There ’s a closely four - class difference between the Chromecast with Google TV 4 K and the novel Onn 4 K Pro . Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

You ’ve read ourOnn 4 K Pro review . You ’ve watched ourOnn 4 K Pro video . You ’ve see how we have a new Google TV leader on our list of thebest streaming devices . And you still want to see them head - to - head .

We get it . This is the Onn 4 K Pro versus Chromecast with Google TV ( 4 yard version ) . Two very like devices with identical price ( both retail for $ 50 ) , very similar feature , and mostly the same experience when it comes to actually using them .

But halfway through 2024 , there ’s only one we think you should purchase . And here ’s our reasoning .

Age is more than just a number

Walmart ’s Onn 4 K Pro was released in May 2024 . The original 4 K example of Chromecast with Google TV was released in September 2020 .

That ’s it . The math is simple .

OK , so there ’s maybe a footling more to consider here . broadly speaking speaking , you want to purchase the newest tech you could . Newer hardware almost always mean updated eyeglasses ( dependable in this example ) and software package ( not quite the case here ) . Newer ironware also increase the likeliness that the computer software can plunk for it far into the future .

There ’s a reasonably big “ but … ” coming here , though . Because Chromecast with Google TV is a Google product , that means it probably will be supported longer than if it were n’t . So , yes , a fresh product is still “ adept ” to have than an sometime one . But the delta in this case is n’t of necessity as Brobdingnagian as it might be if we were compare two other equipment .

succeeder : Tie .

The hardware

have ’s stipulate one matter : Neither the four - year - old Chromecast with Google TV , nor the new Onn 4 K Pro is what we ’d consider to be a power station . Neither holds a cd to the ( even older)Nvidia Shield TV , or theApple TV 4 K , which are the two most herculean options out there , with higher prices to pit .

In other words , both devices are pretty much what you ’d gestate in a $ 50 production .

Again , none of that ’s going to blow anything out of the pee . But while the C.P.U. are comparatively cheeseparing ( and going “ one tacky ” on the manikin number does n’t really mean anything ) , it ’s everything below that stock that really makes a difference .

I still do n’t know if it ’s the superfluous gigabyte of RAM or just a difference in codification base ( or some other black art ) that make the Onn 4 K Pro so much quicker than the Chromecast with Google TV 4 K , but I also do n’t care . It ’s quicker . You press a push on the remote control , and the home screen changes appropriately , without any stuttering or faltering . It ’s a vastly better experience .

And there ’s no denying the difference in onboard storage . You stop up with about 23 GB usable on the Onn 4 K Pro after first iron boot , which already is several times more than Chromecast . More storage is always better .

And then there ’s the material on the back of the loge . Onn 4 K Pro has ports for Ethernet and USB . you may get that with the Chromecast , but it requires an adaptor .

succeeder : Onn 4 K Pro

The software

This one ’s mostly a wash , and that ’s a very good thing . Both devices are ( as of this committal to writing ) pass Android 12 . One slight conflict , though , is that the Onn 4 K Pro was on the March 2024 certificate update , and the Chromecast with Google TV on the April 2024 update . This is another one of those time in which newer is almost sure as shooting better .

That said , I would n’t ding the Onn 4 K Pro too much for a variant of a exclusive month given that the equipment was just release . The matter to observe out for is how frequently it incur security department update , and basically how close to the current month those update are . It in all probability wo n’t ever be 1:1 , but you want it close than not .

The biggest affair here is that aside from the aforementioned smoothness in the UI , there essentially is n’t a departure in what you get from the software . Onn 4 K Pro has what you ’d call a stock experience , same as Chromecast .

Winner : bond

The remote control

You ’re go to use the remote control of either of these devices a lot . Again , you ’ll require to coif your expectations for a $ 50 gadget , but the Onn 4 K Pro remote ascendance is definitely right than Chromecast ’s , and in several ways .

The biggest discriminator probably is the remote control finder lineament . Onn 4 K Pro has it , Chromecast does n’t . you could press a button on the front of the Onn Box — or use your voice or pilot to it in options — to cause the remote to play a footling chirping phone to aid you site it . Chromecast ca n’t do that .

Then there are the buttons . Onn 4 K Pro has more , and I prefer the way they ’re spaced . ( That ’s immanent , of class . ) Onn also has a impost clitoris that can either be depute to any establish app , or to change remark on your TV . Both remotes have a YouTube button that can be attribute to either YouTube right , YouTube TV , or YouTube Music . ( A long - press gets that setup option . )

The Onn remote control also has a button for Google TV ’s springy telly pathfinder , TV channel button , and a few excess branded button for Netflix , Disney+ , and Paramount+ .

For what it ’s deserving , I prefer the Onn 4 K Pro remote control more just for feel . But also note that the Onn 4 K Pro remote I havemight not be the one you get . ( Yes , that ’s an uneven spot . ) So if you get the one that has backlit button , kudos . You ’ve now one - upped the Chromecast remote .

The voice control

I ’m not a huge proponent of using your voice to operate your television . But there ’s no denying that Onn 4 K Pro has more options than Chromecast .

Both remotes have buttons to trigger vox commands . ( Onn ’s looks like a microphone , Chromecast ’s is the amorphous Google Assistant logotype . )

But Onn 4 K Pro has microphones and a verbaliser build into the body of the gadget . While that signify you have to leave it comparatively unhidden , so that it ’s able to learn you , it also tot a practiced deal of functionality that the Chromecast does n’t have . It also means you may ask it questions and engage other voice bidding without the television actually being turned on . ( Though if you do ask it something that generate a visible ingredient , it ’ll turn on the TV to show you , and switch the speaker from the machine to your TV setup . )

For me , none of that would really be a reason to buy one equipment over the other . But it ’s still a near option to have .

Portability

Just because Onn 4 K Pro is a well machine does n’t signify I ’m going to bewilder out a perfectly good Chromecast with Google TV . In fact , I ’m going to provide my Chromecast 4 jet in my locomotion bag for the foreseeable future tense , for one round-eyed reason : It ’s smaller and therefore pack up far less space when locomote . I ’m uncoerced to put up with the phlegm and UI remand in exchange for the smaller sizing .

And , well , that ’s it . It ’s smaller . Easier to dribble around . So I ’ll extend to carry Chromecast on the road .

success : Chromecast with Google TV

The winner (for now?)

There mostly are no two ways about it . The Onn 4 K Pro was a surprising profits for me . I did n’t bear much from a $ 50 gimmick , but getting disembarrass of the lag of Chromecast made a huge remainder . Then thrash in the extras like Ethernet , proper international computer storage , and the hand - innocent interpreter restraint , and it ’s basically a no - brainer .

The only intellect I ’d mayhap look to buy one is the melodic theme that Google may descend out with an updated Chromecast with Google TV at its annual fall hardware event . That ’s not a foregone conclusion , though , even with it draw close its fourth birthday .

Not to say that $ 50 is n’t a pot of money — it ’s not nothing . But if you need something right now , I ’d get Onn 4 K Pro . If Google release something new in the dusk , fine . hazard are it ’ll be around the same price , and likely in the same variety of specs ballpark , and it should n’t take the shine off the Onn 4 K Pro .