Amazon Firestick Comparison 2025: Models, Specs, Pricing & Performance
In the world of streaming devices, it can be hard to cut through the buzzwords and figure out what you really need. For this Firestick comparison, we’ll go through each of the available devices to help you find the right one.
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Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
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There are plenty of Fire TV options, from the standard Fire TV Stick to the Fire TV Cube and smart TVs with Fire OS built in. All of them give you access to major streaming services and other Fire TV apps, including VPNs for streaming. However, as you’ll see in this Firestick comparison, the audiovisual experience, connectivity options and added extras vary.
You also have to consider how the Amazon Fire TV Sticks compare to other options. Our Roku vs Firestick vs Chromecast roundup goes into more detail, but we recommend sticking with Amazon if you like the operating system and are looking for a high-quality stream.
In this article, we’ll focus on the current lineup of Amazon Fire TV devices. We’ll also compare Fire TV Stick versions that have been discontinued, since you can get them secondhand or refurbished.
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04/19/2025 Facts checked
This article was rewritten to include up-to-date information about the latest Firestick devices.
Cloudwards’ Choice of Best Firestick Model: Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Cloudwards’ Choice: Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max may be a mouthful of a name, but it’s my go-to recommendation. You get 4K streaming, 16GB of storage, the Fire TV Stick remote (called Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced) and the Fire TV Ambient Experience. Costing $59.99, it offers a nice balance between features and affordability. The 4K Max is also easy to set up and use, even if it’s your first smart TV experience.
Firestick Model Comparison
We’ll start this comparison with the more affordable devices and work our way through the lineup, highlighting the differences in Fire TV Stick devices as we go. It’s important to remember that these devices are all able to stream content from major streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
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Firestick Comparison Chart: Features
| Model: | Video Quality | HDR Standard | Dolby Atmos | Connectivity | Stick Remote | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick HD | 1080p at 60fps | HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ | Passthrough only | WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE | Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen) | 8GB |
| Fire TV Stick 4K | 4K at 60fps | HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Native support | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, BLE | Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen) | 8GB |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | 4K at 60fps | HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Native support | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, BLE | Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced | 16GB |
| Fire TV Cube | 4K at 60fps | HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Native support | HDMI, Ethernet, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE | Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced | 16GB* |
| Fire TV Omni | Up to 4K at 144Hz | HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Model dependent | HDMI, Ethernet, up to WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE | Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote | 16GB* |
1. Fire TV Stick HD
Fire TV Stick HD
Buy It On Amazon: $34.99
Pros:
- Most affordable Fire TV device
- Voice commands through remote
Cons:
- Doesn’t support 4K
- No native Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision
Key Features:
- HDR enabled
- Affordable 1080p streaming
- Alexa Voice Remote included
The Fire TV Stick HD is the most affordable Firestick device in the current lineup. It has 8GB of storage and 1GB of RAM, and it supports HD streaming up to 1080p with HDR10+ visuals. It supports passthrough only of Dolby Atmos, though, so you’ll need a good-quality soundbar to improve your audio.
You get an included Alexa Voice Remote with the Fire TV Stick HD, which gives you access to voice controls. It’s also capable of accessing Amazon Luna for cloud gaming, if you have a compatible controller.
It’s worth noting that this version of the Fire Stick supports up to WiFi 5 only and connections to devices with Bluetooth 5.0 or LE.
Who Is the Fire TV Stick HD Best For?
The Fire TV Stick HD is best for budget-conscious users who are looking to upgrade a 1080p TV. You’ll still get a solid experience for the low cost of $34.99
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2. Fire TV Stick 4K
Fire TV Stick 4K
Buy It On Amazon: $49.99
Pros:
- Supports 4K
- HDR
- Dolby Vision
- Dolby Atmos
Cons:
- No Ethernet connection
Key Features:
- 4K streaming
- Xbox cloud gaming ready
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
The Fire TV Stick 4K is a pretty big upgrade, as it can stream in 4K. It supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. You can even use it for cloud gaming with both Amazon Luna and the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
However, the hardware is pretty much the same. You’re stuck with the same basic remote control and just 8GB of storage space. It also uses a similar CPU and GPU, though the RAM is upgraded to 2GB. This isn’t a huge problem, but it’s a shame considering the $49.99 price tag.
