IPTV box: do you actually need one?
Do you need an IPTV box? When an Android box, Formuler or Fire TV Stick is useful, and when your Smart TV or phone is already enough.
Anyone looking into IPTV quickly comes across the “IPTV box”. But do you really need one? Often not. In this article you’ll read when a box is useful, which kinds exist and when the device you have at home is already enough.
What is an IPTV box?
An IPTV box is a small device you connect to your TV with HDMI. It runs an IPTV app, just like a phone. The box itself doesn’t provide channels: for that you always need a subscription with login details.
When don’t you need a box?
- You have a Smart TV that can install an IPTV app. Read IPTV on a Smart TV.
- You mainly watch on your phone, tablet or laptop.
In those cases you can start straight away with our subscription, without buying anything.
When is a box useful?
- Your TV is a bit older and has no suitable app.
- The app on your TV is slow or freezes often.
- You want to use a network cable and your TV has no good connection for it.
What kinds are there?
| Type | Advantages | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV Stick | Small, simple, widely used | Works over Wi-Fi; an Ethernet adapter exists |
| Android TV box | Lots of IPTV app choice | Quality differs by brand |
| Formuler box | Made specifically for IPTV | Own app with TV guide |
All these devices work with our subscription. See the full list on devices and the guide for the Fire TV Stick.
Watch out with a “box with subscription”
Boxes are sometimes sold with a subscription included. Check how long that subscription runs, what it costs afterwards and who the provider is. Also read whether IPTV is legal, so you know what to look out for.
Try first
Not sure whether you need a box? Try IPTV free for 24 hours on your current TV first. If it works well, you don’t need an extra device.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an IPTV box?
Not necessarily. On a Smart TV, phone, tablet or computer you can often install an IPTV app directly. A box or stick is useful if your TV has no suitable app or you want a faster, more stable player.
Which IPTV box is best?
It depends on what you want. A Fire TV Stick is small and simple, an Android TV box gives lots of app choice, and a Formuler box is made for IPTV. All three work with our subscription.
Can I use an IPTV box without a subscription?
A box is only a player. Without a subscription or login details you have no channels. So you always need a subscription to watch TV.