We have collected the TOP best TV set-top boxes for Android from Aliexpress. The rating includes inexpensive models up to 4,000 rubles and advanced set-top boxes with a powerful processor, support for 4K resolution and support for Dolby Audio\Atmos technology for high-quality sound. All TV boxes are stable in operation, operate without overheating or throttling, have high-quality Wi-Fi and Ethernet network modules on board, and convenient software (the ability to play various content). In addition, set-top boxes on Aliexpress are cheaper than in popular marketplaces. A huge advantage is the ability to download and watch movies through all kinds of torrents, and the ability to install applications and games from the Google Play Market.
Built-in Smart TV operating systems in modern TVs, such as WebOS in LG or Tizen in Samsung models, have limited capabilities and quickly become outdated, introducing “brakes” and regular application crashes. A good smart TV set-top box with Ali solves this problem.
Such a device can be purchased both for a regular TV without Smart TV, and for one equipped with it, but outdated. A TV set-top box for a TV from Aliexpress, running on Android, provides access to a huge number of applications and, over time, replacing it with a new one is much cheaper than replacing a TV.
How to choose a digital TV set-top box
A set-top box for digital television is a fairly simple device, but it also has several nuances that need to be taken into account when purchasing.
Supported Standards
The digital terrestrial television standard is DVB-T2. It is he who must be in the TV set-top box, otherwise the whole point of buying it is lost. The T1 tuner will also come in handy. Together they will provide excellent signal reception in any region of Russia.
On a note! If the device also offers an S2 and S tuner, then you can connect satellite TV through it. And DVB-C is a cable broadcasting standard.
Interfaces
The signal comes to the set-top box via a television cable, which is connected to the RF IN connector. After conversion, it is sent to the TV. If the device is very old, then you can use the same antenna output - RF OUT; more modern models use tulips (RCA), but the best option for transmitting high-quality images is HDMI. In addition, the presence of several of the connectors listed above will allow you to connect two TVs to one receiver.
An advanced set-top box can also offer a USB output. It is usually used to watch content from flash drives, or you can record your favorite broadcasts to an external drive. But there should be an appropriate option for this.
Functional
The main function of a digital tuner is to convert the signal in order to watch channels in a new broadcast format on an old TV. But it is better to buy a model with advanced capabilities.
- TimeShift allows you to pause your viewing and continue later from the same moment.
- The PVR option allows you to record the broadcast to an external drive.
- Built-in media player. Many devices have it, which allows you to watch not only 20 channels, but also movies from a flash drive, but it is important that the player supports different formats, otherwise you will have to search for a long time for a file with the desired extension.
Control
You usually have to control the set-top box using the remote control. They differ only in shape and location, so when buying, it makes sense to hold it in your hands to figure out whether it is convenient or not.
However, there is one more nuance with the control - if the remote control is lost, or its batteries run out, and the tuner was bought for the dacha, and there are no spare power sources, then you can find yourself in an unpleasant situation. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure that the control buttons (at least the basic functions) are on the body of the receiver itself.
What qualities are most important when buying a smart device?
Before purchasing the model you like, you should first ask what connectors it has for connecting to the TV. The fact is that the vast majority of modern TVs are equipped with HDMI connectors, thanks to which it is possible to provide high signal quality. Older models do not have such a connector; they probably have AV or VGA inputs, so you need to make sure that such sockets are available.
The signal quality will be directly affected by the model’s hardware device. The higher the RAM and built-in memory, as well as the processor performance, the faster the set-top box will work. The optimal parameters in this regard are processors equipped with 4 or 8 cores, a significant amount of RAM and maximum capacity of the built-in hard drive. Most modern models operate on the Android platform, but there are also set-top boxes operating on the Windows OS - these two operating systems compete with each other, but the advantage still remains on the side of Android. The fact is that it places fairly low demands on hardware, so the data processing speed is much higher. An operating system on the Windows platform will require a fairly powerful processor and a decent amount of RAM, so such a set-top box will cost much more.
