This review of the MECOOL KD3 was written by Troy from TROYPOINT after using the Android TV system regularly for three days.
TROYPOINT received this streaming device for free from MECOOL. However, this review remains unbiased, highlighting both positive and negative aspects of the Android TV Stick. MECOOL did not preview this post before publication.
Below, you will discover an in-depth review with essential information to consider before making a purchase.
You will also have access to a setup video featuring valuable tips and tricks for the KD3.
MECOOL KD3 Setup Video with Tips and Tricks
MECOOL KD3 Android TV Stick
The MECOOL KD3 Android TV Stick is equipped with 2GB RAM and 8GB ROM for storage.
It’s worth mentioning that this device operates on Android TV 11 and not the stock Android system commonly used by generic boxes.
Discover the distinctions between Android TV and Stock Android here
The MECOOL KD3 is both Netflix and Google certified, allowing you to enjoy Netflix in HD and utilize all Google features like Google Assistant and Google Cast to the fullest.
This Android TV Stick is also highly compatible with Amazon Prime Video.
We have not encountered a fully certified streaming device with such capabilities from MECOOL since the well-received KM2 Android TV Box.
The MECOOL KD3 runs on Google TV OS layered on top of Android TV 11, features an updated low-power CPU, and includes an Android TV remote control.
Indeed, this device operates on the comprehensive Google TV OS, a software I’ve only seen on the Chromecast with Google TV.
MECOOL unmistakably aims to compete with the popular Amazon Fire TV Stick with the KD3’s innovative design.
MECOOL KD3 Features at a Glance
- Netflix and Google Certified, supports Netflix 4K streaming
- Supports AV1
- Energy saving S905Y4 CPU
- Runs Google TV OS on top of Android TV 11
- Can expand storage and add accessories via OTG cable
- Google Assistant supports smart home technology and offers nice voice interaction
- Chromecast built-in to easily allow casting photos, videos, and music from phone, tablet, laptop to TV
- Supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG HDR processing
- Light and portable
Use coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout for 10% discount.
This new device will begin shipping at the end of this week.
MECOOL KD3 Official Website & Purchasing Options
Energy-Saving Amlogic S905Y4 Processor
One big difference from other MECOOL Android TV Boxes is the inclusion of the Amlogic S905Y4 Processor.
Yes, this is a budget CPU but its advanced power-saving feature is something to note.
This processor is known for its powerful output. Yet, it has low-power consumption which will save on electricity costs.
AV1 Supported
The MECOOL KD3 supports AV1 Video (AOMedia Video 1) which also appears in their other products listed below.
This is an open, royalty-free video coding format designed for video transmissions over the Internet.
Some online streaming applications now deliver their content in this format. This Android TV stick can play it.
In the future, we will see more streaming applications stream in AV1 as opposed to H 265, etc. It will probably be the industry standard soon.
It’s wise to look for this standard on any new streaming device that you buy.
MECOOL KD3 Running Android TV 11
The Android TV operating system is meant for the television. It’s great to see MECOOL embracing this.
Android TV is notably found on the NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, Dynalink Android TV Box, and TiVo Stream 4K, as well.
Most of the generic Android TV Boxes run Stock Android and the apps aren’t optimized for the TV screen. We can side-load some on those devices, but Android TV Google Play Store provides access to all applications meant for the Television.
The inclusion of Android TV into its boxes is what makes this device shine in my opinion. You get many benefits of the NVIDIA Shield at a much lower price.
Google Assistant is built into Android TV so you can enjoy hands-free access to many features on this Android TV Box.
Google Cast is supported so you can easily push the contents on your phone, tablet, or computer to the big screen.
Use coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout for 10% discount.
This new device will begin shipping at the end of this week.
At the end of this week.
MECOOL KD3 Official Website & Purchasing Options
Expand Internal Storage
As with most other MECOOL Android TV devices, you can expand internal storage on the KD3. This will allow you to install apps onto a USB flash drive.
To do this, you need an OTG cable so you can connect a USB drive to the stick. You can purchase the OTG cable directly through MECOOL or Amazon.
