The M8S Pro is one of countless "Android TV" boxes on the market, commonly used with media programs like Kodi, Plex, and paid streaming programs like Netflix and Hulu. The design of the unit is simple, but pleasing, and feels solid. The remote is a barebones affair, but has a nice feel to it, in addition to one or two nice features such as cursor-control and secondary button. My one sticking point is the blue LED indicator which is quite bright. I will be likely covering it with electrical tape very soon.

The Android 5.1 firmware/ROM that comes with the Amlogic is relatively nice, but slightly garish with heavy drop shadows and rainbow icons. It is, however, far and away faster than any other I have used, probably owing to the substantial specs the M8S comes with. The box has the minimal set of apps (commonly referred to as Nano), which I am pleased with given that I don't have to spend time uninstall what amounts to bloatware. As an "Android TV" box, the interface can be, once in a while, clunky when trying to select certain navigational items, and often requires a mouse or equivalent device. Luckily, there is also a faux-mouse button that can be used on the remote, at which point a mouse cursor will appear on the screen and controllable by the remote's. While good in a pinch, I heavily recommend getting an after-market Bluetooth mouse/keyboard combo.


In terms of hardware, RUPA does not come close to disappointing here. Along with the expected USB, HDMI, ports (as well as an SD card slot and opt-out port) The M8S Pro comes with a common but very capable, the S905, 2GB of RAM, and powerful GPU, all lending to hardware-decoding of video codec formats, such as h.264 and the newer 4K-ready h.265, which *drastically* decreases load times, buffering, and overall feeling of speediness. Additionally, this is the first box I have used that supports the full range of WI-Fi signals, which has been a sticking point for me in the past as I live in an area filled to the brim with interference on the 2.4 GHz spectrum. This has allowed me to utilize my Internet's full speed capabilities.

All in all, despite some minor quibbles, I am very happy with the purchase. The M8S Pro currently is my #1 mid-tier Android box, and at the price point, you simply can't wrong.

4/5 Stars

DISCLOSURE: This review was given in exchange for a discount. I have striven to ensure honesty, accuracy, and relevancy throughout. If any believe otherwise, I fully welcome comments and discussion below.