Streaming sites abound, from Netflix and Hulu to Disney+ and everything in between. While you can stream on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, or even laptops, streaming media is best enjoyed on a big screen such as a TV or projector. For that, you’ll need either a dedicated streaming device or a smart TV. There are loads of different streaming ecosystems including Roku, Android TV, and Apple TV. The MeCool BB2 Pro is an Android streaming set-top box that fuses powerful specs with an Android environment for a sweet little Android streaming device. While it takes a little getting used to, the MeCool BB2 Pro is an affordable Android box for streaming video and gaming purposes.
MeCool BB2 Pro Specs and Build
The MeCool BB2 Pro is branded an Android TV Box. Indeed, while the tiny streaming media player does run Android, it’s not a true Android TV device. Unlike the Nvidia Shield TV or Xiaomi Mi Box S, both of which run Android TV OS, the BB2 Pro features a tablet-optimized version of Android. Thus, navigation is at times a bit cumbersome. For instance, you can stream Netflix on the Mecool BB2 Android TV box. Yet, since the BB2 features a tablet-optimized Android OS, operation with a remote isn’t smooth. Thankfully, its included remote provides a workaround with a mouse mode. Click a button with a mouse logo on the right-hand side, just under the directional pad (D-pad) to toggle on a mouse mode that allows you to scroll around with an on-screen mouse when using apps intended for use with a touchscreen. Sure, it’s not ideal, but it works just fine.
Alternatively, I had great success using a USB wireless mini keyboard. There’s a front IR receiver light that shines blue and it’s far too bright. I ended up having to apply a Post It note to the front of the unit while in use. Otherwise, its blinding light distracted me from the TV screen. There’s an HDMI output on the back, and a pair of USB ports on the side along with a microSD card slot for storage expansion. On the rear of the BB2 Pro is an AV output, power port, Ethernet jack, and an optical audio output. There’s a pretty basic remote that simply gets the job done.
MECOOL BB2 Pro specs:
- Amlogic S912 Octa-core CPU
- 3GB DDR4 RAM
- 16GB ROM
- Dual-band AC WiFi (2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11 b/g/n/ac)
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Android 7.1
- Can handle up to 4K H.265 files
MeCool BB2 Pro Review
Overall, I quite enjoy the MeCool BB2 Pro. It’s easy to use and comes with a few pre-loaded apps out-of-the-box. You’ll notice the MeCool TV Center which is just Kodi, but re-labeled. Unfortunately, the TV Center features a few illegal Kodi add-ons such as Genesis, Exodus, and Phoenix pre-installed. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s definitely disappointing. Still, there are loads of legal Kodi add-ons available. I installed the Plex add-on, and was able to stream from my Plex server to my heart’s content. Plus, I loaded up the Funimation and Netflix Kodi add-ons, both of which worked perfectly.
Picture quality is top-notch. Although I did notice that certain apps required a bit of buffering initially, quality improved quickly. I suspect that it’s simply how mobile-optimized Android apps handle video streaming. While the MeCool is able to output 4K, you’re a bit limited in what 4K content you can actually watch. Because Netflix limits what devices can handle 4K video playback, the MeCool BB2 Pro is out of luck. I did manage to stream 4K videos from my Plex server which looked lovely on my Hisense H8F 4K television, however. HDR, tragically, didn’t work. Gaming is fine for some basic games. Don’t expect top-tier performance in PUBG or Fortnite. But I was able to run a few retro SNES and N64 games, as well as play a bit of GTA III for Android on the MeCool BB2 Pro.
Should You Buy the MeCool BB2 Pro?
The MeCool BB2 Pro is an unconventional Android TV Box. It technically runs Android, but it’s not the official Android TV OS designed for use with a remote. Instead, you’re saddled with a somewhat clunky interface. Nevertheless, I quite enjoy using the BB2 Pro. For one, it’s small and out of the way. Further, its mobile-optimized Android environment actually allowed me to install some apps that I can’t run on my Nvidia Shield TV with its official Android TV, such as the CineMax MaxGo app.
If you’re in the market for an Android streaming box and don’t want to shell out for the Nvidia Shield TV or Nvidia Shield TV Pro, the MeCool BB2 Pro is a solid little device that pumps out shockingly good visuals, especially on my 4K Hisense set, thanks to its octa-core processor and T820 GPU. I appreciated that Kodi came pre-installed and I was able to use the Google Play Store to download apps. You might also consider the Xiaomi Mi Box S, an affordable Android TV box that runs the official version of Android TV.
MeCool BB2 Pro
Pros
- Android OS
- Kodi pre-installed
- 4K capable
- Easy to use
- Octa-core processor
Cons
- Not true Android TV
- No 4K Netflix available
- Some apps require mouse mode
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