Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Android TV Box Buyer's Guide for an Older TV
Updated September 2026: in 2022, having ruled out the Apple TV 4K on price, I set out why an Android streaming box suited our older TV: good OTT app support and the ability to install extra apps. I have rewritten it into a buyer's guide to Android TV boxes, including safe app installation.
After deciding the Apple TV 4K was too expensive for an older TV, I looked at Android streaming boxes. They were affordable, ran all the major OTT apps, and allowed installing additional apps, which meant the family could watch everything on one box without extra devices.
What are the advantages of an Android TV box?
- Price: good boxes and sticks cost a fraction of premium alternatives.
- App choice: the Google Play Store for TV includes the major Indian and international streaming apps.
- Casting: most support Chromecast from Android phones and many apps.
- Voice search: Google Assistant on the remote finds content across apps.
Should you install apps from outside the Play Store?
Be careful. Installing apps from unknown sources, often called sideloading, is possible on many Android boxes, but such apps may carry malware or offer pirated content. Stick to the Play Store, and to official apps from services you pay for.
How do you choose a good box?
- Pick a certified Google TV or Android TV device, so it gets official apps and updates.
- Check it supports your TV's resolution and HDR format.
- Look for enough storage for your apps; cheap boxes fill up quickly.
- Prefer brands with a record of software updates.
What are the drawbacks?
Cheaper boxes can be slow, show ads on the home screen and stop receiving updates after a year or two. Integration with iPhones is limited. Paying a little more for a reputable device avoids most of these problems.
How do you set it up for the family?
Sign in with a Google account, install the streaming apps you subscribe to, and arrange them on the home screen so the most used ones come first. Turn on parental controls if children use the TV, and use the remote's power and volume control setup so one remote runs everything.
Is it the right choice for an older TV?
For most households, yes. It brings current apps back to an old set at low cost, which is what we needed.