Second-generation Chromecast users recently experienced a frustrating week, facing an outage that rendered their devices unusable. Although Google eventually rolled out a fix, this incident is worrying and serves as a reminder that Google has announced it will discontinue the Chromecast line in 2024. With the Chromecasts ending production and new alternatives arriving on the market, it's time to explore the best options to replace this popular streaming dongle.
The End of the Chromecast, a Device Like No Other
In August 2024, Google officially ended production of the Chromecast after more than ten years of success. This decision marked a turning point in the streaming industry, leaving many users looking for alternatives. Fortunately, the market is now full of varied options to meet everyone's streaming needs.
The best alternatives to Chromecast
The compact alternative: sticks
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon has been the main competitor to Chromecast for years with the Fire TV Stick. Unlike its rival, the e-commerce giant is continuing the adventure with a complete range of Fire TV Sticks ranging from 44.99 euros to 79.99 euros.
The operation is relatively similar to the latest Chromecasts and allows you to centralize all your entertainment in one interface. You can find streaming platforms, live TV, and even play games. An assistant is even available (Alexa) and the "stick" format allows for a relatively compact, discreet and transportable device.
The choice will be made according to your expectations and needs, with a price around 45 euros (excluding promotions) for the entry-level HD model. Amazon also offers a more powerful 4K Stick (1.7 GHz quad-core processor, Wi-Fi 7) for access to 4K Ultra HD picture quality and Dolby Atmos sound, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HLG, and HDR 10+. This model costs around 70 euros.
Finally, the most powerful Fire TV Stick is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation), which adds the Fire TV Dynamic Display experience. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and has an even faster processor (2.0 GHz quad-core) and 16 GB of storage. Its price? Around 80 euros.
Pros:
- Full range of models for different budgets
- Centralized interface for entertainment
- Integrated Alexa voice assistant
- Compact and portable format
Cons:
- Interface sometimes criticized for its ads
- No "Cast" equivalent
Xiaomi Smart TV Stick 4K
Xiaomi also offers an alternative with different devices, including the Smart TV Stick 4K. At the time of publication, the manufacturer has two sticks in its French catalog: the Mi TV Stick and the Smart TV Stick 4K. The first is "only" Full HD and is priced the same as the 4K version, which is why we focus on the latter.
Like the Fire TV Stick 4K, the strength of Xiaomi's solution is that it offers 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos compatibility. The Chinese manufacturer relies on the Google TV-based interface, which allows easy access to the Google Assistant for voice control. Above all, we have access to the many applications in the Google Play Store, including the main streaming platforms.
Another significant advantage coming from the world of Chromecast is that the Chromecast function is directly integrated into the TV Stick 4K for streaming from other devices. This is an argument that may encourage you to turn to Xiaomi's solution rather than Amazon. Despite a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, some users report an Android TV interface that is sometimes less responsive than on other devices.
Price-wise, it is generally competitive and officially stands at around 50 euros.
Pros:
- 4K definition with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos compatibility
- Google TV interface with Google Assistant
- Integrated Chromecast function
- Competitive price
Cons:
- Interface sometimes less responsive than on other devices
- Limited storage (8 GB)
The complete alternative: TV boxes
Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen)
Xiaomi is still present with a product that has become essential for many of users: the "Mi Box" or TV Box. The price has made this option very popular for many years and the latest version is the TV Box S 2nd Gen.
This small TV box (95.25 x 95.25 x 16.7 mm) is not the most impressive on the market, but it remains a safe bet for accessing the Google TV experience without breaking the bank (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD). It also has the advantage of incorporating the Chromecast function to easily stream content from your smartphone.
It officially retails for around 70 euros.
Pros:
- Complete Google TV experience
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD compatibility
- Integrated Chromecast function
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Less impressive performance than some competitors
- No Ethernet port
Google TV Streamer
The "official" replacement for Chromecast at Google is the Google TV Streamer. It confirms the American giant's strategy of offering a real box with more advanced features and better performance.
In addition to streaming multimedia content (support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies), the device transforms into a hub for the connected home via compatibility with Thread and Matter protocols. Finally, it provides access to a complete Google TV experience.
Price-wise, it's higher than when Chromecast was launched: around 120 euros at launch.
Pros:
- Official Chromecast replacement with more features
- Compatibility with Thread and Matter protocols for the connected home
- Support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X technologies
Cons:
- Higher price than the original Chromecast
- Larger size than a dongle
NVIDIA Shield TV
For users looking for a high-end solution, the NVIDIA Shield TV remains a must-have. It remains a benchmark in the world of Android TV boxes, offering excellent performance for streaming and gaming and an impressive AI upscaling function. The Shield TV also stands out with its integrated support for Chromecast and its great compatibility with Google apps and services.
Only its higher price may be a deterrent for some consumers. It ranges from 159 euros for the Shield TV to 219 euros for the Shield TV Pro.
Pros:
- High-end performance for streaming and gaming
- Impressive AI upscaling
- Compatibility with Google apps and services
- Built-in support for Chromecast
Cons:
- High price
- May be too powerful for basic streaming needs
Also read: Apple TV 4K vs. Google TV Streamer: What's Google's new TV box worth?
What about the Apple TV 4K?
The Apple TV 4K is a benchmark among TV boxes, but it's hard to consider it an alternative to the Chromecast. It obviously stands out as an ideal choice for users already integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Although the price is quite high, it offers very good integration with Apple devices and services, a fluid and intuitive tvOS interface, and excellent image and sound quality.
If you're far from the Apple ecosystem, this isn't really a good choice despite its qualities. The price ranges between 169 and 189 euros.
Pros:
- Excellent integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Smooth and intuitive tvOS interface
- Very good performance
Cons:
- High price
- Less relevant for users outside the Apple ecosystem
The integrated alternative: Smart TVs
When the first Chromecast was released, not all TVs and network boxes were connected. If you like the Chromecast as a small, portable device, the Smart TV isn't really an alternative. On the other hand, it might be worth thinking twice when it comes to changing your TV and considering a model running Android TV or Google TV.
You'll find a wide range of streaming apps, a familiar interface (no need for an external device), and, most importantly, the built-in TV function.
Be careful, you won't necessarily have the smoothest experience (depending on the TV), and updates are sometimes less frequent than on a dedicated device. In addition, you won't find Google TV on some popular manufacturers like Samsung (Tizen) or LG (webOS). Note that the webOS 24 system has brought the Chromecast function to some recent LG TVs.
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