The best browsers for Android TV

You can use your Android TV to stream TV shows and movies from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, watch locally saved media through apps like Kodi and Plex, and even stream games from your computer to your TV screen.

However, Android TV can also be used to browse the web. Unfortunately, there is no browser pre-installed on the Android TV operating system. So what is the best browser for Android TV? Here are the best options you can consider.

What is the best browser for Android TV?

• 1. Puffin TV Browser
• 2. Google Chrome
• 3. DuckDuckGo
• 4. Open TV Browser
• 5. TV Web Browser - BrowseHere
• Other ways to browse the web on Android TV
  • Steam Link
  • GameStream
  • Project your computer screen to TV

1. Puffin TV Browser

Many Android TV browsers don't work with the device's remote. You'll need to use a game controller or smartphone app to operate and navigate around the app.

Puffin TV Browser works with the basic Android TV remote, making it a great choice for all users.

Puffin TV Browser has a version designed specifically for Android TV boxes. The specially designed interface makes Puffin TV Browser light, fast and easy on the eyes.

Other features include QR codes to add favorite websites to the app and Adobe Flash support where needed.

The browser's servers are located in the United States, meaning you'll see the American version of the website.

• Download Puffin TV Browser (Free) .

2. Google Chrome

What's odd is that Chrome doesn't come pre-installed on Android TV. Perhaps even odder, there's no dedicated Android TV version of the app, and it's not available in the Android TV Play Store.

However, those quirks shouldn’t stop you from installing Chrome on your Android TV. You can install apps on your Android TV box using the web version of the Play Store. Some devices will even let you install apps with voice commands.

Using Google Chrome on Android TV has its pros and cons. On the upside, if you're using Chrome, you'll have access to all of your bookmarks, browsing history, and other synced content.

One downside is that Chrome may not work with your current Android TV remote, which makes it a bit more difficult to use than some of the other options on this list.

• Download Chrome (Free).

3. DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a popular web browser that prioritizes user privacy and security. The browser is designed to block all third-party trackers and prevent websites from collecting your data without your knowledge. It's available for Android devices but isn't specifically designed for Android TV - which means you'll have to sideload the app onto your Android TV device.

The DuckDuckGo browser comes with all the anti-tracking capabilities of its search engine counterpart. In addition to its privacy features, the DuckDuckGo browser has a clean and user-friendly interface. It includes all the basic features you would expect from a browser, such as tabs, bookmarks, and history.

Unlike Google Chrome, DuckDuckGo works with your TV remote. However, navigation is a bit difficult because the app isn't optimized for Android TV. Still, it's a great option for those who value online privacy and security.

• Download DuckDuckGo (Free)

4. Open TV Browser

As the name suggests, Open TV Browser is made specifically for Android TV. It allows you to stream movies, cartoons, games, etc. without ads. It also features popular websites, real-time news, user-friendly tabs, incognito search, parental controls, and bookmarks.

The appeal of Open TV Browser is its beautiful and user-friendly interface. However, that is not all there is to it as the application offers more than just an address bar.

Open TV Browser allows you to switch user agents between desktop, mobile, tablet, Android TV, and even Apple TV. This way, you are not forced to view the mobile version of the site. You can even change the default search engine to whatever you like.

Open TV Browser is available on the Google Play Store and you don't need to sideload it. It also works perfectly with your Android TV device's remote control.

• Download Open TV Browser (Free)

5. TV Web Browser - BrowseHere

BrowseHere is another great option for those who want a web browser that works seamlessly with their Android TV remote. It is one of the most user-friendly TV browsers available on the market.

It includes features like bookmarks, browsing history, search engine shortcuts, and a cookie blocker. The app also has a web video player that lets you enjoy videos on a big screen with features like bookmarks and subtitles.

You can also use voice typing to search for anything on the web. You can also use this app to watch live TV channels from your IPTV provider.

Designed for Android TV, BrowseHere is fully functional with your TV remote. It is also available on the Play Store and you can install it directly from your Android TV device.

• Download BrowseHere (Free)

Other ways to browse the web on Android TV

If none of the mentioned browsers are sufficient to meet your needs, there are a few alternatives available as follows.

Steam Link

The Steam Link app for Android TV lets you access your Steam library and play games on your TV. But you can also use it to browse the web by streaming your desktop to your TV.

To use this feature, you need to install the Steam Link app on your Android TV device and the Steam app on your PC.

Once you've installed the app on both devices, connect them to the same network. Then, launch the Steam Link app on your Android TV and follow the instructions to pair it with your PC. Once connected, you can use your Android TV remote or game controller to navigate your desktop and browse the web.

GameStream

If you own an Nvidia Shield, you can use the device's GameStream feature to access your Windows desktop and freely use any desktop browser of your choice.

This is possible because GameStream allows you to manually add any game via the GeForce Experience app on your PC. Of course, you will need to use your Android TV remote as a mouse. If your Android TV box supports it, you can use a Bluetooth mouse instead.

Project your computer screen to TV

Android TV boxes come with built-in Chromecast technology. Therefore, you can use Chromecast to mirror your computer screen to your TV , allowing you to use any installed desktop browser.

The downside to using Chromecast to access the browser on Android TV is the latency. This option won’t be the right solution for some tasks, but it’s fine for streaming video and listening to music.

After looking at the different options and weighing the pros and cons, Puffin TV Browser is probably the choice. The app is clean, fast, and offers a good balance of features and ease of use.

And if you want to learn more about Android TV, please refer to some articles on Quantrimang.com such as: Set up and control new Android TV Box faster thanks to Android TV Remote Control or 5 unique applications that Android TV users should install today .

Hope you find the right choice!