The $50 Chromecast with Google TV (4K), released in September 2020, and the new yet lesser HD version that came out in September this year, are a far cry from the original Chromecast Google debuted in 2013 or any previous version for that matter, despite retaining a similar design.
Among other things, they are the first in the family with a remote to work as a serious media streamer in addition to screen casting devices.
These devices add the “Smart” notion to any TV not already running on the Google TV platform. That’s similar to what an Amazon Fire TV Stick, represented by the 4K Max, does to any TV that’s not already a Fire TV.
The new HD version—designed for older 1080P TVs—has nothing new other than the cheaper $30 price tag. But it inspired me to give Chromecast a serious try.
Though I ended up using the 4K version mostly for my real-world trial—1080p is hard on the eyes nowadays—keep in mind that the HD version is the same, minus the resolutions.
Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking for a little device that can do an excellent job of displaying content on a big-screen TV from any source—popular streaming services, your computer, or your mobile device—the Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD) is an excellent buy. I’d even say it gives Amazon’s Fire TV Stick a run for its money.
If you’re a fan of the Google TV platform, you’ll likely love the latest Chromecasts on a third-party TV. However, also check out the Amazon Fire TV Stick (or a Fire TV) if you want a more flexible streaming solution.

Chromecast with Google TV: More than a typical Chromecast with a remote
Out of the box, the new Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD) is what you’ve come to expect from a Chromecast.
It’s a compact HDMI dongle that you can plug directly into a TV’s HDMI port and work as a content source. Switch the TV to take on this source, and you’re game.
The most significant improvement is now, for the first time, it includes a remote so that you can use it independently from a phone—almost. And that changes everything.


Chromecast with Google TV 4K vs. HD: The 4K version can handle 4K content and is available in white (Snow), Pink (Sunrise), or light green (Sky). The HD can only do up to 1080P in video resolutions and comes only in white. Other than that, and the costs, the two are practically the same.
And this remote makes the latest Chromecast much better than previous models, making it a true standalone media streaming stick, like the case of the Amazon Fire TV.
But first, let’s check the hardware specifications to see how the new device differs from the Amazon counterpart.
Chromecast with Google TV 4K vs. HD vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: Hardware specifications
Sharing a similar hardware design that plugs directly into an HDMI port and using Android-based operating systems, the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max are similar.


They support the same number of mainstream and niche apps, making them versatile streaming sticks. You can use either to play content from known media streaming services (Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, HBOMax, etc.) or local homemade servers (Plex, Emy, DS Video Station, etc.).
Model | Chromecast with Google TV (4K) | Chromecast with Google TV (HD) | Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
---|---|---|---|
Release Date | September 30, 2020 | September 30, 2022 | October 7, 2021 |
US Price (at launch) | $49.99 | $29.99 | $55 |
CPU | Amlogic S905D3 (1.9 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A55) and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU | Amlogic S805X2 (quad-core ARM Cortex-A35) | MediaTek MT8696 (1.8GHz 4x ARM Cortex-A55) |
Memory | 2 GB DDR3L | 1.5 GB DDR3L | 2 GB DDR4 |
Storage | 8 GB | ||
Display | Up to 4K UHD at 60 fps | Up to 1080p HDR at 60 fps | Up to 4K UHD at 60 fps |
Remote Control (with voice control) | Included | ||
Connectivity | HDMI Wi-Fi 5 (5GHz) Wi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz) Bluetooth 4.2 Ethernet (via adapter) | HDMI Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 + LE Ethernet (via adapter) | |
Operating System | Android TV | Fire OS 7 (based on Android 9) | |
Streaming Support | All popular services, Third-party app for local media servers (NAS, network computers) | ||
Power | USB-C (power adapter required) | Micro-USB (power adapter recommended) | |
Dimensions | 6.38 × 2.40 × .49 in (16.2 × .61 × 1.25 cm) | 4.25 x 1.18 x 0.55 in (10.8 x 3 x 1.4 cm) | |
Weight | 2.00 oz (56.7 g) | 1.9 oz (55 g) | 1.7 oz (48.4 g) |
The biggest differences between the two are that Google uses USB-C for power and Wi-Fi 5 while Amazon has a Micro-USB port and Wi-Fi 6.

