Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD) vs. Chromecast with Google TV (4K): What's the difference?

It's almost entirely about resolution

The first-generation Chromecast with Google TV provides a decent smart TV experience at resolutions up to 4K for an MSRP of $50. With support for standards like Dolby Vision and Atmos, there's not much else to want from an A/V perspective, but the Chromecast's 8GB of storage space might not be enough if you want to install a lot of apps.

The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is essentially the same device as the 4K version, but it costs $20 less and tops out at a resolution of 1080p. It also doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR, which the 4K model does. Otherwise, the experience here is identical. So if you've got a 1080p TV to which you want to add streaming capabilities, there's not much harm in going HD to save 20 bucks.

The Chromecast with Google TV is one of the best home streaming devices at a very reasonable price point of $50. But in 2022, Google added a new option to the mix: the Chromecast with Google TV (HD), a physically identical device that costs just a little less at 30 bucks. If you don't follow the Android TV space very closely, the differences between the two devices may not be immediately apparent. There actually aren't many differences, but a couple are pretty major.

The 4K-capable Chromecast with Google TV costs $50 at retail, though sale prices around $40 aren't unusual. The 1080p Chromecast with Google TV (HD) has an MSRP of $30 but is often available for $20. You can get either just about anywhere that sells electronics: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and others all carry both versions.

The 4K and HD Chromecast designs are essentially the same — and pretty basic. You get a pill-shaped brick with a G logo etched into the top. A flat cable extends from the top of the brick with an HDMI cable on the end of it. The bottom of the Chromecast has a single USB-C port used to power the device. And since neither version can be powered by a USB port on the TV itself, Google includes a power brick with both models.

These two devices also ship with the exact same voice-enabled remote. It has eight buttons as well as a round disc for navigation located at the top. In addition, there are two preprogrammed buttons, one for YouTube and another for Netflix. The Chromecast 4K comes in Sky (blue), Sunrise (a Google Store-exclusive pink), and White. The HD version only comes in White, the same in the 4K model.

Both the 4K Chromecast and the HD Chromecast currently run on Android 12. The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) launched with a newer version of Android TV than the 4K model had at the time, but due to an update to the 2020 model, both devices now run the same software. Finding shows on both is quick and convenient, but they offer too many recommendations for shows and movies.

Most major apps and services can be found on Android 12. If you don't feel like navigating on-screen menus and apps, you can still cast your favorite content from your phone and bypass the interface altogether as long as the app supports the feature. As far as these Chromecasts go, they are identical in terms of software.

The most significant difference between Google's two Chromecast with Google TV options is resolution. While 2020's Chromecast with Google TV can output video in 4K at 60 frames per second, the newer Chromecast with Google TV (HD) can only manage 1080p in up to 60 frames per second. So if you've got a 4K TV, you'll need to buy the older, $50 Chromecast with Google TV to take advantage of all those pixels. Meanwhile, TVs that top out at 1080p are a good match for the $30 Chromecast with Google TV (HD).

The HD version also doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR, but it does come with support for HDR10 and HDR10+. You'll have to check which HDR protocols your specific TV supports to determine if that matters for you.

There are also some differences under the hood, but they're not things most users will notice. Thanks to using a different chipset, the 1080p model supports AV1 video decoding — due to hardware differences, the 4K model does not. AV1 is a video codec known to be especially efficient, so the newer 1080p Chromecast might use less bandwidth to stream video. In addition, the 1080p version has less RAM: 1.5GB, whereas the 4K model has 2GB. That sounds like a downgrade, but in our experience, it isn't especially noticeable in normal use.

Storage space, a sore spot for many users of the original 4K Chromecast with Google TV, is also unchanged in the 1080p version. Both come with just 8GB, which can be limiting if you use a lot of different streaming services. Neither model has expandable storage built in, but either one will accept a compatible USB-C hub, so you can add additional storage using a USB-C hub if you need it.

Knowing the differences, it's pretty simple to figure out which Chromecast with Google TV is right for you. Assuming price isn't a consideration, the older 4K model should be your go-to if you intend to use it with a 4K display, as the HD model only goes up to 1080p. And if you happen to have a 1080p display that supports Dolby Vision, the 4K edition might also be better for you since the 1080p model offers HDR10 and HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision.

Best for 4K

If you currently have or intend to get a 4K TV, the Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K) provides a well-rounded experience and is our overall winner. With an MSRP of only $50, it supports all major apps and standards, like Dolby Vision and Atmos.

If your screen is 1080p or lower and doesn't support Dolby Vision, the $50 Chromecast with Google TV won't have any advantages over the $30 HD model. So go for the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) if your TV or budget calls for it.

Best for 1080P

1080P TV owners benefit from paying less for a device offering the same experience. At only $30, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is $20 less. You only give up the higher resolution as well as Dolby Vision HDR. You still get the same great remote and app support as the more expensive model.

Taylor was an amateur phone nerd for the better part of a decade prior to joining Android Police in 2018, where he's since authored more than a thousand articles about all things Android. Taylor serves as Gadgets Editor, and you'll see his byline on editorials, reviews, comparative buyer's guides, and technical explainers, as well as the occasional piece of breaking news. He's got soft spots for personal audio, wearable tech, smart lights, and mobile photography. There's a good chance he's carrying a Pixel phone right now. In his time away from AP, you'll probably catch Taylor hanging out with his two dogs, playing Xbox, or out shooting with his beloved Fuji X-T20. Send him memes and fan mail at [email protected].