Walmart Doubles the Price of Onn HD Streaming Sticks

Walmart just doubled the price of its cheapest Google TV streaming stick, and there’s now a smarter, cheaper option sitting right next to it.

The Onn Full HD Streaming Device launched in 2023 at $14.88, and it once dropped as low as $9 on sale. Walmart raised it to $19.88 in March, and a second hike this week pushed it to $29.98. That’s twice the original price.

Walmart has stayed quiet on why, but the cause isn’t a mystery. Storage and memory costs are climbing thanks to the AI boom, and streaming devices aren’t immune. Apple just jumped its prices with the Apple TV 4K from $129 to $199, and the Onn 4K Plus took its own second price hike last month.

Skip the Onn Streaming Stick and Get the 4K Box

Here’s the part that makes the stick hike look silly. Walmart’s more capable Onn 4K box still sells for under $25, cheaper than the Full HD stick’s new $29.98 price.

For less money you get real 4K instead of 1080p, HDR, more RAM, and a snappier interface. We’ve tested Onn boxes for years, and their 4K boxes are the clear choice for anyone who wants an inexpensive Google TV streamer right now.

There’s one catch: you have to find it in stock. The new Onn 4K Stick shares the exact same official name as the box, so Walmart may be keeping the box cheap just to clear out inventory before retiring it.

And if your budget allows for it, the Onn 4K Plus is an excellent device that I use daily and makes a great alternative to Amazon Firesticks.

Buy Now, Because These Prices Are Only Going Up

The AI-driven storage crunch isn’t easing, and every recent move in this market has been upward. Walmart doubled a $15 stick. Apple added $70 to the Apple TV. If Walmart keeps making the 4K Box, a $10 to $15 increase on it looks inevitable too.

The cheap, quality Google TV and Android TV devices that make cord-cutting affordable are getting rarer, not more common. If you’ve been putting off a purchase or an upgrade, locking one in now is smart before the next round of hikes lands.

Prices and Stock Vary by Location

Onn pricing and availability aren’t the same everywhere. Walmart still can’t keep most of its Onn lineup in stock online, and in-store prices often differ by region.

Signed-in accounts sometimes still see the old $14.88 promo on the stick, so it pays to compare. The best move is to check your local store’s inventory on Walmart’s site and buy in person when you can.

Final Thoughts from Troy

Doubling the price of a budget stick while a better 4K box sits on the shelf for less is a strange call, but that’s where Walmart landed, and prices across the board are only trending higher.

For most cord-cutters the answer is simple. Skip the Full HD stick, grab the 4K Box for under $25 while it lasts, and if you want even more options check out our recommended Android TV/Google TV boxes.

For more details on this story, refer to the reports from AFTVNews and 9to5Google.

Did the Onn price hike hit your local Walmart too? Drop a comment below and let us know what you’re paying.

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