This $30 Google TV box is the closest thing to a true Chromecast successor I've found so far
Onn 4K Plus
The Onn 4K Plus is the closest thing to a Chromecast successor. It's very affordable at just $30, and delivers the Google TV experience with little fuss. The Onn 4K Pro adds a few more features for only $20 more, but if you want an even cheaper Google TV box with a little extra performance, the Onn 4K Plus is a great buy.
When the Onn 4K Pro arrived in 2024, I felt it was a superior choice to the since-retired Chromecast with Google TV in many ways. And even with the arrival of the Google TV Streamer as a pseudo Chromecast replacement, Onn's most expensive model remains a strong budget streamer, boasting a few advantages even over Google's latest device at less than half the price.
While the Pro likely won't see a direct successor for another year or so, that hasn't stopped Walmart's in-store tech brand from introducing new streaming hardware. Enter the Onn 4K Plus, an even cheaper alternative priced at just $30 that wants to take the place of the departed Chromecast as the cheap Android TV streamer of choice.
I decided to give the new unit a test drive to see how the Onn 4K Plus compares to other budget streaming devices powered by Android and topped by Google TV, like the Chromecast with Google TV or the Onn 4K Pro.
Should you trust a product from Onn?
As I mentioned during my review of the Onn 4K Pro, store brands can have a mixed reputation. However, I've found Onn to be reasonably reliable for items like keyboards, cables, USB hubs, and similar accessories. I've used the Onn 4K Pro as my primary living room streaming device since my initial review and have enjoyed the experience overall, despite a few minor glitches related to the remote and other small annoyances.
With budget brands like the Walmart-associated Onn, however, it's important to remember that its primary focus is mass production over rigorous quality control. Such brands also tend to use multiple factories or manufacturing partners, leading to variable long-term reliability. Personally, I've owned Onn products that lasted for years, but I've also encountered at least one USB hub that failed within a day, requiring a return. My advice is to know what you're getting into, and be aware of the return policy of the store you buy it from, just in case.
What is the Onn 4K Plus, and how does it compare with the 4K Pro?
Andrew Grush / Android Authority
The Android 14-powered Onn 4K Plus is Walmart's latest streaming device, acting as a direct successor to the 2023 Onn 4K rather than competing directly with the still-available 4K Pro. The Pro featured premium capabilities like hands-free voice control, a remote finder, and a full USB 3.0 port for connecting external drives and wired controllers. All of these features are notably absent on the 4K Plus.
Instead, the 4K Plus offers a much smaller form factor, making it easier to conceal behind your TV. The remote closely resembles the Pro's remote, aside from its white color and minor button layout adjustments, including a new 'Free TV' button placed just below the Home key.
Andrew Grush / Android Authority
Despite missing out on some of the Pro's special features, the Plus does have a significant advantage: a faster processor. The Pro used the older Amlogic S905X4, whereas the 4K Plus upgrades to the newer S905X5M. This updated processor outperforms the 4K Pro, Chromecast with Google TV, and even the Google TV Streamer in terms of benchmark performance. Although benchmarks don't always translate directly to real-world use, the new chip is clearly up for the job based on my experience.
Of course, the Plus does sacrifice in terms of RAM and storage as you get just 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, versus 3GB of RAM and double the storage on the Pro. Thankfully, you won't notice these limitations during typical streaming sessions. I found the Onn 4K Plus handled the UI smoothly and quickly loaded apps, often feeling more responsive than the Pro in daily use.
The Onn 4K Plus and Pro offer a fairly similar experience, though the smaller dongle has a slightly faster processor and ditches some of the Pro's higher-end features.
While I never felt my Onn 4K Pro was slow, sometimes certain menu options would see minor pauses and stutters. At the time, this wasn't a big deal because I experienced worse lag with the Chromecast with Google TV. Now that I've used the Plus, I find myself noticing little performance hiccups on the Pro that weren't apparent when pitting it against the older Chromecast. Be aware that the differences are subtle, though, so don't expect a night-and-day difference here.
Is the Onn 4K Plus worth picking up over the competition?
0 votes
Yes, at $30 there's really no risk to giving this one a try.
NaN %
No, the Google TV Streamer is worth the added cost for its improved features and reliability.
NaN %
No, the Onn 4K Pro is a better deal for just $20 more!
