WeTek Play 2 Android streaming box review: Streaming plus live TV

There's no shortage of streaming set-top boxes. While Roku and Apple devices rank among the most popular, Android-based streamers are increasingly prevalent. Ranging from Android TV OS options such as the Nvidia Shield TV to Amlogic-based offerings like the Mecool BB2 Pro, Android presents a thriving landscape. The WeTek Play 2 Android streaming box stands as one of the best and most distinctive streaming options available.

WeTek Play 2 Android streamer - Unboxing

Wetek Play 2 Android Set Top Box -- Unboxing
Wetek Play 2 Unboxing

The WeTek Play 2 Android streamer includes loads of accessories. While the Mecool BB2 Pro featured an array of goodies, the WeTek Play 2 TV box sports everything needed to get started. There's the device, an HDMI cable, remote, and power supply. Additionally, you'll find adapters for any country. There's a quick start guide as well with solid documentation. What really sets the WeTek Play 2 apart is its capability as a DVR or PVR. [Read: M8C Android box: Quad-core media streamer with webcam]

Wetek Play 2 Android -- Accessories
The Wetek Play 2 Tv Box Includes Lots Of Accessories

On the back of the device, you'll find an input for ATSC, cable, or satellite connectivity. Mine arrived with an ATSC input. But these are swappable on the WeTek Play 2 Android set top box.

WeTek Play 2 TV box - Hardware

Wetek Play 2 Tv Box
From Top To Bottom: Roku 2 Xs, Mecool Bb2 Pro, Wetek Play 2, Nvidia Shield Tv

On the hardware side, the WeTek Play 2 Android streaming box really shines. It's larger than both my Mecool BB2 Pro and Roku 2 XS. Yet the WeTek Play 2 carries a smaller footprint than my Nvidia Shield TV. Still, it's taller than the Shield TV. On the back, you'll find ports for connecting to over-the-air antenna, cable, or satellite. There's an HDMI output, and three USB ports: two on the rear and one on the side. Also on the side, you'll find a microSD card slot. Additional ports include an output for an RS-232 cable that's bundled with the WeTek Play 2 TV box, Ethernet port, and optical audio output. [Read: Ebox T8 V smart box review - An Android-based HTPC solution]

Wetek Play 2 Android -- Product Comparison
The Wetek Play 2 Has A Modest Footprint For A Streaming Device

 

The front of the WeTek Play 2 Android streamer features an LED light that glows blue when powered on and red when off. It's not as overpoweringly bright as that found on the Mecool BB2 Pro. Rather, the WeTek Play 2 features a muted power indicator light. Its Quad-core Amlogic S905H CPU coupled with a Mali MP-450 Penta-core GPU can handle H265 codecs. With its beefy hardware, the WeTek Play 2 can handle 4K streaming at 60Hz.

  • WeTek Play 2
  • Remote control (batteries not included)
  • HDMI cable
  • RS-232 cable
  • Power supply with complete array of adapters
  • Quick start guide
  • HDMI output
  • 3x USB
  • microSD
  • AV output
  • Ethernet port
  • Optical output
  • Quad-core (Amlogic S905H) CPU
  • Mali MP-450 Penta-core GPU
  • 2 GB DDR3
  • 8 GB storage
  • 802.11 B/G/N Wi-Fi
  • 1000 Mbit/s Gigabit Ethernet
  • Bluetooth 4.0

WeTek Play 2 Android - Software and general use

Wetek Play 2 Android -- In Action
The Wetek Play 2 In Action

There's little pre-installed software on the WeTek Play 2. There's a version of Kodi sans addons. This makes the WeTek Play 2 TV box one of the best legal Kodi boxes available for purchase. With its beefy processing power, this ARM device also makes for an excellent Plex client device. Although the WeTek Play 2 is Android-based, it's not running Android TV OS. Whereas Android TV OS gadgets like the Shield TV utilize a TV-optimized user interface (UI), the WeTek Play 2 is like the Mecool BB2 Pro. Its apps are tablet-optimized versions. Though most play fine, you'll notice a few kinks. [Read: 10 top Kodi skins for tablets and smartphones]

Wetek Play 2 -- Weos 2
Weos 2.0 Us

Funimation, for instance, plays well and in fact better than the Mecool BB2 Pro. On my BB2 Pro, Funimation occasionally freezes for a few seconds. After hours of use, the WeTek Play 2 TV box suffered little to no perceived performance issues. It even handled my largest H264 files streamed via Plex. But on apps like Funimation, layout cut off part of the screen in navigation menus. Playing videos appeared in their entirety, however.

