Xiaomi TV Box S Review 2026: a lot of Google TV for little money

Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd gen vs. 2nd gen and Mi Box S

Xiaomi has sold this box for years under almost the same name. The original Mi Box S came out in 2018. In 2023 came the second-generation TV Box S, Xiaomi's first Google TV box, and in 2025 the third generation. Many shops and sites still call the second generation ‘Mi Box S 2nd gen’, so pay close attention to which version you're looking at.

The second generation has an Amlogic S905X4 chip (according to AndroidPCTV), 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of storage, dual-band Wi-Fi without Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and a 3.5 mm audio output. It cost $69.99 in the US and scored 73 out of 100 at Test-Aankoop in late 2024, the same as the Nokia Streaming Box 8010.

The third generation switches to the more efficient 6 nm S905X5M chip. According to Xiaomi the processor is 25 per cent faster and the graphics chip 130 per cent faster. Storage goes from 8 to 32 GB, Wi-Fi 6 is added and the box is lighter (91 instead of 142 grams). The RAM stays at 2 GB and the 3.5 mm output is gone. If you're buying new, choose the third generation: the extra storage in particular makes a difference for IPTV apps and the TV guide cache.

Does the Xiaomi TV Box S have an Ethernet port?

No. Xiaomi says in its own FAQ that the box has no LAN connection (RJ45). You only find an HDMI 2.1a port, one USB 2.0 port and the power connection. A few retail sites do list a network port, but Xiaomi's specifications and AndroidPCTV's review mention none.

If you do want a cable, you can connect a USB Ethernet adapter to the USB port. The speed is then limited by USB 2.0, but that is more than enough for a 4K stream, which needs about 8 to 25 Mbit/s. The only USB port is then occupied, though; AndroidPCTV suggests a USB hub as the solution if you also want to use a USB stick.

Without an adapter you rely on Wi-Fi 6 with OFDMA and MU-MIMO. For 4K channels, choose your router's 5 GHz network. If the router is far away, an adapter or a mesh point by the TV is the better solution.

Picture and sound

The box plays 4K at 60 frames per second and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+; Xiaomi doesn't mention HLG. AV1, H.265 and VP9 are hardware-decoded up to 4K60, H.264 up to 4K30. According to AndroidPCTV, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Max and Apple TV+ played in 4K with 7.1 sound, and the box adjusts the frame rate automatically.

For sound there are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but only over HDMI: a 3.5 mm connection or optical output is missing. If you have an older amplifier without HDMI, this isn't the box for you. In AndroidPCTV's test, IPTV streams played up to 4K without problems.

Speed and everyday use

The Amlogic S905X5M has four cores up to 2.5 GHz and a Mali-G310 graphics chip. Menus and apps respond more smoothly than on the previous generation as a result. With 32 GB of storage there is room for several IPTV apps, the TV guide and a few streaming services. The 2 GB of RAM is the limit: a channel list with thousands of channels loads more slowly than on a box with 4 GB, and on forums that is the most commonly heard criticism.

Google TV 14 brings the Play Store, Chromecast and Google Assistant. The remote works via Bluetooth, so you don't have to point it at the box. Xiaomi doesn't state a fixed update period, and anyone wanting to run Kodi systems such as LibreELEC or CoreELEC is out of luck: they don't work on this box.