What Amazon streaming stick is better for you? Fire TV Stick 4K vs Fire TV Stick (2021) vs Fire TV Stick Lite:

 


(Pocket-lint) - The range of Amazon Fire TV allows you to access and stream a variety of content, including Amazon's own, but also from apps such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and now - finally - Now TV. Amazon now has three HDMI streaming sticks as of late 2020 and they all look pretty similar. What's the difference then? That's why you're here, and we'll tell you that.

Each stick connects via HDMI directly to your TV and comes with a power adapter, an HDMI extender (but not an HDMI cable), AAA remote batteries, and a micro USB cable and power plug. Both dual-band support, on-board Wi-Fi 802.11ac (which is Wi-Fi 5, not Wi-Fi 6), and Amazon have made it possible for you to take the Fire TV Stick on vacation as it has found a way for you to input room and hotel Wi-Fi log-in info.

The top-end streaming stick from Amazon is a great value for money - particularly when compared to devices such as Apple TV 4K. It can output video at 60 frames per second with up to 4K Ultra HD resolution. High dynamic range (HDR) support is also available - HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG and HDR10+.

For services like Netflix, which goes alongside the general 5.1 and 7.1 Dolby surround audio output plus HDMI Audio pass-through, Dolby Atmos surround sound support is available. Basically, depending on the AV receiver, home cinema machine, soundbar or even TV that you plug it into, it will play the best format possible.

In the box, an Alexa Voice Remote is included. There are power and volume controls as well, as with the main Fire TV Stick below, so you can control audio gear like a soundbar.

Why buy? This is the flagship device of Amazon, and while it's small, what it offers is strong. These days, from Amazon and Netflix, there is plenty of 4K HDR content available - also well represented here. This is the only choice you should really consider if you have a compatible TV, particularly for the amazing price as compared to similarly listed rivals.

Amazon Fire TV Stick


Thanks to new hardware including a quad-core processor, the performance of the current iteration of the original Fire TV Stick has been enhanced by as much as 50 percent over the previous model, while it also now provides support for Dolby Atmos audio such as the 4K stick alongside 5.1 and 7.1 Dolby surround audio output and HDMI audio pass-through.

A full Alexa Voice Remote is included in the package, like the 4K Button, but there are also power and volume controls, so you can monitor the audio equipment like a sound bar. Unlike the 4K Stick, however, it will still only accept the resolution of Full HD 1080p instead of 4K.

Why buy? Why buy? The basic Fire TV Stick is an inexpensive way to access a range of content for those without a 4K TV but an Amazon Prime subscription.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite


The entry-level streaming stick from Amazon is fresh but lies under the main Fire TV Stick. Like the main Fire TV Stick, due to better hardware, it supports Full HD and has improved performance over the older 2019 version of the main stick. There's no Dolby Atmos support, however.

The main difference, called Alexa Voice Remote Lite, is the less efficient remote control. There are no volume or mute keys, so the sound of your TV and/or sound bar can't be controlled by you. Also, there is no power button. However, it does provide, as you would imagine, Alexa voice control, as well as a new Guide icon.

Why buy? Why buy? The cheapest way to get Alexa to work on a TV and there's not much excuse not to select this over the regular Fire TV Stick if you don't mind using another volume remote if you don't have 4K.




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