Amazon sells five different Fire TV devices and the naming is confusing. Here's the short version: buy the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus ($50, often $30 on sale) unless you have a specific reason not to. It's the best value streaming device you can buy right now.
Quick answer
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus ($50) — buy this one. Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6, 2GB RAM. Goes on sale for ~$30 regularly.
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($60) — only if you want Wi-Fi 6E, 16GB storage, or the Ambient Experience smart display feature
- Fire TV Stick HD ($35) — only if your TV is 1080p or you need the cheapest option
- Fire TV Cube ($140) — only if you want hands-free Alexa or need the HDMI input for a cable box
- Avoid the Fire TV Stick 4K Select ($40) — it runs a different OS, has no Dolby Vision, no Dolby Atmos, and only 1GB RAM
Every current Fire TV device compared
| HD | 4K Plus | 4K Max | Cube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $50 | $60 | $140 |
| Resolution | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Dolby Vision | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 8GB | 8GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| HDMI input | No | No | No | Yes |
| Hands-free Alexa | No | No | No | Yes |
Our picks
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — best for most people
The 4K Plus is the sweet spot. At $50 (frequently $30 on sale), you get 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6, and 2GB of RAM. That covers every streaming service at their highest quality tier — Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video all output Dolby Vision and Atmos through this stick.
Wi-Fi 6 is a meaningful upgrade over the HD model's Wi-Fi 5, especially in homes with multiple devices competing for bandwidth. The 2GB of RAM keeps the interface responsive where the 1GB models can stutter.
This is the Fire TV Stick to buy. Unless you have a specific need for one of the others, start and stop here.
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus on Amazon (paid link)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max — best for power users
The 4K Max adds Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band, including 6GHz), 16GB storage (double the 4K Plus), a faster processor, and the Ambient Experience — which turns your TV into a smart display showing art, weather, and smart home controls when you're not streaming.
The extra storage matters if you install a lot of apps and games. Wi-Fi 6E matters if you have a Wi-Fi 6E router and want the fastest possible connection. For most people, the 4K Plus is enough — but the $10 premium for the Max is reasonable if you want the extras.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max on Amazon (paid link)
Fire TV Stick HD — for 1080p TVs and secondary rooms
If your TV is 1080p, the HD model at $35 is all you need. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos passthrough, so your soundbar still gets Atmos audio even though the video caps at 1080p.
This is also a solid pick for a bedroom or guest room TV where 4K isn't necessary. Don't buy this for a 4K TV — spend the extra $15 for the 4K Plus.
Fire TV Stick HD on Amazon (paid link)
Fire TV Cube — for hands-free Alexa and cable box users
The Cube is a fundamentally different product from the sticks. It has a built-in speaker with far-field microphones, so Alexa works hands-free — you can say "Alexa, play The Bear on Hulu" from across the room without touching the remote. It also has an HDMI input, which lets you plug in a cable box or Blu-ray player and control it with voice commands.
The octa-core processor makes it the fastest Fire TV device. Super Resolution upscaling improves the look of HD content on 4K TVs. Ethernet port for wired connections.
At $140, it's more than triple the price of the 4K Plus. Buy it if you want a smart home hub that also streams, or if you have a cable box you want to integrate. Otherwise, the 4K Plus does everything you need for streaming.
Fire TV Cube on Amazon (paid link)
Which Fire TV Stick to avoid
Fire TV Stick 4K Select ($40) — Despite the name, this is a downgrade from the 4K Plus. It runs Vega OS (a completely different operating system from standard Fire OS), has no Dolby Vision, no Dolby Atmos, only 1GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi 5. For $10 more, the 4K Plus is dramatically better. The Select exists to hit a price point, not to be a good product.
Fire TV vs. Roku vs. Apple TV
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus ($50) — Best value for features. Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos + Wi-Fi 6 at this price is unmatched. Interface is busy with Amazon content promotion.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus ($40) — Simpler interface, less ads, easier for non-tech-savvy users. But no Dolby Vision and no Dolby Atmos unless you spend $100 on the Roku Ultra.
Apple TV 4K ($129) — Best overall streaming experience, best privacy, best for iPhone/iPad users. Three times the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus.
Google TV Streamer ($99) — Good Google/Android ecosystem integration, Dolby Vision + Atmos, built-in smart home hub. More expensive than Fire TV for similar streaming features.
If budget is the deciding factor, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus wins. If interface simplicity matters more, see our Roku guide. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, see our best streaming device guide.
Setup tips
- Plug the stick directly into your TV's HDMI port — avoid HDMI switches or adapters for the initial setup
- Use the included USB power adapter — powering from the TV's USB port can cause instability on some TVs
- Connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi (or 6GHz on the 4K Max) for the best streaming quality
- Turn off autoplay previews — Settings > Preferences > Featured Content > turn off "Allow Video Autoplay" to stop the noisy home screen
- Enable Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in Settings > Display & Sounds if your TV and soundbar support them
FAQ
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus worth it over the HD? Yes, if your TV is 4K. The Dolby Vision upgrade alone makes a visible difference on HDR content. The Wi-Fi 6 and extra RAM also make the interface noticeably faster.
Do I need the 4K Max or is the 4K Plus enough? The 4K Plus is enough for 95% of people. The Max adds Wi-Fi 6E, double storage, and the Ambient Experience. If those don't mean anything to you, save $10.
Can I use a Fire TV Stick with a soundbar or AV receiver? Yes. Plug the stick into your TV, then connect the TV to your soundbar or receiver via HDMI eARC/ARC. Dolby Atmos passes through the TV to the soundbar. See: best HDMI cable for eARC.
Does the Fire TV Stick work with non-Amazon services? Yes. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+, YouTube, HBO Max, Paramount+, and nearly every other streaming service works on Fire TV. Amazon content gets prominent placement in the interface, but all major apps are available.
Related guides
- Best Roku streaming device — if you prefer a simpler interface
- Best streaming device overall — Apple TV, Google TV, and more
- Best HDMI cable for 4K and eARC — connect your stick to a soundbar