Just be aware that Kodi can also be used to illegally stream films and TV shows from dodgy sites, and some sellers offer “fully loaded” Kodi boxes that come with all the add-ons required to do so. Kodi has an iffy reputation, but the app itself is perfectly legal, and is a great way to watch video from legitimate sources or from your own NAS drive. This might sound discouraging – but if you want to run Kodi then an Android box might be the perfect platform. What’s worse, they’re sometimes reliant on older or customised versions of key apps – like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video – that don’t deliver reliable high-quality streaming. While a handful run Google’s official Android TV OS, designed for big-screen use, remote controls and streaming services, the majority run software based on standard smartphone Android, sometimes without access to the Google Play Store. The problem with these is that they’re a real mixed bag, and it’s rarely clear what you’re going to get. What about an Android TV box?Īlongside the big-name manufacturers, you’ll find plenty of cheap Chinese-made Android streaming devices, often sold at bargain-basement prices. It goes without saying that you should check that your chosen stick will play your favourite services before you buy, unless you’re prepared to watch some of them through your existing Smart TV apps or another device. Being independent, Roku tends to get the widest selection of services, with Now TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Google TV content all on board. However, buy the Google Chromecast with Google TV, and you’ll get most of those but not Apple TV+ or Now TV. For example, Amazon’s Fire devices are now pretty good, streaming Netflix, iPlayer, All 4, Now TV, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, along with any Google Play movies or TV shows that you might have purchased, through the YouTube app. Beyond this, the decision should come down to the apps and services you want.