Smart TV, Fire TV Stick or MAG Box: Which Is Best for IPTV?
Compare Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Android TV boxes, MAG boxes, phones and computers for IPTV: picture quality, ease of setup, cost and who each one suits.
By IPTV Gold Support Team 2 min read
Short answer: if you already own a recent Smart TV, start there. If your TV is older or its app store is limited, a Fire TV Stick 4K or an Android TV / Google TV box gives the most choice for the money. MAG boxes suit people who want a simple, TV-like remote experience and a wired connection.
Quick comparison
| Device | Setup | Picture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung / LG Smart TV | Easy | Up to 4K | Using what you already have |
| Fire TV Stick 4K | Easy | Up to 4K | Best value upgrade for any TV |
| Android TV / Google TV | Easy | Up to 4K | Most player choice and features |
| MAG box | Very easy once linked | Up to 4K (newer models) | Classic TV experience, wired |
| iPhone / iPad | Easy | HD, AirPlay to TV | Watching on the go |
| Windows / Mac | Easy | Up to 4K | Second screen, testing |
Smart TVs
Recent Samsung (Tizen) and LG (webOS) TVs install IPTV players from their own app stores. Some players charge a small one-time activation fee to their developer. Older TVs may have limited apps or slower processors. See the Smart TV guide.
Fire TV Stick
Cheap, fast and easy to plug into any HDMI port. Choose the 4K model for 4K content and add an Ethernet adapter for live sport. See the Fire TV guide.
Android TV and Google TV
The widest choice of player apps, good remotes and smooth performance on recent boxes. A great choice if you want advanced features such as catch-up and multi-view where your player supports them. See the Android guide.
MAG boxes
Infomir MAG boxes behave like a traditional set-top box: once your MAC address is linked, the box loads your channels at start-up. They're built for a wired connection. See the MAG guide.
Phones, tablets and computers
Ideal as a second screen or while travelling. Use AirPlay or Chromecast to send a stream to your TV. See the iOS guide and Windows & Mac guide.
Not sure?
Request a free trial with the device you already own. If it works well, there's nothing extra to buy.
