TOP 10 TV set-top boxes with Aliexpress according to customer reviews

Another rating of prefixes of Chinese brands, skillfully imitating and “cheapening” products of famous brands. On what the developer "saved" what he brought his own, how he achieved the stability of the model, you will learn from my TOP. As usual, I relied on the opinions of independent technology reviewers. There are few reviews on the model, and the specifications for it come with a terrible translation or with errors.

MXQ Pro

The prefix allows you to watch Internet TV in Full HD (1080p) format, install and run games and applications from the Play Market, connect external devices for control - a mouse, keyboard, gamepad, hard drive and memory card. Price - .

Pros:

1. Equipped with Android OS, versions - from 5.1 to 6.0 and 7.1.
2. The processor is 1.5 GHz, it supports 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory, which is 2 times more than in DQiDianZ X96mini.
3. Preinstalled programs root, es-explorer, kodi, YouTube.
4. Remote control

Minuses:

1. Not all videos with 4K support play well, many slow down.
2. Heats up at 4K playback up to 55⁰ (independent testing).

Verdict. A prefix with a smooth interface, without glitches and freezes, with the normal broadcast of online movies or videos. An economical processor with support for 4K video and a frequency of 30 frames per second was installed, and not 60, as usual, on such boxes. The manufacturer believes that such characteristics are enough for normal operation, but at the same time, the price of the prefix is ​​reduced. Reproduces light clips in high quality, heavier ones already have to pick up or endure jerky videos. Unlike DQiDianZ, the X96mini connects better with any TV model.

DQiDianZ X96mini

Inexpensive miniature TV Box with a new modification of the S905W processor, designed to work with “kitchen” TVs with a small diagonal or old models to create an online movie theater with Full HD playback, with support for iptv and YouTube. Price - .

Pros:

1. Differs from similar models T95MAX or tv BOX 6K by the possibility of mounting on the rear wall of the TV.
2. Remote infrared receiver to "increase" the radius of the remote control.
3. Compact ergonomic remote control with a powerful built-in IR receiver: even the signal directed to the side reaches the TV, unlike the A95X F3 Air, where you need to clearly “shoot” the screen.
4. The power supply does not heat up during operation, does not emit extraneous sounds.
5. Compact - smaller than the Xiaomi Mi Box S, fits in the palm of your hand.
6. Connectors - Ethernet, HDMI, IR.
7. Memory on 8 Gb Samsung production.
8. OS Android 7.1.2.
9. Traditional large desktop elements with the bottom row of quick access icons that are customizable.

Minuses:

1. OS is raw. When installing Super Su, they can offer an update to the binary, this leads to the “eternal” freezing of the console.
2. System interfaces are drawn in HD-quality, look awful on a large diagonal.

Verdict. The maximum diagonal for the console is 32 inches, then the detail is preserved, the image is not torn, without empty pixels. Not suitable for games, very hot. But it copes with HD, Full HD-content, video from YouTube and IPTV.For large screens, Xiaomi Mi Box S or tv BOX 6K is suitable.

H96 max

The prefix plays video with a higher resolution and high frame rate, is controlled from a smartphone and voice, works on OS Android 9.0, with an integrated LED display and a powerful quad-core Rockchip RK3318 processor. Price - .

Pros:

1. Fast work, high quality playback due to OS Android 9.0.
2. Play heavy video format.
3. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
4. Compatible with Real Video 8/9/10 video format.
5. Two USB ports. Connecting peripherals and capacious external sources.
6. The ventilation holes are not only on the side, as in the DQiDianZ X96mini, but also on the bottom.

Minuses:

1. The slot for memory cards is only in SD format, not microSD.
2. Very weak heatsink, under load heats the console to 100⁰ and turns it off.

Verdict. The set-top box, unlike the DQiDianZ X96mini and MXQ Pro, plays high-resolution video with a high frame rate, is controlled by voice and through the smartphone application.

T95MAX

A multifunctional console on OS Android 9.0, the processor is an Allwinner H6 with 4 ARM Cortex-A53 processing cores, with a clock frequency of up to 2.0 GHz, enhanced HDR + technology, support for 4K and 6K video resolution. Price - .

Pros:

1. Powerful and productive 4-core Amlogic S905 processor with a frequency of 2.0 GHz and 2 GB of RAM.
2. Smooth 4K playback.
3. Like the H96 Max, there is an AV output.
4. Programmable Remote Control.
5. The information panel on the front panel of the case, which is not in the DQiDianZ X96mini.
6. Mali-T720 MP2 GPU GPU with excellent 4K Full HD support.
7. Can be used for games.

Minuses:

1. Only 2 USB ports.
2. 4K is a publicity stunt for a budget gadget. On TV, it outputs a signal in the “normal” Full HD 1080p / i.

Verdict. According to independent testing, the console is recognized as the best in the budget segment. Unlike the DQiDianZ, the X96mini and MXQ Pro broadcast great heavy videos. Better than the H96 Max for versatility, you can stream movies, videos, online games.

tv box 6K

A model on the Allwinner H6 processor and with Android 9.0 OS, like the T95MAX, with 32 GB of internal memory, with three USB ports. Easily and cleanly reproduces video with a resolution of 4K 60 Hz and 6K 30 Hz, supports HDR10. Price - .

Pros:

1. Three USB connectors, not 2, as in the T95MAX.
2. The proprietary interface on Android 9.0 OS, Play Market applications, players, Kodi media center, popular browsers, social networks, etc.
3. 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or wired connection via LAN port.
4. A graphics processor with a video accelerator perfectly reproduces 3D games.

Minuses:

1. Remote control - without a gyroscope.
2. Very warm.

Verdict. Inexpensive model, from which you should not expect a "miracle" or some unusual functions. Perfect for broadcasting video content, even heavy files show without braking or gaps. It can be used for games like the T95MAX, clearly conveying picture and sound.

