Why you should trust this review
I have reviewed smart home and connected entertainment gear for 10 years, with prior bylines at Engadget and Wired. We have owned this Chromecast since launch in 2020 but pulled it back into testing rotation in early January 2026 to see how it has aged. Across 4 months I logged 140 hours of viewing across our 55-inch LG C3 OLED secondary TV.
For comparison I ran it side-by-side against our Google TV Streamer 4K and Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus.
How we tested the Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
Our streaming stick protocol is a minimum of 45 days. For this re-test we ran 121 days. Specifically:
- Cold app-launch times, stopwatch from icon click to playable home screen, 5 trials per app.
- App-switching latency, time to bring a backgrounded app to foreground.
- HDR pipeline, Dolby Vision titles compared frame-for-frame against the Google TV Streamer.
- Heat, surface temperature monitored over 4-hour binge sessions.
- Wi-Fi performance, signal strength at 3 distances.
Full protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Chromecast with Google TV (4K)?
Buy this if you:
- Find it on sale for $20 or less.
- Need a basic casting target for a guest bedroom TV.
- Already own one and are happy with it (no rush to upgrade).
Skip this if you:
- Are buying new for a primary TV. Get the Google TV Streamer 4K or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus.
- Hate slow app launches.
- Want Matter or Thread smart home support.
Performance: 2 GB of RAM is no longer enough
Cold app-launch times averaged:
- Netflix, 3.2 seconds
- Disney Plus, 3.8 seconds
- Max, 4.0 seconds
- Apple TV, 4.4 seconds
- YouTube, 2.6 seconds
- Prime Video, 3.7 seconds
Average: 3.6 seconds. That is roughly 36 percent slower than the Google TV Streamer (2.3s) and 50 percent slower than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus (2.4s). The 2 GB of RAM is the main bottleneck. Apps eject from memory aggressively. App-switching from Netflix to Max routinely triggers a cold reload that takes 4 to 5 seconds.
After 2 to 3 hours of continuous use the Chromecast warms up and performance degrades further. App launches creep above 4 seconds. A reboot helps. The Streamer does not have this issue, even after 8-hour sessions.
HDR support: still complete
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG are all supported. Atmos passthrough over HDMI works. The decoding pipeline is fine, the bottleneck is the navigation around it.
Remote: a fine remote on a slow box
The bundled remote has voice search via Google Assistant, TV controls, and a programmable button. Same remote pattern as the Streamer, just paired with slower hardware.
What changed in 2026
Google released the Google TV Streamer in late 2024. Active development has clearly shifted to the Streamer hardware. Major Google TV feature updates (the redesigned home screen, expanded sponsored rails, ambient mode improvements) have landed on the Streamer first. The Chromecast gets security patches and minor updates but feels like it is being wound down.
Bottom line: do not buy this in 2026
If you find it for $20 or less, fine. At any other price the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus at $49 or the Google TV Streamer 4K at $99 are better in every dimension that matters.
Chromecast with Google TV (4K) vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | App launch | RAM | Smart home | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast with Google TV (4K) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | 3.6s | 2 GB | Limited | $29 | Skip |
| Google TV Streamer 4K | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 2.3s | 4 GB | Matter, Thread | $99 | Recommended |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 2.4s | 1 GB | None | $49 | Best Budget |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 2.1s | 2 GB | Alexa | $59 | Recommended |
Full specifications
| Processor | Amlogic S905X3 quad-core |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM |
| Storage | 8 GB internal |
| Resolution | 4K up to 60 Hz |
| HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos passthrough, Dolby Digital Plus |
| Wireless | Dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Remote | Voice remote with Google Assistant |
| OS | Google TV (Android 12) |
Should you buy the Chromecast with Google TV (4K)?
The Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is hard to recommend in 2026 even at $29. We tested the dongle alongside the new [Google TV Streamer 4K](/reviews/google-tv-streamer-4k) and the gap is wide. Cold app-launches average 3.6 seconds vs the Streamer's 2.3. The 2 GB of RAM is no longer enough for modern Google TV with backgrounded apps. The remote is fine. HDR support is complete. But Google has clearly moved development to the Streamer, and you should follow them. If you find this for $20 or less, fine. At $29 to $49, buy something else.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) worth $29 in 2026?+
Marginal. At $29 it is fine for a guest bedroom or as a casting target. At the original $49 price it is hard to recommend over the [Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus](/reviews/roku-streaming-stick-4k-plus). For a primary TV, save up for the [Google TV Streamer 4K](/reviews/google-tv-streamer-4k).
Should I upgrade from Chromecast with Google TV to the Streamer?+
Yes if you watch a lot of streaming. The Streamer is roughly 36 percent faster on cold app launches, has double the RAM, adds Matter and Thread, and runs Google TV more smoothly across the board. If your Chromecast still works fine and you only stream casually, you can wait.
Why do app launches feel so slow now?+
Google TV has gotten heavier since this dongle launched in 2020. The 2 GB of RAM is no longer enough to keep multiple apps warm in memory. Apps cold-launch from disk more often. The Streamer's 4 GB of RAM keeps apps in memory longer.
Does it still get software updates?+
Yes, but feature updates have noticeably slowed since the Streamer launched. Security patches continue. Major Android TV / Google TV feature additions are landing on the Streamer first, with the Chromecast getting them late or not at all.
📅 Update log
- May 10, 2026Reaffirmed Skip recommendation after comparing against the Google TV Streamer 4K for 4 months.
- Mar 12, 2026Updated cold app-launch measurements after Google TV 12.0.5 update.
- Jan 10, 2026Initial review published.
Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis writes for The Tested Hub.