Walmart's latest budget-friendly streaming device, the Onn 4K Pro offers an impressive array of features at a wallet-friendly price point.
Walmart's latest budget-friendly streaming device, the Onn 4K Pro offers an impressive array of features at a wallet-friendly price point.
Pros:
Cons:
Walmart's latest budget-friendly streaming device, the Onn 4K Pro offers an impressive array of features at a wallet-friendly price point.
Having just spent considerable time with the new Google TV Streamer, I started to see comments about the half as expensive Onn 4K Pro streamer offered by Walmart here in the US. I wondered how a device like this would stack up considering its $50 price point and I have to say, I'm pretty surprised at how much it gets right. Make no mistake, there are tradeoffs here, but in the end, this inexpensive streamer made an impression on me.
Let's start with the design. The Onn 4K Pro sports a fabric black exterior that should blend nicely with most home theater setups. The fabric layer is nice out of the box, but it's worth noting that this material tends to collect dust over time. I've seen some pretty nasty dust buildup over time on this type of fabric so you'll want to do whatever you can to keep it relatively dust free.
A rubber base keeps the device from slipping around on the top shelf on your entertainment center. However, if you have all supported cables plugged into the back, they can definitely pull the unit downward causing the front to lift up if you aren't careful.
Connectivity is surprisingly robust for a budget streamer. You'll find a 100Mbit Ethernet port, HDMI-CEC for seamless integration with other devices, and a USB 3.0 port for expandable storage or connecting peripherals like a keyboard or a mouse. While the Ethernet speed might disappoint power users streaming large local files, it's adequate for basic streaming needs.
One standout feature is the built-in microphone and speaker, effectively turning the Onn 4K Pro into a Google Home hub. This functionality works even when your TV is off, making it a versatile addition to your smart home setup. Privacy-conscious users will appreciate the physical microphone switch on the side of the device. When that switch is turned on, the front facing LEDs show a red color giving confidence that the device isn't listening.
Under the hood, the Onn 4K Pro packs the Amlogic S905X4 processor. This chip debuted in 2019 which concerns me from a longevity standpoint. On top of that, it's paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Video support is impressive for the price point of the Onn 4K Pro, offering 4K at 60fps, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. On the audio front, you get Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus, though DTS:X is notably absent.
The included remote is a mixed bag. I appreciate the backlit buttons and well-designed jog wheel, which makes on-screen typing less of a chore. (I actually enjoyed using this jog wheel more than the one on the Google TV Streamer!) However, the remote feels cluttered with four dedicated app buttons down below and a large "Free TV" button dead center that some users might find unnecessary. A customizable button at the top somewhat makes up for this, allowing you to quickly launch your favorite app or switch inputs on your HDMI-CEC enabled TV.
Running on Android TV 12, the Onn 4K Pro delivers a familiar Google TV experience. The interface focuses heavily on content recommendations, the platform's staple approach, which can be hit or miss. When I'm in the mood to watch something, the wall of recommendations can often be a hindrance and feel like white noise compared to jumping into an app and going from there.
While the older processor and minimal RAM does lead to occasional UI choppiness, I was pleasantly surprised by how infrequently these slowdowns occurred in everyday use. I truly expected to see more of this behavior.
Gaming performance is FINE for casual titles, but don't expect this device to replace a dedicated gaming console. That said, the ability to connect external gamepads like PlayStation or Xbox controllers is a nice touch for those who want to dabble in Android TV gaming.
Something I was surprised to find were the major AI features that have been a major selling point for the new Google TV Streamer. Google Gemini content summaries are included in the interface of the Onn 4K Pro streamer, as are the generative AI screensaver tools that allow you to create images on the device quickly and easily.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Onn 4K Pro is its value proposition. At half the price of the Google TV Streamer, it offers comparable functionality with some added perks. The inclusion of WiFi 6 support is particularly forward-thinking, future-proofing your streaming setup to some degree.
The Onn 4K Pro isn't perfect, but it's an incredibly compelling option for budget-conscious streamers. It delivers a feature set that rivals more expensive devices while keeping costs low. If you can live with occasional performance hiccups and don't need the absolute bleeding edge in streaming technology, the Onn 4K Pro offers tremendous bang for your buck in 2024.
