You can install Kodi on several platforms in order to watch all your favorite shows, movies, and music videos. But one of the smoothest ways to do so is to run it via an Android TV stick. These mini-sized HDMI devices enable you to stream all the media you want by simply plugging them into your TV.
Best Android TV Sticks for Streaming
Running Kodi on an Android stick has several benefits. First of all, you do not require a large, ugly looking box that would sit beside your television.When you use a streaming stick, it is not visible and does not use up any space on your TV stand. It simply hides behind the TV.
Another reason why running Kodi using an Android stick is a smart move is that these sticks are compact, hence, portable. If you are staying at a hotel or shifting to another place permanently, you can tuck the dongle in your pocket and use it on another TV. All you need is a wi-fi connection to connect to.
There are many different media streaming sticks available. Many manufacturers, big and small, have realized that users are looking for easy streaming solutions, that don’t break the bank. However, many things should be taken into consideration before buying one.
Buyer’s Guide
This is the 21st century. Living without the internet is utterly impossible. New devices are replacing older ones constantly. This is the age of Netflix and chill, and absolutely everyone loves to watch TV shows. No one wants to miss out on the latest movies. Also, people want to watch their shows when it fits their schedule. Luckily, the times of fixed TV schedules are long over.
Android streaming sticks allow you to stream entertainment on your PC, TV, or any other device equipped with an HDMI port. You can watch the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows anytime you want, albeit not live. You can subscribe to the channels you enjoy the most. These media streaming devices are gradually taking over cable and satellite TV.
When we go out to search for the best streaming stick, there are many choices available. As good as it is to have a huge number of options to choose from, it can sometimes become rather tedious. The selection is hard when the features they offer seem indistinguishable, and every choice sounds like a great one.
To make this easy for you, here is a list of things you should look out for before buying an Android streaming stick. This will narrow down your choices and make it easy to decide which one will suit your needs best.
Supported Streaming Services
The first thing that you need to take into account is that the streaming stick should support the channels and content you like. You do not want one that does not support the apps and streaming services you prefer. This is without a doubt one of the most important factors to avoid wasting your money.
For example, the Amazon Fire TV stick works best with Amazon Prime, Chromecast with Google products. You should not buy a Roku stick and hope that it supports iTunes. A streaming stick that provides limited channels is something you should avoid. The more the channels, the more the choice and entertainment. Go for one that has the content that you would want to watch.
Ultimately, when buying an Android TV stick, you are not buying the streaming stick. You are making a choice of what services you will use. Clearly, the Amazon fire TV stick with its integrated Amazon Prime takes the lead when it comes to content. However, do make sure that your TV shows are available before making a purchase. Tip: JustWatch is a search engine for streaming services that lets you search by TV shows and movies.
Recommended Streaming Services
- Stream thousands of live TV channels and video-on-demand on your Android Box with these IPTV providers. We recommend Iron IPTV as the first provider.
- Amazon Prime members enjoy exclusive access to movies and TV shows, ad-free music, Kindle books, original audio series and unlimited photo storage.
- FuboTV: Stream and record live sports and TV from FOX, NBC, beIN SPORTS, Univision, NBA TV, A&E & more. Watch live on any device: Desktop, iOS, Android, Roku
Search Feature
The second most significant thing to look out for in a streaming device is that it searches the content that you want to find rather than the content from which the manufacturer earns. For instance, Apple puts their content first; Amazon promotes its content, and Android promotes Google services. The aim of such search features is to help the company maximize its earnings by promoting its own content.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If the content that gets promoted is what you are after and fairly priced, that’s great! At the same time, freedom of choice to watch any content without hurdles does have its advantages.
A device that puts forward the content that you like is one that you should go for. One such device is the Roku streaming stick. It puts first the content that is most preferred by you. It arranges the content in a manner that the one that is cheapest stands on top of the list.
Customization
Last but not the least, a media streaming stick should give you the power to customize the interface. In this way, you can put at the front the services that you regularly use. So if you are a Netflix or Hulu fan, you can easily access them.
