With the Amazon Fire TV Cube versus the Amazon Fire TV Stick versus the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K versus the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and let’s not forget the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, it’s hard to decide which Fire TV device to get. They could all compete for the best streaming device, but you need to make sure you buy the right one for you. At Jugo Mobile, we’ve tested and reviewed these five Fire TV devices (including the latest Fire TV 4K Stick and 4K Stick Max), so we can tell you what’s what.
Fortunately, a few key differences make it easier to narrow things down. Just looking for basic 1080p Full HD streaming with access to the best streaming services? So he Amazon Fire TV device and the Fire TV Stick Lite They are affordable and give you just what you need. Be sure to check out our Fire TV Stick vs Fire TV Stick Lite comparison to learn the main differences between the two devices.
However, if you need 4K UHD streaming, you’ll need an upgrade. He Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K maximum and Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) They will all give you 4K streaming, but they are not all designed the same. Only 4K Max and Cube have the speed you need to ensure the best streaming experience and only 4K Max is on our short list of the best streaming devices. The Cube offers some additional amenities, but it’s often difficult to justify its higher price.
While Fire TV devices are great, especially for Amazon Primepower users, Roku and Google TV also offer many of the same features and apps. So be sure to check out our Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick showdown and our Chromecast vs. Fire Stick showdown to see how these platforms stack up.
But if you’re set on purchasing a Fire TV device, we’ve got you covered. This is how the Amazon Fire Cube performs against the Fire Stick (in all its configurations):
Fire Cube vs. Fire Stick: Size and design
One of the biggest differences between the devices is their appearance (at least between Sticks and Cube). The Fire TV Stick is the smallest of the bunch: a small black rectangle measuring 3.3 x 1.0 inches, and the Fire TV Stick Lite is a little larger, 3.4 x 1.2 inches.
The Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max have the same overall design, but are slightly larger at 4.25 x 1.18 x 0.55 inches. To master Amazon’s cheapest Fire TV streamer, check out our guide on how to use the Fire Stick.
As the name suggests, the Fire TV Cube features a completely different look: a 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.0-inch box that’s not a cube. Some require a constant connection to a wall outlet; However, the Fire TV Max can be powered through one of your TV’s USB ports.
While all five products are relatively small, it’s worth considering how much space you have around your TV. If you have a lot of space, a Fire TV Cube will fit perfectly; If not, one of the dongles will have to suffice.
Finally, only the Fire TV Cube supports Ethernet connections out of the box. While previous models required you to use an adapter, the Fire TV Cube 2022 puts that port right on the back.
You can buy an Ethernet adapter for the Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Stick 4K, but it’s kind of a daisy chain. Just keep this in mind if your Wi-Fi isn’t strong enough for 4K streaming (about 25 Mbps downstream).
Fire Cube vs Fire Stick: 4K and HDR
Bottom line: Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K, and 4K Max support 4K resolutions and HDR protocols. The Fire TV Stick does not. If you have a TV with a maximum of 1080p, the standard Fire TV Stick is fine; otherwise, you’ll definitely want one of the other two devices.
Both the Fire TV Stick 4K, 4K Max and Fire TV Cube support 4K resolution and the HDR 10 and Dolby Vision protocols, which provide a much richer color range. Previously, this functionality was only available on the Fire TV Stick 4K, but a newer version of the Fire TV Cube fixed the oversight.
However, the new Fire TV Cube 3rd generation adds super resolution upscaling and upscales HD content to 4K. We’re curious how this will work.
Fire Cube vs Fire Stick: Alexa integration
Like almost all Amazon devices on the market lately, all three Fire TV Sticks feature full Alexa integration. This means you can check the weather, manage your shopping list, look up sports scores, research traffic conditions, and create impromptu playlists using just your voice. All five Fire TV models come with voice remotes, so you can start using Alexa as soon as setup is complete.
However, the Fire TV Cube handles these functions a little better than its dongle counterparts. This is because in addition to being a streaming device, the Fire TV Cube is also a full Alexa speaker. That means you can talk to it and give it commands without having to hold down a button on the remote.
Plus, and this is more important for people with smart home devices, that means the Fire TV Cube can also control your lights, thermostats, and other IoT devices out of the box. The Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K can also do this, but you must first pair them with an Amazon Echo speaker.
So, briefly: If you want an Alexa-enabled speaker and streaming device, but don’t have either, the Fire TV Cube is your simplest solution. If you already have an Echo speaker or don’t want one, one of the Fire TV Stick variants will be fine.
Fire Cube vs. Fire Stick: remote controls
If you want a fancy remote control, you’ll have to pay more for it. The standard Amazon Fire TV Stick comes with a voice remote, but that’s the most innovative. (Old timers may remember that when it first came out, the Fire TV Stick didn’t have any microphones.) Otherwise, all you have is the standard array of d-pad, confirm, play/pause, rewind, speed-up, forward, home, back and options buttons.
However, the Fire TV Stick Max has an extra button on its remote: Live TV. This button takes you directly to that p of the Fire TV OS, which integrates with Sling TV and other services.
Amazon now offers an even better remote, so check out our Alexa Voice Remote Pro review for all the info.
The Fire TV Stick Lite’s remote control drops the TV’s power and volume controls, so you might not want that device if you’re trying to reduce clutter.
Both the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube come with Amazon’s updated Alexa remote. (Don’t let the name confuse you; you can still use Alexa features with the regular voice remote.) This remote features four important buttons missing from the basic voice remote: power, volume up, volume down, and mute. The Alexa remote automatically syncs with your TV, and you can use it to control the entire TV, not just the Fire TV player.
While you can buy the Alexa remote for $30 alone, considering the Fire TV Stick costs $40 and the Fire TV Stick 4K costs $50, it’s a much smarter idea to just buy the 4K device if the remote is important to you. In my own testing, I found it quite useful.
Fire Cube versus Fire Stick: Price and value
As noted above, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is the cheapest of the bunch at $30, followed by the $40 Fire TV Stick, the $50 Fire TV Stick 4K, and the $139 Fire TV Cube. And at $55, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max asks a bit more than the 4K.
To put it bluntly, there’s almost no reason why anyone should invest in the Fire TV Stick, when the 4K variant costs only $10 more and comes with a much better remote. Not only will you future-proof your purchase, but you’ll also have a better peripheral from the start. And if performance and app open times matter to you, get the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
The Fire TV Cube, on the other hand, is a bit pricey. This makes sense though, as it’s not just a Fire TV device, it’s also a full Alexa speaker. If you don’t have a smart speaker in your studio or want your own digital assistant built into a versatile streaming box, the Fire TV Cube makes sense.
In the battle between Fire Stick 4K, Fire Stick, and Fire TV Cube, the $50 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K represents the sensible middle ground that should work best for most viewers. It has the best balance between price and functionality.