Apps & Devices
Best TV Stick 2026 – the best Google TV sticks & boxes by price
9 Min. reading time · Updated on 08. June 2026
. Reading time
Update 30.09.2026: We have completely overhauled the comparison – now by price range, with TV boxes, and with a clear warning about new Fire TV models. All prices are street prices in Germany as of late September 2026.
A good TV stick or a small TV box transforms any television into a fast streaming device – ideal for your favorite apps and, of course, for IPTV in true 4K. But which device is the best choice in 2026, and how much do you need to spend? We compared the current devices with Google TV and Android TV and will tell you honestly why we now advise against the Fire TV Stick.
What really matters in 2026
- Google TV or Android TV with Play Store – only then can you install every app without detours, including our free app German4K Ultra
- HEVC and ideally AV1 hardware decoders – otherwise 4K channels will stutter or stay black
- At least 2 GB RAM, better 4 GB – large channel lists with movies and series load noticeably faster
- Wi-Fi 6 or a LAN port – for stable 4K at prime time
- Current Android (12 or newer) and regular updates
Why we no longer recommend the Fire TV Stick
Amazon is gradually switching its sticks to its own system, Vega OS. You cannot side-load IPTV apps on it – neither ours nor others. The Fire TV Stick Select and the new Fire TV Stick HD are already affected, and Amazon has announced that all future Fire TV Sticks will come with Vega OS. The problem: the names are very similar; when buying, it is easy to get the wrong model. Added to this is a lot of advertising on the home screen and no Google Play Store. Our recommendation is therefore clear: a device with Google TV.
Only exception: You find the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus heavily reduced, for example on promotion days for 35–50 €. Both still run on the Android-based Fire OS and work with German4K Ultra. Look closely at the name when buying – Select, HD, or a new model from autumn 2026 will not work.
Under 40 €: better to budget a bit more
In this price range, there is currently no device with Google TV that meets our minimum requirements. Cheap sticks like the STRONG LEAP-UNA or the Xiaomi TV Stick HD only have 1 GB RAM and cannot handle 4K – large channel lists load sluggishly. Better to budget around 55 €; during promotions, our test winner is often available for about 40 €.
Up to 70 €: Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) – our recommendation
The best stick in this price range is the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K 2nd Generation. it operates with the current Amlogic chip S905X5M, features Google TV with Android 14, Wi-Fi 6, HEVC and AV1 in hardware, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. In benchmarks, it is even faster than significantly more expensive devices. Only compromise: 2 GB RAM and 8 GB storage – this is sufficient for IPTV with our app, but less so for many games.
Price: usually 55–65 €, often around 40–45 € during promotions.
Check Price
- Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) on Idealo — usually 55–65 €
Alternative with more storage: STRONG LEAP-NOVA
Technically identical to the Xiaomi – same chip, 2 GB RAM, Google TV with Android 14, Wi-Fi 6, AV1 – but with 32 GB storage. Worth it if you want to install many other apps alongside IPTV. Price: usually 65–80 €.
Check Price
- STRONG LEAP-NOVA on Idealo — usually 65–80 €
With LAN port: STRONG LEAP-S3+ V2
You want to connect your device via network cable but don't want to spend much? The small box STRONG LEAP-S3+ V2 has a LAN port, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, and Google TV. Its chip is slightly weaker than that of the Xiaomi stick, but it is sufficient for IPTV. Price: from about 50 €.
Check Price
- STRONG LEAP-S3+ V2 on Idealo — from about 50 €
70–120 €: Google TV Streamer – the box with reserves
Those who prefer it faster and more stable should go for the Google TV Streamer. It is the only widely available device in this budget with 4 GB RAM and a LAN port (Gigabit) – ideal for large channel lists with many movies and series and for a network cable instead of WLAN. Plus 32 GB storage, Google TV with Android 14, and updates directly from Google.
Price: about 113–119 €. Note: In the USA, Google significantly increased the price in late summer 2026 – an increase in Germany is possible.
Check Price
- Google TV Streamer on Idealo — about 113–119 €
Cheaper Box: Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)
Essentially the box version of the Xiaomi stick: same chip, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, Google TV with Android 14, Wi-Fi 6, AV1. Makes sense if you prefer a small box next to the TV rather than a stick behind the device. Price: usually around 79 €, significantly less during promotions.
Check Price
- Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) on Idealo — usually around 79 €
Over 120 €: only for tech fans
Above 120 €, there are boxes like the Homatics Box 4K Pro V2 with 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, and Gigabit LAN (around 180 €). You don't need this for IPTV – the Google TV Streamer covers everything German 4K needs. More money is only worth it if you also play a lot of games or play large media libraries locally. We now advise against the Nvidia Shield: it still runs on Android 11, cannot do AV1, and at over 200 € is too expensive.
Short Overview by Budget
- Under 40 €: no recommended device – better to wait for a promotion
- Up to 70 €: Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) – best price-performance ratio
- Around 50 € with LAN port: STRONG LEAP-S3+ V2
- Up to 80 € with more storage: STRONG LEAP-NOVA or Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)
- Up to 120 € with 4 GB RAM and LAN: Google TV Streamer
- Fire TV only on sale and only 4K Max (2nd Gen) or 4K Plus – never Select, HD, or new models
Note: All prices are approximate (as of 30.09.2026) and fluctuate greatly. Use the Idealo links to see the current best price at any time.
How German 4K runs on your new device
On all recommended Google TV devices, you install our free app German4K Ultra: get the Downloader app from the Play Store, activate developer mode, allow unknown sources for the Downloader, and enter the code 8781950. Or you can send us a photo of the app's start screen – then we will link your access directly, and you won't have to type anything. You can find the illustrated instructions on our Google TV page.
See for yourself: true 4K, stable streams, and German-language support.