NaN %
Not sure / other (Tell us more in comments)
NaN %
I would also argue that the Plus might end up holding up better as well, as most of the glitches around my Pro have been related to hands-free voice and the remote finder, both of which are absent on the Plus, regardless. Still, the Pro performs well, just maybe a hair slower than the Plus in some tasks.
It might not be quite as fast in the processing department, but the Pro is still better suited for DIY tweaks, gaming, basic emulation, and other extended uses. I attempted to sideload a few games and utilities on the Plus, and while it was still possible by using a hub to extend its built-in USB-C port, the experience just wasn't the same. For one, the USB-C port is just 2.0, so that's already a limiter over the faster full-size port on the Pro. Games and other utilities also tend to be more RAM-heavy, which was another bottleneck I ran into when stress testing the Onn 4K Plus.
How does the Onn 4K Plus compare to the Google TV Streamer and Chromecast?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Considering it's even cheaper than the Onn 4K Pro, it's shouldn't come as a surprise that the 4K Plus doesn't compete directly with Google's premium streamer in terms of features, even though its newer Amlogic processor can theoretically outperform Google's MediaTek MT8696 chipset.
However, if you're simply looking for a straightforward streamer with Google TV without added frills, the daily experience on the 4K Plus is comparable to the more expensive Google device — minus the advanced smart hub, increased RAM, and expanded storage. Given that Google's latest streamer is twice the Chromecast's original price, the Onn 4K Plus nicely fills the vacuum left by the Chromecast's discontinuation.
The Onn 4K Plus is the closest thing to a modern Chromecast you're likely going to find.
The Plus mirrors the Chromecast's streamlined approach: no full USB port, remote finder, or hands-free control here. Its compact design and simple functionality align closely with the Chromecast, albeit packaged in a small box rather than a dongle. Performance-wise, the Plus clearly outpaces the aging Chromecast with Google TV, boasting a faster CPU, GPU, and double the storage. Both devices are limited to just 2GB of RAM, but I honestly never felt like the Onn 4K Plus was slow while streaming, and everything I did felt much smoother than it did on the aging Chromecast.
Onn 4K Plus review verdict: Is Walmart's latest streamer worth it, or is there a better option?
Andrew Grush / Android Authority
With the Chromecast brand now retired and no direct, official successor on the horizon, the Onn 4K Plus fills a niche as an excellent replacement for the Chromecast with Google TV if you're primarily satisfied with basic streaming functionality in 4K quality. The Plus feels faster and smoother without dramatically altering the line's basic Google TV user experience. At $30, it's also very budget-friendly, saving you around $20 compared to the Onn 4K Pro or $70 over Google's Google TV Streamer.
On the flipside, if you felt like the Chromecast with Google TV was missing functionality, the Onn 4K Pro ($49.88 at Walmart) adds hands-free voice, more storage, a full USB port, and several other upgrades that make it feel like more than just a 'faster Chromecast in a new form factor.' Personally, I'd go with the Pro simply because the price gap is very small here.
The no-frills Onn 4K Plus fills the gap left by the Chromecast and all for only $30.
The Onn 4K Plus has a faster GPU and CPU, which makes it a bit snappier in some use cases, but the 4K Plus' superior performance is also mostly limited to streaming apps anyway due to its less robust hardware and lower RAM total. Once a program starts, you won't be able to see any performance differences in your shows and videos, and if you really want a powerhouse streamer, you'll want to look at something like an NVIDIA Shield TV ($149 at Amazon) instead.
Of course, if you still want Google TV and all the extra frills of the Google ecosystem, the Google TV Streamer ($99.99 at Best Buy) is still the best bet as its smart home hub functionality adds a ton of value.
Onn 4K Plus
Extremely affordable • Smooth performance • Compact form factor
MSRP: $29.99
The closest thing to a Chromecast successor.
