Google TV Streamer vs onn 4K Pro vs Shield vs Fire TV

If you want a box that runs a mainstream, app-rich streaming platform, the shortlist in late 2026 is short: the Google TV Streamer, the onn 4K Pro, the Nvidia Shield TV and the Fire TV range. The old Chromecast with Google TV has gone, so this comparison starts there.

This guide sticks to what I could verify in October 2026. Where UK availability or a spec could not be confirmed, it says so. Prices are only given where a source stated them.

In short: The Google TV Streamer is the supported, UK-available Google TV option with gigabit Ethernet. The onn 4K Pro gets strong reviews for the price, but it is a Walmart product in the US and I could not confirm UK sales. The Nvidia Shield is older but still updated and best for local media and audio. Fire TV is cheaper and simple, but newer sticks cannot sideload.

What happened to the Chromecast with Google TV?

Google announced the Google TV Streamer in August 2024 and said it replaced the Chromecast. The Google Store (including the UK store) listed both Chromecast with Google TV models as no longer available from 20 February 2025. Some third-party shops may still hold stock. Google said it would continue to support existing Chromecast devices with ongoing updates, so an existing one is not suddenly useless.

How do the main devices compare?

"Not verified" means I did not confirm the figure in a source I trusted. The sections below explain the rest.

Google TV Streamer: who is it for?

Google's specification lists 4 GB of memory, 32 GB of storage, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision and HDR10+, gigabit Ethernet and Matter and Thread support, so it can double as a smart home hub. Its Wi-Fi is 802.11ac, which is Wi-Fi 5. Google says it will provide security updates for at least five years from when it went on sale in September 2024.

It launched in the UK at £99. Android Authority noted that it does not pass through some lossless audio formats such as TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS:X, which are downmixed instead. That matters if you have a home cinema receiver. See audio passthrough and Atmos.

onn 4K Pro: is it available in the UK?

The 2026 onn 4K Pro is listed with an Amlogic S905X5M chip, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, Widevine L1, Wi-Fi 6 and AV1 support, plus a 10/100 Ethernet port and a USB 2.0 port. Reviewers rated it highly for value, and one outlet's benchmarks placed it as the best-performing Google TV device it had tested, behind only the Shield.

The catch is availability. It is a Walmart exclusive priced at about $60 in the US. I found nothing confirming UK sales, so a UK buyer would be importing it, with questions over the power adapter and warranty. If you want a Google TV box you can buy in the UK with a warranty, the Streamer is the safer choice.

Nvidia Shield TV: still worth buying?

The Shield's hardware dates from 2019, but Nvidia is still releasing updates. Shield Experience Upgrade 9.2.4 appeared in February 2026 and remains on Android 11. Nvidia has said it has no plans to stop updating the Shield "any time soon", though a new model has not been confirmed.

Its strengths are lossless audio passthrough, AI upscaling and, on the Pro model, running a Plex server with attached storage. Our Nvidia Shield tips guide covers the settings.

Fire TV: how does it compare?

Fire TV is cheap and well supported by apps, but the platform is splitting in two. AFTVnews lists the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, 4K Plus and Fire TV Cube as Fire OS devices that can sideload, while the 4K Select, the 2026 Fire TV Stick HD and the third-generation Fire TV Stick 4K run Vega OS and cannot. Read how to sideload apps on Fire TV for the details, and the Fire TV Stick setup guide if you already own one.

Reports from May 2026 said Vega OS sticks lacked apps such as Kodi, Jellyfin and a full Plex client. Check that the apps you rely on exist before choosing one.

What should UK buyers check before ordering?

Specifications only tell part of the story, so run through a short checklist before you pay.

1. Is it sold and supported in the UK? The Streamer launched in the UK and has a UK Google Store listing. For anything imported, such as the onn 4K Pro, ask yourself who you would contact if it failed.
2. What is the update promise? Google states at least five years of security updates for the Streamer. For other devices, look for a similar written commitment rather than assuming one exists.
3. Does Ethernet speed matter to you? A 100 Mbps port, as on the onn 4K Pro, is a long way above what streaming apps typically need, so it matters mainly if you copy large files over your network.
4. Do you need a USB port? The onn 4K Pro has a USB 2.0 port, and the Shield TV Pro has two USB 3.0 ports. I did not confirm USB details for the other devices.
5. Which apps must work? Check that every app you rely on is available for the platform, whether that is Google TV or Fire OS.

Prices change frequently and differ between retailers, so I have not quoted any current prices beyond the Streamer's launch price of £99.

Which one should I buy?

• You want a supported UK Google TV box: Google TV Streamer.
• You have a receiver and lossless audio: Nvidia Shield, since the Streamer downmixes some formats.
• You want to run a media server at home: Shield TV Pro.
• You want the cheapest option and only use mainstream apps: a Fire TV stick, but check its operating system first.
• You are happy to import and take some risk: onn 4K Pro.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is certified. Our Android TV box buying guide explains why. Compare notes with other owners in the Android TV boxes forum.