I bought the TellyStick Streaming Stick after seeing ads promising over 1,000 free channels, movies, live sports, and even 8K streaming without monthly fees. It sounded too good to be true, but the idea of ditching subscriptions like Netflix or ESPN for a one-time payment was tempting. After using it for a couple of weeks, here’s my honest experience, and why I wouldn’t recommend it.
First Impressions
The stick arrived in a plain box with a generic design that didn’t even mention “TellyStick” anywhere. Right away, that felt off. The device itself felt light and cheap, almost like those no-name Android boxes you see on eBay.
It came with a remote and HDMI cable, but no clear instructions, just a single-page setup guide that barely explained how to use it.
Setting It Up
Plugging it into my TV was easy enough, but the problems started as soon as I turned it on. The menu looked like a basic Android interface with a handful of pre-installed apps. Most of them were free apps anyone can download on their phone or smart TV.
The ad promised 8K streaming, but the stick only has 1GB of RAM. Even basic HD streams lagged or froze, so 8K is completely out of the question.
When I tried to access “premium” channels like HBO and ESPN, the apps either didn’t load, crashed, or just redirected me to random low-quality streams that cut out constantly.
My Experience Using TellyStick
After a few days, it was clear this wasn’t the miracle streaming solution the ads made it sound like.
- Performance – Slow, laggy, and constant buffering. Even YouTube struggled at times.
- Build Quality – The stick gets hot quickly and feels flimsy.
- Content – Instead of real access to premium channels, it just links to free, unreliable streams you can find online yourself.
- Support & Refunds – Their refund policy looks nice on the website, but when I reached out about returning it, I got the runaround. Still waiting on a response weeks later. lined up with my experience: some people said their scalp felt healthier, but very few saw new hair growth.
What I Liked vs. What I Didn’t
Pros:
- Easy to set up physically
- Cheap if you compare it to brand-name devices
Cons:
- Doesn’t actually deliver premium channels
- Terrible streaming quality, constant buffering
- Misleading 8K streaming claim
- Refund process feels shady
- Clearly a drop-shipped product you can find cheaper elsewhere
Is the TellyStick Streaming Stick Worth Buying?
After actually using it, I can say the TellyStick Streaming Stick is a scammy streaming device that doesn’t live up to its promises. It’s basically a rebranded, low-quality stick you could buy for under $10 on Alibaba, being resold at an inflated price with flashy marketing claims.
If you just want reliable streaming, you’re far better off with a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast. Those devices actually deliver what they promise, come with proper support, and don’t make fake claims about “free premium channels.”
Conclusion
For me, the TellyStick was a waste of money and a reminder that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Check out the Frownies Patch I reviewed earlier.