With streaming devices more accessible and affordable than ever, tons of people are cutting the cord on cable. And with one of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks, you can get access to thousands of hours of content with just the push of a button. It's true that mostnew TVscome withsmartfeatures built-in so you can access streaming apps right out of the box, but many smart TV features don't always keep up with app updates and tend to have lower streaming quality, so we still recommend investing in a dedicated streaming device.Rokumakes some of our favorites out there at the moment, but the company faces stiff competition from Amazon, as well as Google and Apple.
Amazon in particular has pushed aggressively into the streaming market by producing an array of Fire TV-branded streaming devices. We've reviewed them all, and found that we tend to like Roku products best for their easy use and their platform-agnostic approach -- Roku's menus don't favor one service (like, for example, Prime Video) over others. That said, Amazon's Fire TV devices are highly capable too, especially if you want Alexa voice integration.
Amazon's range is robust and runs the gamut from the basic Fire TV Stick Lite to the midrange Fire TV Stick 4K Max to the top-tier Fire TV Cube, as well as a bunch of models in between. If that sounds confusing, don't worry. Our guide to the best Fire TV streaming device will help you pick out the right model for you.
Read more:Best 4K TV for 2023
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If you're looking for the best Fire Stick on the market, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is it. The Max is speedy and loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. The downside to the Max is its Fire TV platform with ads featured prominently throughout. We just don't appreciate the TV becoming a giant rotating billboard for content or ads when in screensaver mode. But this is a good choice for those looking for the best and fastest Amazon Fire TV stick.
Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review.
$55 at Amazon
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The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K debuted in 2018 and is still around today. While we generally think it's worth it to upgrade to the Max, the original Fire TV Stick 4K is still a good choice for those who want 4K streaming without paying for the latest bells and whistles, namely Wi-Fi 6 and blazing-fast speed. The voice features are impressive and Echo and Dot owners can control it with Alexa. Its app and game selection is superb and responses are still fast, though not as fast as on the Max. The remote can control volume and power on TVs and soundbars. Ultimately, if the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K is close to the Max, we recommend passing on this and getting the newer and faster Max.
Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review.
$27 at Best Buy
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Fire TV Stick Lite
The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is our favorite budget streaming device, besting the Roku Express. The Lite trounces the Express in features-for-the-money. This Fire TV's biggest advantage is a remote with built-in voice search and control powered by Alexa. The cheapest Roku with a voice remote is theExpress Plus 4K, which uses Roku's more basic voice system, not Alexa. The Fire Stick's remote also doesn't need line of sight to work. If you want to spend as little as possible on a streaming player, the Lite is your best bet.
Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review.
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We haven't reviewed thelatest 2022 iteration of the Fire TV Cube, but it adds a handful of bells and whistles, including 4K upscaling and a faster processor, to keep it as a recommendable addition to the living room for Alexa-centric households. The Cube is basically a mash-up of the Fire TV Stick and an Alexa speaker, allowing you to use your voice to search for shows and adjust the volume and inputs on your TV, dim lights, make Zoom calls (audio-only, unless you add a webcam), stream music and check the weather -- all hands-free, without using the remote. It also features an octa-core processor and 2GB of memory for lightning-fast streaming in 4K, as well as audio support for Dolby Atmos.
Read our Amazon Fire TV Cube review.
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Although the Lite is a better value, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is another good choice for those who are still rocking regular HD TVs. The main difference between the Fire TV Stick and the cheaper Fire TV Stick Lite lies in the remote control. Fire Stick's remote has buttons for volume, mute and power, allowing you to control those functions on your TV. The Lite lacks these capabilities and is therefore slightly less expensive. If you have a 1080p TV and don't mind paying a little more for a remote that can control the volume on your TV, the Fire TV Stick is a good choice for you.
Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick review.
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How we test Fire TV devices
Every Fire TV Stick we review receives hours of hands-on testing. Typically, this involves installing the device on multiple TVs, evaluating the setup process, adding popular streaming channels and using the product as if it were our own. We use all of the major features available and note how they stack up against other Fire TV models in the company's lineup. To do this, we hook up multiple Fire TV streaming devices to the same TV so we can switch back and forth easily to compare the experiences.
The metrics we use to rate a device include hardware design, distinctive features that differentiate models, remote capabilities and design, overall ease of use, effective layouts and design, search capabilities, privacy settings, the number of apps and their performance and the overall speed and reliability of the system.
Fire TV FAQs
What's the difference between a Fire TV device and a Fire TV television?
A Fire TV device, like the ones in this list, is a small stick-shaped or square piece of hardware that plugs into an HDMI port at the back of your TV. This gives your TV access to Amazon Fire TV software and content, no matter what brand of TV you own.
