Right now, more than at any time I can remember, there’s a real appetite for alternatives to Fire TV Sticks, and it’s not hard to see why.
Last year, Amazon began cracking down on sideloaded apps on its Android-based Fire TV devices and introduced a new Linux-based operating system, Vega OS, which doesn’t support sideloading at all. Since then, it’s launched two new Fire TV Sticks running Vega OS — the 4K Select and the new HD stick — and confirmed that all future models will follow suit.
In other words, Amazon is officially moving on from Android-based Fire TV Sticks. As a result, many users looking to upgrade are turning elsewhere, and Onn has become a popular option.
If you’re not familiar with Onn, it’s a lineup of streaming devices sold by Walmart. Two of the biggest reasons Onn has become so popular are its affordable devices and the fact that they run Google TV, giving you the freedom and flexibility of Android, which Amazon is now moving away from.
And just as more people look for Fire TV Stick alternatives, Walmart has conveniently released a new version of the Onn 4K Pro — its most popular streaming device.
- Brand
-
Onn
- Wi-Fi
-
Wi-Fi 6
- Ethernet
-
100Mbps
- Supported video
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HDR10+, Dolby Vision
- Supported audio
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Dolby Atmos
- Storage and RAM
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32GB of storage/3GB of RAM
The Onn 4K Pro brings a lot to the table
It’s already selling out
The new Onn 4K Pro first leaked months ago and even showed up on store shelves back in April, but now Walmart has quietly released it online for $60.
While it’s currently out of stock, I’ve already seen it pop in and out a few times, and in-store pickup options are still available. So if you’ve been waiting to get your hands on Onn’s best streamer, it’s at least within reach.
If you really want one, it’s worth checking as many local pickup options as possible and adding it to your Walmart wishlist so it’s easier to track its stock status.
In terms of what the device itself offers, to be frank, there’s a lot to like about Walmart’s new Onn 4K Pro. While it’s fairly similar to its predecessor in terms of specs, it has a refreshed design that resembles the Google TV Streamer, which I really like. When you compare it to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max — which is also priced at $60 — there are a few key areas where the Onn 4K Pro comes out ahead.
Onn 4K Pro | Fire TV Stick 4K Max | |
|---|---|---|
Picture Quality | 4K Ultra HD | 4K Ultra HD |
Supported Video | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ |
Supported Audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
Storage | 32GB | 16GB |
RAM | 3GB | 2GB |
Processor | Quad-core 2.5Ghz | Quad-core 2.0Ghz |
Ports | 100Mbps Ethernet, USB 2.0 | N/A |
Operating System | Google TV | Fire OS |
Price | $60 | $60 |
For starters, it comes with 32GB of storage, double the 16GB you get on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, along with 3GB of RAM versus the 4K Max’s 2GB. On the power side, the Onn 4K Pro is equipped with an Amlogic S905X5M quad-core CPU clocked at 2.5GHz, compared to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max’s quad-core CPU running at 2.0GHz.
Feature-wise, the Onn 4K Pro supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, again, just like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. However, the difference lies in Wi-Fi capabilities, as the Onn 4K Pro is equipped with Wi-Fi 6, whereas the 4K Max features Wi-Fi 6E, making it slightly faster.
Additionally, one major advantage the Onn 4K Pro has over the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is its form factor, as it’s a set-top box with actual ports. It’s got a 100 Mbps Ethernet port if you’d prefer to hardwire your device, and a USB port that makes it super easy to watch personal media or sideload apps. Since the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is just a streaming stick with no ports, having the added flexibility of USB and Ethernet on the Onn 4K Pro, at the same $60 price point, is a major plus in my eyes.
Of course too, the Onn 4K Pro runs Google TV with Gemini, giving you all the advantages of an Android-based operating system.
The new Onn 4K Pro is launching at the perfect time
It will fill the void left by Amazon
I can’t help but feel Walmart has timed the launch of its new Onn 4K Pro perfectly. If you’ve been put off by Amazon’s recent move to Vega OS on Fire TV Sticks and are looking for something similar in features and performance, the Onn 4K Pro fits that bill almost perfectly.
If the form factor is an issue, and you’d prefer a streaming stick over a set-top box, Onn has also recently launched its first-ever 4K streaming stick at $40, taking direct aim at the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and 4K Plus. So there are options if the Onn 4K Pro isn’t quite what you’re after.
And if you want something more premium, the Google TV Streamer is an option, too. Though it’s priced at $100, it offers even more storage and features than the Onn 4K Pro, including Gigabit Ethernet.
Overall, I think the new Onn 4K Pro is an exciting device, and its Google TV platform makes it a solid alternative to Fire TV Sticks. While Amazon still sells two Android-based Fire TV Sticks — the 4K Plus and 4K Max — that may not last much longer, as Vega OS is now set to roll out across all future models.
Looking ahead, I can definitely see Onn stepping in to fill the gap Amazon is leaving in the budget Android streaming space. And so far, it’s off to a strong start with both its new 4K streaming stick and the Onn 4K Pro.
