Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K Review: The Best Budget Android TV Box
At under $50, the Xiaomi Mi Box S is the cheapest way to get a clean Android TV experience with 4K HDR support. We tested it to find out what corners were cut.
- Released
- 2023
- Launch price
- $49
- Chipset
- Amlogic quad-core
- RAM
- 2 GB
- Storage
- 8 GB
- OS
- Google TV
- Max output
- 4K @ 60fps
- HDR
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Audio
- Dolby Atmos
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth
- Ports
- HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0
- Remote
- Google Assistant voice remote
Bottom line: The Xiaomi Mi Box S ($49) is the cheapest way to get stock Android TV with the full Play Store, but you’ll feel the 2GB of RAM and a slow UI. Fine on a tight budget; stretch to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for a faster, better-supported device.
Overview
The Xiaomi Mi Box S runs stock Android TV — not Amazon’s Fire OS, not Roku OS — which means access to the Google Play Store, Google Assistant, and Chromecast built in. At under $50, it’s one of the most affordable ways to get a genuine Android TV experience on any TV.
Performance
Performance is adequate but not impressive. 4K HDR streaming on Netflix and YouTube works fine. The interface is slightly sluggish compared to premium devices — there’s a noticeable lag when launching apps and occasionally when navigating the UI. For casual streaming it’s fine. For power users, the slowdowns will frustrate.
What We Liked
- Stock Android TV — full Google Play Store, no bloatware
- Google Assistant — works well for search and smart home control
- Chromecast built in — cast from any Android or Chrome device
- 4K HDR + Dolby Audio — solid picture and sound for the price
- Simple setup — plug in, sign into Google, done
- Price — hard to beat sub-$50 for this feature set
What We Didn’t Like
- Slow UI — noticeable lag compared to devices costing twice as much
- Only 2GB RAM — apps reload frequently when switching between them
- 8GB storage — fills up fast, no expandable storage
- No Dolby Vision — HDR10 only
- Remote feels cheap — flimsy build, no backlight
- Software updates are slow — Xiaomi lags behind on Android TV updates
How It Compares
At $50 it’s outclassed on value by Walmart’s onn. 4K Pro, which adds Ethernet and USB for the same money, and on speed by the Chromecast with Google TV. Spend ~$10 more and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a clear step up. The Mi Box S only really wins if you specifically want a near-stock Android TV box at the absolute lowest price.
Verdict
The Mi Box S punches above its weight for the price, but you’ll feel the compromises in daily use. If $50 is your budget and you want stock Android TV, nothing beats it. If you can stretch to $60, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is faster and better supported. If you stretch to $99, you’re in a different league entirely.