Los HDMI stick have positioned themselves as the best solution for Turn your TV into a Smart TV or even to improve the user experience if the platform that came as standard never convinced you or stopped receiving updates. So, taking advantage of the arrival of the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick, we are going to compare the main models that you should not lose sight of.
What is an HDMI TV stick
HDMI TV sticks are small pendrive-shaped devices, although they are not logically that, nor do they have a USB connector.
An HDMI TV stick is basically all you need to enjoy of all that content that you like so much and offered by streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO, Disney +, Prime Video, etc. Of course, it is not the only thing they can do, these small devices that connect to an HDMI input on your television are also used to play different video games that exist for their respective operating systems (Android TV or Android-based like the Amazon forum) and even to emulate retro console games.
Therefore, that is an HDMI stick, an accessory that today it is completely understandable that it has achieved so much popularity and that many users are betting on acquiring one. What's more, although there are options with a higher price and even benefits like Apple TV 4K HDR or NVIDIA Shield, the quality / price ratio of these is superior and it is rarely worth buying a much more expensive alternative. Even less now that they are also compatible with 4H content and high dynamic range.
The best HDMI TV Sticks
Over the past few years we have seen numerous HDMI sticks hit the market. logically not all offer the same experience. The reason is the software, although most of them all bet on Android or some fork of the operating system created by Google.
The version itself and the customization layer mark a good part of the experience. In addition, in the case of Amazon proposals that use Fire TV OS (Android-based system) there is its own application store, etc.
For all these reasons, although there are many models on the market, it is worth focusing on the best options. Some are for a matter of price and others for the technical characteristics themselves, despite the fact that compared to other options they are not extremely expensive either. So let's see them one by one.
Real 4K Smart Google TV Stick
The Realme stick is basically the last to hit the market, but that doesn't stop it from competing against other models and at a price that is already quite attractive in itself. Likewise, these are the main specifications of the product.
- Maximum 4K video quality at 60 frames per second and with support for HDR10+ video
- Quad core processor
- 2 GB of RAM
- 8 GB storage memory
- Google TV operating system with support for Google Chromecast
- HDMI 2.1 connection
- WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Remote control
- Power via USB C connection
- Price 49 euros approximately to change
the real me 4K Smart Google TV Stick It is the last member to reach this list of devices for the television. It is a proposal very similar to the Chromecast with Google TV that we will see below. It makes use of a stick-type design and offers some very attractive technical features for a price that basically is or makes it a safe bet.
For 50 euros to change, because at the moment it is only sold in India, it is a very competitive product. In addition, it has nothing to envy to Google's solution.
Chromecast with Google TV
The latest Google Chromecast with Google TV We were able to analyze it a long time ago and we found it to be a really interesting product. He has basically been unrivaled since then, because what he does he does well.
In other words, it reproduces and provides options to access all types of platforms without problems and with great fluidity when running any application installed on it. What's more, you can even install some emulators, connect a gamepad and enjoy them. And without forgetting the option of Stadia, with which it can be used to, with the official controller if you have it, you can play wherever you go without needing a console.
- 4K video quality and 60 frames per second with support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Quad core processor
- 2 GB of RAM
- 8 GB storage
- Google TV operating system with Chromecast support
- HDMI 2.1 connection
- WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
- Remote control
- USB-C power
- Price 59,99 euros
The great value that the Chromcast has had with Google TV has since been the most demanded product. We will have to see if Realme stands up to him or not. By the way, the remote offers voice control
xiaomi mi tv stick
Xiaomi has managed to position itself so well among so many millions of users that it could almost do what it wanted. That is to say, many things are forgiven and in this case one of them is not to bet on the best of the best in hardware.
That means this xiaomi mi tv stick it should not be bought lightly. It is true that the performance of this type of product is always a good part of Xiaomi, but it is not up to the rest, still:
- Video quality 1080p is 60 fps
- Quad core processor
- 1 GB of RAM
- 8 GB storage
- Android TV 9 operating system and Chromecast support
- HDMI connection
- WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2
- Remote control
- Micro-USB power
- Price 39,99 euros
At the performance level, the Xiaomi HDMI stick is the least capable, but even so, it is among the most valued by users due to a very attractive price, barely 39,99 euros, and the guarantee and confidence that the brand offers to many users.
Amazon Fire TV Stitch 4K Max
El FireTV 4K Max It is the latest HDMI stick that Amazon has launched, an improved version of the Fire TV 4K that we already met a few months ago. Differences? Let's see.
- 4K video quality at 60 fps with support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision
- Dolby Atmos immersive sound
- New quad core processor
- 2 GB of RAM memory
- 8 GB storage
- Fire TV OS operating system
- HDMI 2.1 connection
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
- Remote control
- Micro-USB power
- Price 64,99 Euros
In the video above you can see the Fire TV Stick, which at the software level would offer the same thing, except that the new Fire TV Amazon's new stick is the most powerful of all the models released so far. Compared to the previous 4K model, it is true that it does not have many differences, but it is worth the extra expense for having a more capable processor, support for Dolby Atmos and the new WiFi 6 connection that will allow better performance when connected to a compatible router.
Realme, Xiaomi, Chromecast or Fire TV, which is the best?
If you look at the technical characteristics of the four HDMI TV sticks, you will see that they are practically identical. You have to go into the small differences and the occasional extra option to determine which one could be more or less interesting.
If you are looking for something cheapthere is no doubt, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick It is the most interesting model. Of course, here we have not included what would be its natural rival, the Fire TV Lite, which can be found even a little cheaper and includes Alexa.
for whoever is looking Alexa integration and its compatible smart speaker system, the FireTV 4K Max It not only provides said support, but also a set of very attractive specifications for those who do not want to do without the best wireless connectivity or image quality, much less the sound experience with Dolby Atmos support.
Finally, for the google experience loversThe new Realme 4K SmartGoogle TV Stick is a proposal to take into account. Because it costs less than Chromecast with Google TV and offers the same. So keep an eye on him.
We would bet on the Amazon model, but it is basically due to the integration with Alexa and everything that it allows within the connected home.