11 Best TV Boxes 2025

Modern set-top boxes for digital TV and Smart TV are the most simple and affordable way to upgrade your old TV. They are also suitable for those who are planning to buy a new device. Since manufacturers rarely add operating systems to models with modest functionality, consumers can opt for a budget TV and then upgrade with a set-top box. In most cases, the total cost of such a set will be 20-40% lower than buying a TV with DVB-T2 support or Smart TV. Our rating of the best TV set-top boxes, which includes the most proven and reliable devices, will help you choose a device for your own wishes and budget.

TV set-top box which company is better to choose

• Apple... The famous American manufacturer who simply does not know how to make bad devices. Apple's set-top box works lightning fast, and if the buyer has other devices from the company, he can link them into a single ecosystem.
• Xiaomi... Some call it the Chinese Apple. Others simply consider a company from the Middle Kingdom to be the best choice if they want an excellent balance of quality, features and price. This is what distinguishes the "smart" set-top boxes of the Xiaomi brand.
• Google... Of course, the capabilities of devices from Google are not very impressive. But does the average buyer need more? In addition, the American company asks for relatively little money for its set-top boxes.
• BBK... A Chinese group of companies that produces a huge number of devices under different brands. The company uses its own brand for the production of TV and related equipment, including good set-top boxes for digital TV.
• World vision... The brand under which various receivers are produced at a very attractive price. The company's assortment includes both simpler solutions and more advanced options with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter and several USB.

Best TV Boxes for DVB-T2 Digital TV

Today, on the virtual counters of Russian online stores, you can find almost any technique that is produced by modern manufacturers. Advanced TVs are no exception. However, advanced models of such technology are prohibitively expensive for the average buyer, and the budget may not have the necessary functions. In particular, inexpensive TVs often do not support the DVB-T2 broadcasting standard. The second generation of digital television provides access to additional services and services. If your TV does not support the appropriate standard, then you do not have to spend a lot of money to buy a new model. It is enough to purchase a set-top box that can provide exactly the same capabilities and our TOP 5 best models of the presented category will help you with this.

1. BBK SMP015HDT2 / DG

A good set-top box for broadcasting digital TV with an affordable cost. BBK offers support for DVB-T / T2 television standards, as well as the ability to turn on the radio. To access the interactive program, the EPG function is provided, and using a connected flash drive, the user can activate the TimeShift option, which records the air on an external drive for delayed viewing.

Among the interfaces in the excellent BBK set-top box, there are audio and composite outputs, a USB 2.0 port and HDMI. The complete set of the device is standard: a remote control with batteries, an AC adapter, documentation and the receiver itself.The design of the device is as simple as possible, and its weight is a modest 300 grams. Like other models in the class, the SPM015HDT2 supports 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

Advantages:

• compact dimensions;
• high-quality picture;
• good quality of signal reception;
• affordable cost;
• organization of settings.

Disadvantages:

• not the most convenient remote control;
• no display.

2. D-COLOR DC1002HD

The D-Color model range is constantly updated with interesting new products. Along with improvements in build and firmware, the manufacturer also improves the hardware platform. DC1002HD is one of the best set-top boxes in its category. The device has received a modern MStar processor, which ensures fast and stable operation.

Also, a mini-version of this device is available in the manufacturer's assortment. It uses one of the latest combo chips from MStar - MSD7T01.

The digital receiver is supplied in a proprietary box, which, in addition to a picture of the device, indicates its main characteristics. The DC1002HD can record broadcasts to a USB flash drive, and read files from USB drives (movies, pictures and music). The declared service life of the console is 3 years with an official one-year warranty.

Advantages:

• range of the IR receiver;
• reads all popular formats;
• ease of customization;
• cost and build quality;
• built-in power supply.

Disadvantages:

• no Dolby Digital sound support.

3. LUMAX DV-4205HD

The LUMAX brand offers customers an excellent receiver in terms of price-quality ratio. The DV-4205HD model we have reviewed is equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter, which makes it possible to use the MEGOGO cinema and watch videos on YouTube among the device's functions. The front panel of the set-top box contains controls, a digital display and a USB port. In addition to drives, you can connect 3G modems to the latter, which will allow you to go online to check the weather or mail in your Gmail box. The set-top box with two tuners from LUMAX has an attractive average price tag in 17 $, and supports digital standards DVB-T / T2 and DVB-C.

