Does Apple TV, Chromecast Google TV 4K or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick catch your eye? You are right, these are good tools to get rid of TV interfaces. These TV boxes are also more versatile than the classic operator boxes. They allow fluid navigation on your TV in order to watch your series and films in streaming, to play games or simply to consult a web page. Numerama has tested everything and presents its comparison of TV boxes for 2023.
There are two types of people in this world: those who are fed up with their internet box which acts as a multimedia box and those who do not yet know that they are fed up with their internet box which acts as a multimedia box. Slow, sometimes running on outdated interfaces, not compatible with the latest standards and covered with bloatware from operators, our good old boxes were never designed to serve you multimedia content – rather to charge you for an additional service without you ask your opinion.
Today’s Smart TVs and 4K TVs offer an interface that allows you to more or less easily navigate your TV and launch a few applications. However, the fluidity is not always there and certain possibilities, such as browsing your television from your smartphone, are absent subscribers. To optimize an old TV without buying a new one or gaining in comfort of use, the purchase of a TV box is quite relevant.
In addition, when your TV or your box allows you to access your favorite films and series in SVOD, it is difficult to project yourself into the usefulness of a TV box. However, once tested, you can’t live without it.
Our selection of the best TV boxes 2023 on Android and tvOS
- AppleTV
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Google Chromecast
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
On the TV box market, as for that of smartphones, or even that of laptops, there are two very distinct operating systems that are Apple’s tvOS and Android TV. If the Apple TV will perfectly complement your Apple ecosystem, the Nvidia Shield TV stands out as the reference for Android TV. For smaller budgets, Google’s Chromecast offers great benefits for less than a hundred euros.
The only recommendation we can really give you without batting an eyelid is to invest in a model with 4K. Certainly more expensive, they will accompany you in return for longer, 4K technology becoming the norm. And if a 4K box can restore an image with a lower resolution, the reverse is not possible. A Full HD TV box will not be able to display Ultra HD content.
Apple TV 4K: Apple convenience in a digital box
Apple case design
Apple’s Apple TV 4K comes in the form of a small, fairly unobtrusive box. Smaller than the previous model, it still requires that we make a small place for it next to the television to which it must be connected. The HDMI cable to connect the Apple TV box to the TV is unfortunately not provided. Unless you have one, you will need to plan an additional ten euros to be able to use the box.
Interface, voice commands and remote control
Apart from this defect, the Apple TV has everything to please. In addition to its simple interface, the Apple TV box can boast of having the best responsiveness. Navigation is fluid and the box responds immediately to commands. If the applications are necessarily fewer than those offered by Android, they are however of better quality. Apple takes care to implement APIs in advance to facilitate the development of applications on its products. The iPhone 13 and Apple TV4 K share the same powerful chip, the A15 Bionic. It allows you to run games at 60 FPS in HDR but also offers the possibility of cloud gaming.
Apple’s ecosystem is up to what can be expected from the brand. Thanks to the HomePod, you can listen to your favorite playlist or launch your favorite series without having to handle a remote control. Connecting to HomePod even allows TV sound to be broadcast. We recognize the design of Apple in the remote control which finds a very clean line. The real + of this remote control is its USB-C port which allows you to recharge the remote control which therefore does without batteries.
Apple TV 4K price
This is the most expensive TV box of this selection. Apple quality at a price and to enjoy the Apple experience on your TV, you have to pay between 170 and 180 €. Clearly, this box is not for everyone. It becomes interesting when you already have an iPhone or an Apple tablet.
? Find our complete test of the Apple TV 4K.
Nvidia Shield TV: the best Android TV box, powerful and versatile
Nvidia case design
In 2019, the Nvidia multimedia box offers a new design that sets it apart from what boxes and decoders usually offer. With its roll shape, it could almost be mistaken for a small portable speaker and fits discreetly next to your TV. Despite its small size, it does not lack connectors since it has an HMDI port, a slot for receiving a misoSD, the power supply socket as well as something to connect an Ethernet cable. On the other hand, you have to invest a few additional tens of euros in the pro version to benefit from a USB port that we regret a little on this version.
