I have seen a lot of posts about shield alternatives, and I have over the last couple of months done a run with different devices, and this is my own opinion, and I bought all units with my own money and not influenced by anyone.

The ones I tried

- Latest Shield Pro with v8 and debloated
- Latest Shield Pro with latest update
- Zidoo Z9X Pro
- Homeatics R 4K Plus
- Amazon Fire Cube 3
- Apple TV (2022)

To start first. If you do NOT need HDR and have no issues with CEC keep to your shield. Its not much to gain by the other boxes. I dont think its a point keeping the android 9 downgrade for your shield. I could honestly not feel much difference, and you lack some functions. Keep it updated and run a custom launcher is my advice.

Even if hardware wise the Fire Cube is very good (except network) its so stuffed with ads and Amazon is acively doing everything to stop any methods of sideloading. The lastest update nerfed even ADB from what I read, so of principal I would suggest NOT buying the Fire Cube, especially since its so expensive. Also the fire cube you cant swipe and close programs

If you do NOT need TrueHD / Atmos with height channels the Apple TV is your best choice. My problem is that I have an Atmos system and I can absolutely hear the difference of TrueHD out of an Android box and Apple.

The Zidoo box is a very capable device, but it is NOT google certified. Most of the apps I sideloaded worked well, including emby worked flawless, and passthrough went very well, BUT netflix is absolutely useless (its not working at all). The Zidoo is gerat if you are used to Kodi, and just want to stream - at that state the box is superb. Here you cannot swipe and close programs neither (from what I know)

Then at last I got the Homeatics R 4K plus box today, and its google certified meaning it work with everything out there. The box is not as powerful as the Firecube (sadly), and not all android settings are implemented, but it got passthrough of sound, options for HDR and DV, and it got a very good control over CEC. It got good codec support and Android 12 is coming (I have spoken to the producers and I will be added to the Android 12 version, so I will report on that soon). But I do like the box, even if its not the top performer out there. As of today its the box with less ads and most codec support.

​

Here are my current summary for what to choose

If you do not need TrueHD height channels, and dont care too much about sound go with AppleTV - its the best box out there for you. Its fast, it works, just works and its a great streamer. I think my only issue with AppleTV is that some of the apps can be a bit feature lacking cause of how Apple force design, but you have most of what you need.

If you do not need HDR (and have a setup where CEC is not an issue) , and you need height channels for TrueHD go for the Nvidia Shield Pro

If you can accept the box is a bit slower, but want passhtrough sound, AV1 support, Android 12, a remote that can be customised, and andorid that can be customised go for the Homeatics R 4K Plus (the 4GB version, NOT the 2GB)

If you love Amazon, use amazon services and dont care about ads (I will warn it so much ads it feels like an ad company throwed up all over the os, and you have NO desire to install anything unauthorized and have a strong wifi6 wifi then the Fire Cube 3 is a good choice

If you want a superb streaming box, and do NOT use netflix, and are an avid fan of Emby the Zidoo box is a great option.

For me, at this point the Homeatics R 4K Plus is the best of the players I have tried, understanding its not the fastest, but probably one of the more capable.

​

​