Amazon also makes Fire TVs, which are televisions that come with Fire TV software preinstalled. This means that your TV will automatically have access to the Fire TV interface without the need for an additional streaming device.
What streaming apps are on Fire TV?
Fire TV offers a long list of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock TV, Tubi, Pluto TV, Showtime, Discovery Plus and others. Spectrum cable users, however, do not have access to the Spectrum app on Fire TV.
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to use Fire TV?
No, though you will need a free Amazon account in order to set up the device. While you don't need to pay for a Prime membership to use Amazon Fire TV, it is useful and recommended. Membership comes with a selection of Prime Video content, including access to shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Expanse and Wheel of Time. These shows and other Amazon-branded content are heavily advertised in the Fire TV system and a Prime membership makes it easier to check out all that Amazon has to offer.
FAQs
Is the fire cube better than the fire stick? ›
The biggest difference between the Fire TV Cube and a Fire TV Stick is hands-free Alexa. The Fire TV Cube is essentially a full-fledged Echo speaker that can stream as well. It has a built-in 1.6-inch (40mm) speaker and eight far-field omnidirectional microphones that can pick up your voice from across the room.
Is Fire Cube faster than FireStick 4K? ›However, with the built-in Alexa Echo Dot, which is always listening, Fire TV Cube also has more work to do. Nevertheless, it is the fastest, and the difference is notable. Next in line, FireStick 4K Max with a 1.8 GHz processor is slightly faster than the remaining FireStick devices, which are capped at 1.7 GHz.
Which is better fire stick or fire stick Lite? ›The Fire Stick Lite is the most affordable option in Amazon's streaming stick range. It's 50% more powerful than the 2019 Fire Stick TV model and offers the same streaming services as the rest of the range.
Is it worth buying the fire stick 4K Max? ›Unless you already have a Fire TV Stick 4K, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the logical purchase if you're after a future-proofed 4K HDR streamer. It's only a fiver more than its predecessor yet packs in a number of new features, the most significant being the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 support.
Which fire stick is the best to buy? ›If you're looking for the best Fire Stick on the market, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is it. The Max is speedy and loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision.
What's the difference between Firestick 4K and Firestick 4K Max? ›While the regular 4K model is limited to Wi-Fi 5, the 4K Max supports Wi-Fi 6 routers. It's newer, faster, and offers a more stable connection — all the things you're looking for when trying to make sure nothing gets in the way of movie night.
Is the Fire TV Cube worth the money? ›The Fire TV Cube can control your TV, cable box, soundbar, and other devices. The 2022 Fire TV Cube is a powerhouse of a streaming device, and its hands-free voice controls are unmatched by any competitors. With faster Wi-Fi and more useful port selection, there's a lot to like about this little entertainment cube.
Is there a new Fire TV Cube coming out? ›A 3rd-Gen Alexa remote began shipping with the Fire TV Cube in 2021. This is the only difference between the Fire TV Cube 2019 and 2021 2nd-Gen products. The 3rd Gen Fire TV Cube and the 2nd Gen Fire TV Cube (2021 release with the updated remote) are available for purchase at Amazon.
What is the difference between the different fire sticks? ›What Are the Differences Between Firesticks? Aside from price, the biggest differences between the various models of Fire TV Stick are the video and audio formats they support. The lower models only support 1080p, while higher models start to include things like 4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Is Fire Stick Lite slower than Fire Stick? ›Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: Performance
Amazon rates these sticks for the same performance and energy saving gains: 50% faster speed and 50% less power consumption (both compared to the previous Fire TV Stick).
Is there a monthly fee for FireStick 4K? ›
A: No monthly charge for the fire stick.
What are all included in the Fire TV Stick 4K Max box? ›What's in the Box? The box contains the Fire TV Stick 4K MAX, which is about 1.2 by 3.9 inches, and the Alexa remote, which is 1.5 inches by 5.6 inches. The Fire TV Stick 4K MAX connects to the included power adapter with a USB cable (also included).
Will FireStick 4K max work on any TV? ›A 4K Fire TV Stick will work with a non-4K TV. However, it will be limited to the non-4K TV's max resolution (likely 1920 x 1080). It won't be able to deliver 4K or high-definition picture, since non-4K TVs don't support HDR.
Which TV stick is best? ›- Chromecast With Google TV (4K) ...
- Chromecast With Google TV (HD) ...
- Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) ...
- Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) ...
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Best for Affordable AirPlay. ...
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ Best Remote. ...
- Roku Ultra (2022) Best Connection Options. ...
- Apple TV 4K (2nd Generation) Best for HomeKit Control.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the fastest Fire TV device in terms of potential Wi-Fi speeds.
What is the newest Firestick cube? ›All-new Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.
