Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD) or (4K): which one is the best

With its $50 price tag, the Chromecast with Google TV is a relatively affordable streaming gadget that is simple to suggest. Even though, Google has been selling its Chromecast line of products for years. The Chromecast with Google TV is a much enhanced and entirely new device. Physically similar to the standard model, the HD version reduces the already inexpensive price to only $30 but didn’t come out until September 2022, while the 4K variant debuted in September 2020. It might not be immediately obvious how the two gadgets vary from one another, but It’s not as difficult as it would seem to decide between the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) and Chromecast with Google TV (4K) streaming devices.

Chromecast with Google TV (HD) vs. Chromecast with Google TV (4K): Similarities.

Most functions are the same across the two Chromecast with Google TV models. Although the HD model is only offered in white, it looks exactly like the 4K model’s white variant. Each one has a voice-activated remote and runs Google TV, a more up-to-date and commercial-heavy interface that increasingly replaces Android TV on smartphones.

Both cannot be powered via the USB ports on the back of your television; instead, they each need a separate USB-C power brick (and each includes one in the box).

The 1080p Chromecast’s storage capacity, another issue for many 4K Chromecast with Google TV customers, remains unaltered. Both only have 8GB, which may be insufficient if you often use a variety of streaming services. Both models will take a suitable USB-C hub, so you can add more storage if you need it even though none has expandable storage built in.

Chromecast with Google TV (HD) vs. Chromecast with Google TV (4K): Differences.

The resolution support is perhaps the major distinction between the two Chromecast devices. Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is a 4K HDR streaming player with capability for up to 60 FPS is the original and older model while The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) resolution is restricted to 1080p, despite the fact that the more recent HD model does support up to 60 FPS as well.

To take advantage of all those pixels on a 4K TV, you’ll need to purchase the $50 older Chromecast with Google TV(4K). While TVs with a maximum resolution of 1080p work well with the $30 Chromecast with Google TV (HD).

On the Google Store, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) costs $49.99. Although the 4K model is around two years younger than the HD variant, the more recent Chromecast with Google TV is just $29.99.

The updated HD version also lacks Dolby Vision HDR compatibility, although it does have HDR10+ and HDR10 support. If that matters to you, you’ll need to find out which HDR standards your individual TV supports.

There are other changes made inside as well, although most users won’t notice them. One difference between the new Chromecast with Google TV (HD) and the previous 4K devices is that the newer model runs Android 12 while the older model still uses Android 11. The older model is already getting the same upgrade, despite the fact that the version jump doesn’t make many changes.

While the 4K variant has 2GB of RAM, the 1080p version only has 1.5GB. Although it may seem like a decrease, in our experience, it isn’t very apparent during routine use.

The 1080p variant also supports AV1 video decoding, however, the 4K model does not owing to hardware incompatibilities. The latest 1080p Chromecast may utilize less bandwidth to broadcast video because AV1 is a video codec that is known to be very effective.

Finally, the two versions have different color possibilities. The new Chromecast with Google TV HD is only offered in the white Snow hue, as opposed to the 4K Chromecast with Google TV‘s Sky, pink Sunrise, and blue Chromecasts with Google TV.

Chromecast with Google TV (HD) vs. Chromecast with Google TV: summary.

The pricing and quality are really the deciding factors when deciding between the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) and Chromecast with Google TV (4K). If you want to use it with a 4K TV, the earlier 4K model should be your first choice because the HD model only supports 1080p. Additionally, the 4K version could be preferable for you if your 1080p display supports Dolby Vision because the 1080p version only supports HDR10 and HDR10+ and not Dolby Vision.