If you’re seeking an affordable streaming device, there are quite a few alternatives available. Generally speaking, these products are manufactured by brands that are well-known — Amazon, Roku, and Google — but lesser-known options like Onn deserve attention. Onn is Walmart’s in-house brand for cost-effective electronics, and if you’re aiming to spend the least, the $15 Onn Full HD Streaming Device should be a primary option to consider.
Offering up to 1080p HD, this plug-and-play accessory comes equipped with an HDMI connector ready for action. You simply need to connect it to your television, link to Wi-Fi, and dive into a vast array of streaming apps and fantastic features. The Onn Full HD is priced lower than both the $35 Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and the $30 Roku Streaming Stick, which are the other two most affordable streaming devices available. But does the Onn Full HD just represent a favorable price, or does it have the capabilities to compete effectively?
Budget-friendly pricing meets unexpectedly strong specifications
In terms of specs, the Onn Full HD is quite remarkable for such a budget-friendly gadget. It not only delivers a sharp, clear 1080p HD image with HDR10+ support for vibrant colors, but it also comes with 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. According to reviews on Walmart’s website, users report an effortless setup, excellent picture and sound quality, and a smooth user interface.
As for the interface, the Onn Full HD runs on Google TV OS, which includes native Chromecast and Google Assistant support. This allows you to cast compatible apps from a smartphone or tablet to your TV, as well as issue voice commands to Google Assistant using the remote’s built-in microphone. We were also impressed to discover that the Onn Full HD can connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands.
Entry-level streaming devices like the Onn Full HD are perfect for bedroom televisions and other secondary display screens. This is not to imply that you can’t connect it to your 55-inch 4K LG TV, but since the device is limited to 1080p in resolution, it won’t provide full UHD images. The Onn Full HD also lacks support for Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos, but this is common for entry-level models and aligns it with the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and Roku Streaming Stick.
Walmart has an even broader selection of streaming devices available
If you’re willing to spend a bit more — just an additional $15 — the Onn 4K Plus Streaming Device offers a significant upgrade from the Full HD version. Not only do you get 4K resolution, but also Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. And for those looking to invest in the top-tier streaming option from Walmart, there’s the $45 Onn 4K Pro Streaming Device, which provides 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, an Ethernet port, and a USB port for external media usage and extra storage. Additionally, it functions as a hands-free Google Assistant smart speaker.
Walmart also offers the $20 Onn 4K Streaming Device, which upgrades you to 4K resolution but lacks Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. It retains the same 8GB of storage as the Full HD version. For newcomers to streaming, or those who simply don’t require all the power and flexibility of Onn’s pricier models, the $15 Onn Full HD Streaming Device is an exceptional option for the 1080p community. Tech-savvy users have also successfully side-loaded software onto the Full HD, enhancing the device’s competitiveness against the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.