A95X F3 Air

Attractive new Aliexpress based on the latest Amlogic S905X3 processor with spectacular RGB-backlit case on Android 9.0 OS with its own graphical shell. Price - .

Pros:

1. The backlight changes color depending on the operating mode.
2. Supports dual band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2.
3. Supports 4K video at 75 frames per second.
4. The graphic shell is a new launcher with the ability to change wallpapers.
5. Teachable remote control unlike tv BOX 6K, with built-in microphone and voice control.
6. Cool and energy-efficient SoC Amlogic S905X3 processor.
7. Supports decoding of the latest H.264, H.265, VP9 codecs.
8. Support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 +, OpenGL Es 3.2, Vulkan API for 3D-graphics gives you access to complex content.

Minuses:

• The internal drive is not high-speed.
• Drawdowns (true, rare) when unloading heavy games with a built-in test.

Verdict. The model will interest gamers, although, like the rest of the rating consoles - T95MAX or H96 Max, the movie playback function is 100% fulfilled (according to testers' reviews). Perfectly managed all games with native support, GTA, SA, Unkilled, Asphalts, as in the X2 Cube / X2 Pro. In this case, the prefix does not heat above 47⁰.

VONTAR X3

The model, unlike the “completely” budget ones, such as the DQiDianZ X96mini or MXQ Pro, in a stylish plastic case with a bright, spectacular top cover and LED display. Like the A95X F3 Air, it runs on the Amlogic S905X3 SoC platform. Price - .

Pros:

1. Any Google Play applications are installed, Google voice assistant is available.
2. Internal antenna for dual band Wi-Fi.
3. 10 external connectors.
4. Support for streaming platforms.
5. The ability to run and play games.
6. Processes data quickly.
7. Modern graphics accelerator.

Minuses:

1. Poor plastic, scratched, may break.
2. 4K reproduces well, but 6K is a problem.

Verdict. Like the previous model of the H96 Max brand, it reproduces video with a higher resolution and high frame rate, controlled from a smartphone and voice. Suitable for native games like A95X F3 Air.

MECOOL KM3

Set-top box with Google certification and Google ATV 9 OS, with Smart breathing light, two internal Wi-Fi antennas and support for MIMO 2x2 technology. Price - .

Pros:

1. Good transfer speed.
2. At loads, the maximum heating temperature of the board is up to 50⁰.
3. Quick setup of a Google account.
4. Home screen and interface - like in Google Home Launcher.
5. Remote control, as in VONTAR X3 - with a microphone and voice control.
6. Stable, no-break Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
7. Plays most UHD BDRip, BDRip, BD Remux videos with a bitrate up to 70 Mbps with high quality.
8. Supports Netflix.

Minuses:

1. Crude OS: until you change it yourself, a bunch of errors will come out. For example, at the first start, the sound in the AC-3 format does not play normally.
2. When testing, it shows a low speed in the 2.4 GHz band.

Verdict. There are not enough stars from the sky; even the certification bonuses declared by the manufacturer are subject to restrictions. There is no Root access, as in VONTAR X3, but it is available to standard Google applications. In terms of data transfer speed, it is in second place after Xiaomi Mi Box S. Games are played "selectively": according to the reviews of gamers, the same GTA can run perfectly or completely hang the console.

X2 Cube / X2 Pro

Model based on Amlogic S905X2 processor, OS Android 9.0, high support for USB 3.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet network port. Unlike MECOOL KM3, you can enable the NFS Samba client. Price - .

Pros:

1. Not only reproduces, like the usual budget A95X F3 Air, DQiDianZ X96mini consoles, but also saves network files.
2. High performance, smooth movement of the system.
3. Firefly's own remote control application.
4. Configuring remote control keys as in A95X F3 Air.
5. Compatible with most modern h.265 and VP9 video formats with native 4K support.
6. Automatic update of AFR media codec.
7. The TV box behaves well as a video player with KODI.
8. Broadcasts powerful PUBG games without braking or failures.

Minuses:

1. Upon initial setup, it produces the minimum number of applications.
2. I'm tired of Boxing's constant request to update via Wi-Fi when turned on.

Verdict. According to reviews, an interesting model with full, well-debugged firmware. Unlike MECOOL KM3 has access to Root. It perfectly reproduces all heavy formats. High-quality broadcast, fast transmission. For gamers, it will expand access not only to native games like the VONTAR X3 or A95X F3 Air, but also to PUBG.

Xiaomi Mi Box S

Unique model with certified Android TV and Netflix OS. According to reviews, the set-top box is the direct successor of Xiaomi Mi Box with changes in the direction of reducing the price. At the time of publication, it was .

Pros:

1. Certified standard Android TV system based on Amlogic SDK with brand refinement.
2. Google Assistant Global Voice Search.
3. Unique features: special channels, alerts, the "picture in picture" function.
4. Full adaptation to the TV screen.
5. Control - from the remote control and voice command, as in the X2 Cube / X2 Pro.
6. Stable system operation without bugs.
7. Remote control with excellent sensitivity (tested), the response is higher than the X2 Cube / X2 Pro. Microphone activation is automatic.

Minuses:

1. Global voice search is delayed.
2. There is no Root like in MECOOL KM3.

Verdict. According to the ratings of third-party resources and independent technology reviewers, the model is firmly in the lead in sales. Confidence in the brand is confirmed by the developer once again. Even if the price is reduced, all functional parameters and characteristics are preserved. Clear video transmission, deep rich voice channel. Support for the official version of Android TV. According to user reviews, the model is still damp, there are complaints about it. Many people advise taking the X2 Cube / X2 Pro.