The best Android TV box in 2023

Thinking about getting into Android TV? You’ve got options: tons of TVs from companies like TCL and Sony run on Android. There aren’t quite as many choices if you want a great streaming device that runs Android TV — especially when compared to Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV — but there’s still variety. Here, we’ve assembled a list of our picks for the best Android TV boxes, plus a couple of recommendations for new screens with Android TV built right in.

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1. Nvidia Shield TV (2019)

8.50

/ 10

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Nvidia’s tubular Shield TV has been available since 2019, so it’s not the newest “box” on this list — but we still think it’s the best Android TV device for most people today. Thanks to its custom Tegra X1+ chipset (and despite its two gigs of RAM), it’s super snappy. It also plays nice with more audio and video standards than you can shake a stick at, including Dolby Vision and Atmos, and has some of the most natural upscaling you’ll see in any streaming device. Nvidia’s also traditionally offered legendary software support for its Shield TV devices, too. It’s expensive at $150, though, and it’s got HDMI 2.0b — which doesn’t mean much now, but could present an issue when content that takes full advantage of HDMI 2.1 is more prevalent (whenever that is). If those things don’t bother you, the Shield TV is an excellent pick.

Specifications

Operating System: Android TV 11
Downloadable Apps: Yes
Resolution: 4K, 1080p
Ports: HDMI 2.0b, MicroSD, Gigabit Ethernet
Supported Audio Codecs: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X (pass-through), DTS Core
RAM/storage: 2GB/ 8GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), Bluetooth 5.0
Price: $150
CPU: Nvidia Tegra X1+

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Best value

4. Onn Android TV 4K

8.75

/ 10

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If you’re looking for something really cheap, Walmart’s Onn Android TV 4K is 30 stinkin’ bucks — and frequently discounted, to boot. Performance is fine, but build quality is what you’d expect at the price. And while it does support 4K video, it lacks Dolby Vision certification — so it’s only got HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. It also doesn’t have Atmos support. But again, it’s $30, so it’s hard to judge it too harshly. If you want the cheapest Android TV solution possible, this is the one for you.

Specifications

Brand: Onn
Operating System: Android TV
Downloadable Apps: Yes
Resolution: 4K
Ports: HDMI output, microUSB for power only
RAM/storage: 2GB/ 8GB
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4, Wi-Fi
Display: HDR
Audio: Dolby Audio

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6. Hisense U7G Series TV

8.50

/ 10

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Say you’re in the market for a television that has Android TV built in. In that case, the Hisense U7G line is a great place to start. It comes in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, supports 4K/120Hz playback, and works with standards like Dolby Vision and Atmos. It’s also very well regarded: Rtings gave it an 8.1/10 for general use (and it scored especially high marks for gaming). Pricing starts at $850 for the 55-inch model, but it’s often on sale for hundreds less.

Specifications

Screen Size: 55″, 65″, 75″
Operating System: Android TV
Panel Type: LED (VA)
Resolution: 4K
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Price: Starting at $850

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7. Sony X85J TV

8.25

/ 10

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Sony’s X85J TVs are a great mid-range option. They’re available in sizes from 43″ all the way up to 85″ and pack tons of desirable features, including built-in Google TV, support for standards like HDR10 and Dolby Vision, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and variable refresh rates up to 120Hz for supported content. While these sets don’t have the perfect black levels of OLED TVs, Rtings praises the X85J line’s contrast and black uniformity.

Note that despite an MSRP that starts at $750 for the 43-inch model, like most TVs, these go on sale regularly — it’s not unusual to see them going for hundreds under sticker price, so keep an eye out for deals.

Specifications

Screen Size: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Operating System: Google TV
Panel Type: LED
Resolution: 4K
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Price: Starting at $750 (MSRP)

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Sony X85J TV

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What’s the best Android TV box for you?

A new streaming device is a great way to add smarts to your non-connected TV or revitalize a smart TV that’s started to feel slow. All the options in this list have access to the same video streaming services, so the right one for you depends on your specific needs.

If you want a fast, smooth experience complete with all the modern A/V standards, the Nvidia Shield TV will be a good fit for you — provided you’ve got $150 to drop on a streaming box. The Shield TV Pro costs 50 bucks extra for some added functionality. If you’re not sure whether you should choose the regular or the Pro, go with the less expensive model; you’d know if you had any use for the Pro features.

The Chromecast with Google TV is a fine starter device at $50. Google TV is a version of Android TV with Google’s newest design and recommendation system centered around the Google TV app and Google Assistant. Compared to the Shield TV, it’s not as powerful, which means navigating the UI will feel slower. It also has limited storage space at just eight gigabytes, and to connect a USB storage device, you’ll need a USB-C hub. Still, as long as you only use a handful of apps, you shouldn’t have any trouble.

Walmart’s Onn TV 4K is only $30, so it’s a great choice for spare bedrooms and the like — just be aware it doesn’t support some advanced features like Dolby Atmos surround sound. There’s also the $30 Chromecast with Google TV (HD), which is almost identical to the 4K Chromecast with Google TV, except it tops out at 1080p and doesn’t offer Dolby Vision HDR. Looking to save money on content, too? Several streaming services offer the best value for your buck, such as YouTube, Netflix, Peacock, and more.