TOP 10 TV boxes with Aliexpress according to customer reviews

Another rating of consoles of Chinese brands, skillfully imitating and "cheapening" the products of famous brands. What the developer "saved" on, 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 opinion of independent technical reviewers. There are few reviews on the model, and the specifications for it come with a terrible translation or with errors.

MXQ Pro

The set-top box 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 - 900 rubles.

Pros:

1. Equipped with Android OS, versions - from 5.1 to 6.0 and 7.1.
2. Processor - 1.5 GHz, support for 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 with 4K playback up to 55⁰ (independent testing).

Verdict. A set-top box with a smooth interface, no glitches and freezes, with normal broadcasting of online movies or videos. An economical processor with support for 4K video and a frequency of 30 frames per second is installed, and not 60, as usual, on such boxes. The manufacturer believes that such characteristics are sufficient for normal operation, but the price of the set-top box is reduced. It reproduces light clips with high quality, heavier ones will already have to be picked up or endured video jerks. Unlike DQiDianZ, 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 cinema with Full HD playback, with support for iptv and YouTube. Price - 1200 rubles.

Pros:

1. Differs from similar models T95MAX or TV BOX 6K by the possibility of mounting on the back of the TV.
2. Portable infrared receiver for "increasing" the range 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” at the screen.
4. The power supply unit does not heat up during operation, does not emit extraneous sounds.
5. Compact - smaller than Xiaomi Mi Box S, fits in the palm of your hand.
6. Connectors - Ethernet, HDMI, IR.
7. 8 Gb memory made by Samsung.
8. OS Android 7.1.2.
9. Traditional large desktop elements with the bottom row of quick access icons that are customizable for the user.

Minuses:

1. The OS is "raw". When installing Super Su, they may be offered a binary update, this leads to a permanent freeze of the console.
2. The system interfaces are drawn in HD quality, they look terrible 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, it gets very hot. But it does an excellent job with HD, Full HD content, videos from YouTube and IPTV. For large screens, Xiaomi Mi Box S or TV BOX 6K is suitable.

H96 Max

The set-top box plays video with a higher resolution and high frame rate, is controlled from a smartphone and voice, runs on OS Android 9.0, with a built-in LED display and a powerful quad-core Rockchip RK3318 processor. Price - 1500 rubles.

Pros:

1. Fast work, high quality playback due to OS Android 9.0.
2. Plays 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. Slot for SD memory cards only, not microSD.
2. Very weak heatsink, under load heats the console to 100⁰ and turns it off.

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

T95MAX

Multifunctional set-top box on OS Android 9.0, processor - Allwinner H6 with 4 ARM Cortex-A53 processing cores, clocked at up to 2.0 GHz, enhanced HDR + technology, support for 4K and 6K video resolutions. Price - 1600 rubles.

Pros:

1. Powerful and efficient 4-core Amlogic S905 processor with a frequency of 2.0 GHz and 2 GB of RAM.
2. Smooth 4K playback.
3. As with the H96 Max, there is an AV output.
4. Programmable remote control.
5. Information board on the front panel of the case, which is not available in DQiDianZ X96mini.
6. Mali-T720 MP2 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 "normal" Full HD 1080p / i.

Verdict. According to independent tests, the console is recognized as the best in the budget segment. Unlike DQiDianZ, the X96mini and MXQ Pro are excellent at streaming heavy videos. Better than H96 Max in versatility, you can stream movies, videos, online games.

tv BOX 6K

The model is based on Allwinner H6 processor and with Android 9.0 OS, like T95MAX, with built-in memory of 32 GB, with three USB ports. Easily and cleanly reproduces video with a resolution of 4K 60 Hz and 6K 30 Hz, supports HDR10. Price - 1790 rubles.

Pros:

1. Three USB ports, not 2 as in the T95MAX.
2. Branded interface on Android 9.0 OS, Play Market applications, players, Kodi media center, popular browsers, social networks, etc.
3. Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz or wired LAN connection.
4. The GPU with video accelerator plays 3D games perfectly.

Minuses:

1. Remote control - no gyroscope.
2. It gets very hot.

Verdict. An inexpensive model from which you should not expect a "miracle" or any unusual functions. Perfect for broadcasting video content, shows even heavy files without braking or lacunae. It can be used for games like the T95MAX, clearly conveys picture and sound.

A95X F3 Air

An attractive novelty Aliexpress based on the latest Amlogic S905X3 processor with a spectacular RGB-backlit case on Android 9.0 OS with its own graphical shell. Price - 1850 rubles.

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 graphical shell is a new launcher with the ability to change wallpaper.
5. Learning remote control unlike TV BOX 6K, with built-in microphone and voice control.
6. Cool and energy efficient SoC Amlogic S905X3.
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 opens access to complex content.

Minuses:

• The internal storage is not fast.
• Drawdowns (though rare) when unloading heavy games with built-in test.

Verdict. The model will interest gamers, although, like the rest of the rating consoles - T95MAX or H96 Max, it "performs" the function of movie playback by 100% (according to testers). All games with native support, GTA, SA, Unkilled, Asphalt are perfectly controlled, as in X2 Cube / X2 Pro. At the same time, the prefix does not heat up above 47⁰.

VONTAR X3

The model, unlike "completely" budget ones, such as the DQiDianZ X96mini or MXQ Pro, is in a stylish plastic case with a bright spectacular top cover and an LED display. Like A95X F3 Air, it runs on Amlogic S905X3 SoC platform. Price - 2230 rubles.

Pros:

1. Any Google Play applications are installed, the 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 launch and play games.
6. Processes data quickly.
7. Modern graphics accelerator.

Minuses:

1. Poor quality plastic, scratches, can break.
2. 4K reproduces well, but 6K is a problem.

Verdict.Like the previous model of the H96 Max brand, it plays video with higher resolution and high frame rate, is 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 - 2550 rubles.

Pros:

1. Good transfer speed.
2. Under loads, the maximum heating temperature of the board is up to 50⁰.
3. Quick setup of a Google account.
4. Home screen and interface are similar to Google Home Launcher.
5. Remote control as in VONTAR X3 - with microphone and voice control.
6. Stable, interruption-free 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. Raw OS: until you change it yourself, a bunch of errors will come out. For example, at the first start, it does not normally play sound in the AC-3 format.
2. When tested, it shows a low speed in the 2.4 GHz band.

Verdict. There are not enough stars from the sky, the prefix is ​​not enough, even the certification bonuses declared by the manufacturer are limited. 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 gamers' reviews, the same GTA can go perfectly or completely hang the console.

X2 Cube / X2 Pro

Model based on Amlogic S905X2 processor, OS Android 9.0, with high support for USB 3.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet network port. Unlike the MECOOL KM3, you can enable the NFS Samba client. Price - 3300 rubles.

Pros:

1. Not only reproduces DQiDianZ X96mini like ordinary budget consoles A95X F3 Air, but also saves network files.
2. High performance, smooth movement of the system.
3. Own Firefly application for remote control.
4. Customize the remote control keys as in the 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 very well as a video player with KODI.
8. Streams powerful PUBG games without stuttering or crashing.

Minuses:

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

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

Xiaomi Mi Box S

Unique model with certified Android TV and Netflix. 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 amounted to 3600 rubles.

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, 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 operation of the system without bugs.
7. Remote control with excellent sensitivity (tested), better response than 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 reviewers of technology, the model firmly holds a leading position in sales. The credibility of the brand has been 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.