Advantages:

• built-in Wi-Fi module;
• productive "filling";
• easy to customize;
• chic functionality;
• good control panel;
• the ability to program buttons;
• power adapter 5V, 2A.

Disadvantages:

• an assortment of built-in cinema;
• terrible complete instructions.

4. World Vision T62D

High-quality receiver T62D from World Vision for receiving digital TV broadcasts in DVB-T / T2 / C standards. Like its competitors, this set-top box is compact and simple. The remote control is standard, two AAA batteries are included. The front panel of the device contains the main controls: the power button, as well as keys for opening the menu and switching channels.

There is also a digital display in front, on which, when the receiver is active, the status of the current program is displayed, and when it is turned off, the clock.

According to the manufacturer, the set-top box is equipped with a fast GX3235S processor, which ensures stable operation of multimedia functions. Support for a Wi-Fi receiver is announced, which will have to be purchased separately. Its use will expand the capabilities of the set-top box by adding access to mail, RSS-feed, popular services for watching movies, videos, recording TV programs.

Advantages:

• AC3 codec support;
• convenient control panel;
• the price taking into account the possibilities;
• support for Wi-Fi receivers;
• stable release of new software.

Disadvantages:

• shortcomings of the firmware out of the box.

5. Selenga HD950D

Completing the TOP of the best models of receivers for digital television is the HD950D model from Selenga. This model has an external power supply, so it turned out to be quite light. You can also praise the vents located on top, thanks to which the console does not overheat. Support for Dolby Digital sound, as well as DVB-T / T2 and DVB-C broadcasting standards is declared. The front panel of the device contains all the necessary controls, display and USB port. Another USB port is located at the back. It can be used for a Wi-Fi adapter or 3G modem.

Advantages:

• attractive price tag;
• you can connect Wi-Fi;
• good functionality;
• thoughtful interface;
• support for external HDD.

Disadvantages:

• does not work with all Wi-Fi adapters.

6. HARPER HDT2-5010

Another good set-top box for broadcasting digital TV is offered by the HARPER brand. HDMI, audio, composite output and USB are all the connectors the HDT2-5010 boasts. At a cost of 14–17 $ this is a fairly standard set. The functionality of the device is also quite standard: recording timer, teletext, and a delayed viewing option. The set-top box also boasts a built-in display and a convenient remote control supplied with batteries.

Advantages:

• small size and weight;
• the location of the ventilation holes;
• simple and intuitive menu;
• ease of connection and configuration.

Disadvantages:

• reads USB drives up to 32 GB;
• the display is readable only at close range.

The best set-top boxes for Smart-TV

The time in which we live can be safely called the era of the Internet. Today, almost every home has at least one thing that is somehow related to the Internet (smartphone, tablet, etc.). Even ordinary bulbs and sockets can now be remotely controlled from your smartphone, for which they can be connected to Wi-Fi in the apartment. What can we say about TVs, which are much more advanced technology? Today, TV is no longer perceived solely as a device for watching television programs. Thanks to Smart TV, users have access to various Internet services like YouTube, Google Play, Netflix and even regular websites. You can also solve the problem of the absence of such a useful function on your TV by using special set-top boxes with Smart TV support, the cost of which is several times less than the price of new TVs with support for this technology.

1. Xiaomi Mi Box S

The best smart TV box with Android pre-installed. This product has no competitors (at least in its price category). The Chinese company Xiaomi has made a really convenient device with no frills. In the Mi Box S package, users will find a power adapter, a simple remote control, as well as documentation, batteries and an HDMI cable.

The remote control is quite comfortable, but its buttons are too noisy.

The set-top box itself turned out to be very compact: the thickness of the 95 by 95 mm square with a minimalist design is less than 2 cm, and it weighs a little less than 150 g. There is a slightly noticeable activity indicator on the front panel of the device, and 3.5 mm analog audio combined with optical is located on the back. HDMI output, USB port and power supply connector.

Advantages:

• minimalism in design;
• high-quality assembly;
• thoughtful remote control;
• Convenience of Android TV OS;
• the remote works via Bluetooth.

Disadvantages:

• there is no LAN connector;
• too noisy buttons.

