Budget Android box or premium IPTV powerhouse: which one actually wins?
If you’re trying to choose between a cheap all-round Android TV box and a premium Formuler IPTV set-top box, the gap in price is huge and the right pick depends on how you watch TV. The Q PLUS looks tempting at £41.99, while the Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 Edition sits firmly in premium territory at £156.94. On paper they’re both “Android TV boxes”, but in practice they serve very different users. This comparison breaks down which one gives you the best value for streaming, live TV, apps, and everyday reliability.

Q PLUS Android 10.0 TV Box, Android Box 4GB RAM/32GB ROM H616 Quad-Core 2.4Ghz WiFi 6K HD 2.0 3D Smart TV BOX

Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 Edition with GTV-BT1 Bluetooth Remote Android 11 Mytvonline 3 4K IPTV Set Top Box Official UK Version BT 1
Our Recommendation
The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 Edition is the definitive winner for most buyers because it is built for a much better real-world experience, not just a low sticker price. Its Android 11 platform, Mytvonline 3 software, 4K IPTV focus, and BT1 Bluetooth remote make it faster, smoother, and more reliable than the Q PLUS. The Q PLUS is cheaper, but the Formuler is the stronger long-term buy if you want a box you can trust daily.
Detailed Comparison
Display
Neither product is a traditional TV panel, so “display quality” here really means output quality to your television and how well each box handles modern streaming formats. The Q PLUS is advertised with “6K HD 2.0 3D”, but that kind of spec-sheet language is often more marketing than meaningful real-world quality, especially at this price point. The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 is the clear winner for display output because it is built as a serious 4K IPTV device with a stronger focus on stable, high-quality video playback and a better overall viewing experience on big screens. Winner: Product B.
Performance
This is where the difference becomes obvious. The Q PLUS uses an H616 quad-core chip, 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, which is decent for a budget box but still entry-level in practice. It should handle basic streaming apps, casual use, and lighter Android tasks, but cheaper boxes can be inconsistent with app compatibility, updates, and long-term smoothness. The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 is the stronger performer by a wide margin, with a premium chipset, Android 11, and the Mytvonline 3 platform designed specifically for fast channel navigation and IPTV use. If you want quicker menus, better multitasking, and fewer stutters under load, the Formuler wins comfortably. Winner: Product B.
Build quality and design
The Q PLUS is a generic-style Android box from HaiFen, and while that doesn’t automatically mean poor quality, it usually means more compromise on materials, firmware support, and long-term refinement. It’s the kind of box that can be fine out of the gate but less impressive over time. The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 has the advantage of being a well-known specialist product from a recognised brand, and the BT1 Edition adds the GTV-BT1 Bluetooth remote, which is a much more polished package. It feels like a premium living-room device rather than a budget gadget. Winner: Product B.
Battery life
As TV boxes are mains-powered devices, battery life is not a meaningful comparison in the usual sense. The remote control does matter, though, and the BT1 Edition’s Bluetooth remote is a practical upgrade because it is more responsive and convenient than basic IR remotes commonly bundled with budget boxes. The Q PLUS may include a standard remote, but there’s no sign of the same level of polish or ecosystem integration. If you mean day-to-day convenience, the Formuler still wins. Winner: Product B.
Price and value for money
This is the one area where the Q PLUS has a very strong case. At £41.99, it is £114.95 cheaper than the Formuler, and for viewers who just want a low-cost Android box for light streaming, apps, or tinkering, that saving is substantial. However, value for money is not just the lowest price; it’s also about how much frustration you avoid. The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 costs much more, but you are paying for a polished IPTV experience, better hardware, stronger software support, and a more dependable user experience. If you only need a basic box, the Q PLUS wins on pure affordability. If you want the better overall value, the Formuler wins because it is far more capable and likely to last you longer without annoyance. Winner: tie, with Q PLUS for budget buyers and Formuler for total value.
Game library/features
If you plan to use the box for gaming or extra Android features, the Formuler is again the better choice. Neither device is a dedicated gaming machine, but the Z11 Pro MAX BT1’s stronger hardware and more mature software stack make it better suited to Android apps, emulators, and heavier multitasking. The Q PLUS can still run casual games and media apps, but its budget chipset and generic software make it a weaker platform for anything beyond basics. For smart features, IPTV handling, and app performance, Formuler wins. Winner: Product B.
Overall user experience
The Q PLUS is the sort of box that appeals if you want to spend as little as possible and you’re happy to accept compromises. It offers 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, which sounds respectable, but the real-world experience is usually determined by software quality, update support, and hardware tuning, and premium brands tend to do that better. The Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 is clearly the more refined product: Android 11, Mytvonline 3, 4K IPTV focus, and the BT1 remote all point to a smoother and more reliable experience. If your TV setup matters to you and you want fewer headaches, the Formuler is the obvious winner. Overall winner: Product B.
Overall summary: the Q PLUS is the budget pick for people who want a cheap Android box and can live with a more basic experience. But if you want the best box to actually use every day, the Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 is the far superior device. It costs a lot more, but it delivers better performance, better software, better build quality, and a much more premium viewing experience.
Buy the Q PLUS Android if...
Buy the Q PLUS if your main goal is to spend as little as possible and you only need a basic Android box for occasional streaming, light app use, or experimenting. It makes sense if you’re upgrading an older TV on a tight budget and don’t want to pay premium money for features you may never use. It’s the better choice for price-first shoppers.
Buy the Formuler Z11 Pro if...
Buy the Formuler Z11 Pro MAX BT1 if you want the best IPTV and streaming experience, especially for live TV, channel navigation, and everyday reliability. It’s the right pick if you value smoother performance, better software support, and a more polished remote and interface. This is the box for buyers who want to set it up once and enjoy it without compromise.
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