Fire TV is a popular streaming platform and especially for those already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. However, with a number of different devices to choose from, picking the best Fire TV player can sometimes be more complicated than it needs to be.
There are a number of reasons why it is worth choosing Amazon’s streaming platform and players over Google TV devices or Roku players, but the main one is Amazon’s ecosystem. With seamless access to Prime Video and a feature-rich interface, Amazon’s devices tend to offer even better value when paired with a Prime membership.
While it stands to reason that the most expensive device, with the most features, is going to be the best overall, it might not be the best option for every individual and household. Understanding the differences between the various devices can not only help to get the most out of the Fire TV experience, but it might also help to save on the cost.
Current Fire TV players:
| Player | Reason to buy | Check price |
|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick Lite | The cheapest | Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick | Better remote | Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick 4K | Cheapest 4K | Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Best ‘Stick’ overall | Amazon |
| Fire TV Cube | Best overall | Amazon |
In the rest of this guide, we’ll be taking a closer look at each of the main Fire TV players to highlight what makes them worth buying, and which type of buyer each one is best suited to. Hopefully, this information will help to make the differences clearer, and make it easier to choose the best Fire TV device for you and your home.
Fire TV Stick Lite – Cheapest overall
The Fire TV Stick Lite is the cheapest Fire TV player overall, making it a great option for those that want to spend the least amount of money possible on a new streaming device.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Cheapest | – Limited to 1080p |
| ✔ Compact | – No Dolby Atmos |
| ✔ Easy to use | – Quad-core processor |
| ✔ Alexa Voice Remote Lite |
What makes the Fire TV Stick worth buying?
Put simply, the price is what makes this Fire TV device worth buying. At under $30 it is a cheap and affordable way to start streaming. At this price, the Fire TV Stick Lite competes with the Chromecast with Google TV HD and the Roku Extra. In other words, not only is it Amazon’s cheapest device, but it’s a cheap streaming player in general.
Who’s Fire TV Stick Lite for?
The Fire TV Stick Lite is designed for those who don’t want to spend any more than they need to on a streaming player. While it doesn’t come with quite as many features, the low price makes it ideal for anyone switching to streaming for the first time. It is also likely to be a good option for use in a bedroom or in a secondary location.
How much is Fire TV Stick Lite?
The Fire TV Stick Lite retails for $29.99 making it the cheapest Fire TV device available to buy today, and one of the cheapest streaming players in general. Similar to the other products on this list, consumers may find Amazon drops the price even lower as part of a limited-time sale.
Fire TV Stick – Cheapest with volume control
The Fire TV Stick is very similar to the Fire TV Stick Lite. So much so that homes can expect a mostly identical experience. One of the main areas where the two devices do differ, however, is in the remote. For example, if wanting volume and power controls then the standards Fire TV Stick is going to be the better option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Cheap | – Limited to 1080p |
| ✔ Compact | – Quad-core processor |
| ✔ Better Remote | |
| ✔ Dolby Atmos |
What makes the Fire TV Stick worth buying?
There are two mains reasons to consider buying the Fire TV Stick over the Fire TV Stick Lite and the first is the better remote. While the Lite model comes bundled with an Alexa Voice Remote Lite, the standard Fire TV Stick comes bundled with a standard Alexa Voice Remote. The second main reason is that the Fire TV Stick Lite doesn’t support Dolby Atmos while this one does.
Who is Fire TV Stick for?
The Fire TV Stick is designed for those who want the same value on offer with the Fire TV Stick Lite but are willing to pay a little more for a better remote and listening experience. If, for example, you don’t want to control the volume using the TV remote, then the Fire TV Stick is the better buy. Likewise, if in need of Dolby Atmos support, the Fire TV Stick is the best option.
How much is Fire TV Stick?
The Fire TV Stick retails for $39.99 in the Unites States. However, this is another Amazon product that is routinely on sale at a much cheaper price.
Fire TV Stick 4K – Best for most people
The Fire TV Stick 4K is likely to be the best option for most people. This Amazon streaming player is the one that balances features and price the best, making it a great choice for just about anyone.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Reasonably priced | – Cheaper options available |
| ✔ 4K | – Better players available |
| ✔ Compact | – Quad-core processor |
| ✔ HDR10/Dolby Atmos |
What makes Fire TV Stick 4K worth buying?
