The most popular smart set-top boxes for TV

Smart TV set-top box - a compact device for a significant expansion of the functions of the TV. With it, you can even turn an old TV into a real multimedia center. The prefix is ​​necessary for watching digital television and video, listening to audio, surfing the Internet, games and many other tasks. In this article, the best models of set-top boxes in terms of price-quality combination will be considered.

TOP 5 smart TV set-top boxes

In the rating of these mini-computers, you can add a lot of models, since the choice is large. This list was calculated based on indicators such as price, specifications, functionality, customer reviews, and quality and reliability.

X96 - competitors behind

This prefix was released last year, but it is still in the lead in sales. Such popularity is due to good technical characteristics and low price. On the back of the case there are special holes on which it can be attached to the rear panel of the TV - the best solution to save free space.

The set-top box provides TVs with digital television in high resolution (up to 4K). Built-in firmware based on the sixth Android has an intuitive interface. In general, the feature set here is standard. There is an infrared port to which you can attach the appropriate gadgets, as well as a Wi-Fi module. But there is no Bluetooth.

The appearance of the console and its main parameters

Specifications:

• processor - a quad-core Amlogic S905X with a clock frequency of 2 GHz;
• RAM - 2 GB DDR3;
• built-in memory - 16 GB;
• memory expansion - supported, up to a maximum of 64 GB.

Price is the advantage of this model, which ensures its place in the ranking of the best smart consoles. In stores, it can be purchased at an average price of 2,500 rubles. On Aliexpress - and even cheaper.

Z28 - compact and powerful

The prefix, which in its many parameters is almost a complete analogue of the above model. Its lesser popularity is due, rather, simply by chance than by some technical points.

Design consoles and remote control

It is a device with small dimensions and weight. It runs on the Android 7.1. Operating system, which is considered more stable than its predecessor installed on the same X96. The heart of the set-top box is the RockChip RK3328 quad-core processor, equipped with Mali-450MP2 graphics. This is a fast chip that can maintain the functionality of the gadget at a high level, namely for:

• watching videos in 4K format;
• use of the browser;
• launch undemanding games;
• launch third-party applications.

Two options are available - with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, as well as with 2 and 16 GB, respectively. Today it is recommended to buy a smart TV set-top box with at least two gigabytes of RAM, otherwise you will be provided with freezing and braking during the operation of the device.

As for the cost, the Z28 is not much more expensive than the X96 - on average, it will cost about 3,000 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 - an option for knowledgeable people

The product of this brand has not only excellent technical characteristics and impressive functionality, but also a stylish design, which many competitors lack. Many users consider this to be the best set-top box.

Demonstration of the modest dimensions of Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3

The prefix uses the Quad-core Cortex-A53 2.0GHz processor (there are modifications on the Mediatek MT8693) and the Mali 450 video card.The RAM here is 2 GB, and the built-in - 8 GB, the system - Android 6.0, which is not very fresh. The hardware is quite powerful, but because the prefix calmly copes with streaming videos with a resolution of 4K. In addition, it has a number of useful features:

• voice search - due to the microphone integrated into the remote control;
• support for connecting speakers;
• synchronization with other Xiaomi devices (you can transfer information from your smartphone);
• MIUI TV branded shell, which even a beginner can quickly figure out.

You can connect the console to the router only via Wi-Fi - there is no possibility to do this via cable. The average price is 4 thousand rubles.

Interface Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3

Beelink a1 - unusual power

Standing out against a wide variety of tuners and smart TV consoles is not so simple. But this model succeeded. The first thing that catches your eye is the design. The device looks luxurious - a noble white color, a glossy surface, a full-fledged LED panel with well-chosen backlight.

Beelink a1 is impressive inside. It has a powerful Rockchip RK3328 quad-core processor with a Mali-450MP2 graphics accelerator. Permanent memory - 16 or 32 gigabytes. But the most important thing is the amount of RAM, which is immediately 4 GB. In combination with a powerful processor, this allows the console to launch heavy 4K videos as quickly as possible and without annoying lags.

The device is running an Android 7.1 operating system, the firmware is proprietary, especially for TV needs. There is good news for those who like to fumble in the software - the product comes already with ROOT rights. So if you don’t like some preinstalled software, you can safely remove it.

Unusual design of the Beelink a1

Price - within 4000 rubles. Updated modifications are posted on Aliexpress, so they will not be cheaper.

Apple TV Gen 4 - the biggest name

A multimedia center from one of the most famous world brands. The device runs on the tvOS operating system, is available in two versions - with 32 and 64 gigabytes of internal memory. The processor is the Apple A8, dual-core, back in 2014, but this does not mean that its performance is insufficient. The products of this company have always been distinguished by excellent optimization and competent consumption of resources, and Apple TV Gen 4 is no exception.

The set-top box supports synchronization with iPhones and any other devices with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. There is a voice assistant Siri. The remote control also deserves special attention, as it is equipped with:

• improved infrared with enhanced sensitivity;
• a touch panel that allows you to use the remote as a mouse;
• a gyroscope;
• accelerometer.

The speed of the device is very high, this applies not only to watching digital television or streaming video, but also surfing the Internet. There is also support for Google services, which is very surprising. You can record programs and watch them later, at a convenient time for yourself. But the console does not know how to play video in 4K format - and this is its significant minus.

The console and especially the console look stylish

Since this is Apple, waiting for an affordable price would be naive. On the official website, a model with 32 GB of internal memory costs 11,490 rubles. Modification with 64 GB will cost several thousand more.

What you need to know when choosing a console

The above devices are the best and most affordable smart TV set-top boxes today. They differ in their technical characteristics, and therefore, in accordance with their purpose. In order to simply watch digital television, watch movies online, surf the Internet, communicate via video and perform other simple actions, you can consider cheap options, for example, X96 or Z28.

Beelink a1 Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 is a more solid model that can cope with streaming video in 4K format and 60 frames per second without lags (and if with them, then virtually invisible).In addition, they are great for seamlessly playing games, although TV set-top boxes are not particularly designed for this.

As for the Apple TV Gen 4, the popularity of this model is largely due to the volume of the brand. Owning an “apple” technique is considered prestigious, even if it is inferior to some of its competitors. However, this device is fast, stable, reliable, although not cheap.

Smart TV set-top box turns a TV into a full-fledged computer

All the above models are in demand not only in our country, but also around the world. These are the most successful consoles, since they have been in the top for many months.