Android Box Vs Android TV Box What's The Difference and Here's Why It Matters?

Both an Android Box and an Android TV Box are two terms used to describe an alternative media streamer to Roku or Apple TV

While both media streamer operate on an Android based operating system, the two are completely different and here's why

1. Android TV Box - Currently unlike regular Android boxes, choices are limited. But the Nvidia SHIELD is by far the best Android based media player available today.

With Android TV the operating system was specifically built to be used as a television streaming device. This means the interface can be controlled by a remote control from the couch. Especially if using apps designed to work with the Android TV platform.

Thankfully, most apps built today work really well on Android TV and very few require the use of a bluetooth mouse. Android TV devices have their own App Store for apps designed to work flawlessly with the Android TV OS.

This does not mean you are limited to only these apps. Because regular Android phone OS apps can also be used as well. But some do still require the use of a remote control.

Besides the SHIELD, the Mi Box runs on the same Android TV OS as the Nvidia SHIELD. But its performance lags far behind the SHIELD and it also costs a lot less.

2. Android Box - These are all the other low cost Android media streamers imported from China. And they are built to use the same operating system as Android smartphones.

While you may be thinking, that's great since you it does not require learning another new operating system. There are some rather significant drawbacks to using an Android phone OS vs the Android TV OS.

Most Apps on an Android box require both a bluetooth mouse and remote control. Because the operating system was designed to work on a smartphone. And since smartphones have touch screens they were designed to be operated to be controlled by a finger or a stylus.

A television is not a touch screen, so all touch commands on an Android box must be performed with a mouse. Soon you find yourself juggling between your mouse and the remote to operated an Android streaming box with various apps. This can quickly become rather annoying.

Devices do exist like a mini keypad with an integrated touch pad which can help make using an Android box a lit easier. But still, using an Android TV box is much nicer. And it offer more of a home media box experience like one would find typically find on Apple TV or Roku.

But Android boxes are plentiful and cheap. And there are dozens and dozens of models all supporting either a Rockchip or Amlogic chipset. But this often leads to controversy over which chipset offers the best platform for streaming.

While both can do the job, Amlogic Android boxes often seem to be regarded a little higher. But this changes often, depending on who has the latest chipset model out at the time.

So while you can choose from any number of Android media streamers, with most claiming to offer the latest faster processor. Not one Android box available today comes anywhere close to the best Android TV Box, the Nvidia SHIELD. And here is why.

Fewer or No Android Software Updates On Android Boxes

Most all Android boxes have several things in common, they require constant hardware updates. So if your box has software bugs, the box manufactures would simply have you buy another box when their latest model comes out. And they usually release updated models once or even sometimes twice a year.

Yet a Nvidia SHIELD can last for several years with supported Android OS updates each time a new version of Android is released.

Here's Why the Nvidia SHIELD Blows Away Every Other Android Box

The puny Amlogic or Rockchip processors are no match for the powerful Tegra X2 CPU inside a Nvidia SHIELD Streaming Stick or SHIELD Pro. Hardware wise they can't touch the overall streaming and gaming performance of a Nvidia SHIELD.

And while many Android box users may balk at the added cost of buying a SHIELD vs a less expensive Android box. Quite often they end up paying much more in added frustration, new hardware and sometimes laggy performance as compared to owning a Nvidia SHIELD true Android TV box.

Side Loading APKs

Both Android boxes and Android TV boxes can use sideloaded apps. This includes all the good ones for watching some great Free TV Shows and Movies.

Still Not Sure Which To Get? Check out the video below for more suggestions based on the content you use most.