MECOOL even adds this as an option when choosing your configuration for the device during checkout. You can add an OTG cable, USB drive, or both.
There’s no doubt that MECOOL recognizes the need for additional storage, and they make it easy to purchase everything that you need to do this.
Here are the steps that will allow you to expand internal storage on the MECOOL KD3.
1 Click Settings.
2 Hover over System.
3 Hover over About.
4 Click Android TV OS build 7 times. Once you do that, you will see a message indicating that you are now a Developer.
5 Click the back button and then click Developer Options.
6 Turn on Force allow apps on external.
7 Connect OTG Cable and USB Drive to MECOOL KD3 and power back on. In this tutorial I’m using a 256GB SandDisk 3.0 USB Drive.
8 You should see the USB drive listed under Settings panel. If not, unplug drive, and then plug back into OTG cable. Click the USB drive. If still having problems try formatting your drive as FAT32 with this tutorial.
9 Click Set up as device storage.
When you want to format, simply click on Format.
For the task of moving later, click on Move later
From now on, any applications installed will be placed on the USB drive. You can manage each application’s location through settings, moving them to and from the USB drive. However, built-in apps on the device cannot be moved to external storage.
It is recommended to run resource-intensive apps like VPN and Kodi from internal storage.
Don’t Forget Your USB Drive
An observation I’ve made with the USB external setup is the persistence of past drives on the storage screen. You can click on these devices and select “Forget” to remove them from the list. However, attempting to click on them may just redirect you to the home screen.
This is the current state of MECOOL KD3. Notice the absence of an option to “Forget” the abandoned storage devices.
On the other hand, the Chromecast with Google TV offers the option to forget the device storage.
Hopefully, MECOOL addresses this issue in a future update.
It’s advisable to avoid expanding external storage unless you have a plethora of apps necessitating it. Over time, complications related to this configuration may arise.
Remember, you can always connect external storage for media files without needing to expand internal storage. Simply install a file manager like X-Plore from Google Play for that purpose.
You can also utilize the OTG cable for various functions such as connecting an Ethernet hub as shown below.
Apply coupon code TROYPOINT during checkout for a 10% discount.
This latest device will commence shipping by the end of the week.
Visit MECOOL KD3 Official Website for Purchase Options
Netflix & Amazon Prime Video Compatibility
Most generic Android TV Boxes cannot stream HD content on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Perhaps, we shouldn’t categorize MECOOL as a generic Android TV Box manufacturer anymore?
Fortunately, MECOOL KD3 supports full HD streaming on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, with these apps pre-installed.
Unable to Remove Netflix or Amazon Prime Video
An interesting observation is that you can’t uninstall Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on the MECOOL KD3 since they are integrated into the system.
I wonder if there’s a loophole utilized for certifying these applications. Personally, I don’t frequently use these services and freeing up internal storage space on the device would be beneficial.
Sideloading Apps on MECOOL KD3
All sideloaded apps on the MECOOL KD3 can be.I installed and it worked great, with no problems whatsoever. The Amlogic S905Y4 processor does an excellent job playing HD quality video, including 4K content. Yes, 3rd party launchers such as Wolf Launcher work great on the MECOOL KD3. Many users are searching for a Firestick replacement since Amazon has blocked the ability to run custom launchers. I’m pleased to report that the KD3 works seamlessly with 3rd party launchers in conjunction with Launcher Manager.
The quality of the remote control has become a crucial aspect of various streaming devices. The MECOOL KD3 comes with a remote control dedicated to the Android TV operating system. It includes four shortcuts to popular applications such as YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. This remote allows you to control the volume and power on your television. When setting up, you will be guided through a wizard to get the remote connected to your TV. I like the remote and the convenience of controlling our TV is a major plus. Use coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout for a 10% discount. This new device will begin shipping at the end of this week.
I paired my NVIDIA Shield game controller with the MECOOL KD3 and tested popular games. I didn’t experience any lag, and the game performance was excellent on this Android TV Box. The ability to expand internal storage should appeal to gamers if they run out of space to hold all their games. One game can quickly fill up your storage by 1 GB or more.