2. Apple TV 4K 32GB

Apple may not always be the first, but even so it is the best. Yes, you have to pay corresponding money for premium quality. But hardly anyone requested by the manufacturer 182 $ for a 4K TV set-top box will seem like an unreasonably high amount.

The device comes in a high-quality white box, the design of which immediately shows how attentive to the details of the American brand is. After opening, the user will see the device itself, power and Lightning cables, documentation and a branded remote control, which is incredibly convenient.

Unfortunately, there is no HDMI cable included, so you have to buy it separately. But apparently, the company is counting on the fact that 4K TV owners already have a suitable accessory. The hardware platform in Apple's set-top box is great and we weren't able to hit the brakes.

Advantages:

• flawless system operation;
• productive "filling";
• support for 4K HDR content;
• the convenience of the Apple ecosystem;
• very thoughtful remote control.

Disadvantages:

• no HDMI cable included;
• there is no audio jack.

3. Google Chromecast 2025

If your budget is limited and you don't need impressive functionality from a Smart TV set-top box, then you can choose Google Chromecast 2018. This is a compact device weighing only 40 grams.It supports stable operation of streaming video at 60 frames / s and FHD resolution (a separate Ultra version is provided for 4K).

An HDMI cable for connecting to a TV is built into the set-top box. Also on the case there is a Micro-USB connector for power. It can be served either from the complete power supply unit, or through the USB ports available on the TV.

The set-top box supports streaming from Android smartphones. Alas, no similar support has been announced for iOS. You can also transfer everything wirelessly from a PC, but this requires special applications or the Google Chrome browser. There is no headphone output, so it only outputs through the TV speakers.

Advantages:

• attractive cost;
• work of Google Home;
• Wi-Fi ranges 2.4 and 5 GHz;
• smartphone control;
• lightness and compactness;
• can be powered from USB.

Disadvantages:

• not all software is supported.

4. Beelink GT-King

The rating is completed by one of the best "smart" consoles according to the owners' reviews - GT-King from the Beelink brand. This flagship device is equipped with a modern Amlogic S922X processor (six core), 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory for installing applications. The device supports 4K HDR, offers a pair of USB 3.0 ports and is equipped with Gigabit Ethernet. DLNA is also supported by the device.

The manufacturer claims support for microSD, Miracast, FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Cooling of the Beelink set-top box is passive, and it does its job perfectly. The device is supplied with a remote control that works via an infrared port or a radio receiver at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. The remote control itself, by the way, in addition to traditional controls, supports voice and air mouse functions.

Advantages:

• two USB 3.0 ports and a USB 2.0 OTG port;
• cool corporate design;
• support for current HDR standards;
• memory capacity, support for micro SD up to 64 GB;
• productive hardware platform;
• convenient and well thought out control panel.

Disadvantages:

• the software is not perfect.

5. Rombica Smart Box 4K

The last line is taken by Smart Box 4K from Rombica. According to the reviews about the set-top box, one can note its excellent quality and the ability to work with all common formats, including SRT, TEXT, PGS and VOBSUB subtitles. There are two USB ports at once, one of which complies with the 3.0 standard, as well as Ethernet, HDMI 1.4, composite output and a connector for connecting acoustics. The device is running not the newest Android 4.4 system, but this is enough to comfortably perform any tasks. The RAM and built-in memory in the Smart Box is installed 1 and 8 GB, respectively, and a 4-core processor with a frequency of 1500 MHz is responsible for computing in the device.

Advantages:

• excellent functionality;
• support for a large number of formats;
• good hardware performance;
• UHD (4K) video playback;
• good value for money;
• good set of interfaces.

Disadvantages:

• rare software problems.

Which TV box to buy

If your TV is older than the concept of Smart TV, then we recommend that you look closely at DVB-T2 digital TV set-top boxes. Special attention should be paid to the Oriel and World Vision models, which are the most expensive and cheapest solutions in their category. Of course, these set-top boxes can work perfectly well with modern TVs, for which they have the appropriate video outputs. However, we recommend spending a little more money in order to enjoy the maximum opportunities. For you, we have included 4 models in the review of the best TV-boxes at once, which allow you to open videos, music, movies, books, websites and even games directly from the Internet.