On top of that, the Fire Stick can be powered by a USB port found on most TVs, albeit it might suggest being connected to a wall socket with the included power adapter. The Google Chromecast will not work with a USB port at all.
So if you’re looking for a device to carry on a trip, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a more flexible option.
Simple setup, Google Home app required
Despite having the remote, the new Chromecast with Google TV will ask you to use the Google Home app for the setup process—the same app that you must use for the Google Nest Wifi Pro or any other Google (or Nest) Smart Home device.
After that, the setup process is straightforward. You must sign in with a Google account and agree to various data collection and sharing agreements. In my case, I completed the user-required portion of the setup process in about 10 minutes.


After that, the dongle took another 30 minutes, give or take, to update itself to the latest firmware, download apps, and so on. So, give yourself an hour or so for the entire process to finish.
And then, you only need to use the remote with it, just like the case of any streaming stick. But you can also continue using the Google Home app to add/remove apps or turn the phone into a remote, as you handle previous Chromecast models.
(Mostly) well-designed remote
The Chromecast with Google TV’s remote is quite simple. Similar to the case of the Fire Stick, it comes with a navigation circle with the “Enter” button in the middle.
Use the circle’s up, down, left, and right areas to navigate around items on the screen and the middle button to execute a command, such as launching an app or to pause/resume playback.
You can also press and hold the middle button for a long modem at specific interface sections for more options.
The remote has a few more buttons, including a black one for voice control—press and hold it to use voice commands with Google Assistant—which worked well in my trial. You can use it to launch an app via voice or search for a new app or a show that you’d like to install or play as well as other general voice commands.

Unfortunately, you can’t use this button for dictation. So if you need to enter information into an app, such as the username and password, you still have to fumble with an onscreen keyboard one character at a time.
I found the remote a tad too small for my hand, but it worked well. There are a couple of odd things that need some getting used to, especially when you use it in the dark:
- The frequently-accessed Home button is located under the Back button instead of in a prominent place.
- There are only two app buttons for YouTube and Netflix. Considering the device’s name, it’s strange that there’s no button for YouTube TV.
- The volume buttons are on the right side of the remote, but the mute button is on top. Generally, they should be close to one another.
By the way, Chromecast with Google TV supports HDMI Consumer Electronics Control or HDMI-CEC.
Consequently, it can immediately control most TVs’ volume, content source, and power as you plug it into an HDMI port. Also, when you turn it (and the TV) on via the remote, it automatically changes the TV’s source to its HDMI port, which is a nice touch.
The hassle for those with multiple Google accounts
As mentioned above, you must sign in with a Google account before using the new Chromecast. Once signed in, all Google services associated with this account will be available to the device.
For example, when you run the YouTube or YouTube TV app, you’ll note that your content and preferences are already there.
And you can use many Google services with it, including Google Photos, all Google Home-related devices, Google Meet, etc.
You can use the TV and the remote’s microphone to have a voice conversation with a remote party or parties—in this case, you’d wish the remote had a built-in camera.
So if you have a single Google account for all different services, things are straightforward. It’s super-convinient.

