Recently, Kodi has captured the attention of most people because it is a software that people can use to watch TV shows and movies free of any charges. It is a free, open-source software that is designed specifically for entertainment, and people use it to play music, videos, podcasts, and other media files from the internet. Kodi, however, does not manufacture streaming boxes.
You are expected to purchase your own device from which the software can run on: the Kodi boxes. The best thing about Kodi is that it is supported by multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. It also allows the installation of add-ons to allow you to stream from a number of streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify.
Here is a review of some of the best Kodi streaming boxes in the market today.
1. Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick enables you to connect your HDTV to gain access to online entertainment. This box supports a wide array of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, and many other platforms to let you stream your favorite TV shows and films. This box also includes Alexa Voice Remote. This is the best way to watch a multitude of channels and apps with universal search. All that is required of you is to connect the fire stick into your TV and you can start streaming as soon as you want.
This box, however, does not come with the Kodi software preinstalled. You are required to side load it to start enjoying your all-time favorited TV episodes or movies. The 2017 model of the Fire Stick includes a Bluetooth remote control, which easily guides you through Kodi’s menus and interface. The Fire Stick’s HDMI output does not do well with 4K videos, it only supports up to 1080p videos.
You can use this streaming box to watch TV live without a cable subscription or using free apps such as NBC News. To use the box, however, you must have an internet service, and you only pay for the channels that you want to subscribe to. Fire TV Stick is compatible with any HDTV.
2. Amazon Fire TV
The Amazon Fire TV is a top 4K all-rounder, which is most suitable for individuals who would like to stream high quality videos. The Fire TV supports streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video in 4K with HDR.
The Amazon Fire TV, however, does not have Kodi available through the official Amazon app store. You are required to side load it yourself. The installation can be quite annoying, but once you know what you are doing, it is an easy process. Once you have installed the software, you can start to enjoy TV episodes, films, and live TV within minutes.
What is most intriguing about the Fire TV is that it includes a voice remote for easier navigation, and it easily connects via Bluetooth. The voice remote makes the process of going through channels a lot easier but you have to keep in mind that Kodi does not support voice commands.
Amazon Fire TV also comes with a microSD card slot, which allows you to load it up with movies to watch whenever you are travelling. It also comes with an 802.Hac Wi-Fi built in, and an Ethernet port for areas where wireless connectivity is slow. This is the ideal streaming box for individuals who would want access to a wide array of streaming services and Kodi in 4K.
3. NVidia Shield
If you are looking for a powerful Android streaming box, the NVidia Shield is the way to go. This box is built to support all types of 4K home entertainment. It is capable of supporting a multitude of streaming services, and you can use it to access some of your favorite games through Geforce.
Installing Kodi on the NVidia Shield is a light task because it includes a voice search, which makes it easy to find the Kodi app. It supports running Android TV on Android 6.0, and Google Play is reconfigured for your remote and TV screen respectively. After you have installed Kodi on your NVidia Shield, you can start streaming your favorite films in a matter of seconds.
4K and 1080p videos stream smoothly on the NVidia Shield, and the menu and interface are easy to navigate through. This streaming box also features a built-in 802.Hac Wi-Fi for smooth streaming and an Ethernet port on the back for slow internet connections. The NVidia Shield is small, but it has excellent performance to support high quality 4K video streaming.
4. Seguro Trongle X4
The Seguro Trongle X4 is an Android-powered streaming box that supports 4K videos. This streaming box is most suitable if you are looking for an affordable Kodi box, from which you can stream your favorite TV episodes and films in 4K.
This is one of the smallest boxes in the market. Despite its small size, it is very efficient. It has Wi-Fi built in, but it can only connect via 2.4GHz. This is the major limitation to this box, and if you want to stream media files in the internet using the X4, it would be better if you did so using the Ethernet connection at the back of the box.
Seguro Trongle X4 runs full Android 6.0, and it has Google Play Store built in. As such, it is easier to install Kodi. The X4’s remote control has a mouse button that allows you to move an on-screen pointer to make it easy to select. This box, however, has no fast standby mode. However, after you have installed Kodi, the app can be pinned to the front screen making it easy to launch. It also has a HDMI 2.0b output that supports HLG HDR and HDR10 processing for excellent display.
