Make your TV smarter for under R1,000

South Africans looking to upgrade their Smart TVs with faster software can buy a highly-capable Android or Google TV box for around R1,000.

Many modern TVs now come equipped with built-in smart operating systems and Internet connectivity that allow users to install and use various apps.

However, the sometimes bare-bones hardware that powers this software can encounter performance issues, or the software itself can have limited app support.

For example, it took more than a year for a Disney+ app to launch on the VIDAA OS running on many Hisense Smart TVs in South Africa.

Fortunately, numerous companies sell capable smart boxes and sticks that can be plugged into a TV’s HDMI port to make it “smarter”.

The most popular software running on these devices is Google’s Android TV or Google TV operating systems, which offer support for numerous apps.

This includes all major streaming services, such as Netflix, YouTube, Showmax, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and DStv Stream.

Streaming boxes are also a great option for those who have TVs or monitors without the necessary software or hardware to stream content from the Internet.

Although you could also connect your laptop or computer to these displays, the process can become a bit of a hassle over time if you don’t have a dedicated connected device.

MyBroadband searched for five of the best Android or Google TV streaming boxes or sticks available in South Africa in July 2024.

Our bare minimum requirements for inclusion were that they must be Google-certified and stream at up to 4K resolution.

It is best to avoid non-certified devices — despite their low prices — as they can be difficult to configure and present a security risk.

While tech-savvy individuals might get their favourite apps to function with some clever tinkering, deep dives into the software behind many of these boxes show that they can have serious security vulnerabilities or deliberately-installed malware that can collect lots of information from your home network.

Other key features to consider include processing power, RAM, and the availability of ports.

Below are the best smart streaming boxes you can buy in South Africa to access apps

Onn Smart Streaming Box — R925 (Amazon.co.za)

VolkanoX ZTE Smart Streaming Box

Ematic 4K TV Box — R999 (Incredible, HiFi Corp)

Netogy Nova 4K streaming box

Mecool KD3 Streaming Stick — R989 (Takealot)