Great Bang for the Buck – The Mifanstech TX3 Pro

If, like most of us, you’re looking for the sweet spot at the intersection of price and performance, The TX3 Pro is a great place to stop.

This handsome, matte finish box sports the new S905X processor, 1gb of RAM, 8gb of internal storage and it runs the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The great advantage of Marshmallow is, if you find 8gb is not enough storage for you, you can always expand the internal storage with a micro-sd card. Sweet!

It comes with lots of useful apps pre-installed, including Mobdro and, of course, Kodi 16.1. This current stable version of Kodi comes with the best selection of add-ons I’ve seen in one of these android TV boxes. Usually, I’ll swap the pre-installed Kodi build for one of my own choosing (and you still can if you want to), but that’s really not necessary with this box. Mifanstech has included everything you need for great Movie and TV watching.

The Play Store works perfectly and the box is plenty fast enough for any type of video you throw at it. It even comes with my preferred version of YouTube, which is the version for Android TV. This version is much easier to use with the included IR remote control. Of course, you can always pop a USB mouse or air mouse into one of the two provided USB ports for better functionality. 

There may be more powerful boxes out there, but if your goal is to watch movies or TV on a reliable, easy to use box that won’t break the bank, then the TX3 Pro should definitely be on your short list.

Welcome to the Real World – The Minix Neo U1

With all due respect to the Wachowski brothers (sisters?) and Keanu Reeves, this NEO is The One.

I’ve reviewed literally dozens of android TV boxes and owned even more. I’ve run the cheapest little plastic boxes eBay had to offer and spent a year of my life with the Nvidia Shield and at least some time with every conceivable media streamer in between. This is the best bang for the buck I’ve ever owned when it comes to streaming media players of the Android variety.

The Minix NEO U1 boasts first-class build quality, with heavy plastics and great fit and finish. IT’s really a large step above most Android boxes and feels every bit as solid as a piece of high-end electronics should.

The NEO U1 has the Amlogic 905 SOC, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.  It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. I know, it doesn’t sound like the specs you get with the latest crop of TV boxes, but it’s not about sheer brawn. It’s about how you implement it. Just like two PCs with identical specs can offer completely different user experiences, so it is with Android TV boxes.

I run the Antutu benchmark app on every box I review because, while other apps will tell you what you processor is capable of, how fast you RAM is, etc., Antutu gives you the best idea of how powerful the box is as a whole. I have yet to review a TV box, regardless of processor, that beats the NEO U1.

Raw numbers aside, it’s really about what you get when you lean back with the remote or the gamepad in your hands. And that’s where the Minix delivers. From a choice of launchers to the zippiest read/write storage I’ve ever found in this application, the attention to the user experience is what sets this box apart. Mine came pre-installed with two different versions of YouTube, the Play Store version and the more remote-control-friendly version for Android TV. Now that’s thoughtful. The navigation bar and notification bar are there if you want them, but disappear when they should. 

And the fact that this is the first box I’ve used that runs my Blu-Ray rips from a portable hard drive, in Kodi, with perfect DTS and Dolby Digital pass-through, just knocked my socks off.

Throw in regular online updates (that actually work) and you’ve got what is now my every day streaming box (at least until their new NEO U9-H comes out).

Oh, and...

Add the A2 lite air mouse/remote control and the experience becomes even better. Since this NEO U1 has access to all Play Store apps, you need a mouse or air mouse to take advantage of those apps that use a touch interface. Beyond that, the A2 lite is optimized for Minix devices and adds tons of functionality like shortcut keys and transport keys for media playback. Well worth the modest investment.

Know What You Need – The GooBang Doo T20 LCD Projector

One of the things I ask people who come to me for tech advice is, “How are you going to use it?”

Folks are most often disappointed in an electronics purchase because they go into it with unrealistic expectations. The think they’ve found the bargain of the century only to discover they’re trying desperately to squeeze an inexpensive square peg into a pricey round hole.

Take the GooBang Doo T20 LCD projector, for example.

This is really a great piece of equipment at a very reasonable price as long as you don’t expect it to serve the same purpose as a 70-inch UHD Flat screen. It’s not meant to.

The T20 has all the inputs you need (2 USB, Full size SD, HDMI, monitor) and all the functions you could want if you use it for the right application.

This is a killer presentation projector. It’s extremely light and portable, throws a good clear picture at reasonable distances, and is well built enough to toss in a check-in bag without worrying it will be destroyed by the baggage carousel.  The Included IR remote has all the buttons you need and is responsive for both video watching and presentations (the projector has IR receivers on the front AND back).

It’s terrific as a second big screen for the kids to watch cartoons and play video games without complaining about having to use the “little TV”. In fact, the T20 is adjustable enough to make their “TV” the biggest in the house.

