Ugoos SK4 Review: The Best Mid-Range Android TV Box for Value & Features

Software Experience: Clean, and Up to Date

Bloat-free software

A standout feature of the Ugoos SK4 is its Android TV 14 OS. Unlike many Chinese Android boxes that use forked, ad-filled versions of Android, the SK4 delivers a clean, bloat-free interface with access to the Google Play Store, courtesy of Ugoos’ Europe-based development team. This means you can legally and securely install any Android TV app, from popular choices like Hulu and Max to niche picks like Jellyfin, Stremio, or TiviMate for IPTV.

User experience

From our experience, the user interface feels quick and responsive, with no noticeable lag, thanks to the optimized operating system. With Google Assistant, users can go hands-free by saying things like “Play Stranger Things on Netflix,” and the built-in Chromecast makes it easy to cast content directly from your phone or tablet.

The device includes two standard pre-installed launchers to choose from: ULauncher3, which offers a desktop-style design, and another called ULauncher, which arranges apps and shortcuts into large, TV-friendly tiles.

Ugoos SK4 Launchers (Screenshots)

Android 14 AOSP

The device’s runs the latest Android TV version 14.0, a custom build by the Ugoos team based on the Android Open-Source Project, making it highly adaptable for development tweaks and enhancements. It’s basically designed for users who want more flexibility and practical features like one-click root access, button mapping, an integrated Samba server, and more.

SK4 running Android 14 AOSP (Screenshots)

Frequent updates

Another important factor to consider when choosing a TV box. Over the years, Ugoos has built a strong reputation for its software support, regularly rolling out firmware updates that enhance performance, patch security vulnerabilities, and occasionally add new features. This level of long-term support is less common in the Android TV box market, where many brands stop providing updates after just 12+ months.