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Walmart’s cheap Google TV box now comes in a stick

Walmart’s cheap Google TV box now comes in a stick

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The $15 streaming stick runs Google TV and is available now. But its $20 big brother is a better value.

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A black streaming stick and a white remote control
Walmart’s new Google TV stick has a remote with Google Assistant for voice control.
Image: Walmart

Following the launch of its Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box earlier this year, Walmart is back with a cheaper stick version for just $14.88. The Onn Google TV Full HD Streaming Device (catchy) has lower video quality (1080p) and less RAM than its boxy sibling, but as it costs less than a month of Netflix, it could be a good option for smartening up the guest room TV.

Essentially a cheaper version of Google’s $30 Chromecast with Google TV HD (which is currently on sale for $19), the Onn stick runs the same Google TV software and comes with a voice-capable Bluetooth remote control that summons Google Assistant. It’s available starting today at Walmart.com.

<em>The Google TV Full HD Streaming Device is $14.88 at Walmart.</em>

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The Google TV Full HD Streaming Device is $14.88 at Walmart.
Image: Walmart

Just plug the HDMI device into the back of your TV and access streaming services like Netflix, YouTube TV, ESPN, and Max. It’s also got built-in Chromecast so you can cast photos, videos, and music onto your TV.

The specs are basic but the same as Google’s HD stick: full HD (1080p) resolution, stereo sound, 1.5GB RAM, and 8GB storage. It comes with a remote, an HDMI cable, and a Micro USB power adaptor and plug.

A photo of Walmart’s Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box.
The $15 Onn streaming stick comes with a remote that’s bigger than Google’s version.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Onn is Walmart’s in-house TV, electronics, and accessories brand. The Verge’s Chris Welch reviewed the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box in May and called it the best $20 deal in streaming.

The new, cheaper stick version features lower specs but uses the same remote, with dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, and Google Assistant. The $20 box has 2GB RAM and 4K streaming and is more comparable to Google’s $50 Chromecast 4K.

For $15 with voice control and access to the Google TV platform, the new Onn stick might seem compelling. But that step up to the $20 Onn box with 4K resolution and more memory is so small, it feels hard to justify saving $5 for this gadget.