Looking for a streaming device that delivers premium performance without the premium price tag? The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box might be the budget-friendly powerhouse you’ve been waiting for. At just $50, this affordable streaming solution offers features typically found in devices costing twice as much.
The Onn streaming device also has a USB 3.0 port for extra storage. This feature is rare in devices under $100.The Onn 4K streaming device is affordable but offers great features. It supports 4K streaming at 60fps, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. This means you get stunning video quality.
It has WiFi 6 compatibility to keep your setup up to date. It also has built-in Google Home features, making it a smart home hub.
Additionally, the Onn streaming device comes with a USB 3.0 port for expandable storage—a feature rarely found in competitors under $100. If you are thinking about an Onn Google TV review before buying, here is some helpful information. In tests, this budget-friendly option loads apps faster than many expensive ones. It also gives you access to over 10,000 apps through its Google TV interface.
Design and Build Quality
The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box presents a straightforward approach to design that prioritizes functionality over flashiness. Unlike many premium streaming devices, this budget-friendly option doesn’t try to hide its practical nature.
Compact form factor and fabric finish
The Onn 4K streaming device is about 3.1 inches (78mm) square and 0.7 inches (18mm) tall. Its small size means it won’t take up much space in your entertainment center.
The unit features a black fabric exterior that aims to blend seamlessly with most home theater setups. However, this understated design comes with certain trade-offs. The fabric covering makes it look nicer than plain plastic.
Some reviewers think the device feels “a bit cheap.” They compare it to more expensive options. These options include the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K.
Port layout and cable management
On the connectivity front, the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box offers a surprisingly robust selection of ports for its price range. You will find a 100Mbit Ethernet port.
There is also an HDMI-CEC connection for easy use with compatible TVs. Additionally, there is a USB 3.0 port. This port allows for extra storage or connecting devices like keyboards and mice.
The reset switch and status LED are positioned alongside the HDMI connector, creating a clean layout. However, one practical issue arises when using these connections. The weight of many cables can pull the device down. This can cause the front to lift up if it is not secured properly.
Dust collection and placement concerns
Perhaps the most significant consideration with the fabric-covered design involves maintenance. Over time, this material tends to collect dust—a common issue with fabric-covered electronics. Some users report significant dust buildup that can affect both appearance and potentially long-term performance.
To address stability issues, the Onn streaming box includes a rubber base that helps prevent sliding under normal conditions. Furthermore, the package includes a piece of double-sided adhesive specifically designed for securing the device to flat surfaces, allowing for more permanent placement options.
Overall, the Onn Google TV 4K streaming box strikes a reasonable balance between esthetics and functionality within its budget constraints.
Performance and Hardware Specs
Under the hood, the Onn Google TV 4K Pro packs surprisingly capable hardware for its modest price point. Each component demonstrates Walmart’s strategic balance between performance and affordability.
Processor and RAM overview
The Onn 4K streaming box is powered by an Amlogic S905X4 processor featuring a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU paired with a Mali-G31 MP3 GPU. This 2019-era chip might raise longevity concerns for some users. With 3GB of RAM, it offers respectable multitasking capabilities—notably more memory than the standard 2GB found in the non-Pro version. Nonetheless, it falls slightly short of the Google TV Streamer’s 4GB RAM allocation.
Storage capacity and app handling
Perhaps the most impressive specification is the generous 32GB of storage space, quadruple what’s found in lower-end Onn models. This substantial storage capacity means you’re “unlikely to hit the Onn 4K Pro’s 32GB limit without installing lots of games”. Additionally, Google TV intelligently manages resources by automatically hibernating unused apps to free up space when needed.
WiFi 6 and Ethernet limitations
The inclusion of WiFi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity future-proofs the device, essentially preparing it for next-generation network speeds. While many competing devices still offer only WiFi 5, this advanced wireless standard provides greater bandwidth potential. Nevertheless, the wired networking option has limitations—the built-in Ethernet port maxes out at 100Mbps, rather than the gigabit speeds found in pricier alternatives.
Gaming and multitasking performance
In real-world use, the Onn Google TV 4K Pro consistently outperforms expectations. Side-by-side testing revealed it loads apps “a few seconds faster” than both the standard Onn model and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Multitasking capabilities particularly impress, as users can “jump between a half-dozen apps and pick up right where they left off”—something that frustrates many Fire TV users. For gamers, performance is “FINE for casual titles”, plus the ability to connect external PlayStation or Xbox controllers enhances the gaming experience.
Remote Control and Usability
The remote control experience often makes or breaks a streaming device. The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box comes with what Walmart calls its “most button-packed” remote yet, striking a balance between functionality and usability.
Button layout and backlighting
Featuring a comprehensive button arrangement, the Onn remote includes Google Assistant voice control, TV power/volume controls, a customizable star button, and dedicated shortcuts for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+. One standout feature is the remote’s backlighting, which activates with any button press. Unfortunately, unlike Amazon’s Fire TV remote with its ambient light sensor, the Onn remote’s backlighting can’t be disabled and may potentially drain batteries faster.
Customizable shortcuts and app launch
The star button in the top-right corner represents a significant upgrade from previous Onn remotes that merely offered input switching. Upon first press, you’re prompted to choose between opening a favorite app or switching TV inputs.
For app shortcuts, you’ll see a simple list of installed apps where you can select your preferred option. Afterward, pressing the star button launches your chosen app instantly. Moreover, holding the button allows you to reassign it at any time. For input switching, the remote cycles through inputs with each press.
