Budget Streaming Stick Prices Double as Onn Loses Its Edge

Budget streaming sticks are no longer truly budget

A budget streaming stick is a low-cost, plug-in device that turns a non-smart television into a modern streaming screen, offering access to major apps and platforms without needing to buy a new TV or expensive media box, and it has traditionally been the cheapest path into smart streaming for cost-conscious households.

The headline story is simple: the budget streaming stick that once undercut everyone else is now priced like a mid-range gadget. Walmart’s Onn TV Stick Full HD launched in 2023 at about USD 14 (approx. RM65) and has now climbed to USD 30 (approx. RM140), more than double its original price. That shift alone shatters its status as the obvious cheap pick for breathing new life into old TVs.

When the so-called ‘cheap’ option costs about what many people pay for better-specced 4K or rival sticks on sale, the entire value equation changes. Budget streaming sticks used to feel like impulse buys; now they demand comparison shopping and harder trade-offs.

Onn Google TV price hikes show the floor is rising

The Onn Google TV price jump is not an isolated blip; it is part of a steady raising of the price floor for affordable streaming devices. The Onn Full HD stick, officially the "Full HD Streaming Device," went from USD 14 (approx. RM65) at launch and even dropping below USD 10 (approx. RM45) during deals to a new regular tag of USD 30 (approx. RM140). One source notes that "Walmart has raised the price of its most affordable Google TV streaming device … effectively doubling its original launch cost".

This is mirrored higher up the line. Other Onn models have all crept up: earlier, the Onn 4K Plus climbed to USD 50 (approx. RM230), while a refreshed 4K stick sits just under USD 40 (approx. RM185), and a 4K Pro variant is USD 10 (approx. RM45) higher than its predecessor.

What used to be a clearly tiered lineup—super-cheap Full HD, then pricier 4K—has blurred. Today the Full HD stick hovers close in price to the newer 4K stick with better RAM, HDR10, and more features. That erodes its value proposition; if the cheapest stick is only a small step away from a more powerful device, it stops being a no-brainer and starts looking like a compromise.

Why budget streaming devices are getting more expensive

There is no single smoking gun behind these higher prices, but several pressures are pushing together. On the hardware side, one report suggests the Full HD stick’s hike may stem from RAM and storage shortages, especially as the minimum RAM requirement for Google TV devices climbs to 2GB. More memory and storage do not come free, and shortages mean the parts that once enabled a rock-bottom budget streaming stick now cost more.

Zoom out and the picture gets broader. The timing aligns with wider consumer electronics price increases. Companies across the sector are shouldering higher expenses for AI development, more advanced processing, and reworked supply chains, and those costs are filtering down into even the most affordable streaming devices.

There is also an uncomfortable reality: once a product proves popular at a lower price, retailers may raise the list price and lean on selective discounts. Some shoppers still see promotional pricing around USD 15 (approx. RM70) when logged into accounts, even while the public-facing regular price has moved toward USD 30 (approx. RM140). That is less a glitch than a signal of where the brand wants these devices positioned long term.

The new trade-offs for budget-conscious streamers

For households watching every entertainment dollar, the Onn hike removes an easy recommendation. Many people adopted the original low-cost stick because it offered a straightforward, inexpensive path to modern streaming without buying a new TV or premium box. At USD 30 (approx. RM140), it no longer stands far apart from competing entry-level devices that often run frequent streaming stick deals.

That means budget shoppers now face tougher choices: accept the pricier Full HD stick, spend a bit more for a 4K model with better specs, or jump ecosystems to rival platforms from other brands that still chase aggressive introductory pricing. When the gateway product sits so close to mid-range alternatives, it is reasonable—even smart—to rethink brand loyalty.

The irony is that the Onn Full HD stick still does what it set out to do. It runs full Google TV, supports major apps and Google Assistant, and turns any HDMI-equipped TV into a capable streamer. But value is relative: the same device at double the price is, functionally, a different product in the eyes of a budget buyer.

What to expect next—and how to shop smarter

This price story is not finished. A newer Full HD model is reportedly on the way, though its launch date is still unclear. If RAM-related costs are driving the current hike, the refreshed stick is unlikely to come in cheaper; the safer assumption is that “budget” pricing will settle at today’s higher levels or above.

In the meantime, shoppers still have options at different price points: higher-capacity Onn 4K models, rival ecosystems like Roku and Fire TV, or even a separate Chromecast-branded streaming stick. The key is to stop treating the cheapest-looking tag as automatically the best deal. Compare how close the budget streaming stick sits to mid-range alternatives, watch for targeted promotions that temporarily restore that older value, and weigh performance and longevity against a small upfront premium.

Affordable streaming devices are not disappearing, but their era of ultra-low, no-brainer pricing is ending. In this new landscape, being a smart cord-cutter means doing the math: waiting for the right streaming stick deals, choosing hardware that will last through several software updates, and refusing to overpay for a product whose main selling point used to be its price tag.