If you plan to use the set-top box in offline mode, then it would be a good idea to ask what formats this product can work with: the more of them, the better. The method of connecting to the Internet also plays an important role. If there is no Wi-Fi module, then you will have to place the set-top box, and as a result, the TV, in close proximity to the router or modem so that the cable can be reached. This is not very convenient, so it is better to buy a device with wireless access.
On sale you can find consoles made in the form of a flash drive or box. The first type is compact in size, but can only be connected to the TV via a USB connector. Boxes can be connected in different ways, and their hardware characteristics are often much better, in particular, they do not heat up too much. They can also be used to work on older TV models.
When choosing console models for inclusion in our rating, we took into account all the points mentioned above, but paid attention to such important points as user reviews and the price-quality ratio of the device. For each product, we tried to collect the maximum amount of information so that you can accurately determine which device will suit you best in all respects.
⑦ VONTAR X96 mini
Rating: 4.8 Price: from 1190.08 rub.
up to
2587.73 rub.
Go to store X96 mini is one of the best devices to turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. This model is based on the popular X96 Max, but has different characteristics. The set-top box is controlled by an Amlogic S905W processor with 4 cores. The amount of memory depends on the modification of the device - there is an option with 1/8 GB and 2/16 GB, the built-in memory is increased using micro SD.
The TV box has a user-friendly interface and standard Android 7.1.2 Nougat system settings. An additional video card allows you to watch movies in 4K. Access to video content, viewing paid and free channels, games, communication - all these are the main features of the X96 mini.
Advantages:
- small sizes;
- full Android 7.1.2;
- software update over the air;
- It is possible to install third-party firmware.
Flaws:
- quite noticeable, but not critical heating;
- lack of a remote IR receiver.
Buy on AliExpress.com
Average price range
Xiaomi Mi Box S
The model has small dimensions - only 95x95x17 mm and weighs about 150 grams. On the front panel you can see an LED indicator that glows white when the device is turned on. There are no connectors on the sides. All of them are located at the back of the product, where there is an analog audio output, a socket for connecting a power cable, HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. The body is made of high-quality plastic with a matte finish, on which dust is practically invisible. It is manufactured as a monoblock, so there will be no backlash or other assembly defects a priori. The bottom cover has only rubber feet, it is attached to the main unit with latches, it can be removed using any plastic flat tool, in a pinch even a bank card will do.
The device operates on the original Android TV 8.1 platform, which was developed specifically for such products. The set of applications is traditional, but in the PlayMarket store you can only find programs that are adapted specifically for this operating system. The model functions stably and quite simply, moreover, it is completely Russified. The remote control has an ergonomic shape and a minimum number of buttons, which will not at all affect its functionality. It connects to the main unit via Bluetooth, supports voice control, and it functions stably and reliably - you don’t even have to hold it to your mouth like a microphone. The internal memory here is 4 GB, this volume is quite enough to install all the necessary applications, but programs and broadcasts will have to be recorded on external media.
Advantages:
- Very interesting and original appearance;
- Ergonomic remote control equipped with a Bluetooth module;
- Voice search is provided;
- Stable operation of the operating system.
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Flaws:
- The Wi-Fi module does not always work correctly with some routers.
Xiaomi Mi Box S
Beelink GT1 Ultimate 3/32Gb
This is one of the newest models in our entire review of the best smart TV set-top boxes - it went on sale at the very end of last year. The design is distinguished by an expanded amount of RAM (3 GB) and decent internal storage capacity (32 GB). The overall dimensions, like many other devices in our rating, are small - 96x96x16 mm. The body of the console is entirely made of plastic; there are no ventilation holes. On top there is an insert made of translucent plastic with a silver tint, which gives the device additional style. All key operational connectors are located on the back of the device, so connected wires will not be visible. On the front you can only see the power indicator of the set-top box. It is LED, but not very bright, so this set-top box can be installed even in the bedroom without fear that it will shine too much in your eyes.
