My latest review takes a look at the new Onn 4K Pro, which serves as the current top-of-the-line streaming device from Walmart. Priced at $60 (compensated affiliate link), this unit represents an update to the model released two years ago. I purchased the device with my own funds to evaluate its performance both as a standard consumer streaming box and as a tool for more enthusiast-level use cases.
The hardware features a fabric covering (in light grey or black) intended to help it blend into home decor, a design choice necessitated by the built-in microphones that allow for hands-free operation. On the exterior, there is a physical switch to disable the microphone for those concerned with privacy. The device also includes a remote finder button on the top, which triggers a beep from the remote to help locate it. In terms of connectivity, the back panel houses an HDMI output, a USB 2.0 port for external storage or peripherals, and a 100 Mbps Ethernet jack. While the inclusion of a wired port is useful, I found that the onboard Wi-Fi actually provided significantly faster data speeds, reaching approximately 500 Mbps compared to the 100 Mbps limit of the physical jack.
Internally, the device runs on an Amlogic S905X5M processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. During my testing, the interface felt responsive, and navigating through various menus was efficient. The device supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for mainstream streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus.
The software experience is centered on the Google TV interface and includes a dedicated button for free ad-supported television, which provides quick access to a variety of free streaming channels (including some local NBC affiliates). The integration of Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, allows for more complex voice queries than standard voice search. For instance, the assistant can filter recommendations by specific actors or provide deep dives into educational topics. When the television is off, the box can function as a standalone smart speaker for controlling home automation devices.
For those interested in high-fidelity media playback, the Onn 4K Pro presents some challenges. While it supports frame rate matching in certain apps like Netflix, other major platforms like Disney Plus and Apple TV did not switch to 24p mode during my tests, which can lead to motion jitter. Furthermore, for users with local media libraries, the device does not support Dolby Vision Profile 7 or lossless audio pass-through. This distinguishes it from more expensive enthusiast hardware like the Nvidia Shield, which remains the standard for handling high-bitrate Blu-ray rips.
Although the hardware is 64-bit, the operating system is currently a 32-bit version of Android 14. This prevents certain applications, particularly high-end emulators, from running on the device.
Benchmarks indicate that this processor is roughly three times faster than the previous Onn model and outperforms the current Google TV Streamer, though it still falls significantly short of the aging Nvidia Shield. This puts the device in a specific market position. It is a capable, affordable option for the average user seeking a snappy interface and integrated smart home features, but it stops short of being a comprehensive solution for the most demanding home theater enthusiasts and gamers.
Owners of the previous version may find little reason to switch, as many of the new software features have been backported to the older hardware. Choosing this device ultimately depends on whether the faster navigation and hands-free Google Assistant features outweigh the technical constraints of its 32-bit architecture.