However, if you have multiple accounts and use them for different services—such as one account for YouTube TV, one for Google Photos, and another for Meet, things can get complicated.
In this case, you’ll have to switch back and forth between accounts often, and the switching itself can take a long time to complete—from a few seconds to half a minute, depending on the number of services applicable to the account you move to. Now, convenience has become a bit of a hassle.
On the other hand, if you use a non-Google service, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, your login for each app will remain no matter which Google account you use at a given time.
It would be much better if you could use Google services similarly—per app instead of per account. But my take is that’s never going to happen.
No Wi-Fi 6, but still excellent performance
The Chromecast with Google TV (both 4K and HD) is a dual-band Wi-Fi receiver using the dated Wi-Fi 5 on the 5GHz band and Wi-Fi 4 on the 2.4Ghz. And that’s a disappointment, considering the world is about to move to Wi-Fi 7.
However, in reality, that’s not a huge deal considering the dongle never needs more than 100Mbps of bandwidth anyway. As a streaming device, it generally runs a single app at a time, and 4K content only requires 40Mbps at most.
And in my testing, its Wi-Fi proved to be much faster than that, as you’ll note in the photo below.

And in real-world usage, it proved to be responsive. Apps generally took around a second to launch, and I could quickly switch between apps.
Google Assistant often delivered results almost instantly; generally, things moved around with no issues. As for video and audio quality, the new Chromecast was the same as the Amazon Fire Stick or any Smart TV’s built-in streaming apps.
An excellent screen casting accessories
And the Chromecast with Google TV works exceptionally well as a casting device—the area where fast Wi-Fi would play a role.
During my weeks of trial with the 4K version, I used it extensively to mirror my Pixel 7 Pro (and other Pixels) to big-screen TVs for gaming, media streaming, photo viewing, and work purposes. And I loved the responsiveness and ease of use.
While many TV comes with built-in screen mirroring capability—and I can also do that with my Amazon Fire TV Stick—most of the time, the process can be involved, and you can only cast the playback content, not the phone’s screen.


The Chromecast makes things so much easier. The casting process takes place instantly with a touch and excellent responsiveness. You can mirror the entire mobile device’s screen or just the video being played. So if you need to demo an app, that will work beautifully.
This screen mirroring capability alone makes the new Chromecast worth the cost if you often need to show your phone, tablet, or computer’s screen on a big TV. It’s the reason I’m considering keeping a new Google Chromecast despite already having multiple Fire Sticks around the house.
Chromecast with Google TV's Rating