What is the most powerful Fire TV device? ›Fire TV Stick 4K Max Ultra HD
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max Ultra HD is the most powerful of all the Fire sticks: there's a quad-core 1.8GHz processor, Dolby Atmos, 4K Ultra HD resolution and support for all the key formats: Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG and more.
There is no monthly fee to use the Amazon Fire TV Cube, or any other Fire TV Devices, just a one-time device purchase fee.
Will there be a 3rd Gen fire cube? ›All-new Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD. More powerful than its predecessors, the third-gen Fire TV Cube is Amazon's first streaming device with WiFi 6E support. The third-gen Fire TV Cube is more powerful than its predecessors, as it has a 2GHz octa-core processor.
Is Fire TV Cube always listening? ›On top, you will find a TV power on/off button, and the Voice button – which you can press to talk to Amazon's voice assistant – Alexa. However, unlike other Fire TV devices, the Cube doesn't even need that button – since the Cube's 8 microphones are always listening for your commands.
Are newer fire sticks better than older ones? ›
see less There are multiple differences, the differences that are important to streaming device users are as follows, the old fire stick, used an 802.11n wireless card, the new 4k uses 802.11AC, has more memory and more storage than my old fire stick. it is noticeably faster in streaming and overall performance.
What are the disadvantages of a Fire Stick? ›The Firestick does make it a bit more complicated to search and find the content you're looking for. The UI (user interface) is sort of clunky and doesn't make for easy searching and streaming. You might have to resort to using the voice recognition and we all know that's not always reliable.
What is the best Internet speed for a Fire Stick? ›To get the most out of your Amazon Fire TV Stick, you will need a broadband connection with a minimum of 3 Mbps for SD (standard definition) streaming, and a minimum of 5 Mbps for HD video streaming.
How much does it cost to activate a Fire Stick? ›There is no monthly cost to use an Amazon Fire Stick. So once you've paid the initial purchase fee, there's no additional cost just to use your fancy new streaming stick. However, several of the apps and channels available on the Fire Stick will require subscriptions in order to access them.
Do you get any free channels with Fire Stick? ›Does Firestick Have Free TV Channels? Yes. Firestick supports plenty of channels that let you stream movies and TV shows for free. Free Firestick channels include Tubi, Plex, Xumo and Pluto TV.
What is Fire TV Stick 4K Max used for? ›Whichever you choose out of the bunch, the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers one of the best ways to stream content. It's easy to use, there's access to loads of streaming services, and integration with Alexa's Skills means it does a little more than some. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is top of the pile.
Can you get all TV channels with Fire Stick? ›The simple answer is yes.
Can you use a 4K Fire Stick on a non smart TV? ›Yes, as long as you have HDMI ports on your tv you can use it. It will give the best resolution as per the TV capability. The remote with TV control buttons makes it even more awesome.
Is it worth getting the fire cube? ›There are still holes to fill like AirPlay and / or Google Cast support, but thanks to its many features and sheer speed, the Cube is Amazon's most impressive streaming player yet. Many people can easily get by with one of the company's cheaper options, but this one provides the best overall experience.
Is the Amazon Fire Cube worth buying? ›A Pricey, Feature-Packed Media Hub. The third-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube is an impressive media streamer with better connectivity than ever. It's quick to navigate, includes plenty of features, and is still the only media streamer to offer hands-free voice control.
Is Amazon coming out with new Fire Cube? ›
The new Fire TV Cube comes with a fresh design, features integrated speakers, and has a bunch of new features. It's now available to pre-order for $139.99, and it'll be on sale starting on 25 October 2022 in the US.
What does the fire cube do that the Fire Stick doesn t? ›Without the remote syncing correctly, the stick can not deal with power, volume, or mute via the remote or voice commands for the same functions even though the Voice commands will acknowledge doing so. The Cube can control your Receiver or Sound Bar power and volume, where the Stick can not.
What is the latest generation of fire cube? ›Amazon - Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen Streaming Media Player with 4K Ultra HD Wi-Fi 6E and Alexa Voice Remote - Black. User rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars with 557 reviews.
Will there be a 3rd generation Fire TV Cube? ›All-new Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD. More powerful than its predecessors, the third-gen Fire TV Cube is Amazon's first streaming device with WiFi 6E support. The third-gen Fire TV Cube is more powerful than its predecessors, as it has a 2GHz octa-core processor.
What is the best cube in the market? ›- MoYu RS3M 2021 3x3 Magnetic Speed Cube with MagLev technology. ...
- MoFang JiaoShi RS3M 2020 3x3x3 Magnetic Speedcube. ...
- YongJun (YJ) YuLong V2 M 3x3x3 Magnetic Speed Cube. ...
- GAN Cube 12 M MAGLEV Premium Magnetic Speed Cube. ...
- GAN 11 M Pro Magnetic Speed Cube.