The Onn 4K Plus is a $30 Google TV streaming box that wants to take the place of the departed Chromecast as the cheap streamer of choice. See price at WalmartSee price at Amazon
Positives Extremely affordable
Extremely affordable Smooth performance
Smooth performance Compact form factor
Compact form factor Simple remote
Simple remote Google TV ecosystem
Cons Limited RAM
Limited RAM Only USB-C 2.0
Only USB-C 2.0 No Hands-free voice control
No Hands-free voice control Pro model has more features for only $20 extra
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla's Robotaxi rollout has started – and users are taking to the internet to share their horror stories
Tesla, battered and bruised by CEO Elon Musk's government gutting antics under President Donald Trump, has had another rough week after social media users shared videos of its robotaxi fleet apparently making mistakes during their pilot run in Austin, Texas. The videos — which have been shared around social media and even collected in a handy Reddit post — were so concerning that they've prompted an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of course, the NHTSA may have to carry out its investigation with fewer people, since DOGE under Musk cut four percent of the agency's staff in February. The videos that prompted the investigation show a variety of mistakes made by the robotaxis during the trial run. In some, the mistakes are minor, like failing to notice a reversing UPS truck while pulling into a park spot, or popping a curb during a drive. In one video, a robotaxi develops a digital lead foot and guns it to 26 mph in a 15 mph zone. In another, a robotaxi attempts to park extremely close to another car, prompting the vehicle's safety driver to intervene and take control. But there were some more concerning videos in the mix as well. In one video, a robotaxi intending to make a left hand turn misreads a lane and ends up momentarily driving the wrong way. Thankfully no other vehicles were in the lane at the time. According to The Verge, the individual riding in the robotaxi in that video, money manager Rob Maurer, brushed off the incident, noting that there were "no vehicles anywhere in sight" and saying that it "wasn't a safety issue.' "I didn't feel uncomfortable in the situation," he said in his commentary about the video. In another video, a passenger was dropped off in the middle of a busy intersection. A few videos show the robotaxis "phantom braking," in which they come to a stop suddenly and without cause. Tesla's vehicles have a history of issues with phantom breaking due to its camera-only perception system. The system apparently mistakes shadows, road markings, and other visuals as potential obstructions, which engages the vehicles' emergency braking system. The obvious risk to drivers is that a vehicle stopping suddenly and without warning could very easily cause a traffic accident. All of the videos came from Tesla's test of its Model Y robotaxis in Austin, CBS News reports. The company invited investors and social media influencers out to ride around in the taxis, which is why so many videos of the rides were captured. The videos of the mistakes do not reflect the totality of the rides taken during the test. Sawyer Merritt, who posts overwhelmingly pro-Tesla content on X, said that he did not experience any issues during his 20 rides during the text, calling them "smooth and comfortable." Dan Ives, a Wedbush Securities analyst who is bullish on Tesla's future and optimistic that Tesla's robotaxis will be a success, brushed off the mistakes as growing pains. "Any issues they encounter will be fixed," he told the Associated Press, insisting that the Austin test run was a "huge success." That said, the dozen or so videos that did show issues were captured over a three-day period of extremely limited use. If Musk has his way, there will be millions of Tesla's robotaxis on U.S. roads by the second half of 2026. He insists his self-driving cars are safer than human driven vehicles, and has called their implementation a "top priority." The NHTSA said it has contacted Tesla in response to the videos. "NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the agency said in a statement. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety." The current investigation comes on the heels of another NHTSA probe into Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" technology in April. The probe began after four Tesla vehicles using the tech were involved in crashes. Tesla was forced to recall 2.4 million vehicles in response. On Tuesday, representatives of three people who were killed during a crash last September involving Tesla's Model S car sued the vehicle maker, according to Reuters. The Independent has requested comment from Tesla.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rampant cybercriminal group targets US airlines
A notorious cybercriminal group has shifted its attention to the aviation industry, successfully breaching the computer networks of multiple airlines in the United States and Canada this month, according to the FBI and private experts responding to the hacks. The hacking hasn't affected airline safety, but it has top cyber executives at major airlines across the United States on alert because of the hacking suspects: A network of young cybercriminals called 'Scattered Spider' who are known for their aggressive efforts to extort or embarrass their victims. It's a fresh headache for the travel industry as the busy summer travel season kicks into high gear. This is now the third major US business sector in the last two months, after insurance and retail, to face a flurry of cyberattacks tied to the criminal group. The hackers target big companies and their IT contractors, 'which means anyone in the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, could be at risk,' the FBI said Friday night in a statement that named Scattered Spider as the perpetrator of the airline hacks. 