Want a cheap Google TV Streamer alternative? I only recommend one option

The Chromecast has been my most popular technique to stream on my TV since 2013, however when Google launched the Google TV Streamer final 12 months, it grew to become clear that these days had been numbered. Simply as anticipated, Google has now formally stopped promoting the Chromecast with Google TV HD and 4K. For individuals who want an affordable streaming gadget, the discontinuation of the Chromecast leaves a big hole out there. Whereas there are nonetheless nice choices from Roku and Amazon, there’s actually just one viable various should you want Google TV — the Onn 4K Professional.

One caveat is that the Onn 4K Professional is bought by way of a partnership with Walmart and is out there solely in North America. Should you reside exterior this market, you both spring for the Google TV Streamer or decide up a Chromecast with Google TV from a retailer with remaining inventory.

To be honest, the Onn 4K Professional just isn’t the one official possibility obtainable in 2025, however I’ve seemed round, and each different inexpensive field is both three or extra years outdated or extra of a makeshift mini-PC operating Android than a correct Google TV gadget. In distinction, the Onn 4K Professional arrived simply final 12 months, so it’s pretty younger by comparability.

Whereas the Onn 4K Professional has its positives, is it actually a worthwhile various, or are you higher off saving up for the Google TV Streamer as a substitute? Actually, after spending many months with it, I feel it is dependent upon what sort of person you’re and the way a lot tinkering you’re prepared to do.

Once I first reviewed the Onn 4K Professional ($49.88 at Walmart) in the summertime of 2024, I used to be clear that, at the very least by way of options and basic efficiency, it was a way more compelling gadget than the Chromecast with Google TV.

Listed below are only a few of the most important benefits the Onn 4K Professional has over the Chromecast:

• Fingers-free voice assist: It is a characteristic not even the Google TV Streamer gives! A easy “Okay, Google” helps you to browse the UI, flip sensible units on and off, and even discover the distant.
• Distant finder characteristic: As talked about, there’s a helpful remote-finding operate. Not solely are you able to activate it through voice command, however there’s additionally a bodily button on the entrance of the Onn 4K Professional field. This characteristic has since made its technique to the Google TV Streamer, too.
• A greater distant: Whereas the distant isn’t as good as you’d get with the Google TV Streamer, it’s an enchancment over the Chromecast distant. It contains a customizable button and is less complicated to grip than the slippery Chromecast distant, although the plastic feels a bit cheaper.
• A USB port: I’ve discovered the USB port nice for sideloading native media, and even equipment like webcams and gamepads are appropriate — although my webcam’s efficiency was inconsistent, so your mileage could range.

Past these options, the Onn 4K Professional additionally boasts a extra highly effective processor than the Chromecast with Google TV, 3GB of RAM (in comparison with 2GB on the Chromecast 4K), and quadruple the storage at 32GB. Whereas I typically needed to aggressively handle apps on my Chromecast, the Onn 4K Professional has loads of room. And, as talked about, there’s a USB port should you want further momentary storage or need to again up information.

Even when Google hadn’t discontinued the Chromecast with Google TV, I’d nonetheless advocate the Onn 4K Professional. Proper now, it’s the closest factor now we have to a “Google TV Streamer Lite.” Sadly, there’s a darkish facet to the Onn 4K Professional: its reliability isn’t assured.

Most Onn merchandise are pretty first rate, however these are finances merchandise, so the standard, consistency, and long-term reliability could be hit-or-miss. The identical applies to the Onn 4K Professional. After almost 9 months of possession, I’ve encountered a couple of points with my unit.

For the primary 4 or 5 months, the gadget labored flawlessly. Over time, nevertheless, I began noticing quirks that progressively worsened. It started with the distant finder button often failing to reply. Finally, the button stopped glowing totally, taking the bodily distant finder operate with it. Fortunately, the distant finder voice command nonetheless labored.

A few weeks later, I observed that the Onn 4K Professional may now not wake my TV, requiring me to show it on manually. My PlayStation 5 had no such subject, so I knew the issue was particular to the Onn gadget. I put up with these inconveniences for some time, however once I began experiencing efficiency slowdowns, I made a decision to analyze additional.

I attempted clearing the cache, uninstalling pointless apps, and performing basic upkeep, however in the end, I needed to manufacturing unit reset the gadget. Fortunately, every little thing labored completely superb afterward.

The Onn 4K Professional continued operating easily for an additional two and a half months earlier than issues resurfaced, forcing one other reset. To be honest, throughout that second interval, I had been experimenting with sideloading a couple of emulators and different apps, so I’ll have been the true subject right here. Nonetheless, it’s price mentioning.

Is it affordable to need to manufacturing unit reset a tool each two to 6 months simply to maintain it operating? Perhaps, perhaps not. It is dependent upon how a lot you thoughts tinkering, I suppose.

To be honest, even my Chromecast with Google TV wanted a manufacturing unit reset after a couple of 12 months. It had develop into sluggish, possible as a result of restricted RAM and excessive storage utilization. Deleting apps and clearing house didn’t assist a lot, and ultimately, a reset was obligatory.

On the finish of the day, any sub-$50 streaming gadget is sure to have some drawbacks. Whether or not or not these points are dealbreakers is as much as you.

The Onn 4K Professional is a good gadget, however its quirks can get tiring. I’ve just lately thought-about changing it in our lounge with a Google TV Streamer, which is just the higher product — regardless of costing twice as a lot and missing hands-free voice management and that helpful USB port. Should you can afford to spend extra, I’d completely advocate the Google TV Streamer over the Onn 4K Professional or Chromecast with Google TV. Not solely is it extra dependable, however it also needs to be extra future-proof and get all the most recent Google options first.

For these with a $50 finances, I nonetheless stand by the Onn 4K Professional. In reality, once I improve to a Google TV Streamer, my Onn 4K Professional gained’t be retired; as a substitute, it’ll change the Chromecast with Google TV in my bed room. That claims loads about how I price the Onn 4K Professional in opposition to the Chromecast with Google TV.

Should you don’t belief Onn or don’t need to take care of potential quirks, listed below are a couple of alternate options relying in your scenario:

• Should you already personal a Chromecast with Google TV: I’d maintain on to it a bit longer, because it ought to obtain updates by way of at the very least September 2025. By then, the vacation season might be approaching, and the Google TV Streamer may drop to round $75–$85.
• Should you want a budget-friendly streaming gadget however don’t have a Chromecast: You’re possible higher off looking for a Chromecast with Google TV slightly than settling for outdated alternate options just like the Mi Field S. Many retailers nonetheless have inventory and are providing aggressive reductions to clear in-store stock. For instance, I just lately snagged a Chromecast with Google TV 4K from Walmart for simply $25. You’ll possible discover refurbished or second-hand ones for below $25 quickly.

Finally, the Onn 4K Professional gained’t be for everybody, however it stays the perfect Chromecast various should you’re working with a $50 finances. The true query is whether or not it’s the best match for you.