Just about every Smart TV on the market has built-in apps to stream Netflix, Disney+ and live TV options such as YouTube TV.
Smart TVs by LG, Sony and Samsung have very capable menus and interfaces so you can quickly watch your TV on your favorite app without much fuss.
Not everyone loves their TV software. A streaming device can make for a great upgrade for people who want a change, or to breathe new life into an older 4K TV.
If you’re stuck trying to decide between Walmart’s Onn 4K Pro or the Amazon Fire TV 4K Max (2nd gen), the decision is pretty simple. The Onn 4K Pro is the better of the two devices, costs less, and has a superior remote control.
Onn 4K Pro
The Onn 4K Pro wins out for its elegant Google TV interface. It does a better job organizing movies and TV shows from apps like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ into a single menu.
A number of features makes the Onn 4K Pro feel like a premium device punching above its price (usually $50). It has a built-in smart speaker with Google Assistant. Hands-free controls allow you to power your TV on and off by using your voice. You can use your voice to launch a specific app like Netflix or control the volume.
The Live tab collects more than 800 channels from services such as Tubi and Pluto. And you can add subscription services such as Sling TV, Philo and YouTube TV.
The Onn 4K Pro supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos audio. The Google TV interface offers a “top picks” queue of movies and TV shows from a variety of apps and streaming platforms based on your watch history.
Underneath, you can customize a row of your streaming apps, and Chromecast is built into the steamer so you can cast audio or video from your phone.
The Onn 4K Pro includes 32GB of storage, supports Wi-Fi 6: 2.4/5GHz 802.11ax, and includes an 10/100 Ethernet port. A USB port on the back supports additional storage.
The remote: The Onn’s remote control is less complicated than the Fire TV’s, and includes a customizable button that you can use to launch a favorite app or switch to another input such as a Blu-Ray player.
The newer Onn 4K Pro remote controls are backlit, so you don’t have to go searching for a button while watching TV in the dark.
A lost remote is no problem. You can either press a button on the Onn 4K player to set off a ping-style alarm, or simply say, “Hey Google, find my remote.”
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max takes a different approach to its app-focused home screen, which runs on Fire OS 8.1.
It organizes tabs such as the “My Stuff”, “Games” and “Free” tab in the middle of the screen alongside six apps that you can customize. When you navigate to a tab or app, the bottom half of the screen shows movies and TV shows from subscriptions like Max and Netflix alongside free platforms like tubi.
The “Free” tab pulls together movies streaming apps such as Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Amazon’s own Freevee. The Fire TV Stick Max 4K does earmark 4K content – free and subscription-based – under the Free tab and throughout the home page.
The Live tab consolidates channels from free streaming services, and subscriptions to Amazon Channels and live TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
If you like having gaming in addition to your stream, the Fire Stick has both free and subscription based gaming, including access to Xbox Game Pass.
Amazon’s streaming stick is palm-sized and can be powered by a USB port on your TV. It supports 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR formats and Dolby Vision audio. Amazon’s flagship stick has 16 GB of storage, supports Wi-Fi 6E and works with Alexa devices for hands-free commands.
The streamer usually costs $59.99, but is regularly on sale during events such as Black Friday or Prime Day.
The remote: The 4K Max’s remote control has built-in Alexa voice control, which is triggered with a button. You can search for movies, TV shows or launch an app with Alexa. It can control compatible TVs, soundbars and receivers. A dedicated button on the lower right displays recent apps or channels from the Live tab.
Conclusion
While the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has a faster processor than the Onn 4K Pro, it’s hard to beat the overall value that Walmart’s latest streamer delivers.
Having a built-in smart speaker with voice commands and a backlit remote control are two premium features that make the Onn 4K Pro a better overall streaming device. Processing power has its place, but Walmart’s latest streamer balances performance with high-end features that you don’t have to pay a premium for.
