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With traditional cable and satellite television services becoming increasingly obsolete daily, people are figuring out new and innovative ways to cut that costly and impractical cord once and for all. Whether through Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, or some variation of the multiple on-demand streaming services the internet now offers, more and more people are finding that they no longer need to be at the mercy of the cable company. All you need to do is to invest in a streaming device, but you need to ensure that it supports Kodi. Kodi is a free-to-use, open-source media player application that brings unprecedented freedom to your streaming experience. It acts as a single, go-to hub for all your favorite entertainment, and since it is open source, there are countless add-ons and plug-ins to choose from.
In the simplest terms, Kodi is just a media center that allows you to stream content on your HDTV. The difference, however, lies in the fact that Kodi is open source, so it is far more malleable. (Be careful not to use Kodi to stream any paid service you haven’t paid for, however, since that would technically be illegal.) Kodi TV boxes are simply a vehicle from which to run the Kodi software and can take many forms. Here are the top five Kodi TV boxes money could buy in 2022.
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro has carved out quite a reputation for itself in the streaming world. It allows you to stream movies, TV shows, and practically anything the mind can imagine in crystal-clear 4K HDR. The Shield even utilizes Google’s voice command technology, Google Assistant, which allows you to summon your entertainment without lifting a finger. You can even use an Amazon Echo, Alexa, or Google Home device to control the Shield TV pro. One of its benefits regarding Kodi software is that it’s much easier to install—unlike other streaming devices, which require a separate, third-party installation. And since the Shield is fully loaded and ready to go with many top-notch streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, HBO, Showtime, Pandora, Spotify, and Sling TV, you’ll never be without your favorite entertainment. The device has a powerful NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor that does a fantastic job upscaling regular HD content to a 4K resolution using AI. The processor guarantees a smooth user experience since it’s 25% faster than its predecessors. Users can expect to have top-notch quality whatever content they’re watching because the device supports Dolby Vision HDR. You won’t only be satisfied with your visuals because its Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus support ensures you get a terrific surround sound experience. Those who love gaming as much as streaming their favorite movies and TV shows will benefit from this device because its GeForce Now Cloud Gaming capabilities turn it into your own gaming ring. However, an obvious variable to consider with the Shield TV Pro is its high price. $149.99 is a pretty hefty investment for a streaming device, but it’s worth the price if you can afford it. This device is best for gamers and entertainment enthusiasts who may not want to deal with the hassle of separately installing the Kodi software.
4K resolution with AI upscalingDolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Digital Plus supportPowerful processorNative Kodi supportGoogle AssistantGeForce Now Cloud Gaming
Pricey
At TechJunkie, we’re huge fans of the entire line of Fire TV devices, but for about $50, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is undoubtedly an incredible deal. Though you can no longer install Kodi natively from the Amazon Appstore, getting the software up and running on your device is still manageable. Even if you opt not to install Kodi—and you definitely should—the Fire Stick is still a capable media streaking. The 4K model supports, as you might imagine, 4K Ultra-HD streams, complete with HDR and HDR10+ support for the most accurate colors and deepest blacks. It also has Dolby Vision support, so you can rest assured that you will have the best cinematic experience possible. Even if you don’t have a 4K television, you’re still better off getting the improved 4K model. A newer remote with volume/power controls and voice assistant capabilities via Amazon’s Alexa, plus a more powerful processor, makes this a killer Kodi companion. To get Kodi up and running on your Fire Stick, you’ll want to check out TechJunkie’s guide here, which walks you through exactly how to set up the app for the best experience. It takes about fifteen minutes, but once you’re set up and ready to go, you’ll have access to thousands of apps and add-ons for Kodi that make it easy to watch anything under the sun. Plus, since the Fire Stick has native support for VPNs like ExpressVPN, it’s easy to stay safe and secure while using Kodi. Ultimately, the Fire Stick is a fantastic value at just $50 for the 4K model with enough power to bring Kodi, Netflix, Hulu, and anything else you would want to stream right to your TV.
4K support Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+Fast processorVoice-enabled remote
Takes extra time to get Kodi running on the device
If you want a level-up from the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, the Amazon Fire TV Cube would be the ideal option for you. This is the most powerful device from the Fire TV lineup because of its hexa-core processor. The only catch is that it will take some extra effort to get Kodi working on the device. The device features a futuristic cube design, but while it looks cool, it’s not the most travel-friendly. Users will have an incredible cinematic experience with this device because of its 4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision support. Its audio performance is satisfying as well because of its Dolby Atmos capabilities. You will get a handy remote for the TV with all the necessary controls and app shortcuts you may need. The remote can be used as a mic for the Alexa voice assistant, but you can also speak directly to the cube. For those who care about their privacy, you will like how the Fire TV Cube comes with privacy protections and controls. You have the power to shut off the device’s mic so you know that no one is eavesdropping on any of your conversations.
Powerful processor that's perfect for Kodi4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision supportDolby AtmosBuilt-in AlexaVoice-enabled remote
On the pricier sideNot-so-simple Kodi installationCube shape is not ideal for traveling
If you play games as much as you stream content, you might want to opt for the Xbox Series X. This famous gaming console supports Kodi; all you need to do is download it from the Microsoft App Store. Some of you might’ve not known this, but Kodi initially started as an app for Xbox back in the day. Because of its Xbox velocity architecture, you can expect the Series X to provide a snappy and smooth gaming experience. Users can play all the latest games with it, and you can also play old games since the console has backward compatibility. The console supports 4K gaming and 8K HDR. You can expect amazing visuals no matter what game you’re playing. For all those action-packed scenes from your games, you will be left in awe by the smooth motion you get because the console can reach a framerate as high as 120 fps. Gone are the days wherein you can only buy games in physical stores because you can now download them online and store them inside the console’s 1TB SSD. When you finally pause your game and use the console for streaming content on Kodi, you will be impressed by the detail and sharpness you get because of its 4K Ultra HD resolution and Dolby Vision support. Users will also get a genuine surround sound experience from the console because of its 3D Spatial Sound and Dolby Atmos. The Xbox Series X comes with a wireless controller, ultra high-speed HDMI cable, a power cable, and two AA batteries.
Can be used for both gaming and streaming4K gamingStreaming in 4K Ultra HD8K HDR supportUp to 120 fps1TB SSD
PriceyTakes up more space than many of its rivals
The Xiaomi Mi Box S would be the best option for those who don’t want to spend too much. It allows you to turn any ordinary TV into a smart Android TV. The device supports Kodi, and you can download it directly from the Google Play Store. All the content you watch will be crisp and clear because the device supports 4K HDR and features high-speed 4K processing with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. The audio performance you get from the device is also satisfactory since it supports Dolby Audio and DTS. Regarding technical specs, the device features a quad-core CPU, 3+2-core GPU, 2GB DDR3 RAM, and 8GB eMMC storage. It supports dual-band Wi-FI and Bluetooth 4.0, and its HDMI 2.0 port ensures you get the best playback quality possible. Since the Xiaomi Mi Box S is an Android TV, it also comes with Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in. It comes with a simple remote that provides all the necessary buttons you need, and it has a dedicated button to access Google Assistant instantly. Unfortunately, its remote isn’t perfect and could’ve been more responsive. Nonetheless, the Xiaomi Mi Box S is still an excellent choice, mainly because it’s among the cheapest options you can find on the market.
Budget-friendly4K HDR streaming Dolby Audio and DTSAndroid TVGoogle Assistant and Chromecast built-in
Remote control could be betterPerformance can get laggy at times
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