What a smart TV box does
A smart TV box does for a TV what a smartphone does for a phone line: it adds an operating system and an app store. Plug it into a spare HDMI port, connect it to your broadband by Wi-Fi or cable, sign in, and the TV gains:
- Streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video.
- UK catch-up and live TV through the broadcasters’ own apps.
- IPTV player apps that play a channel list from a service you subscribe to.
- YouTube, music, photos and casting from your phone.
- Games, from simple app-store titles to cloud gaming on stronger boxes.
The box does the work and the TV simply displays the picture, so a ten-year-old TV with an HDMI port gets the same apps as a new one.
The main kinds of box
| Platform | Examples | Apps come from | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google TV / Android TV | Google TV Streamer, Nvidia Shield, Formuler | Google Play | The widest choice of apps, including most IPTV players |
| Fire TV | Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube | Amazon Appstore | Newer Vega OS models install Appstore apps only |
| Apple TV | Apple TV 4K | App Store | Polished and secure; a smaller but good choice of IPTV players |
| Roku | Roku sticks and boxes | Roku Channel Store | Simple; check your IPTV player supports Roku before buying |
| Uncertified Android boxes | Unbranded boxes sold online | Varies; often no Google Play | No security updates; often sold “loaded” (see below) |
For live TV with a programme guide, the Google TV, Fire TV and Apple TV platforms have the strongest player apps. Our device guides cover each: Android TV boxes, Fire TV and Apple TV.
Box, stick or smart TV?
| Smart TV’s own apps | Streaming stick | Streaming box | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra hardware | None | Plugs into HDMI | Sits beside the TV |
| App choice | Depends on the TV brand and age | Good | Good to best |
| Updates | Can stop after a few years | Depends on the maker | Depends on the maker |
| Wired internet | Usually | Only with an adapter | Usually built in |
| Memory and storage | Varies | Lower | Higher |
As an example of the gap, the Google TV Streamer has 4 GB of memory, 32 GB of storage and gigabit Ethernet built in, while a Fire TV Stick 4K Max has 2 GB of memory and 16 GB of storage and needs an adapter for a cable. For most bedrooms a stick is plenty; for the main TV, especially for live TV and sport, a box with a cable connection is the smoother choice. See Firestick vs Android TV box.
What you need
- A TV with a free HDMI port. Almost every flat-screen TV has one.
- Broadband. Around 10 Mbps for Full HD and 25 Mbps for 4K per screen. See internet speed for IPTV.
- An account for the platform: Google, Amazon or Apple.
- The apps you want, and subscriptions for any paid services.
Certified boxes vs “fully loaded” boxes
Certified Google TV and Android TV boxes are Play Protect certified and ship with Google Play, and well-supported brands issue security updates. You can check certification in the Play Store app’s settings under About.
Cheap unbranded boxes are different. They often run modified software, can’t get updates, and are frequently sold “fully loaded” with apps offering free pay-TV and films. That’s a legal problem, since supplying such devices is a criminal offence in the UK, and a security one. In June 2025 the FBI warned that more than a million devices, including cheap TV boxes, had been infected by the BADBOX 2.0 malware network, and named signs such as being asked to turn off Play Protect. See Android TV box malware and dodgy Firesticks.
Choosing one
Look for Google certification, at least 2 GB of memory, 16 GB or more of storage, an Ethernet port and a brand that issues updates. Our best Android TV box for IPTV guide goes through the checklist and the boxes worth buying.