BEST LOW-COST ANDROID TV BOX X96 MINI, MAX & ULTRA.

The X96 range, featuring the Mini, Max, and the latest Ultra, offers the best value for money for anyone seeking a low-cost Android TV box.

Both newcomers and seasoned users are always in search of the best affordable Android TV box, and we believe the X96 series, including the Mini, Max, and the more recent Ultra, should be at the top of anyone’s list.

Each model is equipped with speedy Amlogic processors: the X96 Mini features the S905W2, the Max boasts the swift S905X3, and the Ultra includes the impressive S905X4.

The base ROM starts at 16GB for the Mini and goes up to 64GB for the Ultra. We consider 64GB to be the ideal capacity for the X96 TV Box, and generally, most models come with 4GB of DDR4 RAM.

All X96 devices are fitted with the G31 MP2 GPU, ensuring most Android games run smoothly, regardless of the CPU version chosen.

Wi-Fi performance is robust, often achieving maximum router speeds on the 5GHz band.

The Mini operates on Android 7 OS, which should be the minimum standard for purchasing a box. The Max runs on either Android 8.1 or 9, while the Ultra comes with Android 11.

However, these boxes tend to run hot, but modifying their cooling design is relatively straightforward and inexpensive if you find the need to do so.

Several excellent X96 modification guides are available on YouTube, demonstrating how simple this process can be.

Our own tests at TV Box Reviews on the Ultra showed a significant temperature drop from 81°C to about 62°C during gaming.

For streaming and raw PC tasks, the X96’s stock cooling is sufficient.

In Geekbench 4.4 benchmarks, the Mini scored 1700 points in multicore performance, the Max 2150, and the Ultra 2420, making it one of the fastest S905X4 boxes we’ve tested.

Prices vary from £$25 to £$70, but the Ultra with 64GB ROM can be found for as little as £$38.

Regarding build quality and reliability, these boxes rank among the best budget options. In fact, all of our go-to boxes from the past six years are still operational.

Lastly, any custom launcher is compatible without issues—a commendable job by Droidlogic on crafting an excellent product.