When Google launched the Google TV Streamer back in 2024 as the successor to its Chromecast brand, there was a lot to like about it. It comes with 32GB of storage, 4GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.
In my experience using it every day, it’s snappy, streams 4K HDR content smoothly, and gives me plenty of freedom to customize the experience to my liking thanks to Android. That includes sideloading apps and using custom launchers like Arc Launcher.
Normally, I’d have no problem recommending the Google TV Streamer to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable Android streaming experience. However, a lot has changed in the streaming world over the past year, particularly when it comes to one key factor: pricing.
Practically every major streaming device has gone up in price this year as the ongoing global memory shortage has driven up the cost of components like RAM and storage. Apple was the first to raise prices back in June, increasing the price of the Apple TV 4K from $130 to $200, which triggered a domino effect across the market. Roku followed by raising the price of its streaming hardware, then Amazon, and then Google.
The Google TV Streamer saw a $50 price hike in August, going from $100 to $150. At $150, there’s a lot more to consider before buying one now, especially when you look at what its competitors offer for close to the same price or, in some cases, for far less.
With that in mind, here are three Google TV Streamer alternatives worth considering that could be a better fit for your streaming setup, along with some honorable mentions.
The Onn 4K Pro
Strikingly similar to the Google TV Streamer, and cheaper
The first device that comes to mind when I think of alternatives to the Google TV Streamer is the Onn 4K Pro.
If you’ve never heard of Onn before, it’s Walmart’s budget-friendly tech brand, and it’s earned a decent following over the past few years thanks to its lineup of affordable Android streaming devices, especially the Onn 4K Plus and the newest version of the Onn 4K Pro, which was released this past spring.
The Onn 4K Pro is its flagship streaming device, and as you can probably tell from the image above, its design looks almost identical to the Google TV Streamer. The biggest difference, however, is the price, with the Onn 4K Pro costing just $60.
And while you might think that, at less than half the price of the Google TV Streamer, the Onn 4K Pro would make some significant compromises, you may be surprised to learn that it really doesn’t.
For starters, it runs Google TV, so you get all the same freedoms Android offers, including sideloading apps and using custom launchers. It also has 32GB of storage and supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. The two areas where it falls short are RAM and Ethernet, with 3GB of RAM compared to the Google TV Streamer’s 4GB, and a 100Mbps Ethernet port instead of the Google TV Streamer’s Gigabit port.
But if neither of those things concerns you all that much, it’s hard to argue with the value the Onn 4K Pro offers. At just $60, it’s hands-down one of the best Android streaming devices you can buy right now.
- Brand
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Onn
- Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi 6
- Ethernet
-
100Mbps
- Supported video
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HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The last good Fire Stick
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has long been one of my favorite streaming sticks, and although Amazon raised its price this year from $60 to $85, it’s often on sale for around $50, and it still has a lot to offer.
For one, it’s one of Amazon’s last remaining Android-based Fire TV Sticks. Amazon has started moving to Vega OS, its new Linux-based operating system, but so far it’s only using Vega OS on devices like the Fire TV Stick HD and 4K Select. So if you pick up a 4K Max, you’re still getting the Android-based Fire TV experience that Amazon launched with this model back in 2023.
When it comes to features, the 4K Max checks a lot of boxes. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, and it comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It also supports cloud gaming through services like Amazon Luna, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Xbox Game Pass.
I’ve been using the 4K Max on the 4K TV in my bedroom for years now, and it’s been awesome. The interface is easy to navigate, apps launch quickly, and streaming has been buttery smooth thanks to Wi-Fi 6E. Amazon also released a major software update earlier this year that brought a redesigned user interface and improved performance, and I’ve found both have made the experience even smoother.
If you’d rather have a streaming stick than a set-top box, I’d definitely consider the 4K Max. But I wouldn’t pay $85 for it. My advice is to wait for a sale, since you can usually find it for $50 or less. At the time of writing, Amazon has it on sale for $45, which makes it much easier to recommend right now.
- Brand
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Amazon
- Resolution
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4K
- Audio codecs
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Dolby Atmos
- RAM/storage
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16 GB
Apple TV 4K
It’s not Android, but it’s a powerhouse
The Apple TV 4K is hands-down my favorite non-Android streamer. If you’re looking for an alternative to the Google TV Streamer that’s powerful and user-friendly, it checks both boxes. But my recommendation here is a little different from the others so far, not just because it isn’t an Android streamer, but because I’d actually recommend holding off on buying one for another month or so. Why? Apple is reportedly on the cusp of releasing a new model.
The current third-generation Apple TV 4K launched in 2022, and while it’s still a powerful streamer thanks to its A15 Bionic chipset, it’s now four years old and costs $70 more than it did at launch, with Apple raising the price from $130 to $200 in June.
That said, Apple is expected to finally launch a new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K soon. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported last month that the new model is “nearly ready to launch,” and Apple sources he spoke to said it “will be ready this fall.”
Given that the last Apple TV 4K launched in October, there’s a good chance the new model could be just around the corner. It’s also rumored to include several upgrades, including a faster chipset (possibly the A17 Pro or A19), Apple’s N1 networking chip with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and support for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence.
With a new model expected to launch this fall, if you’re looking for a powerful streamer and the Apple TV 4K has caught your eye, I’d wait and see what Apple has been cooking up before deciding. At $200, the current model is a much tougher sell than it used to be, but a new Apple TV 4K could change that very quickly.
- Brand
-
Apple
- Bluetooth codecs
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5.0
- Wi-Fi
-
6
- Ethernet
-
Gigabit (128GB model only)
Honorable mentions
Nvidia and Roku are worth considering if the circumstances are right
While I would’ve usually recommended the Nvidia Shield TV Pro as an alternative, it’s currently out of stock everywhere, and Nvidia hasn’t said whether it’s working on a restock or if the device is on the verge of being discontinued. That said, despite launching way back in 2019, the Shield TV Pro has remained one of the best Android streamers for years. Its biggest shortcomings these days are its lack of HDR10+ and AV1 support. If you can find one at a good price, I think it’s still worth considering, but I wouldn’t pay $200 for it anymore.
Lastly, the Roku Ultra is another decent alternative to the Google TV Streamer, but I’d only consider it if you’re not concerned about Android and can find it on sale. It now regularly costs $150 after Roku raised its price in July. If you can find it for $100 or less, though, it’s worth considering, especially since it arguably offers one of the best free streaming experiences around thanks to The Roku Channel.
