TOP-15 of the best set-top boxes for digital television: rating 2019-2020 and how to choose the best device to use + customer reviews

A digital set-top box is a compact device that is designed to fix a digital signal and then transfer it to any TV.

This is a device that converts analog cable to digital.

The equipment has wide functionality, which can vary depending on the manufacturer and cost.

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

To choose the best device to use, you should familiarize yourself with the key points in advance:

• Standards and Permission. The first thing you should pay attention to is whether the set-top box supports the DVB-T2 digital broadcast standard (MPEG-4 encoding), since DVB-T devices will soon become useless. If your TV has a standard SDTV screen resolution, then there is no need to pay extra for the set-top box.
• Management Features. Most modern consoles are equipped with remote controls. However, the presence of buttons on their front panel for controlling basic functions (on-off, switching between channels) is also important.
• Supported Interfaces. Many modern consoles have a standard set of connectors for connecting external devices. But if you plan to watch TV programs in high quality, then there is an additional HDMI connector on the tuner or, at least, component (YPbPr) video output. If you are going to connect external storage devices to the tuner, and also plan to view the files recorded on them, then check for the presence of a USB port.

Rating TOP-15 of the best models

The best set-top boxes price-quality

Xiaomi Mi Box S

Xiaomi Mi Box S media player - a highly functional model equipped with Android 8.1. The equipment is able to synchronize with a PC or TV and play music and videos.

In wireless mode, the connection is established thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The model is equipped with a headphone output, as well as HDMI and USB interfaces for connecting additional devices.

Management is carried out remotely by means of a special remote control or using a voice assistant.

Key Features:

• support for 4K UHD;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• Support AirPlay, Miracast;
• number of USB ports: 1;
• HDMI 2.0a output.

Google Chromecast 2018

Google Chromecast 2018 provides the ability to play videos in Full resolution HD, as well as play music from your iOS and Android smartphone.

With this device, you can watch video from a smartphone or tablet on a TV without using wires.

This model supports 1080p resolution, and also has an IPTV function..

In addition, you can play music from a smartphone or use Internet radio.

Key Features:

• support for 1080p;
• Wi-Fi module;
• control from a smartphone;
• HDMI output
• dimensions (WxH) - 14 × 52 mm.

HARPER ABX-210

Smart box HARPER ABX-210 - a multimedia device that allows significantly expand the capabilities of the TV.

Using this device, you can display a video signal directly from the Internet or from external media, listen to music or watch photos.

Android OS specially designed for Smart TV has an intuitive simple interface. Using all the functionality is quite simple.

The kit includes a remote control, and for convenient surfing the Internet, you can connect a wireless keyboard or mouse.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• HDMI 2.0 output

The best set-top boxes on Android

Dune HD Max 4K

Dune HD Max 4K - full-size functional media player with two bays for HDD 3.5 ″, two HDMI outputs, Hi-Fi digital outputs, linear power supply and advanced connection system.

The equipment has two bays for 3.5 ″ SATA hard drives.

One of the compartments has direct easy access through the front panel.

The device guarantees maximum image and sound quality.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• control from a smartphone, remote control;
• number of USB ports: 4;
• HDMI 2.0a output.

Ugoos X3 PLUS

Ugoos X3 PLUS is a compact, productive set-top box. The main plus is the budget cost and superior performance.

At the heart of ugoos is the Amlogic S905X3 quad-core high-performance processor.

According to tests, it leaves no chance to competitors.

The processor is supplemented with Mali-G31 MP2 graphics, 4GB of operational DDR4 and 64GB of internal memory.

It should also be noted that there is a 2-band WiFi and USB 3.1 module. The device constantly checks the current firmware version via the Internet.

Updating is carried out without user intervention in automatic mode.

Key Features:

• Android 9.0;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• support for Miracast;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• HDMI output.

Selenga r1

Selenga R1 is a Smart TV set-top box capable of supporting 4K video, HD sound and installation additional applications.

The console has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of non-volatile memory for storing various applications.

The menu in Russian, the remote control and the ability to connect additional wireless controls will make working with the equipment easy and convenient.

The device synchronizes with the TV via the HDMI interface or the analog AV output.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• support for 4K UHD;
• Wi-Fi module;
• number of USB ports: 4;
• HDMI output.

HARPER ABX-332

The HARPER ABX-332 set-top box allows you to watch movies, shows and videos on your TV over the Internet.

The prefix is ​​made in a modern design and has a high level of technical performance.

It has a wide range of features and is compatible with any generation of TVs.

The operating system is Android 7.1, so the user can download and install any application from the Google Play Store.

Thanks to a special module, the prefix allows you to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• HDMI 2.0 output

The best TV consoles on tvOS

Apple TV 4K 32GB

The main feature of the Apple TV 4K 32GB media player is the ability to transfer images on the TV screen in high resolution Ultra HD, which provides a clear and detailed picture.

