Today, Amazon’s Fire TV is the number one favored streaming device in the market. This is due to its affordability and comfort. It is known for being reliable and the primary device of Amazon for streaming purposes. Moreover, its streaming platforms are simply the best with excellent visual quality.
Some Amazon devices are well-equipped with Alexa speakers, including in Fire TV. Thus, your smart home devices can be voice-controlled.
Amazon established various types of Fire TV for several years. Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick 4K are the three Amazon Fire TV devices available. They are different in features, design as well as quality.
Let’s compare the three Amazon Fire TV devices to guide you on deciding which is more excellent to use.
Overview of Amazon Fire TV Streaming Devices
Fire TV Stick — Basic Yet Excellent
This is the most affordable among the three. It contains an excellent and fast interface. Fire TV Stick has classic apps, channels, and apps with basic or essential elements with no inbuilt Alexa skill. Besides, it supports output in Full HD video with a cost of $29.99.
Fire TV Stick 4K — HDR Minimalism
Functionality-wise, Fire TV Stick 4K is better than Fire TV Stick. It has an extra feature, which is the improved video output. Fire TV Stick 4K provides you an Ultra HD (4K) video output with HDR support. But a 4K HDR-compatible TV is necessary to achieve such quality. It costs $49.99.
Fire TV Cube — Alexa Streaming Device
Fire TV Cube is the most improved streaming device of Amazon or any devices outside Amazon enterprises. It brings you Ultra HD video output and supports HDR too. It is an Alexa skill wherein you can do a far-field voice control. Moreover, it can be an alternative for Alexa devices such as Echo Dot. It costs $99.99.
Common Featured of Amazon Fire TV Streaming Devices
Interface and Operating System
Features of all Fire TV, like its interface and OS, are still the same. The channels, games, web browsers, etc. are just the same too.
They only vary in 4K content. It plays in classic Full HD when 4K HDR-compatible streaming devices and TV are not available.
Features
- Menu: Its menu has many different and connected parts that support the content of Amazon Prime. Plus, it is equipped with menus for suggestions, TV shows, movies, apps, ongoing content, etc. Remember that you can’t change the menus because these are automatic.
- Search: You can search for content that you want through the voice search from remote or Alexa, search bar, or mobile app. Yet the majority of the suggestions are from Amazon Prime content.
- Smart Playback: Also called “X-Ray.” It pauses the show to review the actors, get details about the background music, and touch the Up remote’s button to get information about the actors and some movie suggestions.
- Private Listening: It supports Bluetooth speakers or Bluetooth headphones. Pair your Bluetooth device by going to the Settings menu. The sound will switch from the soundbar to the paired Bluetooth device to listen on your own.
Remote Control
Former generations of FireTV devices contain only a basic remote with no microphone button and can’t control a TV. So, TV and Fire TV device must have a separate remote Before, Amazon Fire TV Stick had an older remote, and newer devices contained new remote. Currently, all Fire TV devices have only one remote.
Features
- TV Buttons: Its remote will naturally sync to the TV wherein you can control the power and volume.
- Microphone Button: It will be connected to the Alexa wherein you just have to touch and press the button for voice control.
Mobile Applications
The mobile apps of Amazon Fire TVs for Android and iOS are just similar. But the Fire TV app is usually buggy, not working well, and you will have a hard time syncing it to the Fire TV device (usually, you won’t succeed). However, it’s role is just a remote with no additional features. It’s only helpful in searching for content. You can simply type on your phone’s keypad. It is more convenient compared to using the TV’s keypad through a remote.
Features
- TrackPad: Helps you to control the interface of Fire TV.
- Search: The phone’s keypad can be conveniently used when searching.
Amazon Fire TV Devices Differences
Design
Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick have the classic stick style for streaming, similar to USB devices. Fire TV Stick has a measurement of 3.3 x 1.0 in inches, while Fire TV Stick 4K has a 4.0 x 1.2 in inches.
The Fire TV Cube evolves with 3.4 inches measurement on every side. It has a blue LED light on the upper part when the voice control is turned on as an Alexa device.
Installation
It’s easy to install the Firestick devices. Attach them to the HDMI port of the TV and use a small USB cable to the TV’s USB port for power.
