Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013)

16562 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (4729)
price (1527)
size (315)
design (267)
remote control (4)

Negative
reliability (323)
software (4)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 16562 reviews of Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013). The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the video and design. The size and price are also mentioned favorably. Reviews are divided on the remote control. Many are critical about the software and reliability.

usability, price, size, design, video

reliability, software

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 94/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 16562 reviews)

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User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013)

alaTest has collected and analyzed 266 user reviews of Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013) from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the size and design. The price and usability also get good opinions, whereas there are some mixed comments about the reliability.

usability, price, design, size

82% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013)

alaTest has collected and analyzed 6541 user reviews of Google Chromecast (1st gen, 2013) from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Opinions about the size and design are generally positive. The price and usability also get good feedback, whereas some have doubts about the reliability.

usability, price, design, size

reliability

79% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Google Chromecast review: can you make your dumb TV a smart one for just $35?

Chromecast is an easy way to stream internet video to your TV from almost any source. With a price of just $35 it's a bona fide steal.

Inexpensive ; Simple and easy to set up ; App implementation is slick and easy to use

Limited app support for now ; Chrome browser casting is a less-than-ideal UX and requires fairly new computer hardware to stream in HD

Until now, getting internet content on a television screen required plunking down a wad of cash for a smart TV or a home theater PC, or spending around a hundred dollars on hardware like a Roku, Apple TV. Chromecast brings the internet to your TV in a...

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : Will Greenwald (pcmag.com)

Google Chromecast (2013)

The Google Chromecast is the least expensive way to access online services on your HDTV if you can't do so already, but better options are available now.

Extremely inexpensive. Smooth integration with supported apps. Easy to set up. Useful accessories. Supports multiple Chromecasts on the same network.

No local media playback. Chrome integration is limited.

Limitations and Conclusions Unlike Apple TV and AirPlay, Chromecast doesn't let you stream your locally stored media. Google Play Music gives an error message when you try to play music you loaded on your device and not through the Google Play store (I...

Apr, 2014

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Matthew Moskovciak (cnet.com)

Chromecast review (updated): Google's $35 streamer inches forward, but not past Roku

The ; is a dirt-cheap wireless video dongle that streams Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Google Music, Google Movies & TV, and HBO Go to your TV using Android or iOS tablets as remotes. Its small size hides neatly behind your TV and makes it easy to take...

The beta screen-mirroring feature won't work as well as you want it to, so you're largely limited to the supported apps. The lack of a dedicated remote also means you always need a smartphone or tablet nearby. And for $15 more, you can get a Roku box...

Google's $35 Chromecast stick is a cheap and easy way to add streaming video and music to your TV, but it still isn't as fully featured as similarly priced Roku boxes.

Feb, 2014

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Expert review by : Nilay Patel (theverge.com)

Google Chromecast review

It's surprisingly difficult to put a web browser on TV. It's difficult for regular people — the best option is often just plugging in a laptop — and it's been ridiculously difficult for the tech...

Inexpensive and simple ; Supported apps work well ; Chrome tab casting is very useful

App support limited to Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play ; Tab casting video drops frames ; No central playback controls

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : Matthew Moskovciak (cnet.com)

Google Chromecast review

After years of struggling to get traction with Google TV, Google finally found its living-room hit: the remarkably priced $35 Chromecast.

The Google Chromecast is a dirt-cheap wireless video dongle that streams Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Google Music, Google Movies & TV, and HBO Go to your TV using Android or iOS tablets as remotes. Its small size hides neatly behind your TV and makes it...

Google's $35 Chromecast stick is a cheap and easy way to add streaming video and music to your TV, but it still isn't as fully featured as similarly priced Roku boxes.

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : Brian Klug (anandtech.com)

Google Chromecast Review - An Awesome $35 HDMI Dongle

So I have a confession to make – I didn't hate the Nexus Q. While I didn't necessarily love it and use it daily like a small minority of my peers did, I also didn't immediately declare the product an unmitigated disaster like the vast majority of...

For the price, the Chromecast is an amazing device that plays surprisingly well with the services it’s compatible with, and for everything else there’s always that browser tab streaming mode. I’d like to see more services added, but for now I’m totally...

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : Vincent Nguyen (slashgear.com)

Google Chromecast Review

Google Chromecast was a surprise addition to the company's range of own-brand hardware, a $35 streaming stick that, wounds licked after the Google TV and Nexus Q fiascos, promises a cheap and simple way to get browser and streaming content on your...

Google TV stagnated. The Nexus Q was (sensibly) axed before it had a proper launch. With the Chromecast, though, it’s hard not to be swayed. Yes, only a few native apps have Cast options yet, but the Chromecast is just $35. True, the browser...

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : Brian K. (phonearena.com)

Google Chromecast Review

Google tried to get into the game with Google TV back in 2010. Then again with last year's Nexus Q. While those avenues has been all but a failure, Google is back with a newer, simpler and cheaper way to get content streamed from the Internet to your...

Dead simple setup and interface ; Great streaming quality with supported apps ; The price makes it an impulse buy you won’t regret

Limited content partners at launch ; Tab casting is not ready for primetime

At Google’s recent brunch everyone was anticipating the new Nexus 7 and Android 4.3, but Google surprised everybody with Chromecast. It arguably stole the show, and rightfully so. Nothing against Asus’s latest Nexus (it’s wonderful, and makes a great...

Aug, 2013

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Expert review by : Geir Nordby (lbtechreviews.com)

Review: Google Chromecast With Google TV | New Life For Your Old TV

Google Chromecast gives the old TV a new lease of life, with a remote, Google TV - and 4K. But it also has a problem.

Smart TV with 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision at a bargain price. Good and intuitive interface. Easy remote control operation. Gives old TVs a much-needed update.

Only 8 gigabytes of storage with just over 4 gigabytes available for apps and offline content. Does not support automatic frame rate.

Chromecast with Google TV is the smart TV gadget Google should have made in the first place. Here you get full Google TV functionality in a small gadget with remote control and Ultra HD quality, which for a few hundred dollars renews your old TV. Or...

Nov, 2022

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Expert review by : Marshall Honorof (tomsguide.com)