Who Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Best For?
You should get the Fire TV Stick 4K if you’re looking for a great 4K experience but don’t need the extra bells and whistles that the 4K Max offers. It’s also useful if you’re looking for a cheap cloud gaming device.
3. Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Buy It On Amazon: $59.99
Pros:
- Supports WiFi 6
- More powerful processor
- 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
Cons:
- No Ethernet connection
Key Features:
- Boosted hardware specs
- Fire TV Ambient Experience
- Enhanced Alexa Voice Remote
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the most powerful Fire TV Stick and offers a selection of improvements over the regular 4K model. Alongside boosts to the CPU and GPU clock speeds, it has 16GB of storage and the included remote is the latest version. It even supports WiFi 6E for faster speeds, if you have a compatible router.
The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced has live TV channel buttons, plus extra TV control buttons for switching to recent apps and going to the settings. You can also use the Fire TV Ambient Experience on the 4K Max. This lets you use your TV to show a slideshow of photos, play music, display the weather, control smart home devices and more.
Who Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max Best For?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is for users who want the best Fire TV experience with an easy-to-use and portable dongle. It costs just $59.99 — less than half the price of the Fire TV Cube — and comes with a range of upgrades over the cheaper HD and 4K sticks.
4. Fire TV Cube
Fire TV Cube
Buy It on Amazon: $139.99
Pros:
- Expandable storage
- Far-field Alexa control
- Most powerful Fire TV device
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only one HDMI input
Key Features:
- HDMI passthrough
- Enhanced hardware
- Integrated Alexa control
The Fire TV Cube is a significant upgrade over the stick dongles, costing $139.99. Not only do you get a much faster CPU and GPU, but there’s also an HDMI input at the back. This allows you to connect a gaming console or cable box and switch to it at any time. There’s also an Ethernet port and a USB port, which you can use to expand your storage.
The Fire TV Cube also acts as an Amazon Echo. Though any Fire TV device can be linked to an Echo, the Cube skips past that hassle. This lets you change channels, control the TV’s volume or even open a different app with just your voice.
Who Is the Fire TV Cube Best For?
The Fire TV Cube is great for gamers and power users who want the far-field voice control. The improved hardware will give you a smoother experience when cloud gaming, and the HDMI input lets you seamlessly switch to your console. You can also use the voice controls with compatible devices, including many cable boxes and sound bars.
5. Fire TV Omni
Fire TV Omni
Buy It On Amazon: $339.99
Pros:
- No dongle required
- Hands-free Alexa control
Cons:
- Expensive
- Weak hardware
- Limited to Amazon’s TV specs
Key Features:
- Built-in Fire OS
- 4K QLED screens
- Automatic brightness adjustment
Fire TV is often considered to be synonymous with Amazon’s dongles, but there are TVs that have Fire OS built in. Amazon’s top-of-the-line models make up the Fire TV Omni series. These 4K TVs are 43 to 75 inches and essentially come with a Fire TV Cube inside them.
This means you get all the benefits — voice control, high video quality, Dolby Atmos, expandable storage and more — without the hassle of setting up an external device. There are even a few added extras, such as automatic brightness optimization.
One drawback is that the hardware is weaker than the Fire TV Stick 4K. Plus, you’re stuck with the TV you buy, whereas a dongle can be moved from device to device. There are also a lot of model-dependent features, so be sure to check exactly which Fire TV model you’re getting before you buy.
Who Is the Fire TV Omni Series Best For?
