Years ago there weren’t too many options to turn our TV into a smart one if we didn’t have Internet on the TV itself. But today it is easy to find some affordable models that allow us to watch applications and series from TV regardless of the model you have. We then have another problem: which one to choose? What are the differences between them and which one is better? Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Google Chromecast vs Xiaomi Mi TV Stick: which one should I buy?
Although there are many options available, Amazon and Google and Xiaomi are among the market leaders and among the best sellers. Which one do you buy? Depends. We see the differences and models of each of the brands…
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon has several models of Amazon Fire TV Stick and choosing between them depends on what you want or have. From the Lite model to the 4K Max, the main differences are in the maximum image quality supported by each of them. Only 4K and 4K Max are compatible with this resolution and the difference between the Max is that it is compatible with WiFi 6, so it ensures a better connection and more fluidity.
They are small devices that connect as a stick to the TV in the HDMI port and have control through the remote control or voice control with Alexa. There are hardly any differences between the cheaper models because the Lite model and the Amazon Fire TV Stick only differ in the control of the TV on the remote: one includes a button to increase or decrease the volume and change channels; the other does not. Beyond this, the interface is the same in all the devices and they allow us to install practically all the applications that we use in our day to day…
Google Chromecast Google TV
Google has had its Chromecast with Google TV for a couple of years and in 2022 it launched its HD version for those who do not want to pay more for the 4K model. Two models exactly the same in design that we can connect through an HDMI to the television and that allow us to turn any television into a smart one. They are compatible with a voice assistant and have a small, very comfortable control to move through the different menus and applications that we have installed on the TV.
We can download music applications, movies, games… In addition, one of the main advantages is that we can organize all the movies and series from the different streaming platforms on a single screen so we can “continue watching” what we want without having to enter one app or another. Or Google will help us search for anything on all platforms without having to do it manually one by one.
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
Xiaomi also has, like the others, several models available. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K for 69.99 euros and the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick for 49.99 euros. The difference between the two? Easy: the highest supported quality. One is 4K and one is not. But both are good options for streaming on the go. It works with Android TV (but not with Google TV) and we have a comfortable interface where you can install all the applications you want to watch videos, listen to music or play games. It is also compatible with a voice assistant and has an infrared and Bluetooth remote control with which we can navigate through the different screens or with direct access buttons for applications such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
It is portable and light, like a small pen drive and the smallest in this entire list. We simply connect it to the HDMI of our television and connect to the Internet to start using it with the apps that we want to install.
Which is better?
What differences are there? All brands have the option of a 4K model and an HD model depending on whether we want to spend more or less or whether or not we want compatibility with this quality. All also include remote control with voice control and the ability to move comfortably between menus.
In terms of interface, Google and Xiaomi work with Google TV and Android TV respectively and Amazon with its own interface. Almost all apps are compatible with all models, although we cannot install HBO Max on Fire TV , it is important to keep this in mind. Posts to choose, it depends on each user and personal tastes. Google offers a more organized and less chaotic screen than Amazon, for example.
In terms of content, a point in favor for Amazon: it offers the different live television channels since the end of 2020 to watch TV online. We can supply this with many available applications such as Tivify or the apps of the Google channels. In addition, those from Mountain View are already working on having live channels that would arrive in the coming months.
Which to choose? All three options are highly recommended. Quality options, compatible with all kinds of applications and that ensure us compatibility when downloading what we want without having to change the TV. They are small, easy to transport, they do not bother our room and they are easy to handle for anyone, so it will depend on your tastes, the offers you find, etc.
