If you are looking to get a new TV and wonder if a Smart TV or Android TV box is a better option, below we break them down along with the advantages and disadvantages of both.
A smart TV or Android TV box can be different from one manufacturer to the next. One may add more features than another but for the most part they can be broken down into having some basic features.
The main objective of any of these units is to give a user the best way to view content on their TV from videos to music.
What is a Smart TV?
Smart TVs have built-in apps along with the ability to connect to the internet.
Depending on the unit most will have apps such as Netflix or Hulu which users can stream straight to their TV.
Advantages
Everything is in one package
Only one remote control is needed.
Disadvantages
Cost more
Limited amount of apps
What is an Android TV Box?
An Android TV box is a small computer that plugs into any TV and gives the user the ability to stream content, locally and online.
Android is a well known operating system that many phones and tablets run on. This gives an Android box a very large app library for most anything that can be thought of.
Apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, installed and do most anything a standard computer can do from streaming videos to writing an email.
Advantages
Turns any TV into a smart TV
Low cost
Large app library
Disadvantages
Adds another box to a TV
Need to learn Android Interface
Smart TV vs Android TV Box
While a smart TV is nice, an Android TV box combined with a large standard TV is the best option, at least in my opinion.
The price for a smart TV does not match its computing power compared to the hardware an Android box can offer.
Updates are also a problem for many smart TVs while Androids are updated much more easily.
Android has been around for longer and has many top selling smartphones and tablets which has created a very large community for help when needed.
It also has created millions of apps which can be used with other Android devices across hardware.
For example, if someone needed to Skype they could simply download the app, or if a document needed to be created the same can also be done.
The list of apps is endless with an Android. Keyboards can be used like a desktop or small TV remotes used to stream videos and music.
Read Here for Our Picks of Top Android TV Boxes
With that said a smart TV can have its place in many homes and many choose it over other options.
For example, If all that is needed is to stream content from Netflix and the TV has an app that does it well there is no need for any other devices.
TVs are also improving all the time with better and better technology.
In my opinion, an Android TV box is the best option. It adds a computer to a TV and makes it able to do most anything a smartphone, tablet, or even a desktop can do.
Of course, every home will have different viewing habits and what fits one may not fit another.
When looking to buy either unit simply make sure it can do what you want it to do at the best possible price.
Android box is better as u get way more flexibility and app availability.
Will android TV be effected by virus or not?
I have a smart tv. I have no problems. I love my smart tv there are many apps to choose from. If you download movies from Amazon most oof them you still have to pay for. I am a Prime member. I have to pay for some shows. Netflix you can have three tvs on one account. my parents have two. I don’t live with my parents. I have the other Netflix for my tv. I have security that does they same.. my parents have my security as well as me. It’s a trade off. I had roku. But didn’t really need it because my tv is a smart tv. I pay for hulu. Don’t let anyone tell you that smart tvs are bad
You missed it all along, he never said android tv box are better, he concluded by saying the amount of money you have. Buy a smart tv if you have the money, if not, buy an android tv box, it’s mobile and can be useful anywhere they don’t haveca smart tv
Hi I’ve got iptv in my LG Smart tv I have a good bit of buffering issues even though tv is only 6 feet away at the most from my hub. Would buying a ANDROID box help with buffering and if so what would be the best to buy as there are so many on the market
Thanks in anticipation
I have IPTV to Android box with a direct connection is best option. It seems the Android box has a faster processor. I have a t95z plus box.
I have a blackpoint big back tv can the android tv box be used on it?
that should not be problem if and only if you have HDMI port in your TV.
What brand of Android tv box is best prescribed and Does it have any effect on the picture quality and sharpness of my screen?