Reviews Tech

Best Fire TV sticks and devices, compared

A Fire TV television close-up side-by-side with a photo of a Fire TV remote and Fire TV Stick 4K Max on a marble tabletop in our reviewer's living room.
Fire TV devices include streaming sticks and smart TVs. David Murphy/Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Updated
Read in app

Amazon offers a wide range of Fire TV streaming devices, from compact Fire Sticks to full-fledged smart TVs. All provide access to popular video apps and support Alexa. The best Fire TV players are also known for their speedy performance, and though Amazon recently raised prices across the entire lineup, they still receive good limited-time deals.

Entry-level Fire TV options, like the Fire TV Stick HD, deliver high-definition playback, while the best Fire TV devices, like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, support Ultra HD video and Dolby Vision for enhanced color and contrast. Amazon also sells smart TVs with the Fire TV operating system (OS) built in, now branded as part of the company's Ember collection. Though their picture quality can't compete with the industry's top TVs, they're decent budget options for fans of Amazon's ecosystem.  

With so many different Fire TVs to consider, it's important to understand the key differences between models. To help you pick the best Fire TV Stick or display for your setup, we've detailed all the ins and outs of each offering, including new pricing and defining features.

Did Amazon raise Fire TV prices?

In August 2026, Amazon raised the prices of several of its devices, including Fire TV Sticks, with models now costing $5 to $60 more than before. Amazon says the price hike is the result of increased costs for memory and storage. In addition to Fire TV products, Amazon also raised prices for several Echo and Kindle devices.

However, despite the price hike, Amazon still offers limited-time discounts on Fire TV models, with prices sometimes dropping well below each model's original MSRP. Here's a rundown of current Fire TV list prices, along with details on the best deals we've seen since the price hike.

Fire TV modelOriginal list priceCurrent list priceBest deal price since the increase
Fire TV Stick HD$34.99$39.99$17.99
Fire TV Stick 4K Select$39.99$49.99$19.99
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus$49.99$69.99$39.99
Fire TV Stick 4K Max$59.99$84.99$49.99
Fire TV Cube$139.99$199.99$109.99

Fire TV Stick HD

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD retail box, with the streaming stick and voice remote, on a white background.
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick HD is its entry-level streaming device with Full HD (1080p) streaming and HDR support. This model also has an Alexa voice remote that includes TV controls.

The Fire TV Stick HD is Amazon's most affordable streaming device. Like the company's other sticks, this compact dongle plugs right into your TV's HDMI port. Once powered on, you can use the included Alexa Voice Remote to navigate the stick's interface and access all the best streaming services

The Fire TV Stick HD can stream video up to 1080p, making it ideal for an HDTV. The device also supports high dynamic range (HDR) using the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats. This feature delivers enhanced colors and contrast when streaming HDR videos through apps like Disney Plus. That said, most HDR-supporting TVs are 4K models, and if you have a 4K TV, we highly recommend you pay a bit more for one of Amazon's 4K sticks.

The latest model offers a few upgrades over older versions, including a slimmer design, WiFi 6 connectivity, support for Amazon's enhanced Alexa+ voice assistant, and access to the Xbox app. With the Xbox app, a Game Pass Ultimate membership, and a Bluetooth controller, you can stream Xbox games to your Fire TV Stick HD without a console. Meanwhile, Alexa+ is an upgraded version of Alexa that leverages AI for more conversational control. Alexa+ is free with a Prime membership, but costs $20 a month without one.

Fire TV Stick 4K Select

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is Amazon's new entry-level 4K streaming device. It supports 4K HDR streaming just like the standard Fire TV Stick 4K, but it's missing Dolby Vision capabilities and it has less memory.

As the name suggests, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select streams at a higher resolution than the Fire TV Stick HD. With 4K (Ultra HD) support, you get a sharper, more detailed image when watching 4K videos on a 4K TV. This model also supports HDR playback with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

Beyond the jump to 4K, this model is otherwise very similar to the Fire TV HD, with the same remote, storage, and memory. But while this is a step-up in most ways, the 4K Select is the only Fire TV Stick that's still limited to WiFi 5 rather than WiFi 6. WiFi 6 can deliver better performance in congested networks with lots of connected devices, so long as you have a compatible router.

The Fire TV 4K Select is a decent option for budget-conscious shoppers who own a 4K TV. However, if you're willing to spend more, the brand's step-up models offer a couple of extra perks, such as Dolby Vision support, more memory, and improved WiFi.

Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

The clicker and plug for the Fire TV Stick 4K (2023).
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is a good fit for 4K TV owners. It supports a higher resolution than the cheaper Fire TV Stick HD and offers Dolby Vision support, which the Fire TV Stick 4K Select lacks. However, its processor isn't as fast as the 4K Max's.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is a rebranded version of Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K. The company changed the name in October 2025, but aside from the addition of "Plus" on the packaging, the device remains the same.

