Amazon has a big-time line up of devices for their Fire TV platform, so it’s time to figure out which is the best. We’re here to help with our comparison roundup.
The “fire tv cube” is one of the best Amazon devices on the market. It is a streaming device that allows users to watch TV, movies, and more.
Amazon’s Fire TV is one of the most popular and cost-effective streaming gadgets on the market right now. The appeal of Amazon’s Fire TV is undeniable: it has built-in dependability and brand familiarity as Amazon’s principal streaming device. It also gives you access to major streaming sites and channels in the highest possible visual quality.
Furthermore, since the Fire TV is an Amazon device, it’s only natural that some of their gadgets have built-in Alexa speakers. As a result, you can use your voice to manage your Fire TV and other smart home devices.
Amazon has released various models of Fire TV devices throughout the years. There are three Amazon Fire TV devices available as of this writing: the Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Fire TV Cube. While there are some similarities between these devices, they vary significantly in terms of content quality, style, and functions.
We present a full comparison of all Amazon Fire TV devices in this post to assist you in choosing the best one.
Amazon Fire TV Streaming Devices Overview
Bare-Bones Excellence with the Amazon Fire TV Stick
The cheapest Fire TV streaming device is the Fire TV Stick. It includes a lightning-fast UI and all of the Fire TV OS’s standard features, applications, and channels. The Fire TV Stick, on the other hand, is a stripped-down gadget with no built-in Alexa and just Full HD video output without HDR compatibility, rather than Ultra HD video with HDR support.
4K HDR Minimalism with the Fire TV Stick 4K
In terms of functionality, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a step up from the Fire TV Stick. This streaming gadget simply offers one extra function, as the name implies: greater video output. Ultra HD (4K) video output with HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatibility is supported by the Fire TV Stick 4K. To see such high-definition content, you’ll need a 4K HDR-compatible TV.
Alexa Streaming Device: Fire TV Cube
The Amazon Fire TV Cube is now the most sophisticated of Amazon’s streaming devices – maybe even all streaming devices outside of the Amazon ecosystem. The Fire TV Cube can produce Ultra HD video with HDR capability. It also functions as an Alexa device, giving you access to far-field voice control. You may also use it as a replacement for Alexa devices like the Echo Dot.
Amazon Fire TV Streaming Devices Have Some Similarities
Interface & Operating System
Internal features of the Fire TV ecosystem, including as the operating system and user interface, are same across all devices. You’ll be able to access all streaming services, channels, online browsers, games, and more regardless of whatever Fire TV device you pick. The menus are also designed in a similar manner. The only difference is that if you don’t have a 4K HDR-compatible streaming device and TV, the 4K video will play in standard Full HD.
Features of the Amazon Fire TV Interface
-
Amazon Fire TVs feature complicated menus that prioritize Amazon Prime programming. Amazon Prime material is featured in the banner menu, which is followed by menus for suggestions, a list of Amazon Prime movies and TV series, current content, applications, and other options. You can’t change the menus since they’re automated.
-
Search: You may find material using the search box, voice search through your remote, Alexa voice search, or the mobile app. Actors, directors, movies, TV series, genres, and more can all be found with the search engine. The majority of the suggestions, though, come from Amazon Prime content.
-
Smart Playback (commonly known as “X-Ray”) is available on all Amazon Fire TV devices. By just stopping, you may see all of the performers (leads, supporting, and even extras) engaged in any scene. You’ll also learn about background music. You may also view all of those actors’ information and additional movie suggestions by using the Up button on the remote.
-
Private listening is possible with all Fire TV devices when using Bluetooth headphones or speakers. To link your Bluetooth device, go to the Settings menu. When you link the device with the soundbar, the sound will be diverted to the associated Bluetooth device, enabling you to listen to material quietly.
Control from afar
The remote on previous versions of Fire TV devices was rather simple. It lacked even basic functions such as a microphone button and the ability to control your television. As a result, you’ll need two remotes at the same time: one for the TV and another for the Fire TV device. The older remote came with the Amazon Fire TV Stick at first, whereas the later units arrived with the newer remote. That distinction, however, has been obliterated. The control that comes with all Fire TV devices is now the same.