If the USB port of the TV doesn’t have enough power for Firesticks, have a substitute power outlet that can be connected through an adapter and USB cable. Connecting devices to the uncrowded wall outlet are better for a pleasant interface.
Fire TV Cube is a highly developed Fire TV device with a built-in Alexa and Hexa-core processor. It requires much power compared to Firesticks, so a TV’s USB port isn’t enough. It needs a separate power outlet always.
Breakneck internet speed is necessary for the process of 4k HDR content of Fire TV Cube. That’s why it has an ethernet cable and adapter.
Quality of the Video
The difference between the three devices is Fire TV Stick has the greatest Full HD video output without HDR support. Simultaneously, both Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K support Ultra HD 4K video output, supporting HDR.
Ultra HD provides you sharper videos with excellent clarity because it contains greater pixels than Full HD.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) refers to the color vibrancy and contrast wherein it has better depth, deeper shadows, more brilliant highlights, and an excellent range of colors. Thus, giving you different and enhanced realistic pictures.
Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K are the only streaming devices compatible with all the variety of HDR formats.
On the other side, Fire TV is also in line with Dolby Vision that is greater than the other formats. It supports 10,000 nits peak brightness with 12-bit color intensity compared to HDR10 that only supports 4,000 nits peak brightness and 10-bit color intensity.
Both Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K are long-lasting devices.
But you should consider that you will only gain HDR and Ultra HD content on Fire TV devices when 4K HDR-compatible TV with an HDMI capable of 2160p and HDCP 2.2 port is available.
In case your TV is limited at 1080p, a Fire TV Stick is essential.
Quality of the Audio
Fire TV Stick is compatible with Dolby Audio, while Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K are compatible with Dolby Atmos.
Dolby Vision is considered the best in supporting HDR, while Dolby Atmos is regarded as the best in the audio output. It provides you the best sound experience.
Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K are also long-lasting when it comes to audio. But it is necessary to have a soundbar that is Dolby Atmos-compatible for outstanding audio quality.
A Fire TV Stick is valuable if there’s no Dolby Atmos support.
Storage
Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick have a storage capacity of 8GB, while Fire TV Cube has 16GB.
Streaming devices’ storage capacity is necessary for downloading apps and various programs. But no need to worry because most apps don’t use lots of storage space.
Alexa Support
Alexa Support is essential when selecting a Fire TV device. The Firesticks lacks inbuilt Alexa, while Fire TV Cube also serves as an Alexa device.
All Fire TV devices have complete Alexa integration wherein it is voice-controlled.
The Fire TV Cube already has a built-in Alexa receiver. Thus, an additional Alexa device isn’t necessary for it. It is voice-controlled, TV’s and will do tasks like controlling thermostats, smart lights, etc. However, this is only essential an Alexa speaker is not available.
Conclusion: Which Amazon Fire TV Device Is A Great Buy?
Summary of the Amazon Fire TV devices:
- Fire TV Stick has Full HD and Dolby Audio.
- Fire TV Stick 4K has Ultra HD, HDR, and Dolby Atmos.
- Fire TV Cube has Ultra HD, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and Alexa Speaker.
Fire TV Stick is great to use if:
- Focus on features for streaming.
- HDR and Ultra HD content is not necessary.
- Ultra HD & HDR content isn’t compatible with your TV.
- Dolby Atmos surround sound isn’t necessary.
- Your soundbar isn’t compatible with Dolby Atmos.
- An Alexa speaker is already present.
- Your budget is limited.
Fire TV Stick 4K is excellent to use if:
- You have a 4K HDR-compatible TV with HDMI HDCP 2.2 port.
- You hold a Dolby Atmos-compatible speaker system.
- You’re seeking the most reliable audio and video quality.
- An Alexa speaker is already present.
Fire TV Cube is excellent to use if:
- You have a 4K HDR-compatible TV with HDMI HDCP 2.2 port.
- You have a Dolby Atmos-compatible speaker system.
- You’re aiming for the best video and audio quality.
- An Alexa speaker is necessary for your smart home.
Now, you already have an idea what’s the excellent Amazon Fire TV device to choose from that fits your needs.