Will it be your main viewing device? No. Do you want to pay to have it mounted to the ceiling? No.

But with all these bells and whistles and, if your expectations are realistic and you know what you’re buying, I doubt you’ll find a better projector for the money.

This is Not a Toy - The Minix Neo Z83-4 mini computer

Ok. So I know it’s not Android. But I’m excited about this one and, hey, a guy can broaden his outlook.

This is the Minix Neo Z83-4 mini computer.

At first glance, you’d think you were looking at another in the endless series of Android set top boxes. But this is no toy. This is a full performance Windows 10 PC, with the Intel Quad Core “Cherry Trail” processor and 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, all in a package that you can hold in the palm of your hand. Build quality is stellar with a solid, premium feel to the thick plastic enclosure and metal bottom.

At setup, the gigabit Ethernet port or 802.11 AC dual-band Wi-Fi will have you surfing the net in no time. Productivity applications like Microsoft Office run flawlessly. A standard USB keyboard and mouse turn this tiny box into a fully fledged desktop computer, indistinguishable from the bulky towers of old. This is what the desktop of the future looks like, folks. And the design team at Minix has this mighty mite running cool enough to dissipate heat without a fan. That’s right; this is a computer you’ll never hear running and, with both HDMI and mini-monitor jacks, you can hook up dual monitors to make this a real multi-tasking beast.

The device has integrated Intel Graphics and casual games from the Windows Store (to which you have full access) show absolutely no signs of struggle. Let’s face it, you’re not buying this to be a gaming PC, and it’s not meant to be one. Throwing the latest hardware-hungry behemoth game at this thing would not be advisable. But I wouldn’t be afraid of anything you’d run on a high-end tablet or Android box.

As a Home Theater PC, the device really shines. Plug in an air mouse (or a FLIRC, combined with your Logitech Universal remote) and you can lean back in your chair and enjoy streaming at its finest. The 4 GB of RAM means streams will never stutter (assuming your ISP can keep up). You can download Kodi directly from the Windows store and it runs beautifully, even using heavier builds. The 32 GB of onboard Flash storage may not seem like much (this is the maximum Microsoft allows for this type of device, even with this full Windows license), but pop in a micro SD card or plug a USB Flash, solid state, or hard drive into one of the 4 USB ports (3x 2.0 and 1x 3.0) and storage becomes an all-you-can- eat proposition.

Look, this is not going to replace your kajillion-dollar, 40-pound, water-cooled gaming rig with the neon lights and built-in cappuccino machine. But if you’re looking for a reliable Windows 10 box that’s completely silent, productive as heck, and fits in a jacket pocket, the Minix Neo Z83-4 mini computer is well worth a look at this surprisingly low price point.

Specs Aren’t Everything – The Mifanstech H96 Pro

Don’t get me wrong. This is a nice box.  Nice industrial design, good hardware, good for Kodi.

It’s just that with the glut of new S912 SOC boxes hitting the market, it’s tough to stand out. Especially when more can be had for less. There are just too many M12N devices out there that out-perform the H96 Pro.

With the S912 processor, 2gb of RAM, and 16gb of EMMC, you’d think all these boxes would test alike, but they don’t. While the M12N boxes, including Mifanstech’s own MXQ Plus, consistently benchmark at over 40, 000 in Antutu, the H96 Pro does not reach this level. Ice Storm Extreme benchmarks it at below 6000, the first S912 box I’ve seen that low.

Now as I said, it’s not all bad. The box performs as well for Kodi as any box in this price range and better than some that cost much more. It’s perfectly adequate for the type of gaming usually done on an android TV box, and, with its sleek design and wrap-around LED, it certainly is a fine looking piece of hardware.

But in the long run, if you’re looking at Android boxes, you’re looking for the best bang for your buck. And this just isn’t it.

If you’re not a sucker for a pretty box and value function over form, I’d look to Mifanstech’s MXQ Plus. It still hasn’t been unseated as my every day box.

This is All You Need - The Gamesir G3v Game controller for Android, PC, and PS3

The Gamesir G3v is Gamesir’s “luxury” version of their G3s and is worth the couple of extra dollars. Not just for the cool blue color, premium finish and neat carrying pouch, but because it’s the only gamepad you need for all your devices.

The G3v will work with Android, PC, and PS3 without issue. There are even instructions for pairing with Apple devices, though they’re not officially supported.

This well-designed beauty paired to my Android TV box right away. All the games I play regularly like Asphalt 8, Riptide GP Renegade, and Leo’s Fortune recognized the gamepad immediately. Even my Playstation emulator knew it by name.

