Xiaomi Mi Box S or Xiaomi Mi TV Stick: Which is the best choice?

Choosing between two popular devices from the Chinese giant often puts users at a loss, because at first glance they perform the same function – turn a regular TV into a smart media center.

Both devices run on Android TV, providing access to thousands of apps, online cinemas and games, but their technical execution and target audience differ significantly.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how the Xiaomi Mi Box S differs from the more compact Mi TV Stick so you can make an informed decision based on the real needs of your home theater.

Design and form factor: compact versus functional

The first thing that catches your eye when unpacking is the size of the devices, which determine the scenarios for their use. Mi TV Stick is made in the form factor of a flash drive, which allows it to be almost invisible behind the body of the TV.

Unlike its older brother, the stick does not require a separate shelf space and connects directly to the HDMI port, creating the device's soaring effect in the air if the TV is mounted on the wall.

Xiaomi Mi Box S is a classic box box square shaped, which must be placed on the surface next to the TV or fastened to a double-sided tape.

The larger box body allows engineers to use a full-fledged passive cooling system, whereas the stick relies on heat sink through a plastic case, which can limit its peak performance under prolonged loads.

If you move frequently or plan to take the device with you on trips, then the compactness of the stick will be a crucial factor, as it easily fits into your jacket pocket.

However, for a stationary home theater, where stability and additional ports are important, a massive boxing case looks more utilitarian and reliable.

⚠️ Attention: When installing Mi TV Stick to TVs with tightly adjacent ports HDMI may be necessary to use HDMI-Extender from the kit to avoid overheating and problems with the Wi-Fi signal.

Package: remotes and additional accessories

The set of devices significantly affects the initial usability, especially if you are used to certain scenarios of control equipment.

In the box with the Mi Box S, you will find a full-fledged remote control with voice input support through a built-in microphone and, crucially, with TV volume buttons.

This allows you to control two devices at once, eliminating the need to hold two different remotes in your hands to switch channels and change the sound level.

In addition, the box has an HDMI cable, which allows you to connect the device even to a monitor or an old TV that does not have a free cable.

On the other hand, the Mi TV Stick comes with a minimalist remote that lacks volume control buttons and an infrared port to train TV commands.

This means you’ll have to use two remotes at once: one to navigate the Android menu, the other to control the TV itself, which can be uncomfortable.

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If you lost the remote from Xiaomi, you can temporarily control the console through the official Mi Remote app on your smartphone with an infrared port or through a Wi-Fi network.

Both devices require a connection to the power supply network through USB-cable, but only box allows you to use external power for connected drives, which we will talk about in the next section.

The presence of an IR blaster in the boxing console is a unique feature that makes it the only device in this pair that can completely replace the native TV remote.

Interfaces and possibilities of connecting peripherals

The difference in the size of the hulls directly affected the number of ports available, which is one of the main arguments in the dispute “which is better”.

Xiaomi Mi Box S is equipped with a full-fledged USB 2.0 port that allows you to connect external hard drives, flash drives, keyboards, mice and even gamepads.

This makes the console a powerful multimedia center capable of playing heavy video files weighing tens of gigabytes directly from external media without loss of quality.

Also available USB-The port allows wired Ethernet network adapters (via an adapter) to be connected, which provides a stable connection where the Wi-Fi signal is unstable.

In the case of Mi TV Stick is different: he doesn’t have his own. USB-ports, and all connection of the periphery is possible only through a special splitter (OTG), which must be purchased separately.

The use of adapters violates the aesthetics of minimalism, makes the design cumbersome and often requires additional power, since one of the two is not a single device. USB-The TV port may not be enough.

If you plan to watch movies from external hard drives or play emulators using a gamepad, there is no native way to play. USB-The port in the stick will be a serious restriction.

Boxing in this regard offers much greater flexibility, allowing you to expand the functionality of the device as needed without complex connection schemes.

Performance and image quality

Both devices are based on a similar hardware platform, but the thermal characteristics and algorithms of the processor make their adjustments to the performance.

The Xiaomi Mi Box S (especially the 2nd Gen version) and Mi TV Stick 4K support 3840×2160 resolution and HDR10+ standards, which provides a bright and contrasting picture.

Thanks to the larger body and better heat sink, the Mi Box S is less susceptible to trottling (reduced processor frequency due to overheating) during prolonged viewing of heavy content.

Sticks, working in a confined space behind the TV, can heat up more, which in rare cases leads to micro-slowing the interface when switching between heavy applications.

The amount of RAM in current versions of devices can also vary, and here boxing often acts as a more productive solution for multitasking.

For regular YouTube and online cinema viewing, the performance difference may be subtle, but when installing heavy games or using torrent clients, boxing will show itself more confident.

Support for HEVC (H.265) codec is available in both devices, allowing you to stream high quality content with minimal traffic consumption.

Installation and configuration of devices

The initial setup process is almost identical for both gadgets, as they use a single software platform from Google.

After connecting to the HDMI port and powering, the system will offer to select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network and log into a Google account.

It is important to note that for the correct operation of all functions, including voice search and synchronization of settings, a stable Internet connection is necessary.

During the setup process, the system will automatically check for firmware updates, and it is not recommended to ignore this step, as new patches often contain security patches.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process or turn off the power of the device while the indicator flashes orange – this can lead to a software failure.

Once you log in, all previously installed apps and purchases will automatically be pulled from the cloud if you have previously used Android TV devices.

For users who want to expand the functionality, the ability to install applications from third-party sources is available, although this requires activating the appropriate permissions in the Settings → Security menu.

Final comparison and selection recommendations

To sum up, the choice between the Xiaomi Mi Box S and the Mi TV Stick depends solely on your use cases and the availability of free space.

If you need maximum autonomy, the ability to connect flash drives, keyboard and control the TV with one remote control - definitely choose boxing.

This device is better suited for creating a full-fledged media center in the living room, where stability and functionality are important.

If your priority is minimalism, the device is hidden behind the TV, and the main tasks are reduced to streaming videos from the Internet, then the stick will be the ideal and cheaper solution.

It’s also great for travel, allowing you to turn any HDMI TV into a smart TV in just a few minutes.

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The Mi Box S is the choice for home and moviegoers with a collection of HDD movies. The Mi TV Stick is the choice for travelers and owners of limited-space TVs.

Both devices are up to date in 2026 and provide access to mainstream streaming services, but boxing offers a greater supply of power for the future.

Remember to consider support for specific HDR codecs and standards if your TV has a high-quality matrix.

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