The remote control has a modern design and is also equipped with a Bluetooth module. The set-top box itself operates on the Android 6.0.1 operating system, navigation through applications and settings is convenient, and the interface is Russified. The console works stably, without braking or lags. The operating system is updated automatically when connected to the Internet via a powerful and stable Wi-Fi channel. The performance of the device is good, it even allows you to play quite demanding games and surf the web.
Advantages:
- Quite wide possibilities for a set-top box;
- Small device size;
- There is a passive cooling system that does not require access to fresh air;
- Allows you to turn your TV into a full-fledged entertainment center;
- Reasonable price.
Flaws:
- It should be placed not too far from the Wi-Fi router.
Beelink GT1 Ultimate 3/32Gb
Dune Neo 4K Plus
It differs in its somewhat large overall dimensions compared to the previously reviewed models - 160x118x32 mm with a decent weight, which is about 300 grams. Like many similar devices in this price category, there is nothing else on the front panel except the LED power indicator; everything else is located on the rear side of the structure. The case is plastic, quite original, the cooling system is passive, there are rubberized feet, there are no connectors for mounting to the wall, but there is everything necessary for connecting to both modern TVs and devices of outdated models. The AmLogic S905D chip is used as a processor. It operates on four cores, which are capable of delivering up to 1.5 GHz clock speed, and the Mali-450 adapter is used as a graphics processor.
There is an optimal amount of memory here, both operational (2 GB) and physical (16 GB), so you don’t have to connect a flash drive to record the program you like. Headphones or a wireless mouse can be connected to the device using the high-speed Bluetooth 4.0 module. Android 6.0.1 is used as the operating system; the design style is not very original, but everything works very quickly, stable and smoothly. The device can be used to watch movies with 4K resolution, the frame rate reaches 60 frames per second.
Advantages:
- Quite a good and not too expensive device;
- Elementary to use;
- Codecs work reliably, you can use the set-top box to work with any video and audio formats;
- There is a function for dividing films into catalogs.
Flaws:
- It is advisable to update the firmware immediately.
Dune Neo 4K Plus
MECOOL M8S PRO W
Despite the fact that this console has a rather modest design, it has a very wide and rich functionality. The case is made of reliable plastic with a corrugated top panel, and it is completely matte - dust and other contaminants are not visible on it. The cooling system here is natural; there are ventilation holes on the right and left sides, and they can also be found on the bottom edge. It should be ensured that the device is located on a flat surface, otherwise air will not penetrate through them to the processor. On one side there are sockets for connecting USB and memory cards. All the main connectors are located on the rear side, and there is also an AV slot for working with older TVs, and there is also an Ethetnet port with support for a 100-megabit channel. The console will heat up the most during demanding games. The built-in memory here is 16 GB, the recording speed is very high, so you can easily record television broadcasts in the best quality, including 4K. The RAM standard is DDR3, its volume is 3 GB.
The design operates on the Android platform, it is very convenient to operate, and an ordinary remote control is quite sufficient - there is no need to connect a mouse or other third-party devices. The Wi-Fi module is of high quality, works stably - there is no need to install the set-top box near the router, it provides high Internet speed. There is also a voice control module, access to streaming services and a virtual application store.
Advantages:
- Quite a powerful processor that allows you to play very demanding games;
- Convenient operating system shell;
- Voice input with microphone on the remote;
- Sensitive antenna of the Wi-Fi module.
Flaws:
- Does not switch frequency automatically.
MECOOL M8S PRO W
Advantages
Smart TV set-top boxes may look completely different, but their interface usually resembles the desktop of tablets. TV-Box has a lot of advantages, among which the following aspects should be noted:
- Access to an expanded range of offers;
- Standardized interface;
- Ease of connection;
- Video communication support;
- Ability to switch between screens;
- Affordable price;
- Regular release of OS updates;
- Wide selection of games;
- Modern hardware;
- Device mobility;
- Compactness.
There are practically no disadvantages to such devices. A relative disadvantage of such set-top boxes is the need to use an additional set of wires, and the equipment itself should be placed next to the TV.
