You’ve seen the hype. Maybe you've even scrolled past it on Amazon or some tech forum where people are arguing about the "ultimate" Fire Stick replacement. Honestly, choosing a streaming box in 2026 feels like trying to pick a favorite grain of sand. They all basically do the same thing, right? Well, not exactly.
The Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270 has sort of become the "if you know, you know" choice for people who are tired of Google’s own hardware or Amazon’s increasingly cluttered interface. It’s often called the European equivalent of the famous Onn 4K Pro, and for good reason. But there are a few things about this grey little slab of plastic that actually make it a weirdly superior choice—and a few things that might drive you crazy.
The Hardware Reality Check
Most people buy a streaming box and never think about what’s inside. They just want Netflix to load fast. But if you’re looking at the Thomson 270, you’re probably a bit more discerning. Under the hood, it’s packing an Amlogic S905X4-B quad-core processor. It isn’t some revolutionary super-chip, but paired with 3GB of RAM, it feels noticeably snappier than the standard 2GB boxes we've been stuck with for years.
Why does that extra gigabyte of RAM matter? Smoothness.
It’s the difference between a menu that stutters and one that actually follows your thumb. You get 32GB of internal storage, which is massive in this world. Most sticks give you 8GB, and after the OS takes its cut, you’re left with barely enough room for three apps and a high-res wallpaper. With 32GB, you can actually install a library of apps without seeing that "Storage Full" warning every Tuesday.
✨ Don't miss: How Much Is The Path: What Really Matters for Google Discover and Search Ranking
Connectivity is a Mixed Bag
It’s got Wi-Fi 6. That’s great! If you have a Wi-Fi 6 router, you’ll see much more stable 4K streams even if the kids are in the other room playing Fortnite. However, there’s a catch that almost nobody mentions until you read the fine print: the physical Ethernet port is only 100Mbps.
In a world of gigabit internet, 100Mbps feels like a relic. Now, for 99% of people, 100Mbps is plenty for a 4K Netflix stream. But if you’re a power user trying to stream massive 80GB "remux" files from a local NAS, that port is going to bottleneck you. You'll basically be forced to use the Wi-Fi or buy a USB-to-Gigabit adapter.
The Remote is Secretly the Best Part
We need to talk about the remote control. Most streaming remotes feel like cheap toys, but Thomson actually put some thought into this one. It’s ergonomic, it’s got a bit of weight to it, and it has a feature that should be mandatory on every device: Find My Remote.
Ever lost your remote in the couch cushions? You just press a button on the actual box, and the remote starts chirping like a lost bird. It’s a lifesaver.
Then there’s the Star button. It’s a customizable shortcut. You can set it to open your favorite "niche" app—like Plex or a specific sports app—so you don’t have to dig through the Google TV home screen. There’s also a dedicated TV button that you can program to jump straight to your live channels. It makes the whole experience feel a lot more like a traditional cable box, which is a compliment in terms of ease of use.
Why It Rivals the Google TV Streamer
When Google released the Google TV Streamer, everyone thought it was the end of the line for third-party boxes. But the Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270 holds its own for a few specific reasons:
- Far-Field Microphones: You can talk to this thing without even picking up the remote. "Hey Google, turn on the TV" actually works because the microphones are built into the box itself.
- Built-in Speaker: It has a tiny 3-watt speaker. No, you aren’t going to listen to music on it, but it allows the Google Assistant to reply to you even if the TV is off. It basically turns your streaming box into a Google Nest Mini.
- Privacy Switch: If the idea of a box listening to your living room creeps you out, there’s a physical slider on the side to kill the mics.
Honestly, the software experience is pure Google TV (Android 12). It’s clean, it’s fast, and it supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. If you have a decent soundbar or home theater setup, you’re getting the full cinematic experience.
The Frustrations No One Tells You
It isn't all sunshine and 4K rainbows. Some users have reported that the "Apps Only" mode in Google TV can be a bit buggy on this specific hardware, sometimes failing to scroll correctly if you have too many apps installed.
And then there's the power consumption. It pulls about 2.4W in standby, which is slightly higher than an Apple TV or the Google TV Streamer. Is it going to blow up your electric bill? No. But it’s worth noting if you’re a "unplug everything at night" kind of person.
Also, the 270 is primarily a European-market device. While it works perfectly fine in the UK and elsewhere, some regional apps (like BBC iPlayer in certain configurations) might require a bit of side-loading or "faffing about" to get working perfectly compared to a native Fire Stick.
Should You Actually Buy It?
If you are tired of the Amazon ecosystem—which is basically just one big ad for Prime Video at this point—the Thomson 270 is a breath of fresh air. It’s faster than a Chromecast and cheaper than an Nvidia Shield.
It hits a sweet spot. It’s for the person who wants more than a "stick" but doesn't want to spend $200 on an Apple TV. You get the 4K UHD, the Dolby tech, the massive storage, and the convenience of a remote that won't stay lost.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
- Update immediately: The first thing you should do is check for a firmware update. These boxes often sit in a warehouse for a few months, and the initial software version can be "janky."
- Use the Star Button: Don't let it sit idle. Go into the settings and map it to your most-used app immediately.
- Check your Ethernet: If you have high-speed internet and the Wi-Fi is stable, use the Wi-Fi. It’s counter-intuitive, but the Wi-Fi 6 on this device is often faster than the 100Mbps wired port.
- Enable HDMI-CEC: Make sure this is on in the settings so your Thomson remote can control your TV’s volume and power. It usually works out of the box, but it’s a game-changer when it does.