This model is similar to the 4K Select, but it has a few extra features that make it slightly better. Most notably, the 4K Plus adds support for Dolby Vision HDR, which is not available on either the Fire TV Stick HD or the 4K Select.

Dolby Vision can provide your TV with more detailed guidance on displaying HDR images when watching Dolby Vision content on a compatible display. Dolby Vision is a popular format that's used on many streaming services, like Netflix and Disney Plus, so this is a nice feature to have. Check out our HDR TV guide for more information about the various HDR formats.

Additionally, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus steps up to WiFi 6 versus WiFi 5, which enables better connectivity when used with a compatible router. It also features 1GB of extra memory and support for Amazon's live view picture-in-picture feeds from compatible smart cameras.

This is a good all-around pick for users with a 4K TV, but you can get snappier performance from the more powerful 4K Max.  

Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The clicker and plug for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023).
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

This is Amazon's top streaming stick. With its powerful processor and GPU, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the fastest streaming device in its price range and now supports console-free Xbox gaming via Game Pass.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of our picks for the best streaming devices you can buy. It carries over everything you get with the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, while offering a faster processor, GPU, and more storage. This makes navigation a little snappier and lets you save more apps and games.

Amazon released the latest version of its Fire TV Stick 4K Max in September 2023. Compared to the previous-generation model, this new edition features an upgraded CPU, double the storage capacity, and support for WiFi 6E routers. It also has a revised design with rounded edges.

A photo of an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Alexa remote on a table in front of a TV hanging on a wall.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon's fastest Fire TV Stick model.  Steven Cohen/Business Insider

Unlike other Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, the 4K Max supports Amazon's Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you display art and photos, as well as widgets for the weather, your calendar, and other info. And like the other Fire TV Stick 4K models, it also supports the Xbox app for Game Pass streaming and Alexa+.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is often on sale for just $10 more than the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, so we think it's the best Fire TV Stick for people with 4K TVs.

Fire TV Cube

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022)
Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022)

Amazon's Fire TV Cube offers 4K streaming support, hands-free Alexa, an HDMI input, and video upscaling.

The Fire TV Cube is the best Fire TV for pure processing power. It incorporates all the key features of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but has a more powerful CPU and is designed to be a more traditional home theater device. Instead of a dongle that hangs from your TV's HDMI port, the Cube is a compact box that sits on your TV stand and plugs into your display via an HDMI cable

One of the Fire TV Cube's key benefits is its hands-free Alexa voice control, enabled by its built-in microphones. In other words, the Cube can act like an Echo device. The newest model also has an HDMI passthrough port for controlling cable boxes, twice the storage space as the stick models, 4K upscaling to make HD videos look better, and overall faster performance.

The Fire TV Cube is a premium streaming box designed to compete with devices like the Apple TV 4K, Roku Ultra, and Google TV Streamer. It's best suited for home theater enthusiasts who want the brand's absolute best quality and fastest technology.

Amazon Ember smart TVs

A close-up of the Alexa mute button on the Amazon Omni QLED TV.
Ember QLED, Mini LED, and Artline TVs support hands-free Alexa+ voice control.  David Murphy/Business Insider

Amazon also sells its own lineup of full-fledged smart TVs, all of which use a built-in version of Fire TV OS. Amazon's displays don't make our guide to the best TVs, but when on sale, they're decent budget options for fans of the Fire TV ecosystem. These displays are now branded as Amazon Ember TVs and are sold across five series.

Amazon Ember 2-Series - See at Amazon
This is Amazon's basic entry-level HDTV, available in 32-inch 720p and 40-inch 1080p options. The 2025 model adds a faster processor and WiFi 6 support. However, its direct-lit LED panel can't deliver the brightness, contrast, or color needed for impactful HDR, so it's best reserved for shoppers who want a cheap TV for casual viewing in a smaller space.

Amazon Ember 4-Series - See at Amazon
Amazon's 4-Series is its most affordable 4K TV, with 43-, 50-, and 55-inch sizes. The 2025 model offers a faster processor and WiFi 6, but its image capabilities remain largely unchanged: It lacks local dimming, a wide color gamut, and Dolby Vision, resulting in weak HDR performance. It's a decent fit for a smaller, affordable 4K TV for a bedroom, but not for home theater use.

Amazon Ember QLED Series - See at Amazon
The Omni QLED adds hands-free Alexa control through built-in microphones, letting you adjust power, volume, navigation, and search without the remote. It also adds quantum-dot color, Dolby Vision support, and local dimming on the 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes. The 2025 version is a little brighter and faster than its predecessor, but the 50-inch model no longer has local dimming. It offers better picture quality than Amazon's cheaper sets, but similarly priced TCL and Hisense models deliver superior performance.

Read our full Amazon Ember QLED TV review.