Features of the Amazon Fire TV Remote
-
TV Buttons: There are TV buttons on the new Amazon Fire TV remote control. The remote syncs with your TV automatically, enabling you to operate the power on/off and volume functions of your TV with the same remote.
-
A microphone button is also included on the new Amazon Fire TV remote control. The microphone links you to Alexa, and you may use voice control by tapping and holding the button.
Apps for mobile devices
The same mobile applications for iOS and Android are included with all Amazon Fire TV devices. The Fire TV app, on the other hand, is consistently unstable and inefficient. The Fire TV app takes a long time to sync with the Fire TV device, and it often fails. Furthermore, the app is only a replacement for a remote with no extra functions. The sole benefit of utilizing the mobile app is that you may search for material by typing on the phone’s keypad, which is frequently more handy than using the remote control’s keypad.
Features of the Amazon Fire TV App
Amazon Fire TV Devices: What’s the Difference?
Design
The Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K appear like USB devices, which is common of streaming sticks. The Fire TV Stick is 3.3 x 1.0 inches in size. The Fire TV Stick 4K is 4.0 x 1.2 inches in size.
The Fire TV Cube changes the look of the room. This gadget is a cube that measures 3.4 inches on each side, as the name says. The Fire TV Cube includes an LED light at the top that flashes blue when voice control is engaged as an Alexa device.
Summary
-
3.3 x 1.0 inch Fire TV Stick
-
4.0 x 1.2 inch Fire TV Stick 4K
-
3.4 square inch Fire TV Cube
Installation
The installation of the two Firestick devices (Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K) is rather straightforward. You can power them by connecting them to the TV’s HDMI connector and a short USB wire to the TV’s USB port.
In rare circumstances, the USB connection on the TV may not be powerful enough to power the Firesticks. In such scenario, you’ll need to use the accompanying USB connection and adapter to connect the Fire TV devices to another power outlet. Connecting the gadgets to a separate wall outlet will also improve the user experience.
The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a high-end Fire TV device with a hexa-core CPU with Alexa integrated in. As a result, it requires far more power than the Firesticks, implying that the USB connection on the TV would be inadequate. This implies that the Fire TV Cube must always be plugged into a separate power source.
Because it handles 4K HDR material, the Fire TV Cube may need faster internet. As a result, it’s the only Fire TV device to have an ethernet adapter and cable. If you require greater speed, you may connect the Fire TV Cube through an ethernet connection.
Summary
-
Independent Power Outlet/TV USB Port on the Fire TV Stick
-
Independent Power Outlet/TV USB Port on the Fire TV Stick 4K
-
Independent Power Outlet for the Fire TV Cube
Video High Definition
The Fire TV Stick can only produce Full HD video and does not support HDR. Ultra HD 4K video output with HDR capability is available on the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube. In terms of video quality, this is the most significant difference between the three devices.
The resolution of a video is referred to as Full HD or Ultra HD. The latter has a lot more pixels than Full HD, resulting in more crisper and clearer films.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) refers to the contrast and color vibrancy of a piece of material. With deeper blacks and brighter highlights, HDR imagery has more depth. It also has a wider color range, resulting in pictures that are sharper and more lifelike.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are presently the only two streaming devices that support the full spectrum of HDR formats, including HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. HDR10 is the highest quality available on most other streaming devices.
Fire TV, on the other hand, supports Dolby Vision, which is considerably better than all other formats. HDR10, for example, has a peak brightness of 4,000 nits and a color depth of 10-bits, but Dolby Vision has a peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color depth of 12-bits.
The Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Cube are both very future-proofed devices.
However, you may only watch such high-quality video if you have a suitable television. If you have a 4K HDR-compatible TV with an HDMI capable of 2160p and HDCP 2.2 connection, your Fire TV devices will only offer Ultra HD and HDR content.
If your TV only goes up to 1080p, a Fire TV Stick is the way to go.
Summary
-
Full HD Fire TV Stick
-
4K Ultra HD + HDR (HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision) Fire TV Stick
-
Ultra HD + HDR (HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision) on the Fire TV Cube
Sound Quality
Dolby Audio is supported by the Fire TV Stick. Dolby Atmos is supported on the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube.