Remote finder feature
Similar to premium devices like Roku Ultra, the Onn 4K Pro includes a convenient remote finder function. When you press a button on the front edge of the streaming box, the remote emits a 30-second chime that continues until you interact with it. This particularly useful feature helps locate the remote when it inevitably disappears between couch cushions.
Issues with missing pause button
One notable omission is the lack of a dedicated pause button—a critical function for any streaming device. Instead of a separate pause button, you must use the center OK/select button on the D-pad to pause content. This dual-purpose approach can sometimes create confusion, especially when navigating menus. In YouTube specifically, users report needing to press the Select button twice to pause playback, though Netflix and other apps generally require just a single press.
Google TV Experience and Smart Features
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/
The beating heart of the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box lies in its intuitive interface and comprehensive smart features, positioning it as a formidable competitor against more costly alternatives.
Content recommendations and app support
The Google TV platform shines with its content-first approach, aggregating recommendations from multiple streaming services into a cohesive homepage. Unlike competing platforms that prioritize their own content, Google TV remains relatively agnostic, showing options from various services without obvious favoritism. Your viewing habits, watchlist selections, and streaming service preferences all influence these personalized recommendations. Significantly, the platform displays your recently watched content directly on the homepage, allowing you to quickly resume where you left off.
Voice control and Google Assistant integration
Pressing the microphone button on the remote activates Google Assistant, enabling commands like “Show me dramas” or specific content searches across apps. Beyond entertainment, the assistant handles questions about weather, sports scores, translations, and calculations with visual responses displayed on screen. For smart home enthusiasts, the device doubles as a control hub for connected devices—allowing you to dim lights or adjust thermostats through voice commands.
Live TV and free channel integration
Perhaps most impressively, the Onn streaming box provides access to over 170 free live channels through Google TV Freeplay. These ad-supported channels span news, sports, movies, and reality programming—all accessible without additional subscriptions. The integrated ‘Live’ tab organizes these channels alongside any paid services you might have, creating a unified TV guide experience.
AI features like Gemini and screensavers
Looking forward, Google plans to integrate its Gemini AI assistant into the Google TV experience, promising enhanced content discovery and question-answering capabilities. Currently, the device offers customizable screensavers through ambient mode, letting you display Google Photos, artwork, or AI-generated images.
Casting limitations and volume control issues
Despite its strengths, some users report volume control inconsistencies, particularly regarding long-press functionality. Additionally, while Google Cast works well for Android users, the platform lacks native AirPlay support for Apple device owners.
Conclusion
The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box stands as compelling evidence that premium streaming experiences needn’t come with premium price tags. Throughout this review, we’ve seen how this $50 device consistently punches above its weight class. Despite its budget-friendly status, it offers impressive specifications including 4K HDR streaming, WiFi 6 connectivity, and generous 32GB storage that many $100+ competitors lack.
While the device certainly has limitations—specifically its 100Mbps Ethernet port, fabric covering that collects dust, and occasionally confusing remote button functions—these drawbacks seem minor considering the overall value proposition. Additionally, the Google TV interface delivers a content-first experience that remains refreshingly unbiased across streaming services while providing access to over 170 free live channels.
Overall, Walmart has created a streaming device that defies expectations at every turn. The combination of fast performance, thoughtful features like the remote finder, and comprehensive smart home integration makes this budget-friendly streamer an easy recommendation for most households. Therefore, if you find yourself debating between this and a pricier alternative, the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box deserves serious consideration—proving once again that sometimes the best value comes from unexpected places.
In conclusion, choosing the right streaming device today means finding one that delivers fast streaming entertainment, HD or 4K UHD resolution, and compatibility with your smart TV, mobile device, or game console. Devices like the ONN Google TV 4K streaming box and Google TV Full HD streaming stick offer seamless access to popular streaming services and platforms like Amazon Prime Video, with support for voice commands via Google Assistant and a voice remote control.
Whether you’re setting up your living room or upgrading your smart home, a good streaming media player should support Dolby Atmos, HDR (High Dynamic Range), HDMI ports, WiFi, and even Bluetooth for optimal video and audio quality. These high-definition multimedia devices often come with a TV box, HDMI cable, and features like RAM upgrades, adapter options, and added support for smart TVs.
With an intuitive operating system like Android TV, these devices transform any screen into a powerhouse of UHD streaming, especially when paired with Google TV. For those who value convenience, a device with voice remote control or a streaming device with voice remote makes toggling through menus — or even the table of contents — a breeze.
Explore, compare, and enjoy the best streaming platforms designed for the future of high quality home entertainment.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key features of the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box? The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box offers 4K streaming at 60fps, HDR10+ support, WiFi 6 compatibility, 32GB of storage, and access to over 10,000 apps through the Google TV interface, all at an affordable price of $50.
Q2. How does the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box compare to more expensive alternatives? Despite its lower price, the Onn device often outperforms pricier options in app loading times and multitasking capabilities. It offers features like WiFi 6 and a USB 3.0 port for expandable storage, which are rarely found in competitors under $100.
Q3. What are the smart home capabilities of this streaming device? The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box doubles as a smart home hub with built-in Google Home functionality. It allows users to control connected devices, such as dimming lights or adjusting thermostats, through voice commands using Google Assistant.
Q4. Does the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box offer free content? Yes, the device provides access to over 170 free live channels through Google TV Freeplay. These ad-supported channels cover various genres including news, sports, movies, and reality programming, all accessible without additional subscriptions.
Q5. What are some limitations of the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box?
While generally impressive, the device has a few limitations. These include a 100Mbps Ethernet port instead of gigabit speeds, a fabric covering that tends to collect dust, and occasional volume control inconsistencies. It also lacks native AirPlay support for Apple devices.