I used Analiti Speed test app for the download speed tests. I have a 1 GB Fiber download speed plan through my Internet Service Provider. During the WiFi tests, I’m connected to the 5GHz band on my Asus AC3100 Router, located in the same room as my MECOOL KD3. I’m using IPVanish VPN on the Chicago Server 04 (chi-a04).
The new MECOOL KD3 comes equipped with Android TV 11 while Chromecast with Google TV still uses Android TV 10. It’s easier to connect peripheral devices such as USB storage, Ethernet hubs, etc. to the MECOOL KD3 since it uses a Micro-USB connection.
The Chromecast with Google TV uses a USB-C connection for power. Therefore, it requires a specific USB-C hub as not all of them work with the device. This option is pricier compared to buying a $5 OTG cable.
Winner: MECOOL KD3
Download/Upload Speed
Both the MECOOL KD3 and Chromecast with Google TV offer similar download/upload speeds.
No Winner – All Square
Future Updates
Google is expected to provide more frequent updates for the Chromecast with Google TV. In contrast, there have been few updates from MECOOL for their existing devices.
Winner: Chromecast with Google TV
AV1 Support
The MECOOL KD3 supports the new AV1 codec, while the Chromecast with Google TV does not.
Winner: MECOOL KD3
Price
MECOOL KD3 is priced at $56.70 with the “TROYPOINT” coupon code.
Chromecast with Google TV is priced at $49.99.
Winner: Chromecast with Google TV
If I had to choose between the MECOOL KD3 and Chromecast with Google TV, it’s a tough decision. Personally, I lean towards the Chromecast due to anticipated frequent updates and fewer bugs compared to the MECOOL KD3.
However, if you require better peripheral connectivity, such as USB drives or Ethernet hubs, the MECOOL KD3 with OTG cable support may be more suitable.
If MECOOL had included additional internal storage, the choice would have been clearer in favor of the KD3. More details in the conclusion section below the review.
Important Note: Google is rumored to release a new Chromecast with Google TV model in 2022, expected to offer more internal storage and AV1 codec support. If you plan to purchase one of these devices, it might be worth waiting to see the upcoming features in the next few months. Hopefully, the new streaming device will be available before the holiday season.
What’s In The Box
- 1 x KD3 TV Dongle
- 1 x Power Adapter with micro USB cable
- 1 x HDMI extender
- 1 x IR+BT Voice Remote Control
- 1 x User Manual
What I Like
- Android TV 11 Operating System
- Smooth 4K video playback
- Full resolution support for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- Convenient peripheral connectivity via OTG Cable
- Expandable storage
- New Power-saving CPU
- Fast download speeds with VPN on & off
- Compact form factor, great for discreet placement or traveling
What I Dislike
- No WiFi 6 support
- Lack of a USB Port
- Small 8GB onboard storage
- Issues with recognizing past external storage devices (bug)
- Inability to uninstall Netflix or Amazon Prime Video
- Approximately 2 weeks shipping duration to the United States from MECOOL
- Limited technical support
- Infrequent future updates from MECOOL
Final Thoughts on the MECOOL KD3 Android TV Box
I appreciate the MECOOL KD3 and have given it a high rating below.
However, I believe manufacturers should strive to develop products that surpass current market offerings. As highlighted earlier, the KD3 closely resembles the Chromecast with Google TV.
One major drawback of such devices is the limited internal storage capacity. It would be beneficial to see streaming sticks with at least 32 GB internal storage and 4 GB of RAM. Innovation should aim to exceed existing standards in the market.
It appears that technology companies tend to keep pace with rivals rather than outperform them.
Do I prefer this device over the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max? Yes, I do. With Amazon restricting third-party launchers through recent updates, my confidence in their products is waning. What features will they strip in the upcoming Firestick update?
The MECOOL KD3 offers a solid streaming experience, especially for users looking to enhance its functionalities with accessories using an OTG cable.
Use coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout for a 10% discount.
This new device will start shipping at the end of this week.
MECOOL KD3 Official Website & Purchasing Options
I rate the MECOOL KD3 Android TV Box 4.4 stars out of 5.