Android TV is an operating system specially designed for smart TV devices that lets you enjoy a wide variety of multimedia content, such as movies, music, games, and more. However, in addition to the apps available on the Google Play Store, you can also access the internet through the web browser installed on your Android TV.
A web browser is an app that lets you browse websites that exist online, such as news, sports, or streaming videos. With a web browser, you can access content that doesn’t have a dedicated app for Android TV, or that isn’t compatible with that platform.
However, not all web browsers work properly on Android TV. Some browsers may not support remote control, full-screen viewing, or other features essential for a comfortable experience. Therefore, you need to choose a web browser designed specifically for Android TV, or at least compatible with the platform.
In this article, I will provide tips on how to choose the best web browser for your Android TV. I will also recommend 7 web browsers that you can try, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Let’s get started!
Tips for Choosing the Best Web Browser for Android TV
Before we discuss web browsers you can try, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing the best web browser for your Android TV. Here are some tips you can use:
- Pay attention to compatibility with remote controls. The remote control is the tool you use most often to operate your Android TV. Therefore, make sure that the web browser you choose supports remote control, whether to move the cursor, select a website, or use the voice search feature.
- Pay attention to the quality of the display. Android TV usually has a large screen and high resolution. Therefore, make sure the web browser you choose can display websites in good quality, without any broken images, blurry text, or faded colors.
- Pay attention to speed and stability. A slow web browser or frequent crashes can be frustrating while browsing. Therefore, make sure the web browser you choose can load websites quickly and stably, without any lags, crashes, or errors.
- Pay attention to additional features. In addition to the basic features that a web browser should have, such as tabs, bookmarks, history, and private mode, there are also additional features that can improve your browsing experience, such as dark mode, ad blockers, VPNs, or extensions. Make sure the web browser you choose has additional features that match your needs and preferences.
7 Best Web Browsers for Android TV
Once you know the tips on choosing the best web browser for Android TV, it is time to try out some of the web browsers available. Here are the 7 best web browsers for Android TV that you can try, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each:
1. Puffin TV Browser
Puffin TV Browser is one of the most popular web browsers for Android TV. It has a user-friendly interface, is fast, and supports different types of content, including Flash. Puffin TV Browser also has a feature that makes it easy for you to find and add your favorite websites to the home screen.
Excess:
- User-friendly interface and easy to navigate with remote control.
- High speed and stability, thanks to the cloud technology used.
- Support for Flash content, which other browsers rarely have.
- Easy to add and remove favorite websites to the home screen.
Deficiency:
- It doesn’t have any extra features, like dark mode, ad blocker, or VPN.
- Does not support external keyboards or mice, which can increase productivity while browsing.
- Can’t install extensions, such as uBlock Origin, that can help you block ads and online trackers.
2. Firefox for Android TV
Firefox for Android TV is a special version of the Firefox web browser optimized for Android TV. This browser has similar features to the desktop version, such as tabs, bookmarks, history, and private mode. Firefox for Android TV also supports extensions, such as uBlock Origin, that can help you block online ads and trackers.
Excess:
- Complete features and similar to the desktop version, which can increase comfort and security while browsing.
- Support for extensions, which can add functionality and personalization to your browser.
- The interface is simple and elegant, and can be customized to the theme and colors you want.
Deficiency:
- Suboptimal speed and stability, especially when loading heavy websites or lots of ads.
- Does not support Flash content, which may reduce accessibility to some websites.
- It doesn’t have any extra features, like dark mode, a built-in ad blocker, or a VPN.
Other Interesting Articles
3. TV Bro
TV Bro is a lightweight and simple web browser for Android TV. This browser has the basic features you need, such as tabs, bookmarks, history, and night mode. TV Bro also supports external keyboards and mice, which can increase your productivity while browsing.
Excess:
- Lightweight and fast, without consuming much resources or memory.
- Supports external keyboards and mice, which can make it easier for you to type or move the cursor.
- It has a night mode, which can reduce glare and protect your eyes while browsing at night.
