Gone were the days when cable companies were the only source of content for your television. Nowadays, TV boxes are great alternatives for consuming content. These devices offer plenty of advantages over traditional cable, from being more affordable in the long run to having access to all your preferred streaming sites on one device. Most even give you the option of installing apps and playing games!
A TV box can do wonders for your home entertainment system if you pick the right one. In this article, we’ll enumerate some of the best TV boxes in the market right now. Do read on until the end to learn about the important considerations that you should make when picking your very own TV box. We will also share some tips on how to binge-watch without compromising your health.
Quick List - Top TV Boxes
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Admittedly, there are a lot of considerations to be made when choosing a TV box. Hopefully, we could make the buying process much easier by discussing them with you one by one.
While it is evident that most TV boxes that are available in the Philippines are Android-based, there are still plenty of other alternatives. Apple, Amazon, and Roku have TV boxes that offer a different experience with mostly the same features. Digital TV receivers, on the other hand, are best for those who want a traditional TV setup.
This type of TV box has Android TV as its main operating system. It is linked to Google Services, which means you get access to Google-owned software, such as Youtube, Google Play Movies and Music, and the Play Store, which provides a larger selection of apps compared to other online app stores.
Android TV shares the typical customizability and freedom that you get with Android phones and tablets. Most Android TV boxes also support expandable storage, either through micro-SD cards or USB, so you have the choice of accessing local files stored on your thumb drives in case your Wi-Fi is down.
All boxes with Android TV can double as a Chromecast, which is useful if you want to mirror your audio and video content from your Android phones to your TV. They'll have no problems integrating with Google Home devices, such as smart speakers, too, if you want to control them via voice commands!
Apple TV boxes get the smooth and easy-to-use interface of all Apple devices. You get to enjoy the streamlined TVOS software that supports all major streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus. They give you access to all Apple services which makes them great if you're deeply invested in the Apple Ecosystem.
If you prefer dealing with Amazon's services like Alexa and Prime Video, you'll be happy to know that Amazon also offers its own TV box in the form of the Fire TV series. Aside from giving you access to all streaming apps, Alexa is also deeply integrated into these devices, which is great if you're a fan of having voice-controlled assistants.
For an all-around streamer, Roku devices are the way to go. Being one of the companies that pioneered the internet TV box, Roku offers some of the widest collections of both free and paid streaming content with its devices.
It also offers some of the most platform-neutral TV boxes, which means they're designed to work well for both Apple and Android users.
If you just want to be able to watch TV without all the frills and need for an internet connection, digital TV receivers are for you. Just like regular cable television, digital TV receivers offer different channels that you can choose from.
Some channels come pre-installed out of the box, while others may be availed on a pay-per-view or subscription basis. Different brands of TV receivers offer different channels, though.
Many digital TV receivers can also read USB drives and serve as simple media players. Additionally, they commonly have recording features, allowing you to save some of your favorite cable TV shows, in case you don’t want to miss them.
The specs of the TV box will give you an idea of how it will perform when doing simple tasks and when outputting videos. While looking at specs sheets may be daunting at first, we'll discuss each spec one by one to make things easier for you. Read on to learn more.
Any interface, regardless of how well-designed and user-friendly it is, will be underwhelming if it doesn't perform snappily. The TV box's performance will largely depend on its processor and RAM. At least a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM are a must if you want your TV box to perform at least satisfactorily.
Be sure to match the internals of the TV box with your use case. If you plan on doing more demanding activities, such as gaming and opening high-resolution videos, you'll definitely want something faster, for example, those with an octa-core processor and around 4 GB of RAM. However, do take note that speedier TV boxes will be more expensive.
TV boxes vary in the video resolution that they are able to output. You'll want to match the TV box's output resolution to that of your television. For example, if you have a full HD TV, then you'll want to have a TV box that can output at least full HD. This ensures that you get the clearest possible picture that your television can handle.
You could also consider going for a TV box that can output a higher resolution than your television, such as going for a 4K TV box for your full HD TV. While you won't be able to enjoy 4K content on your current television, at least it won't be outdated once you do decide to upgrade your television in the future.
Aside from the clarity, some picture-enhancing technologies can also determine how immersive your experience can get. Go for TV boxes with some form of HDR or High Dynamic Range built-in for better contrast and more realistic colors.
Some TV boxes also feature their own proprietary color-improving technology, such as those with automatic color calibrations, so make sure to consider these as well.
The storage of your TV box will dictate how many movies, games, and other files you can store on it. Some TV boxes, such as those from Apple, come with fixed storage options. They're great if you only predominantly stream your media and don't plan on installing a lot of apps on your TV box.
Most Android TV boxes, on the other hand, have expandable storage. These TV boxes can read and write on either micro-SD cards or USB hard drives, giving you the flexibility of having more storage space. These are perfect if you have large catalogs of content stored offline
Make sure to check both the ports and wireless connectivity options of the device. Most TV boxes will have at least an HDMI port for connecting to your TV and a power port for plugging into a socket. You might want something with a USB port if you want to use it to access your external hard drive.