'Once inside (a victim's network), Scattered Spider actors steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploy ransomware,' the FBI said. The FBI, the statement continued, 'is actively working with aviation and industry partners to address this activity and assist victims.' Hawaiian Airlines and Canada's WestJet confirmed this week that they were still assessing the fallout from recent cyberattacks, though the airlines did not name the perpetrators. More victims in the aviation industry could come forward, sources briefed on the investigation said. WestJet's issues began two weeks ago, when the airline said it was responding to a 'cybersecurity incident' that was affecting access 'to some services and software systems,' including its app for customers. Both WestJet and Hawaiian Airlines said their operations were unaffected by the hacks. The lack of impact on operations at the airlines is 'likely a sign of good internal network separations or good business continuity and resiliency planning,' said Aakin Patel, the former chief information security officer of Las Vegas' main airport. It is not just the airlines themselves, but other 'segments of the aviation ecosystem' that are seeing increased cyberattacks, according to Jeffey Troy, the president of the Aviation ISAC, an industry group for sharing cyber threats. 'Our members are keenly alert to attacks from financially motivated attackers and collateral impacts emanating out of geo-political tensions around the world,' Troy said in a statement to CNN. The fine margins for error in the airline industry were on display Friday, when a separate IT outage, apparently unrelated to malicious cyber activity, caused delays for some American Airlines passengers. The Scattered Spider hacks have mobilized people across the industry to respond. In-house cybersecurity experts at major airlines have been closely monitoring the situation, sources familiar with the response told CNN, while cybersecurity firms such as Google-owned Mandiant are helping with the recovery and urging airlines to secure their customer service call centers. One of Scattered Spiders' preferred methods of infiltrating corporations is calling up help desks and pretending to be employees or customers. The technique has been highly effective for hackers to gain access to the networks of big companies. 'Airlines rely heavily on call centers for a lot of their support needs,' Patel told CNN, making them 'a likely target for groups like this.' Scattered Spider gained attention in September 2023 when they were linked to a pair of multimillion-dollar hacks on Las Vegas casinos and hotels MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. The hackers tend to pick one sector to target for weeks on end. Earlier this month, they were the suspect in a hack of insurance giant Aflac that potentially stole Social Security numbers, insurance claims and health information. Before that, it was the retail sector: The hackers, according to an internal memo obtained by CNN, targeted Ahold Delhaize USA, which has the same parent company as the Giant and Food Lion grocery chains. 'The actor's core tactics, techniques, and procedures have remained consistent,' Mandiant chief technology officer Charles Carmakal said Friday in a statement, and that it 'is aware of multiple incidents in the airline and transportation sector' that resemble the operations of Scattered Spider.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rimini Street (RMNI) Eyes Post-SAP ECC Opportunity with ServiceNow Partnership
Rimini Street Inc. (NASDAQ:RMNI) is one of the 10 best debt-free IT penny stocks to buy. At the TD Cowen Technology, Media & Telecom Conference held on May 29, Rimini Street laid out its strategic roadmap, with a focus on balancing near-term cost efficiency and long-term growth opportunities, particularly in a shifting enterprise software landscape. A key message was the company's value proposition: offering support services that can cut vendor maintenance costs by around 50%. Rimini is positioning itself to benefit from major upcoming changes in the software market—most notably the 2027 sunset of SAP ECC. Management sees this as a window to capture customers seeking to avoid costly migrations, providing them with support and modernization alternatives. A software engineer in front of a monitor making coding changes for cloud-native solutions. One of the most notable developments is Rimini's new partnership with ServiceNow. This collaboration is aiming to help enterprise clients modernize their systems and adopt AI capabilities without undergoing a full re-platforming. This integration is aimed at leveraging the Now platform alongside clients' existing ERP systems. While the partnership isn't exclusive, it is expected to become a key revenue driver starting in 2026. In parallel, Rimini is winding down its PeopleSoft support business, which currently accounts for about 7% of revenue. Management expects the majority of those clients to transition over the next 2–3 years. In order to support future growth, the company is focusing on building its indirect sales channel. Following the conference, TD Cowen analyst Derrick Wood reiterated his Hold rating and $4 price target. More recently, on June 18, Jeff Van Rhee from Craig-Hallum maintained a Buy rating on Rimini Street, without giving a price target. Rimini Street Inc. (NASDAQ:RMNI) provides end-to-end enterprise software support, products, and services for Oracle, SAP, and other leading enterprise software systems. While we acknowledge the potential of RMNI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Best Tech Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
