Introduction

The Xiaomi Mi Box S (Mi BOX S) arrived on my desk promising a seamless 4K HDR streaming experience. After several weeks of rigorous testing, involving everything from casual Netflix binges to intense gaming sessions (where applicable), I’m ready to share my comprehensive review. This small device packs a punch, but does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.

Features

The Mi Box S boasts a compelling list of features. The most notable is its support for 4K HDR video playback at up to 60fps. This results in incredibly crisp and vibrant visuals, significantly enhancing the viewing experience compared to standard HD streaming. The built-in Chromecast functionality is a welcome addition, allowing for effortless screen mirroring from Android and iOS devices. Voice search, powered by Google Assistant, makes navigating the Android TV interface a breeze. You can effortlessly find your favourite shows and movies without even touching the remote.

Beyond the core features, the Mi Box S is packed with thousands of apps available through the Google Play Store. This grants access to a vast library of streaming services, games, and other entertainment options, ensuring there’s always something to watch or play. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those unfamiliar with Android TV.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Mi Box S delivers a generally smooth and responsive experience. 4K HDR playback is consistently impressive, with minimal buffering even on less-than-ideal internet connections. The voice search functionality is accurate and quick, and the remote control is comfortable to use. However, there were occasional instances of slight lag when navigating menus, particularly when numerous apps were running concurrently. This wasn’t a major issue but worth noting for users who expect the absolute top-tier responsiveness.

Gaming performance was surprisingly decent for casual games. More demanding titles experienced some frame rate drops, but for less graphically intensive games it performed well.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: 4K HDR support, Chromecast functionality, Voice search, Extensive app library, Affordable price point, Easy to use interface.
• Cons: Occasional minor lag in menu navigation, Gaming performance is limited to less demanding titles.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi Box S (Mi BOX S) provides an excellent value-for-money streaming experience. The 4K HDR support and Chromecast integration are significant selling points, making it an ideal upgrade for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment setup. While minor performance hiccups occasionally surface, they don’t detract significantly from the overall positive experience. If you’re on a budget and want a reliable streaming device with a user-friendly interface, the Mi Box S is definitely a strong contender.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Mi Box S to anyone seeking an affordable and capable 4K HDR streaming device. Its ease of use and impressive feature set make it a top choice in its price range.