Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) Google TV Streaming Device Review
4.3 / 5
Overall Rating
XIAOMI TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) Streaming Device with Google TV, Dolby Vision & Atmos, Wi-Fi 6
Xiaomi's 4K stick brings Google TV with Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6 at a price that undercuts Fire TV. The 2nd gen refinements make it a real Chromecast alternative.
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TL;DR
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is the right budget streaming device for non-Amazon households wanting Google TV with Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Genuinely competitive with Chromecast with Google TV at slightly lower pricing, with similar feature parity. Wi-Fi 6 actually matters in dense apartment Wi-Fi environments. Dolby Vision and Atmos pass-through delivers premium streaming experience. For households not deeply invested in Alexa, this is a competitive Fire TV 4K alternative.
Why It Matters
The streaming stick market split between Amazon (Fire TV — Alexa-tied, Prime Video-pushed UI), Google (Chromecast with Google TV — Google Assistant-integrated), and budget alternatives. Xiaomi's 4K Stick competes on the Google TV side at slightly lower pricing — for cost-conscious households who want Google TV's neutral UI without paying Chromecast premium.
Key Specs
- Resolution: 4K UHD
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Audio: Dolby Atmos pass-through
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth: 5.0+
- Smart platform: Google TV
- Voice: Google Assistant
- HDMI: HDMI 2.0
- Storage: 8GB internal
- Power: USB-C
- Remote: Bluetooth voice remote with Netflix shortcut
Pros
- Genuine Google TV with Dolby Vision
- Wi-Fi 6 is real upgrade for dense Wi-Fi environments
- Cheaper than Chromecast with Google TV
- USB-C charging matches modern phone chargers
- Bluetooth voice remote with Netflix and other shortcuts
- 8GB internal handles app library well
Cons
- Smaller app ecosystem awareness vs. Fire TV
- Some Xiaomi-China apps preinstalled — easy to ignore but cluttery
- Customer support response time is slower than Amazon's
- Not as tight an Alexa integration as Fire TV
- Build quality is mid-tier — plastic remote feels light
Who It's For
Google Assistant households. Cost-conscious streamers wanting 4K with Dolby Vision. Renters with congested Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6 advantage). Skip it if you're deeply invested in Alexa (Fire TV is better there), if you want Apple's tight ecosystem integration (Apple TV is the right tier), or if you only need 1080p (cheaper sticks suffice).
How to Use It
Pair with a Wi-Fi 6 router for the Wi-Fi 6 advantage. Sign in with Google account on first boot. Install streaming apps (Netflix, Prime, Disney+, etc.) from Google Play TV. Use the Netflix shortcut button — it actually works. Check for firmware updates after first boot.
How It Compares
Vs. Chromecast with Google TV: comparable specs at slightly higher price. Vs. Fire TV Stick 4K Max: Fire TV has tighter Alexa, more app awareness, similar pricing. Vs. Apple TV 4K: Apple is premium-tier ($150+), tighter ecosystem. Vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K: Roku has more neutral UI, comparable specs.
Bottom Line
The right budget streaming device for Google TV households. Buy it for cost-conscious 4K streaming with Wi-Fi 6. Skip it for Alexa-tight households or Apple ecosystem users.
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