Google TV Streamer Buying Guide
This Google TV Streamer buying guide covers what you’re actually getting for the price — Google’s own streaming box that replaced the Chromecast with Google TV as the company’s flagship device.
Watch: I tried the Google TV Streamer for a week… Here is what you need to know — UG Tech on YouTube
What Is the Google TV Streamer?
The Google TV Streamer is a small box (not a stick) with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage — a real jump over the old Chromecast with Google TV’s 2GB/8GB. It ships with a voice remote and adds a wired Gigabit-class Ethernet port built into the box itself, so you don’t need a separate adapter for a stable connection.
| RAM / Storage | 4GB / 32GB |
| Video Output | HDMI 2.1, up to 4K HDR at 60fps (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG) |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, USB-C (power) |
| Remote | Google TV Voice Remote |
| Typical Price | ~$99.99 |
Operating System and Sideloading
It runs certified Google TV with the full Play Store, so all the major streaming apps are there by default. Sideloading isn’t as simple as on Fire TV or a Shield — you’ll need to enable developer options and use ADB or an app like Downloader to load APKs manually, but it is supported.
Is It Worth Buying?
For most people who mainly stream and want Google’s smart home features built in, yes — the extra RAM and Ethernet port make it noticeably more reliable than the old Chromecast. If you’re planning to sideload heavily or run Kodi as your main use case, an Onn box or Nvidia Shield is a better fit.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google TV Streamer better than the Chromecast with Google TV?
Yes — it doubles the RAM to 4GB, quadruples storage to 32GB, and adds a built-in Ethernet port the Chromecast didn’t have.
Can you sideload apps on the Google TV Streamer?
Yes, though it requires enabling developer options and using ADB or an app like Downloader rather than a simple one-tap install.
Does the Google TV Streamer need Wi-Fi, or can it use wired internet?
Both — it has a built-in Ethernet port for a wired connection in addition to Wi-Fi.
More Android TV Device Guides