Pros
Excellent screen mirroring device for mobile devices
Support popular streaming apps with fast app switching
Responsive and well-designed remote with voice control
Compact, practical design with USB-C connector
Cons
Won't work with a TV's USB port for power; the remote's button layout could be better
Google's bloated Home mobile app is required for the setup
No voice dictation, no Wi-Fi 6
The hardware seems a bit dated
Conclusion
Though far from perfect, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K)—as well as the new HD version—is the best Chromecast to date. With a functional remote, it’s no longer a simple casting device but now a versatile media streaming device.
Supporting a large selection of apps, the new device can satisfy fans of popular streaming services and geeks who love their local media servers.
However, I’d recommend the Amazon Fire TV if you’re frequently on the go. Its ability to draw power from a TV’s USB port alone means you won’t need to worry about misplacing the power adapter. Plus, it has a more sensible remote.
In any case, either will make an excellent personal streamer. They represent their vendors’ ecosystems, Google TV vs. Fire TV, and the choice between the two boils down to which you prefer. Both are giant tech companies with insatiable appetites for consumers’ data.
Pick your poison and an applicable streamer today! Or, if you already have a Google or Fire TV, get either to turn your big screen into a complete streaming and casting experience.
I stumbled upon this intriguing blog post comparing the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and HD models, and I couldn’t resist adding my two cents to the discussion. First off, kudos to the author for crafting such a comprehensive and informative review. I genuinely appreciate how you’ve managed to shed light on the key differences between these two streaming devices.
👍
I bought the cc 4k to compare to my nv shield,ui was slow but got unbearable when it installed the latest update with new 4k ui,don’t know why google did that as it’s cpu isn’t powerful enough to run a native 4k ui,even the Shield would struggle
No HDMI dongle can compare to the NV Shield. 🙂
But I’m pretty sure the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max will do much better for your case.
100% accurate. Google devices are extremely under powered. Been using since the 4k version since it came out. In general its a good device back in 2020 but is barely usable these days. Extremely slugish. Highly recomend wating for the new rumored version coming out later this year.
I have been using the 4k model for some time now on the rear screens in my truck. Unfortunately, those screens are only 720 res through RCA connection and Google just recently pushed an update that makes the device no longer support lower resolutions. Does the new HD model support lower res with the latest updates installed?
That’s good to know, Ryan. As for your question, I actually don’t know since I don’t have any TV of that resolution, but I know the 1080p version of the Fire TV Stick does — a friend of mine has been using one.
I know this is a comparison with amazon firestick.
Apple tv allows for a thread network and has a ethernet port included.
Nvidia shield allows for many more codecs including Truehd and has better upscaling and has an ethernet port.
Ofcourse both are alot more expensive.
And they are also much larger — you can’t practically carry them on a trip, etc. By the way, both the new Chromecasts and Fire TV Stick have Ethernet accessories. In any case, none of these are must-haves. Thanks for the input, Mohamed. 🙂
Had a Chromecast with Google TV 4K from a couple of years ago. It became problematic, and reset, etc. wouldn’t fix it. Had to get rid of it, and replace it with a Roku Ultra that we had lying around. The best thing about the Chromecast was the “apps only” mode, less about the Google eco-system, more about streaming from apps. You had to switch out of apps only mode though, to install a new app, so wasn’t totally convenient. For example, the Apple TV has an app for searching so that you can find and install a new app no matter what “mode” you’re in.
Anyways, the Chromecast with Google TV was okay while it worked, but Google definitely needs to work on quality. I expect a streaming device to last more than a couple of years, personally. In fact, I had to send one back that didn’t work right on arrival. Not going there again.
Thanks for sharing the XP, Roger. So far it’s been quite good for me the past couple of weeks. I actually returned the HD one. We’ll see how this one pans out.
Is the dates right? 4k before HD?
You’re correct. The 4K came first (2020), and then the HD (9/30).
Chromecast with Google TV 4k was released September 30, 2020, it’s old and slow now, and doesn’t even support AV1, which Google themselves mandates all new Google/Android TV devices support- ironically their newly released HD (1080p) dongle supports AV1.
They need to update their hardware and offer a more premium Google TV device, not a lower end one- there’s a definite space between their device and the Nvidia Shield that can be occupied, especially one with AV1 and VP9.2 support.
It’s the same as the new HD version with better resolution. But you’re right on the AV1 which hopefully will be added via firmware at some point.
They’re both comparatively old and slow compared to a device like the 4k Max, about on par with the older 4k Stick. That said both the 4k Max and 4k Stick are routinely on sale for <$35 and <$20 respectively which makes them seem more of a deal than Google's hardware. The Max supports AV1 as well.
That said, with the Google devices you are getting Google TV and the ability to cast. Wish they would really offer a more premium Google TV device in the $75-$100 range. There is definitely a space in the market for one.
True that. Maybe they’ll make one next year. We’ll see. But the HD made me want to try Chromecast again, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good both the 4K and HD turned out to be, though I’d never use the latter for myself. There’s no point in getting a 1080p streaming device anymore.
I have had multiple Nvidia Shields since 2015. The 2019 model is essentially the same model as the 2015, just with Dolby Vision and AI Upscaling (which is impressive).
It’s also getting a bit old- no VP9.2 support means no YouTube HDR, plus Nvidia is removing Gamestream which got through the worst part of the pandemic and a back surgery. I don’t think we’re going to see a new model from them.
I think what you mentioned is important for a “stationary” setup. For a device that you move around, folks mostly use the TV’s built-in speakers anyway. I think Google (as well as Amazon) is trying to get its TV platform embedded on the TV by the OEM manufacturers, and these little low-power dongles are just stop-gap measures until it gets there.