The analog sticks have just the right amount of resistance and the buttons are all snappy and responsive. The triggers on this gamepad have real travel to them, great for racing games where you need to regulate the throttle.
The finish on the buttons and the shape of the gamepad make long gaming sessions much more comfortable than with other controllers. Even a real thumb-number like Virtua Tennis Challenge is a pleasure to play.
It has a rumble feature for PC and PS3 and a really convenient mouse mode for Android. The mouse mode makes it easy to navigate menus in games that don’t support gamepads for menus and for emulators.

In short, there’s no need to spend an enormous sum for a bunch of different gamepads. Just get the G3v and you’re all set.

Controller King - The Gamesir G4S Wireless Blutooth Controller for Android and PC

OK. First of all, this thing is amazingly well packaged. No blister pack for this baby. The Gamesir G4S came double-boxed and when I cut through the cardboard I was greeted by a custom fitted plastic case. You can tell Gamesir considers this controller their top of the line.

One I wrestled it out of the case (it’s really stuck in there good, all the better for safe shipping), my first reaction was that this is a serious gamepad. It has a premium feel, much more like a first-party console controller than something made by a relatively unknown Chinese company.

And this controller performs the way it feels. No trouble at all pairing it to my Android devices. It’s responsive, without the lag you sometimes find in Bluetooth controllers. It’s worth noting that this controller also functions via 2.4 GHz and comes with a dongle for PC use. The dongle conveniently slides in top the bottom of the controller so you won’t lose it.

The Xbox-like button setup is immediately familiar in the hand and the rubberized grips and optimal weighting make the controller great for long gaming sessions.

It’s also great looking. What else could you want?

Yes, it’s pricey, but you’re getting tons of functionality you don’t get from cheap pads. From the mouse mode to help navigate android devices to the adjustable intensity backlit buttons and rumble feature, this is a first-class peripheral all the way.

If you’re serious about gaming on Android or PC, this is definitely a prime weapon for your arsenal.

TV Box: The Next Generation - The Mifanstech MXQ Plus

The Mifanstech MXQ Plus is their version of the ubiquitous M12N box with the new Amlogic S912 processor and the Mali T820 graphics chip.

 This all-metal box is being branded by many companies, but near as we can tell, they are all identical, and so service and price should be your deciding factors.

Luckily, the performance of this box is absolutely stellar and the price on Amazon is right in the sweet spot.

The S912 System on a Chip is the evolution of the Amlogic standard into the octo-core realm. You’re looking at about a 30% performance increase over the 905 and 905X chips and, paired with the new T820 graphics behemoth, you’ll have headroom galore for gaming, and video is a breeze. Like most S912 boxes, this one has trouble with 10-bit 4K files, but other than that it will play anything you throw at it.

 The box utilizes 2gb of DDR3 RAM. It has 2 USB ports and a micro SD card slot. Running Android 6.0 makes it possible to adopt the SD card as internal storage to expand the already generous 16gb. Even heavy Kodi builds with tons of widgets run like a dream. My usual test games of Riptide GP: Renegades and Asphalt 8 run like butter with no stutters or frame drops.

Definitely download the update the box will prompt you for, as it adds root access and a more remote control friendly version of YouTube.

The only remaining glitch is that some apps from the Play Store (I’m looking at you, Spotify) will force the box into portrait mode. This is easily rectified by downloading the “set orientation” app from the Play Store and setting it to “landscape”.

You owe it to yourself to upgrade to the new generation of processors, and I can’t think of a better, more cost-effective way of doing it than the Mifanstech MXQ Plus.

Are you kidding me? Buy one. - The BLU R1 HD

Sixty bucks for this thing? Go ahead, beat that. I dare you.

The R1 HD can be had from Amazon.com for $49.99 for the 8gb version with 1gb of RAM or, in the case of the one reviewed here, $59.99 for the 8gb/2gb version. Amazon can do this for Prime members by adding lock-screen ads to the mix. Those of you without Prime will pay $40.00 more for each version, but with these specs and build quality, it's still a relative bargain.


The ads from Amazon are unobtrusive to say the least. You'll never see one when you're using the phone and I hardly even notice them on the lock screen. The screen itself is only 720P but you'd never guess it. Everything looks great with terrific color saturation and excellent viewing angles. It has yet to fail to do anything I've thrown at it. The quad core processor and two gigs of RAM make using the phone a smooth and satisfying experience. Spend the extra ten bucks for this model over the 1gb/8gb model. It's well worth it.


The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that it has a weird tendency to reboot itself once in a while. Hopefully, this will be corrected in an upcoming software update.

A great screen, a zippy processor. 2gb of RAM and 16gb of storage. For $60.00?! Are you kidding me? Buy one.