Deficiency:
- The interface is less attractive and modern, which can reduce aesthetics and comfort when browsing.
- It doesn’t have any extra features, like dark mode, ad blocker, VPN, or extensions.
- Does not support Flash content, which may reduce accessibility to some websites.
4. Kiwi Browser
Kiwi Browser is a fast and secure web browser for Android TV. It’s based on Chromium, which means you can enjoy the same features and performance as Google Chrome. Kiwi Browser also has unique features that other browsers don’t, such as dark mode, a built-in ad blocker, and support for Chrome extensions.
Excess:
- Features and performance similar to Google Chrome, which can provide a familiar and optimal browsing experience.
- It has a dark mode, which can change the look of the website to be darker and more comfortable for your eyes.
- It has a built-in ad blocker, which can save data and speed up website loading times.
- Supports Chrome extensions, which can add functionality and personalization to your browser.
Deficiency:
- It is not available on the Google Play Store, which means you will need to download the APK file from its official website and enable developer mode on your Android TV to install it.
- Does not support Flash content, which may reduce accessibility to some websites.
- It lacks additional features, such as a VPN, that can improve security and privacy while browsing.
5. Opera for Android TV
Opera for Android TV is a special version of the Opera web browser optimized for Android TV. It has similar features to its mobile version, such as a data-saving mode, a built-in ad blocker, and a free VPN. Opera for Android TV also has features that make it easy for you to customize the appearance and navigation of the browser according to your preferences.
Excess:
- It has a data-saving mode, which can reduce data usage and speed up website loading times.
- It has a built-in ad blocker, which can save data and speed up website loading times.
- Having a free VPN can increase security and privacy while browsing, as well as accessing blocked websites.
- It has a feature that allows you to change the text size, background color, and screen orientation according to your needs.
Deficiency:
- The interface is less attractive and modern, which can reduce aesthetics and comfort when browsing.
- Does not support Flash content, which may reduce accessibility to some websites.
- It does not support extensions, which can add functionality and personalization to your browser.
6. Chrome for Android TV
Chrome for Android TV is a special version of the Chrome web browser optimized for Android TV. This browser has the same features as the desktop version, such as tabs, bookmarks, history, and private mode. Chrome for Android TV also has features that make it easy for you to sync your data and preferences with other devices that use your Google account.
Excess:
- The same features and performance as the desktop version can provide a familiar and optimal browsing experience.
- It’s easy to sync your data and preferences with other devices that use your Google account, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
- Support for Flash content, which can improve accessibility to some websites.
- Support for extensions, which can add functionality and personalization to your browser.
Deficiency:
- It is not available on the Google Play Store, which means you will need to download the APK file from its official website and enable developer mode on your Android TV to install it.
- It doesn’t have any extra features, like dark mode, a built-in ad blocker, or a VPN.
- Requires considerable resources and memory, which can affect the performance of your Android TV.
7. AirDroid Cast Browser
AirDroid Cast Browser is a unique and innovative web browser for Android TV. This browser allows you to control and display websites from your smartphone or tablet to your Android TV screen, without the need to install any apps on your Android TV. AirDroid Cast Browser also has a feature that makes it easy for you to share content with other people who use the AirDroid app on their devices.
Excess:
- Easily control and display websites from your smartphone or tablet to your Android TV screen, without the need to install any apps on your Android TV.
- Make it easy to share content with others who use the AirDroid app on their device, such as photos, videos, or documents.
- Security and privacy are guaranteed, as all data transferred between your device and your Android TV is encrypted and not stored on any server.
Deficiency:
- Requires a stable and fast internet connection, as all data transferred between your device and your Android TV depends on the quality of your internet connection.
- It lacks the basic features that web browsers usually have, such as tabs, bookmarks, history, or private mode.
- Does not support Flash content, which may reduce accessibility to some websites.
Conclusion
Those are tips on how to choose the best web browser for your Android TV, along with 7 web browsers you can try. Hope this article has been helpful and helped you find a web browser that suits your needs and preferences.