I have a Shield and it is great but I need a low budget box for a guest room and the Shield is overkill for that. I just want something that can run Google's Live Channels app as well as Netflix. I tried a firestick and the lack of live channels was a deal breaker.
Googles own $50~ google tv stick is going to be released this month
The Xiaomi Mi Box S is the most popular but it's NOT the best out there:
Certified Android TV devices WITH Netflix AND Prime Video certifications:
- Chromecast with Google TV (TBA)
- AirTV Mini
- Ematic Jetstream
- Tivo Stream 4K
- Verizon Stream TV
- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (AVOID!!)
Certified Android TV devices with ONLY Netflix certification:
- AT&T TV
- JBL Link Bar
Certified Android TV devices with ONLY Prime Video certification:
- Mecool KM1 (Available at mecoolonline.com )
- Mecool KM3 (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware for this model)
- Mecool KM9 PRO (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware for this model)
Certified Android TV devices WITHOUT Netflix AND Prime Video certifications:
- Channel Master Stream Plus (with ATSC dual tuner built-in but outdated Android TV version)
- Minix Neo T5 (With gigabit ethernet but remote control doesn't have a microphone)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to Android TV Guide website.
You can sideload live channels on Fire OS 6, but not on Fire OS 5.
Probably the MI 4K Stick or the Tivo Stream 4K.
I have a Nvidia shield TV and just purchased the xaiomi mi stick for the exact same reason and it's working fine - no issues with live channels or Netflix. Cost me £38.99 on amazon
Why not wait for the new Google TV device?