The TV box should have at least Wi-Fi for connecting to your router. Bluetooth connectivity, on the other hand, is convenient for file transfers and connecting with wireless accessories. Remember that a TV box with plenty of connectivity capabilities can level up your device from being a simple TV accessory to a powerful, all-around entertainment device.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nvidia Shield TV Pro | ![]() | Solid Streamer With Nifty Features for Gaming | |
2 | Apple Apple TV 4K | ![]() | Gain Access to All Apple Services | |
3 | Ipason Ubox 9 | ![]() | Never Run Out of Content to Enjoy | |
4 | Strong Leap-S1 | ![]() | Comes With the Latest Version of Android to Get the Latest Features | |
5 | Q Plus | ![]() | Works Best With Ultra-High Definition Displays | |
6 | Xiaomi Mi TV Box S | ![]() | Supports Dolby and DTS for Immersive Audio | |
7 | GMA Affordabox | ![]() | If You Want to Access All Your Favorite Kapuso Shows | |
8 | MXQ Pro 4K TV Box | ![]() | Has All the Features You Need in a Budget-Friendly TV Box |
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is widely regarded as one of the best TV boxes today, thanks to its speedy and lag-free Android interface powered by the Tegra X1+ processor. It supports all major streaming services, handles various HDR formats, and is compatible with Dolby Atmos, delivering an exceptional viewing and listening experience. Plus, its AI-powered upscaling feature enhances low-resolution videos to near-4K quality, ensuring crisp visuals.
For gamers, the Shield TV Pro offers seamless compatibility with Gamestream and can run games from the Play Store effortlessly. It's also compatible with Geforce Now, though accessing it in the Philippines currently requires a VPN.
Apple's newest and most powerful Apple TV has the potential to be your multipurpose home entertainment device. You gain access to all Apple services, from Apple Music to the Apple TV app. You can also subscribe to the Apple TV+ for loads of video content, some of which are even exclusive to the streaming service!
Of course, you can choose to access all of the major streaming and music apps, thanks to the extensive App Store library. Packed inside is the respectable A12 chip, which, when combined with the streamlined TVOS, means you'll have a lag-free experience. You'll also be able to easily control it with its touch-enabled remote!
The Ubox 9 is as impressive as a TV box can be. You're guaranteed a fluid experience while browsing through files, thanks to its speedy internals. It has a large 64 GB of storage space, also expandable through USB and SD cards. It has both 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi to ensure lag-free streaming.
You might never run out of content to watch with this device since it's compatible with streaming apps available through the Play Store. It even gives you access to thousands of local and international channels without a subscription. And with its support for up to 6K HDR, you'll surely appreciate the lifelike pictures that this can provide.
The Strong Leap-S1 is one of the most well-rounded TV boxes on the market. This Google-certified TV box comes with the latest version of Android to ensure that you get the latest software features. It has a user-friendly interface that you'll surely enjoy as you browse through all the apps, games, and streaming services you can install via Google Play.
It can output a maximum of 4K resolution and can support HDR for better lighting. It comes with OK Google, a voice-controlled assistant that you can speak to using the remote control. You can even mirror your phone and computer's content to your TV via Google Chromecast.
The impressive Q Plus TV box can easily keep up with high-end displays. Firstly, it can output a whopping 6K resolution with HDR+ to give you a breathtaking experience. Its Android 9 OS is compatible with most streaming apps. Plus, it even comes with some local and international TV channels, so you won't run out of content to watch!
Coming with a quad-core processor and at least 2 GB of ram, it handles most tasks smoothly and without any lags. It also comes with a 1-year warranty for defects. While some people found this TV box a little challenging to set up at first, they ended up enjoying the product once it was up and running.
Xiaomi is known for offering products that punch above their price range, and the Mi Box S is no exception. It comes in a simple, discreet package, but inside you'll find powerful internals that ensure a smooth experience when switching between apps and streaming services.
It's very easy to set up, as you can simply use your smartphone to connect the box to your Google account. It also supports up to 4K resolution and features Dolby Audio and DTS 2.0 for outstanding sound quality. Plus, the intuitive Bluetooth remote ensures a reliable connection at all times, making navigation easy and seamless.
If you just want a simple TV box to access all the essential local TV channels, the Affordabox may be one of the best options out there. You gain access to around 30 channels, give or take, depending on your region. Not only can you watch shows from GMA and its exclusive channels, but other networks, too, such as CNN Philippines, ETC, and even TV5.
Thanks to its RCA and HDMI outputs, the Affordabox will work with most TVs in the market. It also comes with a recording feature, allowing you to save your favorite TV shows to watch later on. It can even read and play files on your USB to act as a simple multimedia player. Do check first whether it supports your location for the best possible signal!
The MXQ Pro 4K is proof that you don't have to spend a fortune on a good TV box. This Android 7-based device allows you to install all of the important streaming apps for your viewing pleasure. It also supports up to 4K resolution, delivering crisp and high-definition content.
Although it has only 8 GB of internal storage, you have plenty of SD and USB ports for external storage devices. It's also already DLNA and Miracast-compatible, so you can easily mirror your phone's content to your TV. While the most affordable version comes with 1 GB RAM, we recommend going for the 2 GB version for a smoother experience.
A high-quality TV box won't do you any good if you don't have high-quality equipment to make the most out of it. Here are some of the best 4K TVs and home theater systems for an excellent audio-visual experience. And don't forget to pair your TV box with one of the best routers for lag-free streaming!
Grabbing a high-quality TV box is a great way to level up your home theater system. From providing you with local and international TV channels to giving you access to all the streaming sites out there, you'll have all the content you could ever want. Some TV boxes even have apps and games, making the best all-around entertainment machines!
We hope you found this article helpful in choosing the perfect TV box to purchase for your home. If it did, consider sharing your thoughts and tagging us through our Instagram and Facebook page!
Author: A. Coseip
Editor: A. Mangulabnan
No. 1: Nvidia|Shield TV Pro
No. 2: Apple|Apple TV 4K
No. 3: Ipason|Ubox 9
No. 4: Strong|Leap-S1
No. 5: |Q Plus
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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