The HDR extended dynamic range function provides realistic color reproduction, making the image on the screen look as natural as possible.

The media player provides the ability to view photos and video files from iCloud without using wires, only an Internet connection is required.

The device’s interface provides various methods for transferring data from a smartphone or tablet, as well as a computer: HDMI connector, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules.

Key Features:

• support for 4K UHD;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• AirPlay support;
• HDMI 2.0a output.

Apple TV 4K 64GB

The TV set-top box Apple TV 4K 64GB is a compact media player that significantly expands TV features.

Thanks to it, you can watch movies and TV shows from the iTunes catalog with a resolution of up to 3840x2160 pixels (4K or Ultra HD resolution) and use applications from the Apple Store.

An important feature of this model is the improved support for HDR, thanks to which the colors on the screen look especially bright, saturated and at the same time realistic.

Powerful A10X Fusion processor delivers smoother, more demanding programs and games.

The kit includes a convenient remote control with touch panel.

It connects to the Apple TV via Bluetooth and does not need to be directed towards the TV.

The accessory is equipped with a touch panel, so it will be especially easy and convenient for you to search for interesting content and set the optimal settings.

Key Features:

• support for 4K UHD;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• AirPlay support;
• HDMI 2.0a output.

Apple TV Gen 4 32GB

Movies, TV shows, games - all this is already on the Apple TV Gen 4 32GB. At your disposal Great iTunes content and your favorite apps.

Choose what interests you. And watch a lot of new movies and TV shows in different applications.

Play games on the big screen and use the Apple TV Remote as a controller.

To purchase and rent content on iTunes, and to use the Home Collection, you need an iTunes Store account.

Requires an 802.11 wireless or Ethernet connection or a broadband connection.

Streaming 4K and 4K HDR content requires a TV that supports these formats.

Key Features:

• support for 1080p;
• built-in memory 32 GB;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• AirPlay support;
• HDMI 1.4 output.

The best set-top boxes with DVB-T2 support

Dune HD Neo 4K T2 Plus

The Dune HD Neo 4K T2 Plus media player has a convenient Dune user interface HD on top of the Android OS platform and the ability to play high-definition video on your TV.

The device is made in a compact black case and, among other things, has the functionality of a TV tuner with support for DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-T2 for processing various types of digital television signal.

Among the player's connectors there are also HDMI 2.0 interfaces, audio optical S / PDIF, composite AV (RCA), 2x USB 2.0 Type A, a gigabit Ethernet adapter.

Internet connection can also be made via WI-FI.

Key Features:

• Android 6.0
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• control from a smartphone, remote control;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• HDMI 2.0a output.

MECOOL K7

The MECOOL K7 is capable of receiving TV channels not only via IPTV, but also directly from digital terrestrial, satellite digital and cable television.

The model has 4 GB of RAM, as well as an internal drive with a capacity of 64 GB.

The prefix has one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0, a microSD slot for a memory card with a capacity of up to 32 GB, HDMI and CVBS video outputs, an SPDIF connector, a gigabit LAN port, and antenna inputs.

Wireless connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth version 4.1

Key Features:

• Android 9.0;
• support for 4K UHD;
• Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth;
• AirPlay support;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• HDMI output.

Galaxy Innovations Uni 2

Galaxy Innovations Uni 2 has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory for application storage.

The model has a compact body and is equipped with all the required connectors.

The equipment is capable of receiving broadcasts of digital terrestrial television in the DVB-T / T2 standards and digital cable TV in the DVB-C standard, and also function as a Smart IPTV set-top box on Android 7.1.2 OS.

Playback of media files can be carried out in 4K format.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module (2.4 GHz);
• TV tuner;
• HDMI output
• dimensions (WxHxD) - 130x15x100 mm ..

MECOOL K1 PLUS

The MECOOL K1 PLUS set-top box connects to the TV via the HDMI port or the AV connector (RCA).

High image resolution is ensured when connected via a modern HDMI interface, so the AV connector should only be used if there is no HDMI port.

This model has 1Gb of RAM and an S905D processor, which allows the console to play video in UltraHD (4K).

The Internet is connected using a wireless Wi-Fi network or a LAN cable to the RJ-45 port.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module;
• TV tuner;
• number of USB ports: 4;
• HDMI 2.0 output

Galaxy Innovations Uni 2+

Galaxy Innovations Uni 2+ receives digital cable TV and terrestrial digital television.

The receiver can also function as a Smart IPTV set-top box. The device has a KODI player (XBMC) that plays files of various formats.

The equipment has the ability to connect to the Internet through a high-speed LAN port and an internal Wi-Fi module.

With a wired connection, the device can be used as an access point for using a wireless network.

Key Features:

• Android 7.1
• Wi-Fi module (2.4 GHz);
• TV tuner;
• number of USB ports: 2;
• dimensions (WxHxD) - 130x15x100 mm.

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