Various Android TV Box Processors

• Qualcomm Processors - Automobile Connectivity
• NVIDIA Processors - High-end Gaming, Entertainment
• Amlogic Processors - Entertainment, Digital Signage & Basic Gaming
• Rockchip Processors - Entertainment, Digital Signage
• MediaTek Processors - Entertainment
• Allwinner Processors - Entertainment

Various Smart TV Box Hardware Configuration

• 2 GB RAM, 8 GB Internal Storage With 1.4Ghz CPU - Entertainment
• 2 GB RAM, 16 GB Internal Storage With 1.4Ghz CPU - Entertainment
• 3 GB RAM, 16 GB Internal Storage With 2.4 Ghz CPU - Entertainment, High-end Gaming
• 3 GB RAM, 32 GB Internal Storage With 2.4 Ghz CPU - Entertainment, High-end Gaming
• 4 GB RAM, 16 GB Internal Storage With 2.0 Ghz CPU - Entertainment, Basic Gaming & Signage
• 4 GB RAM, 32 GB Internal Storage With 2.0 Ghz CPU - Entertainment, Basic Gaming & Signage
• 8 GB RAM, 64 GB Internal Storage With 1.8 GHz CPU - Entertainment, Basic Gaming

Android TV Box Internet Connectivity Options

• Ethernet Port - Wired
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi can transmit 11 Mbps (802.11b) to 450 Mbps (802.11n) - Wireless
• 5 GHz Wi-Fi can transmit up to 1.3 Gbps (802.11ac) - Wireless

Smart TV Box Internet Connectivity Options

• Bluetooth 4.0 - Data transfers up to 1Mbps
• Bluetooth 5.0 - Data transfers up to 2Mbps

Android TV Box Firmware / Operating Systems

• Android TV OS Official

The Android TV OS has revolutionized the television industry, transforming Smart TVs into powerful, multifunctional devices. With the direct access to the Android TV based Google Play Store, Smart TVs can leverage millions of apps developed by creators worldwide, enhancing entertainment, productivity, and connectivity. Features such as built-in Chromecast, Screen mirroring, Google Voice Assistant where first introduced.

This vast ecosystem enables users to stream, game, and even smart home integration, making televisions more than just viewing devices. Apps such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, Hotstar, and many other OTTs come preinstalled. This continuous innovation of Android TV provides a mind-blowing user experience, catering to diverse needs.

• Google TV OS

Google TV OS is built on Android TV OS but enhances content discovery by prioritizing personalized recommendations. It optimizes the user experience by focusing on content availability, making it easier to find and access movies, shows, and apps from various streaming platforms.

• Android TV OS - Open Source - Customizable

Android TV OS with Open Source operating system is the developer version of the official OS and is authorized to access the root of the system and make custom changes according to one's requirement, while still Android TV updates are constantly available.

• Android AOSP OS - Highly Customizable OS

Android AOSP OS differs significantly from Android TV OS, despite being built on the open-source Android platform by Google itself. Unlike Android TV OS, which is optimized for Smart TVs prioritizing entertainment first with Google services, AOSP OS is a customizable, barebones version, allowing manufacturers to modify it without relying on Google’s proprietary features.

Android AOSP lets technical users to do a lot of modifications to become extremely multifunctional. Video Calling applications, CCTV Streamings Apps, IOT Applications, Utility Applications, Digital Signage Applications, and many more can be installed and used efficiently. While the only downside is that the manufacturer holds the full control over the OS or the user has to manually change the operating system.

• FireTV OS

FireTV OS is a completely customized operating system by taking Android AOSP as the base operating system and customized to make it look like Amazon's own television OS. FireTV comes only in a few Amazon-owned Android TV Sticks and focuses primarily on entertainment. Smart TV box apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Videos, Hulu, Netflix comes pre-installed

Android TV Box Media Licenses

Google Widevine DRM is one of the most important media licenses that any android box need to have. DRM stands for digital rights management. The main purpose of DRM license is to play very high resolution content over the internet by taking security measures to avoid piracy of content.

• DRML1 - Plays high resolution content up to 4K resolution
• DRML3 - Plays medium resolution content up to 720p resolution only

Android TV Box Display Features

A few Android TV boxes with Android TV OS - Open Source and Android AOSP OS come with display features such as Display Resolution, Screen Rotation, Screen Position and HDMI CEC Options. The above features let the user customize the viewable area on the screen according to the user requirement.

A Few Infamous 4K Android TV Boxes

1. Nvidia Shield TV - Gaming & Entertainment
2. Nvidia Shield TV Pro - Gaming & Entertainment
3. Mi Box 4K - Entertainment
4. FireTV Stick With Alexa Remote - Entertainment
5. Ridaex 4K Android TV Box With Gyro Remote - Basic Gaming, Entertainment & Digital Signage
6. MXQ PRO 4K Android Box - Entertainment & Digital Signage

So that, Now you have the required knowledge to pick the best Android TV Box or Smart TV Box for yourself. Go ahead and explore