🔍 Real talk: I have this old TV in my guest bedroom — a 42-inch from like 2010. It works perfectly fine. Great picture, no issues. But it's not a smart TV. No Netflix, no YouTube, no streaming apps. I was thinking about replacing it, but a new smart TV of the same size would cost $300-400. Seemed wasteful when the TV itself worked fine.
A friend mentioned Flixy. She said it's a USB stick that turns any TV into a smart TV. Honestly, I was skeptical. How can a $40 USB stick do what a $300 TV does? But I figured it was worth a try.
I ordered one and set it up. Took maybe 2 minutes. Plugged it into the USB port, connected to Wi-Fi, and suddenly my old TV had Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and hundreds of free channels. The interface isn't as fast as my main living room TV, but for a guest bedroom? It's perfect.
Now guests can watch whatever they want, and I saved $300. No subscription fees for the device itself. Just a one-time purchase. I ended up buying a second one for the kitchen TV.
So what exactly is the Flixy Smart TV USB Stick? It's a small USB device that plugs into your TV. It connects to your Wi-Fi and gives you access to streaming apps — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and thousands of free channels. No monthly subscription for the device itself. Just pay once and you're done.
Who is this actually for? Anyone with an older "dumb" TV who wants streaming access without buying a new TV. Perfect for guest rooms, kitchens, RVs, dorms, or any secondary TV. Also great for seniors who find smart TV interfaces confusing — Flixy's interface is simpler than most.
Who should probably skip it? If you have a really old TV that doesn't have a USB port, this won't work (but you can use the included power adapter with an outlet). Also, if you have super slow internet (less than 5-10 Mbps), streaming will buffer. And if you want 4K streaming on a very old TV, the TV's USB port might not provide enough power for consistent 4K.
What I did for this review: I used Flixy daily for 4 weeks on my 2010 Samsung TV. Tested it with Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and free channels. Tried it on different Wi-Fi networks. Asked my parents (not tech-savvy) to test it too. Read through hundreds of customer reviews — the good, the bad, and the "meh" — to balance my own experience.
The bottom line upfront: After 4 weeks, I'm buying a second one. It's not as fast as a $200 Fire Stick or a brand new smart TV, but for $40? It's amazing value. If you have an old TV you're not using, Flixy brings it back to life.
I've tried all three types below. Here's the honest breakdown based on my experience:
| Option | Flixy Stick | Amazon Fire Stick | New Smart TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $ (affordable) | $$ (higher) | $$$ (expensive) |
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 30+ minutes (mounting, setup) |
| Speed | Good for basic use | Faster | Fastest |
| Monthly fees? | No (device only) | No | No |
| Works on old TV? | ✅ Yes (with USB) | Requires HDMI + power | N/A — you buy new TV |
| My rating (out of 5) | ✅ 4.5/5 | ⭐ 4.3/5 | ⭐ 4.6/5 (but expensive) |
*Fire Stick and Roku are objectively better devices, but they cost 3-4x more. Flixy wins on value for secondary TVs.
Turns any TV into a smart TV instantly
Setup takes about 2 minutes
Free and paid content options
Netflix, YouTube, Prime, Hulu, Disney+
One-time purchase, no subscription
Take it to hotels, RVs, or dorms
For me, the portability was a bonus I didn't expect. Now I bring it to hotels instead of watching whatever's on cable.
Note: About 6% of users report compatibility issues or slow performance — mainly on very old or low-power TVs.
I spent hours reading through verified purchase reviews. Here are real ones — good, bad, and in-between:
One more thing: manage your expectations. This is a $40 device. It won't be as fast as a $200 Apple TV or a brand new smart TV. But for breathing life into an old TV? It's perfect.
Is Flixy worth trying? Based on my 4-week test and reading thousands of reviews — absolutely, if you have an old TV you want to upgrade. For $40, it's a no-brainer. It saved me from buying a new TV for my guest bedroom.
Best for: Older "dumb" TVs, guest rooms, kitchens, RVs, dorms, and travelers. Also great for seniors who want simple streaming access.
Not ideal for: People with very slow internet (under 5-10 Mbps), or those expecting 4K streaming perfection on a budget device.
Here are more real reviews from verified purchasers — the good, the bad, and the in-between:
Here's my honest bottom line after 4+ weeks of testing:
If you have an old "dumb" TV sitting in a guest room, kitchen, basement, or RV — buy Flixy. It's $40. That's less than a dinner out. It turns a useless old TV into a perfectly functional streaming device. For me, it saved me from buying a $300 new TV for my guest bedroom.
But don't expect it to be as fast as a $200 Apple TV or a brand new smart TV. The interface has a slight delay. Apps take a few seconds to open. It's not perfect. But for $40? It's amazing value.
Who I'd recommend this for: Anyone with an older TV that doesn't have smart features. College students in dorms. RV and camper owners. Seniors who want simple streaming access. Travelers who want to bring their own content to hotels.
Who should probably skip it: People with very slow internet (under 10 Mbps). People who can't handle a slightly slow interface. People who want 4K streaming perfection — spend more money on a Fire Stick or Apple TV instead.
The price thing: It's $40. That's the price of two pizzas. For turning an old TV into a smart TV? That's a no-brainer in my book.
My final rating: 4.5/5 — points deducted because the interface is a bit slow and some old TVs need the external power adapter. But for the price? I'm buying a second one for my kitchen TV.
We're testing other products too. Here's what else we've reviewed recently:
📝 Leave Your Own Review
Real experiences help other buyers decide. Be honest!