Interface, applications and remote control
The interface is quite intuitive. Compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa allow you to launch voice commands. For its remote control, Nvidia has, again, innovated by offering a triangular shape that offers a pleasant grip. The remote is backlit and runs on AAA batteries. The Netflix button, while handy, isn’t necessarily in the most strategic location and it’s easy to accidentally press it.
From the remote control, you also access the ” upscaling». Nvidia integrates Artificial Intelligence capable of restoring 4K quality from a smaller display format. 4K televisions often offer this option without being able to recompose an image of as good quality as what Nvidia offers with its TV box.
Nvidia Shield TV price
Nvidia offers a high-end Android TV box. It completely corresponds to the equivalent of Apple TV, but designed for AndroidTV. The Nvidia Shield TV is around 160 euros on merchant sites. The pro version with higher storage spacecosts, meanwhile, 219 € on Amazon.
Google Chromecast: the TV box at the best value for money
Google case design
Google has understood the public’s need for convenience. He therefore transforms his Chromecast into a real TV box. Its very practical little HDMI key conquered by its format and the possibility of controlling its TV from its telephone. Google is not changing its recipe and its Chromecast still connects behind the TV via HDMI. The Chromecast cable is flexible and won’t get in the way of installing the box wherever your TV is, even against a wall. Small in size, the case is light and fits in the hand.
Interface, applications and remote control
If the very first version of the Chromecast consisted of a simple streaming interface, the Google Chromecast now includes all the features expected of a TV box. Installation is straightforward. Once the box is connected to the TV, all you have to do is download the Google Homme application, also available on the Apple Store, and follow the instructions. You will find the many applications available on the Play Store in addition to accessing more than 400,000 programs spread over the platforms accessible on Google TV.
The interface highlights recent content and facilitates access to new content that matches your preferences. Regarding image quality, the Google box is content to be in the current standard by offering 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. If you have a high-end SmartTV, the Chromecast will not visually bring anything other than what your TV already offers. On the other hand, it still allows you to share content from your phone on your TV screen and can be used to control other connected objects integrated into the Home ecosystem, working with Google Assistant, such as light bulbs.
Google Chromecast 4K Price
By offering its box for less than €70, Google places its Chromecast as the TV box with the best cost/performance ratio. This is the best TV box to transform your old TV without having to buy a new one.
? Find our complete Google Chromecast 4K test
Fire TV Stick 4K Max: Amazon’s TV box
Design of the Amazon Fire TV Stick
On the same concept as the Chromecast, the Amazon TV box takes the form of an HDMI key to connect to the back of your TV. In the form of a rigid stick, it is however less flexible and can be annoying when the TV is against a wall. Luckily, the Fire TV Stick comes with a small, flexible HDMI extender to dangle the rectangular-shaped case alongside the TV.
Interface, applications and remote control
The interface focuses mainly on news. The screen is sometimes overloaded with highlighted content and a cleaner main interface would have been nice. If you’re used to Prime Video interfaces, you won’t be too lost. Despite this detail, the Fire TV Stick offers good responsiveness even if it does not equal that of the Apple box. On the other hand, the chip of the Amazon Fire TV Stick is a little less powerful although it allows viewing of content in 4K and displays HDR and Dolby Vision compatibility.
At the level of the ecosystem, Amazon is a little behind, fault of the competition already well established. Although it responds to Alexa voice commands, Amazon’s TV box remains a bit more remote when it comes to controlling TV from your smartphone. On the other hand, if all your home automation is compatible with Alexa, you can use the Fire TV Stick to control the ignition of your connected bulbs or monitor your video surveillance camera.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Price
The latest version of Amazon’s TV box sits at €64.99. Warning, the previous version at €59.99, is a few euros cheaper, but does not support Wi-Fi 6.
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