Chromecast with Google TV 4K Review: 8.4/10 - Google's Smart Dongle
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At a Glance
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K earns an 8.4 out of 10, offering a well-rounded streaming experience at a competitive price.
Prices last checked June 2026
Overview
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K, released in September 2020 with a remote revision in 2022, is Google’s streaming dongle that finally adds a dedicated remote and full smart TV interface to the Chromecast lineup. Priced at $49, it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos, and runs Google TV, a content-forward interface built on Android TV 12. The Google Assistant built into the remote makes voice search and smart home control seamless.
Design and Hardware
The Chromecast with Google TV is a small oval dongle measuring 162 x 61 x 12.5 mm that hangs from the HDMI port, powered through USB-C at 5V/1A. The included Google TV remote is well-designed with a circular D-pad, dedicated YouTube and Netflix buttons, a Google Assistant button, and a TV volume rocker that works via IR or HDMI CEC. The Amlogic S905D3 chipset with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage provides adequate performance for 4K streaming, though the interface can feel sluggish compared to the Apple TV 4K (A15 Bionic) or Roku Ultra (quad-core ARM Cortex-A55).
Google TV Interface
Google TV aggregates content from your subscribed streaming services into personalized recommendations displayed on a visually rich home screen. The Watchlist feature lets you save movies and shows across all services, and the For You tab surfaces content based on your viewing habits. The interface is more visually engaging than Roku but can feel bloated with promoted content, and ads on the home screen are increasingly prominent.
Casting and Integration
The Chromecast’s native casting support remains its signature advantage, letting you cast from virtually any app on your phone, tablet, or laptop with a single tap. Google Photos integration turns your TV into a digital photo frame when idle. The Google Assistant integration is deep, allowing you to search across services, control smart home devices, set timers, and get answers by voice through the remote.
Streaming Quality
The Chromecast with Google TV handles 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos passthrough reliably, with smooth playback across all major services including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video. The device supports AV1 hardware decoding for improved streaming efficiency on supported platforms, a feature still absent from the Roku Ultra. The lack of Wi-Fi 6 (it uses Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac dual-band) is noticeable in congested networks, and the Ethernet adapter sold separately is recommended for the best streaming experience.
Google Ecosystem
The Chromecast with Google TV integrates deeply with Google’s ecosystem, showing Google Photos albums, Nest camera feeds, and YouTube Music content natively. The Google TV app on your phone can be used as a remote with voice search, and the ability to add the TV to Google Home routines opens up automation possibilities. Stadia game streaming was supported before the service was shut down, but GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming remain accessible through the browser.
Pros
- Seamless casting from any phone, tablet, or laptop with a single tap
- Google TV interface provides personalized recommendations across all services
- Google Assistant voice control with deep smart home integration
- 4K HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos support
- Clean software without aggressive content promotion
Cons
- Aging Amlogic S905D3 hardware with only 2 GB of RAM causes UI sluggishness
- No Wi-Fi 6 support - limited to Wi-Fi 5 on a modern device
- Only 8 GB of storage leaves limited room for apps after system files
- Ethernet adapter sold separately adds to the total cost
- Can feel underpowered compared to similarly priced Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Verdict
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K earns an 8.4 out of 10, offering a well-rounded streaming experience at a competitive price. The Google TV interface is visually appealing and the Google Assistant integration is excellent, but the aging Amlogic S905D3 hardware with only 2 GB of RAM shows occasional UI lag and the lack of Wi-Fi 6 holds it back in congested homes. Unlike the Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($49, Wi-Fi 6E, faster MediaTek chipset) which offers better raw specs at the same price, the Chromecast’s advantage lies in cleaner software, no algorithmic content bias, and seamless casting integration for Android users. For Google ecosystem users and anyone who values casting, it remains a solid choice, though the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers better value on raw specs today.
Category Context
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K sits in a unique position among $49 streaming dongles: it has the best software experience (Google TV with personalized recommendations) and deepest casting integration, but the weakest hardware among its direct competitors. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers a faster processor and Wi-Fi 6E for the same price, while Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K ($49) offers a simpler, ad-light interface. Google’s ecosystem integration and clean interface are the Chromecast’s main differentiators, but users wanting the snappiest experience should consider the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Sources
Where to Buy
Check current pricing on eBay or Amazon.
Prices last checked June 2026. Pricing and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
📊 Comparison: Chromecast with Google TV 4K vs. Competitors
| Specification | Chromecast with Google TV 4K | Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen | NVIDIA Shield TV Pro | NVIDIA Shield TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 | $129 | $199 | $149 |
| Chipset | Amlogic S905D3 | -- | -- | -- |
| RAM | 2GB | -- | 3 GB LPDDR4 | 2GB |
| Storage | 8GB | -- | 16 GB (expandable via USB) | 8GB |
| Video | 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ | 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | AI upscaling to 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1 | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, TrueHD passthrough | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB-C (power), Wi-Fi 5, BT | HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, Thread, IR | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet | HDMI 2.0b, 2x USB 3.0, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0 |
| Remote | Google TV remote with Assistant | 3rd-gen Siri Remote (USB-C) | -- | -- |
| Chip | -- | Apple A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ with 256-core Maxwell GPU | -- |
| Smart Home | -- | Thread / Matter hub | -- | -- |
| Ports | -- | -- | 2× USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0b, microSD | -- |
| Processor | -- | -- | -- | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ |
| Upscaling | -- | -- | -- | AI-enhanced to 4K |
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