
If an Android streaming box suggests it can offer you paid content for free, it’s not doing so legally, and no binge-watching session is worth going to jail for. Unless they’re talking about TV content that you already know to be free – such as free kids’ videos from the PBS app – it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If an Android streaming box offers “free TV,” don’t buy it. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe. Android streaming boxes have plenty of legitimate, legal uses – but unfortunately, their association with piracy means that you’ll need to be careful what hardware you buy. If you’re looking for a streaming media box that includes additional functionality (like support for Google Home/Assistant), an Android TV box may be a better choice.īestReviews Important pointers for selecting an android streaming boxĪndroid streaming boxes have made a lot of headlines over the years because many less-than-legitimate manufacturers sell them pre-configured for watching illegal streams of pirated video. Android TV boxes are typically twice as expensive as Android streaming boxes, but they include much more powerful hardware. Similar to Apple’s tvOS, Android TV focuses on connecting users with streaming content. If you just need a straightforward media box that can get your local media on your TV without breaking the bank, an Android streaming box is a strong choice.Īndroid TV boxes run the “Android TV” operating system, a separate, specific platform designed for use with a remote control. They offer comprehensive support for audio and video files no matter what format they’re in, and they play mobile games available from the Google Play Store. Makes sense, right? Unfortunately, things get a little messy with the term Android TV, because it’s also the name of Google’s official streaming box platform that only runs on select devices.Īs you’re shopping, make sure you know the differences:Īndroid streaming boxes are small, nondescript, affordable boxes that run the mobile version of Android – which means that manufacturers are taking the operating system made for phones and modifying it to be slightly more user-friendly in TV environments. Most Android streaming boxes market themselves as Android TV boxes because they’re connected to a TV and running Android.

Android streaming boxes are sometimes referred to as “Kodi boxes,” named after the popular media center application that comes with most models.