Wetek Play 2 -- Kodi
Weplay, The Wetek Play 2 Default Kodi Installation

Though the WeTek Play 2 comes with a sparse library of apps installed, you can download many apps from the Google Play store or included Aptoide TV marketplace. Unfortunately, a major oversight is that Netflix isn't pre-installed. Moreover, it's listed as incompatible in the Google Play store. I suspect this relates to Netflix blacklisting rooted devices but that's pure speculation. Luckily, I was able to successfully sideload Netflix and can confirm that it runs like a champ.

  • Android 5.1.1
  • WeOS 2.0.2
  • 4K support up to H265 4K@60Hz

WeTek Play 2 - What I liked

The WeTek Play 2 is an all-around solid device. It handles streaming well, and includes connectivity for live TV sources. Thus, it's an excellent hybrid DVR/PVR and IPTV option. Its WeOS is simple to use and navigate. The included accessories are plentiful. Plus, there's almost no bloatware. I did appreciate the default file explorer. I used the pre-installed file explorer when sideloading the Netflix app on my WeTek Play 2 TV box. Kodi performance is fantastic. While its iteration of Kodi comes with no addons installed, you can easily load Kodi movie addons and TV show addons. [Read: 20 Best Kodi addons 2017: Movies, TV Shows, Live TV and more]

Since the WeTek Play 2 TV box runs a version of Android, there's huge app compatibility. You can access the Google Play store and Aptoide TV market which I appreciated. Even if an application is unavailable from either source, you may be able to sideload it.

Best Android TV Boxes:
  1. NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro Home Media Server - $199.99 Editors Pick
  2. Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Player - $89.99
  3. WeTek Play 2 Hybrid Media Center - $134.00
  4. Kukele Octacore Android TV Box - $179.99
  5. U2C Android TV Box - $95.99

WeTek Play 2 - What I disliked

Wetek Play 2 Android -- Netflix
Netflix Is Playable But Only With Mouse Mode

There's not much I disliked about the WeTek Play 2. Because I already have an Nvidia Shield TV, I'll continue using that as my primary streaming device. But the WeTek Play 2 Android streamer's reliance on a tablet-optimized version of Android is limiting. Apps aren't easily navigated with the default remote. However, the remote like that of the BB2 Pro, sports a mouse mode. Click this and you can scroll around. Slowly, but hey, at least you can scroll and click around. You'll absolutely need to use the mouse mode with certain apps like Netflix. Yet while most media apps are available on Android TV, some are still lacking. Notably, Funimation isn't available as an Android TV app, so I do enjoy the extra app compatibility.

Wetek Play 2 Android -- Tablet-Optimized Apps
Tablet-Optimized Apps Run On The Wetek Play 2

Another issue is that Netflix doesn't come pre-installed. Presumably, the WeTek Play 2 concentrates on the power user subset of the population. Therefore, sideloading apps such as Netflix isn't a challenge. Still, it's tough to recommend to anyone who's not tech savvy. Additionally, having to sideload apps does increase the setup time. However, it's not a major detraction from the overall excellence of the WeTek Play 2 Android multimedia player.

WeTek Play 2 TV box - Closing thoughts

After getting hands on with the WeTek Play 2 Android media player, I've been thoroughly impressed. The WeTek runs all of the apps I regularly use, and can even stream PC games using the Moonlight open-source game streaming app. Its hardware remains beefy while maintaining a small physical footprint. The tablet-optimized Android OS is a tradeoff. While this allows for additional app compatibility, the UI is admittedly clunky. That's somewhat simplified through use of the mouse mode. But it's nowhere near as smooth as the user experience with the Nvidia Shield TV, still my top recommendation as a legal Kodi box, Plex client device, and depending on your needs a Plex server.

Integrated TV tuner capabilities, the power of Android, and 4K support make the WeTek Play 2 an amazing Android media streamer. Though it's unlikely to replace my Shield TV as my daily driver, I plan to continue using the WeTek Play 2 for an OTA DVR as well as non-Android TV OS apps.

What are your thoughts on the WeTek Play 2, and which Android streaming media players do you suggest?

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Moe Long

I am a staff writer at SmartHomeBeginner, and a freelance writer with a focus on tech media. I run Cup Of Moe and have been featured in Electromaker, MakeUseOf, The Penny Hoarder, TechBeacon, Cliqist, Bubbleblabber, DZone, and EpicStream. As an HTPC enthusiast, I'm quite fond of my Plex server and enjoy playing with my Raspberry Pi. When I'm not hammering away at my keyboard, I can be found drinking far too much coffee, running, and listening to vinyl.

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