In the last couple of years, the Google Chromecast has become a must-have TV accessory, whether you accept a smart TV or not. Merely what you probably didn't know is that your smart Telly already has a Chromecast alternative built-in: come across Miracast.

Miracast isn't anything new. In fact, it has been around for longer than Chromecast has. The 2 technologies are similar but not the same. So, what is the difference between Miracast and Chromecast?

Miracast is like a wireless HDMI connection, mirroring everything from i screen to some other. It works both ways as well, not just as a receiver.

What Is Miracast?

Unlike Chromecast, which is a device, Miracast is a role of the Wi-Fi features on new gadgets. The Wi-Fi Brotherhood, a worldwide consortium of companies, agreed upon Miracast as a standard protocol. This protocol means that any Miracast device will work with any other Miracast-supporting gadget.

Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct, a Wi-Fi technology you already have just don't know well-nigh. For faster data commutation, Wi-Fi Directly lets two devices connect to each other wirelessly, without a Wi-Fi router. To acquire more about this wireless applied science, see our explainer on Wi-Fi Direct.

Substantially, Miracast is an alternative to HDMI cables since information technology does the same job but without any wires. Its job is to mirror the screen.

If you are playing a video on your phone and desire to show it to others on your TV, so y'all can mirror your screen with Miracast. The video volition exist playing on the phone'southward screen and the TV's screen at the same time.

Does Your Phone or Television receiver Back up Miracast?

Miracast Supported Products

The offset question you probably want to ask yourself is whether your devices support Miracast. There is an like shooting fish in a barrel way to find out.

If y'all bought a gadget after 2014, chances are it will support Miracast. This includes almost TVs, which disguise their Miracast feature under names like "SmartShare," "AllShare," and so on.

But don't go by the post-2014 generalization alone. Each Wi-Fi device goes through the Wi-Fi Brotherhood's tests for dissimilar standards and protocols. Then if you want to discover out about your device, check their site.

The Advanced Product Finder has a Miracast option among the filters on the left. Check that, and then use the category or the search box to locate your gadget.

Miracast vs. Chromecast: Is Miracast Better?

Before continuing, yous demand to understand what a Chromecast is and how it actually works.

Far likewise often in Chromecast vs. Miracast comparisons, we compare two similar technologies as competitors. But Miracast and Chromecast aren't exactly competitors. It's not that one is meliorate than the other. It's all near which functions you actually demand.

For example, in an office environment that primarily uses Windows products, Miracast is a improve solution since you tin hands bandage a Windows screen with Miracast. In Windows 10, Microsoft has included a unproblematic guide to connecting to wireless displays. You lot won't need an HDMI cablevision or a Chromecast dongle for this.

The congenital-in nature of Miracast also makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to turn any device into a "receiver." For example, yous can cast your Android screen to your Television or a PC. With Chromecast, but the dongle-plugged TV is the receiver.

Only perhaps nigh importantly, Miracast works completely offline, which Chromecast tin't do. And that is a big win for the Miracast.

1. Miracast Works Completely Offline

A Device With Miracast Support

As explained before, Miracast creates a closed Wi-Fi connection between the devices. Since it's closed, it does not require an agile internet connection. And that is its biggest forcefulness.

The almost frustrating part well-nigh Chromecast is that it won't work if you don't have an agile internet connection. From adverse weather conditions to undersea cables, our internet connections are not even so fully reliable.

Even when showing photos from your ain hard drive or mirroring your screen, Chromecast requires an active internet connection.

On the other hand, Miracast works splendidly without the internet. Play a movie saved on your hard bulldoze, cast the screen onto the Tv set, and you volition be able to watch it on a large screen, fifty-fifty as the storm rages outside.

ii. Miracast Isn't a Media Player

Every bit good as the Miracast is, y'all tin can't use information technology regularly equally your "smart Idiot box media companion." The simple reason for this is that it only does screen mirroring. Your telephone or tablet will be unusable while you bandage the video running on its screen to your TV. This also leads to a huge bombardment drain.

But the Chromecast is a media player first and a screen-mirroring device 2nd. If you lot want a fashion to employ Netflix or Plex on your phone to stream videos on your TV, the Chromecast is a better option.

3. Miracast Doesn't Work With Apple Devices

Apple iPhones iPads and Macbooks don't support Miracast

Oh, and one more thing. Apple tree decided not to go with the Wi-Fi Alliance'due south recommended protocol. Instead, it uses the proprietary AirPlay standard, which more or less does the same thing.

So if you use an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac, you tin can't mirror your screen to your smart TV through Miracast. Information technology'south actually something a Chromecast can assistance you with.

Which Miracast Should Y'all Get?

If your Television receiver doesn't already have Miracast, you can buy a Miracast dongle like the Chromecast. It costs significantly less and volition work offline.

Our recommendation would be the AnyCast M100, which works with Apple tree's AirPlay standard, and so you tin besides mirror your iPhone or iPad screens.

If you can spend a little more, y'all might want to endeavor Microsoft'south Wireless Display Adapter, which has proven to be quite popular for Windows desktop users.

Miracast is ane of those technologies that y'all probably didn't know about only that will change your life when you starting time using it regularly. In fact, the convenience information technology offers for people who exercise presentations regularly is unparalleled.

When you are choosing a good media player, you should keep Miracast in mind too. Miracast is included on two of the best streaming sticks on the market today: the Roku Ultra and the Amazon Fire Stick.