Google hit the bulls-eye with the brand new Chromecast with Google TV, at least in terms of pricing. Obviously, the Chromecast with Google TV is not the cheapest out there. As the cheapest alternative, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is worth attention which comes at around $10 cheaper than Google’s offering. However, the affordability of Mi TV is enough to outshine the Chromecast and makes it any better? Let’s see that over here.
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, needless to say, is a streaming device from Xiaomi. While Chromecast is a global figure, Mi’s offering isn’t. Nonetheless, it is important that one should know the pros and cons of both if he/she is planning to buy either one of those. This article compares the pros and cons of both of the devices. So lets see which one is better in Chromecast with Google TV Vs Mi TV Stick comparison.
Chromecast with Google TV Vs Mi TV Stick
User Interface
User interface is a vital component of a gadget as it’s where the user interacts the most.
Chromecast with Google
Undoubtedly, the Chromecast with Google comes with a clean and clutter-free User Interface. As the device’s homepage says “No switching apps. Just watching”, the User Interface focuses on providing content that the user is more prone to watch. The user doesn’t need to open a specific service like say Netflix to watch a show. The UI of the device displays these shows directly. Overview web page of the gadget claims that they offer over 700,000 movies, shows, and millions of songs as well, which make sense.
If all these aren’t enough, the UI gives personalized recommendations on content. There are dedicated tabs for Search, Movies, Shows, etc to make life easy for the streamers.
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
Coming to the Mi TV Stick. The UI of the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is very similar to that of an Android TV from Mi. With an easy-to-use home screen, which lets the user search across multiple streaming services, including hundreds of channels and apps, the Mi TV Stick has a decent UI if not better than Chromecast.
However, the User Interface is somewhat similar to that of Chromecast with Google
TV though. Users can download apps from the Google Play Store just like they do
with an Android Phone. Mi TV does support all the major streaming platforms including Netflix. Light gaming is also a plus point for the Mi TV Stick.
Must See: Get Chromecast with Google TV free on New YouTube TV Sign up
Streaming and Casting
When it comes to streaming/casting, the Chromecast has a slight leg-up. The Chromecast comes with 4K steaming capabilities compared to the Full HD streaming provided by the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick. Both devices offer smooth casting across multiple platforms due to the integration of Chromecast.
Remote and Voice Control
Both the devices come with dedicated remote controllers. Unsurprisingly, both of them also happen to have dedicated buttons for voice assistants. The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick has an edge over the Chromecast due to the integration of dedicated buttons for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video which are the most used streaming services.
The Mi TV Stick uses Bluetooth which is a major improvement over the IR remote
of the Chromecast with Google TV. The remote doesn’t need to be in the line of sight with
the device in order to operate it.
Related: Get Chromecast with Google TV free on New YouTube TV Sign up
Pricing
The price of the product is clearly an important factor which drives the customer’s final decision. The Chromecast with Google TV is priced at $49.99 in the U.S. This can be justified when considering the 4K streaming capabilities and availability of contents. The Chromecast does come with a 6 month Netflix Premium at around $89.99.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is priced at around $43.87 in the U.S. Even though this is low compared to the Chromecast, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick only offers FHD streaming. Last but not the least, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick can be purchased at a lower price from other
countries.
We have listed a Specs Comparison of Chromecast vs Mi TV Stick
| Chromecast with Google TV | Xiaomi Mi TV Stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Available Colors | Snow, Sky, and Sunrise | Black |
| Resolution | Up to 4K HDR | Up to 1080p HD |
| Remote | Voice Remote with Google Assistant | Voice Remote with Google Assistant |
| Platform | Google TV | Android TV v9 |
| Control | Can Control smart home devices | - |
| Group | Group with Nest Speakers/Displays | - |
| Casting Support | Cast from Android, iOS, and PC/Laptop devices | Cast from Android, iOS, and PC/Laptop devices |
| Gaming Console Support | Will support Stadia from 2021 | - |
| Price | $49.99 | $43 |
To sum up…
Both the devices are excellent streaming devices that offer better streaming and casting quality. The Chromecast with Google TV requires external power whereas the Mi TV Stick doesn’t need any external power which makes it much more portable and easier to setup.
Both are built well and you can’t go wrong with either in this regard. The Chromecast with Google TV offers 4K streaming while the Mi TV Stick is limited to FHD. This is an important factor that needs to be considered if you are out buying one of these. 4K is an emerging standard for streaming but it does consume nearly 4 times the data. The Mi TV Stick however does offer support for the audio standards DTS and Dolby Audio which is important as the audio greatly influences the viewing experience.
Also Read: Chromecast with Google TV vs Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, Comparison in Detail
That being said, it’s up to you to get which streaming dongle. Consider all the above points and introspect which will meet your needs and go for it.
