NVIDIA Shield TV Pro Review: Still the Best Android TV Box in 2025?
After six years on the market, the Shield TV Pro remains the gold standard for Android TV boxes. We tested it against the latest competition to find out if it still deserves the crown.
Overview
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro has been around since 2019, but NVIDIA keeps it competitive with regular software updates. In 2025, it still runs the latest Android TV 11, supports Dolby Vision and Atmos, and remains the only Android TV box with a dedicated GPU worth talking about.
Performance
The Tegra X1+ chip inside the Shield is genuinely fast — apps open instantly, 4K HDR playback is flawless, and there’s no stuttering even with heavy Plex transcoding. We threw everything at it: 4K HEVC with Dolby Vision, lossless audio tracks, and simultaneous AI upscaling on 1080p content. It handled all of it without breaking a sweat.
What We Liked
- AI upscaling — turns 1080p content into near-4K quality
- Plex Media Server — can run directly on the Shield, no PC required
- GeForce NOW — cloud gaming works surprisingly well
- Dolby Vision + Atmos — full support, properly passed through
- Ethernet port — gigabit, reliable streaming every time
What We Didn’t Like
- Price — at $199, it’s the most expensive option
- No USB-C — still using micro-USB for the controller
- Bulky design — won’t sit flat, needs a stand
Verdict
If you’re a Plex user or want the absolute best Android TV experience, the Shield TV Pro is still worth every penny. For casual streaming, cheaper boxes do the job — but nothing matches the Shield for power users.