The Fire TV Stick 4K offers the full Fire TV experience but in a form factor that’s small and compact. While the same is true for the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, the Fire TV Stick 4K doesn’t compromise in the picture quality department.
Who is Fire TV Stick 4K for?
The Fire TV Stick 4K is pretty much for anyone and everyone. It is an ideal way to add a Fire TV-based streaming experience to any TV. If price matters, then there are cheaper options available. However, if wanting the ability to stream in 4K, then the Fire TV Stick 4K is going to be the best option.
How much is Fire TV Stick 4K?
The Fire TV Stick 4K retails for $49.99 in the US, making it a reasonably-priced streaming player that’s comparable in cost to the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the Chromecast with Google TV (4K). As is the case with all of Amazon’s devices, the Fire TV Stick 4K is often included in various sales, so there are times when it can be picked up at a discounted price.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max – Best Stick overall
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is so similar to the standard Fire TV Stick 4K that most people will be better off buying the cheaper version. However, if performance is more important than the price, then the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is technically the most powerful Stick that Amazon currently sells.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ 4K | – Cheaper options available |
| ✔ HDR10/Dolby Atmos | – Better player available |
| ✔ Faster CPU | – Quad-core processor |
| ✔ Wi-Fi 6 | |
What makes Fire TV Stick 4K Max worth buying?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers the best specs of any of Amazon’s Stick-based devices. For example, the memory is boosted to 2GB, the quad-core CPU to 1.8GHz, and the GPU to 750MHz. In addition, it is the only Fire TV Stick model that comes with Wi-Fi 6 support.
Who is Fire TV Stick 4K Max for?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is designed for those that want the best performance possible from one of Amazon’s Stick-based devices. It is not, however, for those homes that want the most powerful player that Amazon sells.
How much is Fire TV Stick 4K Max?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max retails for $54.99 in the US, making it the most expensive Stick-based streaming player that Amazon currently sells. Just like other Fire TV devices, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max can often be found on sale at a cheaper price.
Fire TV Cube – Best overall
If you just want the best experience possible, Amazon’s Fire TV Cube is likely to be the device to consider picking up. While it is an expensive streaming player, that’s the point. The Fire TV Cube is designed to be Amazon’s best, and most powerful, streaming device to date.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Most Powerful | – Expensive |
| ✔ 4K | – Not suitable for everyone |
| ✔ Built-in speaker | |
| ✔ Smart home compatible | |
| ✔ Octa-core processor |
What makes Fire TV Cube worth buying?
Amazon has specifically filled the Fire TV Cube with the best specs and internals to ensure a premium experience. This includes 16GB storage, an octa-core processor, Wi-Fi 6E support, and an Ethernet port. In addition, the Fire TV Cube features a built-in speaker for listening to audio and responses from Alexa.
Who is Fire TV Cube for?
The Fire TV Cube is for those who want the ultimate Amazon streaming player. It comes with all the benefits of Fire TV combined with additional smart home and voice assistant support. Essentially, it is a one-stop Fire TV device. The more invested someone is in Amazon’s ecosystem, the better the Fire TV Cube will serve them.
How much is Fire TV Cube?
The Fire TV Cube retails for $139.99 in the US, making it an expensive streaming player, and one that’s comparable on price to the Nvidia Shield TV and Apple TV. However, Amazon does routinely include the Fire TV Cube in various sales and promotions, so there are often opportunities to get it at a cheaper price.
Don’t forget about Fire TVs
The list is above is not all of the Fire TV-powered devices that are available to buy, as Amazon also now sells its own smart TVs powered by Fire TV.
In addition, there are also a number of other manufacturers that make Fire TV Edition smart TVs and soundbars including:
Regardless of whether buying a first or third-party, player or smart TV, Fire TV device you can expect a similar expereince overall. However, for those looking for the best Fire TV experience possible, then it makes sense to opt for one of Amazon’s own products, especially as they tend to be cheaper as well.
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