Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire Stick are both streaming devices that allow you to access a variety of streaming services and content on your television. However, there are some key differences between the two devices.
The Fire TV is a larger, more powerful device that connects to your television via an HDMI cable. It supports 4K Ultra HD and HDR content and is capable of streaming content at faster speeds than the Fire Stick. The Fire TV also has more storage space than the Fire Stick, making it a good choice for users who plan to download and store a lot of content.
The Fire Stick, on the other hand, is a smaller, more affordable device that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port. It supports 1080p HD content and is a good choice for users who are on a budget or don’t need the extra features of the Fire TV.
Both devices use Amazon’s Fire OS and come with a remote control, but the Fire TV remote has additional features such as volume and power controls, as well as voice search capabilities. The Fire Stick remote is more basic and does not have these additional features.
Ultimately, the choice between the Fire TV and Fire Stick comes down to personal preference and specific needs. If you have a 4K TV and want access to faster streaming speeds and more storage space, the Fire TV may be the better option. If you are on a budget or only need basic streaming capabilities, the Fire Stick is a good choice.
Related: How to Sideload Peacock on Amazon Fire TV
Table Of Contents
The Differences Between Fire TV and Stick
If you wonder which of the two to try out at home, read to find out the main similarities and differences and choose which one fits your needs best.
1. What Is Included?
You would be surprised to find out that such small devices already contain months’ worth of movies and shows. The Fire TV is square, about 2.6 inches wide and 2.6 inches long, 0.6 inches high. It comes with an HDMI Male, a micro USB port, and an ethernet adapter. The set has a USB cable and power adapter so you can plug it in a while using it.
The Fire TV needs to be plugged into the HDMI port and connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi or the ethernet adapter. Lastly, it has an Alexa Voice Remote for hands-free control! Find out how to connect your Fire Stick with your TV.
The TV Stick is pretty much the same, except it is smaller like a USB flash drive and lighter than the Fire TV. You can only connect it through the Wi-Fi, but you still need the power adapter for juice. Hands-free control is also a breeze, thanks to the Alexa Voice Remote. But because of its smaller size, it is the better choice for travel.
2. Viewing Quality
Regarding viewing quality, both the Fire TV and TV Stick will give you high-definition pictures, but the Fire TV will also work with HDR and 4K Ultra HD. So forget about fuzzy screens and low-quality sound, as you will not be disappointed. This is a step up from watching on your tablet, computer, or local channels and feels more like being in the cinema.
3. Viewing Options
With more than 500,000 films and TV episodes from the most popular providers like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Prime Video, and much more, you will have a wide range of viewing options. Now the question is how to choose among half a million shows to watch?
Fire TV provides this and music for streaming (Spotify, Prime Music, and iHeart Radio). You can also browse your favorite social media sites, including YouTube, through Fire TV, though some providers might not be accessed for free.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick has one more edge, as you can also play games with it. If you have some friends over, you might not need anything else to entertain them or have a great party.
Lastly, you can bring these half a million viewing possibilities anywhere because it is so portable.
4. Savings
You can save money by canceling your standard cable service when you have the Fire TV or TV Stick. After all, you will most likely not even open those channels anymore! Instead, go for an indoor antenna to access the local channels, and for movie nights, you can turn to your streaming service.
5. Alexa Voice Remote Feature
The Fire TV and Stick feature Alexa Voice Remote, making it easy to look for content to play. Once you find a movie or show, you can verbally launch and play it, without getting up or pressing tons of buttons.
Beyond ordering your TV to play something specific, you can use both services to do other tasks like dimming the lights, adjusting the temperature, and even ordering dinner. They can be paired with other Echo devices for hands-free control while binge-watching your favorite shows.
6. Cost
The Fire TV is the pricier of the two, landing at $70. For this price, though, you get 4K Ultra HD and HDR features. There is also the vast amount of content and the other features that make every dollar worth it. Every purchase comes with a one-year limited warranty, but extensions are easy to buy.
On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick is cheaper, at $40. You will get the same access to content but without the newest features. The warranty with the TV Stick is shorter at 3 months, but an extended warranty can also be purchased.
Related: Firestick Not Connecting to Wi-Fi – Reasons and Solutions
Which Should You Get?
Both the Fire TV and Stick have similar features and highlights, which means choosing between the two can be challenging. But you also cannot go wrong unless these factors are essential for you. On a side note, I have an article that explains how to watch Apple TV on Firestick.
First, if you have a 4K or Ultra HD TV, you should go for Fire TV to maximize these. Second, if you love to travel, you should go for the Stick. Last, if you want something cheaper, you might not find it wise to pay almost twice as much for the Fire TV. Otherwise, both will surely give you hours of entertainment and probably not much sleep.