The Fire TV Omni series is for anyone in the market for a new TV who doesn’t want the hassle of using a dongle. There’s no denying that having Fire OS built into your TV is a time saver, especially if you aren’t tech savvy.
Discontinued Fire TV Stick Models
Though we’ve focused on the current Fire TV Stick devices, there are a lot that have been discontinued over the years. Many are still available secondhand or as refurbished units, and they can be a great way to save some money.
The oldest Fire TV device is the Fire TV itself. It’s a small box, but it acts in a similar fashion to the stick devices. The hardware is quite weak by modern standards, but the third-generation Fire TV can handle 4K streaming with Dolby Atmos and HDR10.
The next device to come out was the standard Fire TV Stick. These are capable of 1080p streaming only, but the third-generation version supports both Dolby Atmos and HDR10+. If you can find one secondhand, the Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen is very similar to the Fire TV Stick HD in the current lineup but is a few bucks cheaper.
There’s also the Fire TV Stick Lite model. There’s only one lite version, and it’s almost identical to the third-generation Fire TV Stick. However, it supports passthrough Dolby Atmos only and has a cheaper Alexa Voice Remote Lite that doesn’t include volume buttons.
Which Fire TV Stick Should I Buy?
Though raw specifications and capabilities are useful for comparing devices, your personal setup and use case will determine which one is best for you. Below are some factors we think you should consider when choosing a streaming stick.
- TV capabilities: It’s common for a Fire TV Stick to be limited by the TV. If you don’t have a 4K TV, you don’t need a 4K Fire Stick.
- Existing Echo devices: If you already have an Echo device, you can connect it to a Fire TV Stick. This makes some features of the more advanced devices obsolete.
- Cloud gaming: Though most Fire TV devices are capable of cloud gaming, having a high-speed connection and faster hardware will improve your experience.
- Switching screens: Many users like to switch between screens or use their device while traveling. In that case, you’ll want one of the smaller, lightweight streaming stick devices.
- Cost: Ultimately, cost may be a limiting factor. There are many benefits to using a more expensive device, but the more affordable options still have the same apps and stream the same shows.
Fire TV Stick Alternatives
The Fire TV Stick isn’t the only streaming device on the market. If none of the devices in this roundup are right for you, here are some alternative options.
- Roku: There are plenty of Roku devices to choose from, especially if you’re looking for something affordable. The Roku Express 4K is great for 4K streaming on a budget.
- Google TV Streamer: The Google TV Streamer is a new contender with impressive specs, including 32GB of storage. It is controlled through the intuitive Google Home mobile app and can receive casts from a laptop or PC.
- Chromecast: Though technically discontinued, the original Chromecast is a budget way to stream. It lets you cast your mobile device or laptop to your TV and even works without WiFi.
- Apple TV 4K: The Apple TV 4K is a high-end competitor to the Fire TV Cube. It comes with more internal storage and seamless integration with other Apple devices and software.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of Amazon Fire TV devices to choose from, and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. If you want to learn more about your device, read our article on how to set up a Firestick. We also have a guide for how to fix an Amazon device that isn’t working.
Do you have a Firestick? Did you choose a Roku, a Chromecast or another device instead? Is there a feature you wish Amazon offered? Tell us in the comments below, and be sure to check out our guide to the best Firestick channels. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Compare Firesticks
The different Firestick types can all stream the same content and run the same apps, with the exception of Xbox cloud gaming. However, the more expensive devices offer faster hardware and a better audiovisual experience.
There’s no single best Firestick, but the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a good all-arounder. It offers the best experience with the dongle format and doesn’t cost much more than the other sticks. You’ll also enjoy significant savings over buying the Fire TV Cube.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has a stronger CPU and GPU than the regular 4K model. It also comes with more internal storage and the enhanced remote control. However, the video resolution, HDR formats and audio quality are the same.
The regular Firestick has been replaced by the Fire TV Stick HD. You can still buy previous models secondhand, though.