Another aspect of customization is how flexible the device is. Does the streaming stick allow installation of third-party apps? Can you install Kodi or another streaming app on the stick? Here, the clear winner is the Android Mini PC RK3288. It does not put its own software ecosystem at the center of the device and provides the greatest flexibility. When you buy the RK3288, you own the hardware and can install whatever you like on it.
Other Features
There are tons of other factors that count when looking for an Android stick; such as whether or not it comes with a remote and the installed microphone function. The interface also matters. The device should be easy to set up and navigate. Of course, the amount you are willing to pay is also one of the main factors to consider.
Speed is another concern. There is nothing as annoying as buffering videos and slow response. You want one that has at least a dual-core processor and ample storage space as well. It should be able to provide a clear and smooth video. So, you see there is a lot to consider, but if you follow the above points you should be in a good position to make an informed buying decision.
Best Android TV Sticks 2024
To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve selected the best Android TV sticks currently available. Any of these devices will give you smooth video streams and a snappy and easy-to-use interface.
The Roku Streaming Stick is a compact stick that comes with a remote and streams all the latest TV shows, movies, music and other entertainment via the internet onto your television or another device.
The most recent version of this stick is a significant improvement over the past versions with better speed and more features. With an updated version of Roku OS, this device feels a lot faster and responsive. The quad-core processor offers clear and crisp 1080p streaming.
The design of this model is sleek and black. The remote that comes with the Roku Streaming Stick is easy to operate but lacks advanced features that the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers. The self-explanatory interface and performance are both top-notch.
There are minor flaws but compared to the strengths of the Roku those are negligible. One thing though that disappoints is the price. Compared to similar devices it is rather expensive. Nonetheless, the Roku is a great streaming stick with plenty of speed, a great interface and plenty of content.
Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls) | Dolby Vision - Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with support for immersive Dolby Atmos audio on select titles with compatible home audio systems.
- Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the same USB-sized device as any other streaming stick. This device is compact, yet it is very powerful. It allows you smart access to all sorts of entertainment; from movies to games, songs, and other apps.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick works best with other Amazon products. This Amazon streaming stick comes with a great remote and streams loads of channels. It supports pretty much all content providers, from Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and obviously Amazon Prime (click here for free 30-day trial), without which it is incomplete.
From the interface to the performance, everything is first-rate. The best part is that it is reasonably priced. It has a quad-core processor and 8GB storage space with 1.5 GB internal memory. It is a fast device! Moreover, the Alexa voice remote enables you to send voice commands.
You can stream channels on any television with Amazon Fire TV Stick by attaching it to the HDMI port.
This device is getting more and more popular due to its many incredible features. It is perfect for use with televisions and projectors. Also, it comes at a budget-friendly price. Powered by the quad-core processor, it has Android KitKat 4.4 operating system.
It runs on 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM and supports SD and USB. The Android Mini RKM has 5G Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and comes with a Gigabit Ethernet port.
All these features make this one of the best Android TV Sticks on the market today. It is fast, reliable and worth a purchase.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this device does not come with a remote control in the box. So you do have to factor in the additional cost of buying a separate remote. You can read our article on the best remote controls. Alternatively, consider buying a wireless keyboard if you plan to browse the web with your Android stick.
Xiaomi Mi TV Official US Version 1GB RAM +8GB ROM, Portable Streaming Media Player HD Playback 1080P HDR Netflix Quad Core 64 Bit Android TV 9.0, Bluetooth Remote with Google Assistant - 【Limitless Entertainment】Use Google Play Store to download your favorite streaming and gaming apps and stay entertained for hours. Preinstall Netflix and Prime video for one button quick access.
- 【Smarter Experience with Android TV 9.0】Mi TV Stick is powered by Android TV 9.0 which supports voice search and Chromecast and connects you to a world of content. Catch up on your favorite TV shows, play games, watch the news or switch to radio. Mi TV Stick also recommends videos based on your personal Youtube and Google Play preferences.
