Now, amongst dozens of web browsers on the Internet there, which one should you choose? Or rather which one is optimized for the Android TV? Well, I tested some of the popular web browsers on MiBox, NVIDIA Shield TV, and Fire TV Stick, and here are the best of them.
Best Browsers for Android TV
Most of the browsers listed below aren’t available on the Google Play Store. Hence, you would have to be sideloaded them to Android TV. You can follow our guide on how to install web browsers on Android TV to understand sideloading web browsers on Android TV. Let’s start.
1. Google Chrome
Pretty much every Android phone these days comes with Chrome built-in, so it’s quite strange when Google didn’t bundle the Android TV with the Chrome browser. You wouldn’t even find it on the Play Store on those devices. Nonetheless, you can sideload the Chrome browser on your Android TV. Since there is no dedicated version of Chrome for TV, the interface looks similar to mobile. Keep in mind that you can either use the bookmarks or type in the URL using the remote or the controller. The good thing about Chrome is that you can sign in and sync your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords. However, during my testing, it doesn’t look well optimized to work with the tv remote. The interface is sometimes erratic and Jarry. Installation: by Sideloading Read: Chrome v Samsung: Which is better?
2. Firefox
Just like Chrome, there is no dedicated Android TV version of Firefox. But unlike Chrome, Firefox supports extensions even on Android TV. For example, you can use uBlock on it and get rid of all ads. The interface is pretty much the same as on any mobile browser. You can access your bookmarks by signing in and sync all the settings and data from other signed-in devices. Overall, the browser works fine and there isn’t much to complain about it but using the browser with just a remote would be a little problematic. As these browsers aren’t optimized for the TV, the controls are based on touch screen devices, and therefore navigating becomes a little tedious. You can, however, use a gaming controller like the one on NVIDIA Shield TV. You can achieve the same result with a physical mouse or a keyboard. Installation: by Sideloading
3. Puffin TV
The Puffin TV browser is not a port of mobile browsers like Chrome or Firefox, instead, this version of the web browser is specially optimized for Android TV. You can simply install Puffin TV from the Play Store on your Android TV. No need to go through the complicated sideloading process. Puffin TV browser offers a unique way of browsing the Internet on Android TV. Instead of going through the pain of entering the URL character by character, you just have to scan a QR code from your phone and push the link on the page and it should open it on your Android TV with ease. Puffin TV also lets you navigate using the arrow buttons on the remote, pretty slick right? Installation: Play Store Download Puffin TV Browser (free, in-app purchases)
7. TV Bro
TV Bro is an open-source web browser built for Android TV. Foremost, it has a smooth scrolling option with the TV Remote. You can glide through the web pages and precisely click on links without an air mouse. If you are a power user, you are in for a delight with the TV Bro browser. TV Bro supports video playback, multiple tabs, bookmarks, etc. Moreover, after the recent update, your browser tabs stay persistent even after a reboot. The TV Bro app also lets you switch the User-Agent of the TV from mobile to tablet to iPad. One of the benefits of this feature is that you can play Nvidia GeForce Now directly on the Android TV without downloading the app. Installation by: Google Play Store Download TV Bro
4. Kiwi Browser
Kiwi is another browser which even though isn’t optimized for Android TV but works decently. It retains all the functionality of the mobile version and you can use it with a gaming controller or a mouse and keyboard. It offers a sleek interface and clean look, you can even turn the night mode on from the settings which gives it an edge over other browsers. No one wants a blinding white light in the middle of the night. Kiwi Browser also has an adblocker built in so you can browse without any interruptions and annoying ads. The integrated translation feature allows you to translate entire web pages to your native language with just a few clicks. Kiwi Browser can be a great addition to your app catalog if you want a simple web browser, plus also for the native night mode and adblocker. Installation: by Sideloading Read: Best Apple TV Games
5. Opera
Opera is one of the better mobile web browsers out there. Even though you have to sideload the app, you can still use and slightly customize the browser for your Android TV. You can navigate the websites using just the remote but you will still need a keyboard or a mouse to load the page which means if you don’t have the keyboard, the app will continue to show you the home page.
6. Duck Duck Go Browser
If you’ve ever felt conscious about your privacy while browsing, DuckDuckGo is the first name that pops up in your head. To take it a step further they’ve created an entire browser to keep your online search anonymous. DuckDuckGo browser is designed to work on mobile where you can feel safe while browsing. It uses the dark theme as default which you can change in the settings. It has a dedicated flame button on the top right corner which clears your browsing history with one tap. you can set this feature to execute automatically after a certain interval or automatically when you exit the app. You can clear tabs, data, or both using this feature. Using this on Android TV would especially come in handy if you want to keep your searches private from kids. Installation: by Sideloading
8. Samsung Internet Browser
Samsung Internet browser is loved by both Samsung and non-Samsung users alike. It is fast, supports adblockers, and lets you adjust the text size on the screen, etc. You can even choose from a list of content blockers available for the Samsung Internet browser which in my opinion is incredible because there are only a handful of browsers that offer this service. The best part of using the Samsung Internet browser on your Android TV is the high contrast mode. It is an absolute treat to see this browser-wide feature that applies to every single website you open. This feature would let you browse the internet during nighttime without burning your retinas. Installation: by Sideloading
Cast phones screen to the TV
All android tv comes with Chromecast built-in. So, you can easily open the web browser on your phone and then cast it on your TV. Alternatively, if you don’t have Chromecast, you can use third-party apps to cast to Android TV.
Best Browsers for Android TV
Overall, there are dozens of Android tv browsers out there, like Silk and Opera. But these were the few, that came out on top. My favorite is the Puffin TV browser which is best optimized for a bigger screen and remote. Samsung Internet holds a strong second position because of its browser-wide high-contrast mode, and support for content blockers. Which web browser do you use on your Android TV? Let us know in the comments below. Also Read: How to Get Samsung TV Plus on Any Country
