If you are buying or building a Windows 11 Smart TV mini PC box, there are many positives, from running common programs to playing movies and TV shows.
Microsoft stopped including Windows Media Center back with Windows 10, and it is not part of Windows 11 either, but there are many better options to choose from.
Should You Buy or Build a Windows 11 Smart TV Box?
This is a decision that no doubt depends on the person. One person will likely go the build your own route, while another simply will want a ready-built solution.
Keep in mind that any Windows 11 computer can be used as a smart TV box, but most don’t want a large bulky machine next to their TV.
Many older computers that run Windows 10 can be upgraded to Windows 11 and a smart TV box built.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, so moving an older machine to Windows 11 is a good idea if it can be done.
Just be aware Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and a newer CPU (generally Intel 8th Gen or AMD Ryzen 2000 series and up), so not every older computer will qualify.
What Ready-Built Solutions Are There?
There are several ready-built mini PC boxes that come with Windows 11 pre-installed.
Below are our picks for the best options.
As always, be sure to read reviews on Amazon, here, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a right pick for you.
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Our Picks for Best Windows 11 Smart TV Box Mini PC Options 2026
- KAMRUI Essenx E1
- Beelink Mini S13
- Beelink SER5 Pro
- GEEKOM A5
The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is a good budget option for a Windows 11 smart TV box.
This unit runs an Intel N150 4-core CPU with 16GB of RAM and Windows 11 pre-loaded.
It can output 4K video @60Hz over HDMI or DisplayPort, making it good for a 4K TV and watching HD videos.
It is also very small at about 4 inches square, so it can easily hide behind a TV using the VESA mount.
The Beelink Mini S13 is a good option for a small Windows 11 box.
It runs an Intel N150 CPU with 16GB of DDR4 RAM.
The Beelink Mini S13 also has a 500GB internal SSD hard drive for storage along with Win 11 installed.
It has WiFi 6 and dual HDMI ports that support 4K at 60Hz, so it has no problem streaming 4K video.
It is a nice small box that uses very little power, making it great to leave running next to a TV.
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The Beelink SER5 Pro is a step up for those that want more power.
It runs an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U 6-core CPU with 16GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD.
Along with streaming, it can easily handle light gaming, emulators, and running a Plex or Jellyfin media server.
It also has WiFi 6 and 2.5G Ethernet for fast network streaming.
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The GEEKOM A5 is a higher-end option that runs Windows 11 Pro.
The version we list runs an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U CPU with 16GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD.
It has dual HDMI ports along with USB-C video output, and the RAM and storage can be upgraded later.
It is a solid, well-built unit that is great for those who want a TV box that can also double as a home computer.
What is the Best Media Player For Windows 11?
Kodi is likely the best media player for Windows 11, and it is free.
For those that are unaware of Kodi, it is a free media center that can stream and play all kinds of content, from video to music.
After Kodi is installed, it uses what are called add-ons to stream content straight to your TV from the internet.
Add-ons are like apps for a smartphone that are coded from third-party sources and give functionality to Kodi.
It is best to stick with add-ons from the official Kodi repository, as third-party add-ons can be unsafe or stream content illegally.
Other good free options are VLC for playing video files, and Plex or Jellyfin for those that want to organize and stream their own movie collection.
Streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube can also be watched through their Windows apps or a web browser.
Copilot as a Virtual Assistant
Windows 11 boxes used to have Cortana as a virtual assistant, but Microsoft has retired Cortana and replaced it with Copilot.
Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant and comes built into Windows 11.
It can answer questions, search the internet, and help with settings on the PC, and it can be used with your voice.
Almost anyone can see the benefits of having a virtual assistant, from asking for recipes to asking what the weather will be.
Summary
Windows 11 gives a user better options than ever before when it comes to using a smart TV box.
The combination of streaming movies and TV shows from the internet to Copilot makes it an excellent platform to build on.
The main focus will be on the hardware to use to run your smart TV machine.
Whether you buy a pre-built solution or build your own, it no doubt will give hours of entertainment.