- 【Smart Cast】With built-in Chromecast you can easily cast videos and other content from your phone, tablet or laptop directly to your TV screen in 1080p. Mi TV Stick supports both DTS multichannel HD audio encoding. Bring you smoother, dynamic, immersive and more realistic stereo surround sound during ultra HD Blu/ray video playback.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is an all-new TV stick that was released in the summer of 2024. Like all TV sticks, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick plugs into your television set via an HDMI port. Once plugged in and installed, the Mi TV Stick will grant you access to multiple applications, many of which are suited for online streaming services.
The Mi TV Stick specifically runs an Android TV OS 9.0 and will essentially turn your television into an Android TV, complete with all of the benefits associated with smart TVs. Any app that can be downloaded on a regular Smart Android TV or Android Smartphone can also be downloaded onto the Mi TV Stick.
The Mi Stick was actually designed to be a more affordable alternative to their previous Xiaomi Mi TV Box. The Mi Box does have some better specs but is essentially the same kind of device.
BuzzTV Vidstick ST4000 - Android 9.0 - Amlogic S905Y2-2GB DDR - 16GB eMMC - BuzzTV Vidstick ST4000 has been carefully designed to deliver a combination of high-performance specs, premium materials, innovated software, and compact design so you can carry the ST4000 with you in your pocket everywhere you go
- POWERFUL 2GB MEMORY / 16GB DDR4 RAM Internal Memory / 1 gigabit LAN (adapter sold separately), HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0, IR Sensor (Included)
- POWERED by Android 9.0 Operating System and the NEW BuzzTV4 Application. Recording/Playback feature supported
The BuzzTV ST4000 Vidstick is a new video streaming stick that was released this mid-year of 2024. Its latest 9.0 PIE OS, 2GB DDR4 RAM, 16GB of storage, expandable memory capabilities, and LED-backlit remote control are just a few of Vidstick’s top features that make it stand out among the well-known TV Sticks.
But what really sets the BuzzTV ST4000 apart is its built-in IPTV user interface. If you’re an existing IPTV user, you can just input your IPTV service provider’s details to the Vidstick’s BuzzTV4 App and enjoy its IPTV streaming features.
Overall, BuzzTV ST4000 is an exceptional dongle that was carefully designed to deliver a new level of video streaming experience. With its high-class components, outstanding features, and compact design, the BuzzTV ST4000 Vidstick is definitely worth every penny.
Verdict
Which Android stick you should go for ultimately depends on your preferences. All the devices are excellent in their own way. Pick the one that suits your needs and offers content that you want to watch.
The Roku Streaming Stick is a high-end Android stick with plenty of processing power and loads of content. It does not promote any one service and considers your preference before making any recommendations. It is not constantly trying to earn more by promoting the service that can fetch it money. It is, if not the first, then among the first ones where streaming services become available immediately. From Netflix to HBO Go, it has everything apart from iTunes; and that is because Apple keeps that app all for itself. Its interface is responsive, and its search feature is helpful.
If you are someone who has an overall Amazon setup, then Amazon Fire TV Stick would do perfectly for you. It is arguably the most polished device with great streaming service integration. The Alexa voice-controlled remote is a killer feature that revolutionizes how you interact with your media.
The Android Mini RKM leads the pack in terms of hardware features and system flexibility. This little device does not lock you into select streaming apps. Whatever is available on the Google Play Store can be installed without issues. The quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM ensure that any app runs smoothly. However, it may be pricey considering that it doesn’t come with a remote.
Now, if you would like to explore the newly-released TV Sticks, Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and BuzzTV ST4000 Vidstick are dongles you surely don’t want to miss out on.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick became one of the most awaited Android devices this year. Right after its release, some people are already calling it the best budget TV Stick of today. With its budget-friendly cost and wide range of compatibility with many great streaming platforms on top of its features, one can definitely agree.
Lastly, the BuzzTV ST4000 Vidstick is a compact stick every video streaming and IPTV fanatic would love to have. Its software is built to deliver a fast and reliable streaming experience. More than that, it is also made with fine and premium materials to ensure this dongle would last long. It may be the most expensive TV Stick on this list but it’s definitely well worth the price considering the whole new features you cannot find in any other TV Stick device.
Last update on 2024-11-15 at 15:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
