When I think of products like the various TV Sticks, my thoughts immediately turn to how much progress technology has made in recent years. The H96Max is a product barely larger than a USB stick, containing everything you need to enter the multimedia world of Android TV. In fact, it even includes a Chromecast, so we could call it a 2-in-1 product. Considering its extremely low price, I'd say it's yet another best buy. It may be a stretch, but all things considered, it offers the full gaming experience of more high-end products at a third or quarter of their price.
H96 MAX H313 Android TV Box 4K HD Quad-Core with WiFi6 BT5.0 mini smart TV stick Google Voice Assistant Home Media Player
Ok, let's get the price out of the way right away, as this multimedia dongle is available on various stores, with prices starting at around 19 euros. Naturally, we'll leave you with the best deals we've found here, but whether you buy it from one store or another, in my opinion you're not wasting your money.
The sales package is quite complete, even if the similarity with the rival Amazon Fire TV Stick or Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is undeniable, but what matters is that the packaging is well-finished, so much so that it provides immediate information on the services supported by the TV stick, as well as being complete, so much so that you can find inside:
- H96Max TV Stick;
- Bluetooth remote control;
- Manuals and warranty booklets;
- USB-A / USB-C power cable;
- Small HDMI extension cable.
All that's missing are the batteries for the remote control (2*AAA) and the power supply, but you can use one you have at home or power the TV Stick from your TV's USB port. That said, we have everything you need to get started right away. It's a good idea to find the HDMI extension cable already included, which could prove useful in some cases if your TV's HDMI ports are all occupied and close together. The H96Max is wider than a standard HDMI cable, so it could be difficult to fit it into your TV's input.
It should be noted that the cable itself can be used standalone in some cases, that is, without the aid of the charger, if your TV or portable screen, but also projectors, etc. (there are truly many areas of use and this is a big plus for this TV Stick) has a USB input of at least 0,5A. The H96Max has very small dimensions and weight, which allow it to be portable anywhere. For example, you could think of a product like this to put in your camper, or in any case to take with you to a friend's house to use your subscriptions such as Netflix and Prime Video, which are already installed by default on the stick's software.
The case is constructed from plastic with a matte finish. The product name is on the front, while the back features a heat dissipation grille and a small LED indicating its operation. The Type-C port is used solely for power, but you can connect USB sticks or external drives via the USB-A port on the bottom. The head features an HDMI port for connecting to TVs, monitors, and projectors.
Let's get to the point, namely what the H96MAx offers. On the software front, we have Android TV based on Android version 14 with outdated security patches, but I'll skip over this aspect, because remember we're talking about a TV Stick, so you don't need to do any banking with it, just enjoy streaming content. On the hardware front, we have an Allwinner H313 processor, an entry-level quad-core SoC that's still powerful enough for the product's purpose. This is accompanied by 2 GB of DDR3 RAM and 16 GB of eMMC storage for installing additional apps. We have maximum support for 4K resolution at 60fps in 10-bit, but be careful, this only refers to the input, as Widevine L1 DRM is missing, which is only available in L3, so on streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime Video, viewing will be in SD.
We've integrated a Bluetooth 5.0 module, which allows pairing with TWS headphones, speakers, mice, keyboards, joypads, and other accessories, extending the potential of our multimedia dongle. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6. This means we have the bare minimum of hardware, which on devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick generally allows for a good user experience, with some software-related limitations. In the case of the H96Max, on the one hand, the integration of Android TV opens up a universe of possibilities. For its primary use, namely streaming, everything runs smoothly, but when we delve into more specific uses, the first complications arise. For example, in gaming, you can only play titles like Beach Buddy Racing and little else because, for example, when launching Real Racing, the device crashed, but this was an oversight on my part because I remember that a product like this shouldn't be bought for gaming.
Aside from that, I've always found the Android TV experience smooth when navigating the app blocks and switching between them. I've also never noticed any overheating, and most importantly, I appreciate the ability to install IPTV apps for watching free-to-air Italian TV channels—a feature I particularly appreciate, as where I live, all Mediaset channels aren't available. You can also enjoy the wide array of apps available on the Play Store for Android TV, including karaoke, fitness, dance, culture, and much more. The H96Max TV stick offers a window into the world of multimedia, complemented by Chromecast functionality and the ability to cast your smartphone screen directly to your TV—both features that, once you try them, you'll never be able to live without them.
The interface is navigated using the included Bluetooth remote control, which allows commands to be received from any angle. At the top, there's a microphone that allows you to use the dedicated button to invoke Google Assistant. The other buttons include volume controls, which only control the device's volume and not the TV's, as well as four dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Play Store, and YouTube. There's also a mute button, home, options, channel change (great for IPTV), and a mouse button: the latter allows you to navigate certain interfaces as if the remote were a mouse.
The materials used are a bit cheap, but overall I didn't notice any creaking when pressing the buttons, and operation is guaranteed by two AAA batteries, not included. One of the advantages of having an Android TV system without any customization by the brand is that setup is easy. Simply connect the dongle to the TV, follow the on-screen instructions (also using your Android smartphone), and all your Google account data will be transferred, without having to enter a password.
Finally, one thing I appreciated compared to Amazon's Fire TV Stick is the stability of the WiFi signal: with Amazon's product, I was constantly losing connection, making watching movies a nightmare, while the H96Max never disconnected. And then the ability to connect external USB drives for watching documents or movies, like those from vacation and therefore not available online, is a real plus compared to the competition.
H96 MAX H313 Android TV Box 4K HD Quad-Core with WiFi6 BT5.0 mini smart TV stick Google Voice Assistant Home Media Player
Considering the €19 price tag and the wide range of features the H96Max offers, I'd say it's a product I highly recommend. You can connect gamepads and play retro games, use it for IPTV—ideal for campers or those like me who don't have high-performance antennas—but above all, it extends your streaming experience to multiple platforms, not just Prime Video or Netflix. It offers a wide range of uses, including greater freedom in installing apps, but you'll love the smartphone mirroring feature because you're essentially getting two products in one for a single purchase. In any case, the H96Max is the most economical choice for anyone looking to get started with the Android TV experience. Furthermore, the various updates (I've already received a couple) can only improve the experience, just like they do with smartphones.
“Widevine L1 DRM is missing, which is only L3, therefore on streaming platforms such as Netflix or Prime Video the viewing will be in SD”
R.I.P.