Onn HD Stick: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
The Onn HD Stick is the one you grab when you just need a TV to stream something and you don’t want to think about it any further. It’s the cheapest device in Walmart’s entire streaming lineup, it doesn’t do 4K, and it’s still sitting on shelves in 2026 because there’s a real audience for a stick that costs less than a fast food meal and just works.
What’s Inside the Box
You get the stick, a standard remote (no voice mic or backlighting), batteries, and a power adapter. There’s no HDMI extender in the box the way there is with the pricier models, which can be a minor annoyance if your TV’s HDMI ports are tucked behind the panel.
Setting It Up
Plug the stick directly into an HDMI port, connect the power adapter to a wall outlet, and switch your TV to that input. From there:
- Pair the included remote using the on-screen instructions
- Select your language and connect to Wi-Fi
- Sign in with a Google account to access the Play Store and sync settings
- Install your streaming apps from the recommended list or search for them individually
One thing worth knowing going in: the HD Stick runs plain Android TV, not the Google TV interface you’ll see on the newer Onn devices. The layout is a bit more basic and app-grid focused rather than the recommendation-driven home screen on the 4K models, but it’s still straightforward to navigate.
What You’re Giving Up for the Price
The HD Stick tops out at 1080p — there’s no 4K output at all, even on a 4K TV. It runs on roughly 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage over Wi-Fi 4, which is enough for Netflix, YouTube, and similar apps but can feel sluggish if you’re jumping between several apps or using anything more demanding. It also doesn’t support Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos. If you’ve got a 4K TV, even the step-up Onn 4K Stick at around $30 will make a much more noticeable difference in picture quality than the extra cost might suggest.
Final Thoughts
For a spare bedroom, a dorm TV, or any older 1080p set, the Onn HD Stick does exactly what it needs to at the lowest price Walmart offers. If your TV is 4K or you plan to sideload apps regularly, step up to the Onn 4K Stick or 4K Plus instead — the price difference is small next to how much better those devices handle actual daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The HD Stick is limited to 1080p output, even when connected to a 4K TV. For 4K, look at the Onn 4K Stick, 4K Plus, or 4K Pro instead.
No. It runs plain Android TV rather than the Google TV interface used on the newer Onn 4K Stick, 4K Plus, and 4K Pro models.
It has roughly 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, which is enough for basic streaming apps but can feel slow when switching between several apps at once.
Not really. It will work, but you won’t get any 4K benefit from your TV. The Onn 4K Stick costs only a little more and actually outputs 4K with Dolby Atmos.