Speed test results: How fast is Chromecast HD?

Speed test results: How fast is Chromecast HD?

Timing how fast apps such as Netflix launch on the Walmart onn 4K streaming box and comparing it to the Chromecast HD. (photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

It should be noted that I tested and compared the speeds of an HD streaming device (the Chromecast HD) with three 4K streaming devices, which likely have greater processing power. (The Roku Express 4K+ and Fire TV Stick 4K and onn 4K streaming box were chosen because that’s what I had around the house at the time of these tests.)

I did not perform any benchmarks against processors running these streaming devices. 

Walmart’s onn streaming 4K device has some of the fastest speeds for launching these five popular apps compared to Roku Express 4K+ and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. This shouldn’t be a huge surprise because it operates on an Amlogic S905Y2, a very similar processor used for the Chromecast 4K.

If you were not looking at a stopwatch, it’s unlikely you would notice the difference in time. The Chromecast was 1.68 seconds faster loading Disney+ than the onn 4K streaming box. The onn 4K was 2.15 seconds faster loading HBO Max, and 4.66 seconds faster loading Prime Video. The bigger differences came with loading Netflix and Sling TV, which is reflected in the chart below. 

Roku Express 4K+ won out with speed in three out of the five instances versus Chromecast HD, but not with any remarkable margin. 

For example, the Express 4K+ was .64 seconds faster at launching the Prime Video app. Likewise, the Chromecast was 1.53 seconds faster with launching HBO Max, and 7.02 seconds faster at launching Disney+ than the Express 4K+. 

The Express 4K+ was faster with launching Netflix by 19.18 seconds. 

The Chromecast HD outperformed the Amazon Fire Stick 4K with three out of the five apps. It loaded HBO Max 12.04 seconds faster, Disney+ 3.99 seconds faster, and Sling TV 1.71 seconds faster. But again, Chromecast HD was slower to load Netflix by 14.25 seconds. 

Based on my testing, Google Chromecast HD should be purchased for older Smart TVs, non-Smart TVs that support 1080p resolution, and even monitors with an HDMI port. 

Chromecast HD	Roku Express 4K+	Fire TV Stick 4K	onn 4K	TLC Roku TV
Netflix	22.42	3.24	8.17	5.91	30.82
Prime Video	7.32	6.68	7.06	2.66	19.3
HBO Max	5.8	7.33	17.84	3.65	16.21
Sling TV	19.85	9.81	21.56	6.01	23.84
Disney+	4.03	11.05	8.02	5.71	21.25

*Results are based on an average of three tests and done over the course of a week in October 2022.

https://cordcuttingreport.com/