A Beast of a Box for a Beauty of a Price - The Memobox MX Max

This replaced my Nvidia Shield TV and I’ve never been happier with a purchase. Read on…

So I’ve spent the last year living with an Nvidia Shield TV 16gb. It’s a hell of a box and does whatever I wanted it to, but I discovered I was really just using it for Kodi and to play some casual Android games like Asphalt 8 and Riptide GP 2. I decided I really just needed an Android box that would do the same things and I could sell the Shield and come out ahead.

This MX Max is the sweetest little box I’ve ever seen for the money. It does everything the Shield did and more. It runs Kodi like a dream, even heavier builds. It plays all my Android games every bit as well as the shield did and even runs the emulators I was using (up to and including Reicast, the Dreamcast emulator) with no effort at all. The only thing it can’t do that the Shield could was display Netflix and Hulu in 1080p. Special certification is needed for this and none of these Chinese TV boxes have it, so these two programs are limited to 480p. The trade-off though, is that you get full access to the Google Play store, not the truncated access you get from devices running Android TV, like the Shield and the Nexus Player.

The Memobox MX Max rocks the latest S905 Amlogic system on a chip paired with a Mali 450 graphics processor and 2gb of DDR3 RAM. It has 16gb of on-board storage. It can output 4K and passes Dolby Digital and DTS via HDMI. It took my 32gb sd card, a 32gb USB drive and a Terabyte hard drive, all without a hitch. The Shield is sold and I’ve never looked back. This little thing doesn’t benchmark like a high spec box like the Shield, but in the real world, I can’t see that much difference in performance. Don’t get me wrong. If you have money to burn and don’t have another hi-def source for Netflix, then the Shield is a great purchase. But if you want to spend a third the price and getcomparable real world performance, this is the Android box that can get it done.

 

A Bargain at its Price - The Mifanstech T95X

A terrific little box that does exactly what it says it will.

I was a little concerned about a box like this T95X with only 1gb of RAM, but I was surprised at how smoothly videos run, both on the native app and through Kodi.

It’s not meant for intensive gaming, but at this price point, you shouldn’t expect that. The processor is up to some casual games. Just don’t expect a PlayStation 4 and you’ll be plenty satisfied.

This box is meant for video and it does that as well as boxes costing considerably more.

To top it all off, the customer service department is excellent. They responded to my emails almost immediately and are as friendly as can be. I was having a little trouble with the Play Store and they helped me out right away. Can’t beat that in this age of “you’re on your on”.

In short, well worth the money for a bedroom box.

It’s Service that Matters - The Mifanstech TX5

I was about to write a bad review of this box and go with something else, but now it’s my primary living room media center. Why?

Two words:  Customer Service.  I contacted Mifanstech to complain about the laggy software and the glitchy Play Store on the TX5 and their stellar Customer Service department sprang into action. They sent me a simple-to-install firmware update that turned this box, which has great hardware specs to begin with, into a real powerhouse.

Apps open quickly and don’t crash. Everything is as stable as can be. The WiFi works great for streaming and the Ethernet absolutely flies. Kodi runs like it was made for this box and gaming, even with resource intensive games, is smooth as silk.

Even the remote works well.

In an age where Customer service is a forgotten art, this company really cares about its customers.  Give them a try with this or any of their boxes.

Judge me by my size, do you? The NEXBOX A95X

This review is for the A95X with 2gb of RAM and 8gb of internal storage, running Android 6.0.1.

Your first reaction upon opening the box will be, “Wow. This is smaller than I thought it would be.” But don’t be fooled. Much like Yoda, you would be remiss to judge the A95X by its size. This is the most powerful Android box I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned a bunch of them.

First, the launcher is finally a handsome thing you might even want to keep. It’s functional, well organized, and quick. As someone who’s stuck Nova Launcher on every other box he’s owned, I Think I’ll live with this launcher for a while.

Next: Performance. This little wonder is as fast as any box I’ve ever used. The combination of the S905X SOC and 2gb of RAM make this much more than a great KODI box (and it is a great KODI box). Gaming is silky smooth and the Bluetooth connectivity makes using a game controller a pleasure. Both native android games and emulators run like a dream.

The WiFi works well and speeds absolutely blaze through Ethernet. I have a 75/75 connection through FiOS and this A95X uses every bit of it. It actually speed tests faster than my base connection speed.

The combination of Android 6.0 and an SD card slot means you can set your SD card as internal storage and never worry about running out of space. Go ahead. Download Asphalt 8, Riptide GP 2, and all those first person shooters you love. There’s room for all of them now.

By now, you’ve figured out that I like it. I do. If you’re in the market for a top notch box in this price range, you can’t go wrong with the Nexbox A95X.

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