Dolby Atmos is the gold standard in audio output, much as Dolby Vision is the gold standard in HDR support. Dolby Atmos surrounds you with a spectacular moving soundscape experience.
As a result, the audio capabilities of the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are also future-proofed. To enjoy the increased audio quality, you’ll need a Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbar.
You’re better off with a Fire TV Stick if you don’t have Dolby Atmos support.
Summary
-
Dolby Audio on the Fire TV Stick
-
Dolby Audio on the Fire TV Stick 4K
-
Dolby Atmos on the Fire TV Cube
Storage
The Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K both come with 8GB of storage. The Fire TV Cube has a storage capacity of 16GB.
You’ll need the storage space since you’ll need to download applications for various programs to your streaming device. Most individuals, on the other hand, don’t have to worry about storage space since most applications don’t take up much.
Summary
-
8GB Fire TV Stick
-
8GB Fire TV Stick 4K
-
16GB Fire TV Cube
Support for Alexa
Support for Alexa is yet another important consideration when purchasing a Fire TV device. Alexa isn’t incorporated into the Firesticks. The Fire TV Cube, on the other hand, is also an Alexa device.
It’s worth noting, though, that Alexa is fully integrated into all Fire TV devices. Alexa devices like the Echo Dot and Echo Show are also compatible with Firesticks. Once you’ve connected them to an Alexa device, you can use voice commands to operate your Fire TV or other smart devices.
The Fire TV Cube, on the other hand, has an Alexa receiver, so you won’t need to buy another Alexa device. The Fire TV Cube will enable you to operate your Fire TV with voice commands, as well as control your smart lights, thermostats, and other smart devices.
The Fire TV Cube isn’t necessary if you already have an Alexa speaker. The Fire TV Cube, on the other hand, will be quite beneficial if you don’t already have an Alexa device.
Summary
-
Alexa isn’t incorporated into the Fire TV Stick.
-
No Alexa built-in to the Fire TV Stick 4K
-
Alexa Speaker Built-in to the Fire TV Cube
Which Amazon Fire TV Device Should I Purchase?
The following are the main differences between the Amazon Fire TV devices:
-
Full HD + Dolby Audio on Fire TV Stick
-
4K Ultra HD + HDR + Dolby Atmos Fire TV Stick
-
Ultra HD + HDR + Dolby Atmos + Alexa Speaker on the Fire TV Cube
As you can see, the Amazon Fire TV devices have followed a clear evolutionary path, each introducing a new major feature or capability. However, the majority of these new features are reliant on other elements and hardware.
If you want to watch Netflix on your TV, you need acquire a Fire TV Stick.
-
Only the most basic streaming functionalities are required.
-
Ultra HD and HDR content aren’t required.
-
Your current television is unable to display Ultra HD and HDR content.
-
Dolby Atmos surround sound isn’t required.
-
Dolby Atmos isn’t supported by your current soundbar.
-
You already have an Alexa-enabled device.
-
You’re working with a limited budget.
If you want to watch 4K content on your TV, you need acquire a Fire TV Stick 4K.
-
You’ve got a 4K HDR TV with an HDMI HDCP 2.2 connector.
-
You have a speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos.
-
You want the highest possible video and audio quality.
-
You already have an Alexa-enabled device.
If you want to watch TV on the go, you should acquire a Fire TV Cube.
-
You’ve got a 4K HDR TV with an HDMI HDCP 2.2 connector.
-
You have a speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos.
-
You want the highest possible video and audio quality.
-
For your smart home, you’ll also need an Alexa speaker.
You’ll locate the best Amazon Fire TV device for your requirements if you follow these suggestions and thoroughly examine your demands.
Watch This Video-
The “best amazon fire stick 2021” is a question that has been asked by many people. In this article, we will compare the best Amazon Fire devices and give you our opinion on which one is the best for you.
Related Tags
- firestick comparison chart 2021
- amazon fire stick comparison chart
- amazon fire tv
- fire stick 4k
- firestick 3rd gen vs 4k