Amazon Ember Mini LED Series - See at Amazon
Amazon's flagship Mini LED Series combines the Ember QLED's features with a Mini LED backlight for much higher brightness and more precise contrast control. Its 4K QLED panel supports Dolby Vision and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, giving it more impactful HDR performance and smoother gaming than Amazon's other TVs. It's the best Fire TV display Amazon has released, but its retail price is a little high compared with competing Mini LED models, so most buyers should wait for a sale.

Read our full Amazon Ember Mini LED TV review.

Amazon Ember Artline Series - See at Amazon
This is Amazon's frame-style TV available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, with a matte anti-reflective screen, slim wall mount, magnetic bezels, and access to more than 2,000 free pieces of artwork. It does a solid job displaying art and includes useful hands-free Alexa+ controls, but its prominent front sensor bar interrupts the framed-art illusion, while its 60Hz panel, lack of local dimming, and mediocre built-in speakers limit home theater and gaming performance. It's a decent alternative to Samsung's Frame TV when discounted, but its flaws make it hard to recommend at full price.

Read our full Amazon Ember Artline TV review.

Fire TV Soundbar

The Fire TV Soundbar and its remote.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar

The Fire TV Soundbar is a compact and affordable way to upgrade your TV's speakers.

The Fire TV soundbar is a compact 2.0-channel speaker designed to rest in front of your TV. It features an HDMI eARC and optical port for easy connection to most modern displays, and it also supports Bluetooth for wireless music playback from a mobile device.

At 24 inches wide, the soundbar is relatively small, making it easy to set up on most TV stands. Though it doesn't include a subwoofer or offer advanced features like up-firing audio drivers with Dolby Atmos support, the Fire TV Soundbar does support DTS Virtual:X to simulate surround sound. That said, at this price range and performance class, buyers shouldn't expect too much from this feature.  

And despite the Fire TV branding, this is a soundbar only. It does not feature built-in support for streaming video apps. The base model includes only a standard remote, but you can pay more for a package that includes an Alexa Voice Remote Pro

Based on the specs and affordable $120 price tag, Amazon is positioning this as an entry-level soundbar for people who just want a simple, compact, and inexpensive upgrade for their TV's speakers.

Fire TV Soundbar Plus

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus on white background
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus

Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is larger than the standard model and adds a center channel for dialogue and a woofer for extra bass.

This step-up soundbar model from Amazon is a bit larger than the standard Fire TV Soundbar, coming in at 37 inches rather than 24. Though less compact, it delivers beefier audio performance, with a built-in woofer for bass and a dedicated center channel for dialogue.

The Fire TV Soundbar Plus also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding. However, it still lacks up-firing audio drivers, so it can't fully take advantage of those formats' main benefits.

Amazon also sells bundles that include the Fire TV Soundbar Plus with a wireless subwoofer or a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers. Again, these are decent entry-level audio options, but there are better soundbars available for the money. If you're looking for something with more oomph, check out our top recommendations:

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.

Read next

steven cohen author photo
Steven Cohen
I'm a Senior Tech Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. I'm responsible for overseeing buying guides and reviews for all of the latest TV, video, audio, and wearable products. I work with a team of experienced freelancers to establish testing methodologies, test products, and select the best of the best for our buying guides. My areas of expertiseMy primary expertise is in home entertainment products, with a focus on all things home theater, including TVs, soundbars, speakers, headphones, and streaming devices. I also have a background in film criticism, having reviewed over 400 movies and TV shows. I studied filmmaking and use my knowledge of video and audio production to inform my testing parameters when reviewing home entertainment devices.  ExperienceI joined Business Insider as a tech editor for the Reviews team in 2019. I became a senior tech editor in 2022.Before joining Business Insider, I was High-Def Digest's Gear Editor. My work has appeared on Ben's Bargains, Steve's Digicams, Big Picture Big Sound, and Consequence. Why you can trust meI'm not only passionate about TVs and tech, but also an expert in display quality. In 2019, I was one of a select number of journalists invited to get a hands-on first look at LG's debut 8K OLED TV. I was also among the earliest journalists to demo Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies for home theaters in 2014 and 2015, respectively.In 2018, I served as a judge for the annual TV Shootout, the premier display competition that crowns the best TVs of the year. I also attend yearly industry launches and reviewer workshops for new TVs and audio products from top brands, like LG, Samsung, Sony, and Sonos.I know that it’s easy to get overwhelmed by tech jargon and premium prices on high-end gear, which is why I'm passionate about recommending quality options for all price ranges and explaining which features are really worth the money. EducationI hold a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Central Florida, where I majored in film production.Outside of workI live in Orlando, Florida, with my girlfriend, dog, and cats. When I'm not covering tech products, I love to explore the theme parks of Orlando and watch movies on my dream home theater setup, complete with the biggest TV and Dolby Atmos speaker system I could fit in my living room.Say hi to Steven at scohen@jkmperu.com or find him on LinkedIn