Whether it’s to make a “dumb” TV smart or to cover up a smart TV’s built-in operating system, Amazon’s Fire TV offerings are among the best streaming devices on the market. These handy little gadgets connect via HDMI and bring the popular Fire TV OS experience, including access to tons of online content from apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.
Amazon Fire TV devices are plug-and-play peripherals, with next to no setup required. You can use Alexa to control certain parts of your streaming experience, along with whatever Alexa-compatible smart home devices you have in your home. There are several Amazon Fire TV streaming devices to choose from, and this list highlights all the best models.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the best Fire TV streamer for users who want Amazon streaming without having to buy a new TV. With 4K streaming, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, it streams movies and TV shows in high resolution and high dynamic range (HDR). Dolby Atmos support is also present for an immersive audio experience. Amazon stepped up its game with the 2nd gen model by making it compatible with Wi-fi 6, allowing for faster and more seamless streaming than its predecessor.
Like most Fire TV devices, the Fire TV Stick 4K provides a bundled voice remote to find, launch, or control content on TVs. More importantly, the remote provides options to control the power and volume of TVs, soundbars, or AV receivers. The Fire TV Stick 4K has a plethora of fantastic features and is a great, affordable option to upgrade a TV without having to purchase a new expensive television.
The Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) is an interesting option in Amazon’s Fire TV streamer lineup. Sure, it does everything the other Fire TV streamers do, but it can also work as a smart speaker. This is a great option for anyone planning on getting a Fire TV stick and an Echo smart speaker, as it provides the functionality of both. The Fire TV Cube is the most powerful media streamer in Amazon’s portfolio, making it fast and responsive. Sluggish interfaces and waiting for apps to load are not issues that users will have with the third-gen cube.
As it’s the third generation of the Cube, it’s a pretty refined and well-featured device as it comes with 4K streaming, all HDR formats, and Dolby Atmos. Amazon has also included an HDMI 2.1 input on the device, that can be used in lieu of ports on the TV. The Fire TV cube also offers connectivity with a cable box through the extra HDMI port and control of the box directly from within the Fire TV interface.
In addition, thanks to a far-field microphone array in the Cube, the remote control microphone feature is still available, like with other Amazon streaming devices. Lastly, there is Wi-Fi 6E support for fast wireless connectivity and a Gigabit Ethernet port for wired connectivity.
If 4K streaming is not a must, but affordability is, the Fire TV Stick Lite is a great option. It has all the essentials, including 1080p streaming and HDR10+. This device also comes with the Alexa Voice Remote Lite, and while the remote cannot control a TV’s power or volume, it can launch apps, find content, or fetch weather forecasts using the Alexa voice assistant.
While the Fire TV Stick Lite isn’t as fast as the Fire TV 4K or 4K Max in launching apps or navigating the interface, you get a decent overall experience. That said, there are occasional slow-downs while navigating the Fire OS interface, but this is expected from a device that costs as little as the Fire TV Stick Lite. Lastly, although there is no built-in Dolby Atmos support, the device can pass through Atmos and other Dolby audio data to a connected device. This device is a great budget option to enjoy the Amazon Fire TV experience without having to shell out the money for the extra high-tech bells and whistles.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick has similar features and pricing to the Fire TV Stick Lite but comes with upgraded features comparable to more expensive Amazon streaming devices. It’s a good choice for anyone looking for an affordable option while keeping the convenience of TV controls on the Alexa Voice Remote and the built-in support for Dolby Atmos.
The Fire TV Stick comes with the same voice remote as its more expensive cousins, allowing control of the power and volume of TVs, soundbars, or AV receivers. Like the Fire TV Stick Lite, it also supports full-HD streaming and HDR10+.
Another perk of the Fire TV Stick in place of the Lite version is that it can open applications more quickly, so the lag that may come with the Lite is not an issue with this model. The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers the best of both worlds: affordability with more robust features, making it a great option for anyone looking for an affordable Fire TV Stick without having to sacrifice the convenience of TV controls.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon’s latest and greatest streaming stick. It has everything you get on the Fire TV Stick 4K, such as 4K streaming, Dolby Vision support, and the Alexa Voice Remote with TV controls. Plus, the device packs a faster processor, more RAM, and Wi-Fi 6 support. So apps load quicker, the interface feels snappier, and has speedier connectivity if used with a router that supports Wi-Fi 6.
It’s also the only Fire TV streaming device, apart from Fire TV Cube, to support Dolby Atmos on Netflix titles. Another highlight of the device is live view picture-in-picture support that you can utilize to watch the live camera feeds without stopping your movie or TV show. Moreover, if you are an Amazon Luna subscriber, you will be happy to know the Fire TV Stick 4K Max supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which will automatically switch your TV to game mode whenever you play a game.
The Amazon 65″ Class Omni QLED Fire TV is a great option for anyone who wants all the bells and whistles of a robust Fire streaming device without the additional hardware to a TV. The Quantum Dot LED display provides a great viewing experience in 4K. With four HDMI ports, other streaming devices or consoles can be connected to this Fire TV, so having to worry about ports is a thing of the past.
Another perk of this TV is that not only does it come with a robust Amazon remote, but Alexa voice controls are built in as well. While the price tag of the device is much steeper than most of the Fire TV devices, it is a great option for any TV savant who wants a crystal clear picture, advanced features, and Alexa integration.
Smart TVs can often be expensive, which is why a lot of buyers opt for the Fire TV Sticks as opposed to the smart TVs, but thankfully, Amazon has the more affordable 4-Series Fire TVs. The 4-Series comes with similar features to the Omni series, such as 4K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, as well as the sought-after Alexa voice controls. This model also comes with four HDMI ports, a USB port, and optical audio output, allowing for myriad devices to be connected to the TV.
The one downside to the 4-Series when compared to the Omni series is the ability to support is that it does not support dynamic HDR formats such as HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. While this may be a deal-breaker for users who prefer the latest and greatest visuals, this TV is still a great option for Amazon Fire TV streaming and still provides a great picture without skimping on the features that all Amazon users have grown to love.
If you’ve been wanting to add a little extra boost to your TV audio, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar does a decent job of enhancing your TV-watching experience. Do keep in mind that there’s no 5.1 support here, so don’t expect anything on par with a full surround sound system. And as far as connections go, the Fire TV Soundbar includes HDMI ARC/eARC, digital optical, USB, and Bluetooth inputs. If you have an Amazon Fire TV streaming device or smart TV, you’ll be able to use the streamer’s remote to control the Fire TV Soundbar.
At only 24 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, the Fire TV Soundbar can be easily integrated into most everyday AV setups. While it’s not the most feature-packed soundbar out there, it’s a great way to add some extra punch to your living room setup.
Selecting a Fire TV streaming device can seem daunting with all the specs and features, but here’s a quick comparison of the Fire TV streaming devices to help identify similarities and differences:
Amazon’s Fire TV streaming device lineup is cost-friendly, widely available, and packed with many of the most important features for modern AV, including support for some of the leading HDR and surround sound codecs. While there are plenty of products to choose from, most folks will dig the powerhouse that is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. On top of Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a straightforward setup, the Fire TV Stick 4K can decode Dolby Vision and HDR10+ codecs.
For the best that money can buy, you’ll want to look at the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen). With its built-in Alexa smart speaker and HDMI switching, the Fire TV Cube supports Dolby Atmos, too. If you have a big surround sound system or a solid soundbar, you’ll definitely want the Cube.
However, for those intending to save a few bucks on their streaming device purchase, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is a solid choice. It’s less than all the rest, but it doesn’t support 4K playback.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