5. Raspberry Pi 3
If you are looking to get yourself a Kodi box, the Raspberry Pi 3 is also a viable option. The Raspberry Pi 3 is a small box that is suitable for Kodi media projects. Its foundation features NOOBS with two pre-built options: OSMC and LibreELEC.
Soon after installation, the Raspberry Pi 3 boosts into the first option OSMC and then runs through a quick configuration wizard before it moves to Kodi. Normally, it takes about 20 seconds to power on and it displays a custom skin that is designed for the Raspberry Pi 3. It also has a classic skin option, but it is more advisable to stick to the default skin because the Pi 3 may have problems running other complicated skin options.
This Kodi box features a quad-core CPU, and it supports 1080p videos with no fuss. The Raspberry Pi 3 also has an 802.11 Wi-Fi built in, but if you have a slow network and experience buffering as you play your media files, it would be better to use the Ethernet connection. Moreover, the Pi 3 does not come with its case. As such, you need to purchase one. It also does not come with a remote, but you can rely on a HDMI CEC-compatible remote or the smartphone app to navigate.
6. Emtec GEM Box
The Emtec GEM box is yet another reliable Kodi box that you can use to stream your preferred films. This box, however, is good to install Kodi if you already have one in your possession. It runs on Android 4.4, and has a 1.5GHz quad-core processor. It is important to note that this box is not compatible with the latest versions of Kodi, and the Google Play Store app does not display Kodi to be available for download.
The Emtec GEM box requires you to install the full Kodi setup wizard for you to gain access to the Kodi’s older builds. This box also does not support 4K videos. However, you can rely on it to play full HD media files without any problem. Kodi 15.2 Isengard works with this box but using Google Play Store to install this setup wizard may prove a little difficult.
This box also allows you to install a microSD card for local storage, which makes it an efficient device for carrying around. The Emtec GEM box is also ideal because it efficiently streams videos on its 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
7. Bqeel M9C Android TV Box
The Bqeel M9C Android TV Box is also an ideal box that supports Kodi to play numerous media files. This box runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is the latest generation of multimedia players. The version it uses makes it quite fast and efficient. It features a 1GB RAM and an 8GB ROM with a 32GB maximum extended capacity. The expandable memory creates more space for playing games, listening to media files, and browsing.
This box also presents you with high-level configuration that provides ultra-fast running speed and professional image processing capacity because it features new s950X chipset quad-core speed processor. Moreover, it has a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to provide you with a more stable signal so that you can enjoy high quality streaming. This box also supports 4K videos with a quality of up to 4k2k output for a more clear display.
The Bqeel M9C Android TV Box also has both HDMI and AV cables, which you can use to stream high quality videos on your HD screen. It also features two high-speed 2.0 USB ports that you can connect your mouse and keyboard for easy and convenient operations. The manufacturer also provides customer service support in case of any issues with the Bqeel M9C Android TV Box.
8. SkyStream ONE Streaming Media Player
If you are looking for a box that provides you with a wide array of streaming applications, the SkyStream ONE Streaming Media Player is the way to go. This box also gives you full access to Google Play Store to customize your viewing options.
This box is powerful and fast and after you install Kodi, you can start streaming in minutes. The SkyStream box supports 4K videos to enable you to stream high quality and clear media files from a number of streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, and Sling TV, among others. It uses Android to deliver the fastest technology available.
The SkyStream ONE Streaming Media Player is a little box that gives you access to unlimited streams of your favorite TV episodes and films, using your most preferred streaming application and subscriptions alike. This box features the fast S905 processor at speeds of 2.0GHz, and it runs on Android 5.1.1 to give you instant access to your favorite streaming services.
This Android box uses the app store to enable you to download any subscription-based service such as HBO NOW and Netflix among others to ensure that you have an unlimited streaming option. You, however, need to know that subscription costs to these services may apply. SkyStream One also does not promote, suggest the facilitation of, or actively enable unauthorized access to protected content or digital media.