13 Verified Hands-On Reviews
To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.
Expert reviews [13]
- with a score: 8
- without a score: 5
| Highest score by Gadget Review |
98
|
| Average score based on 13 reviews |
87
|
| Lowest score by Engadget |
79
|
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert consensus
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and convenient remote control features, making it a reliable option for seamless streaming and some casual gaming.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content availability, including popular streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. It also supports live TV channels through services like Sling TV and YouTube TV.
This makes it a comprehensive option for users who want access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, live sports events, and on-demand content.
In terms of picture and sound quality, the Fire TV Stick delivers impressive performance. The standard version supports streaming up to 1080p HD resolution, while the Fire TV Stick 4K offers 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60 frames per second. It also provides complete HDR support, including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Digital Plus, resulting in enhanced color and contrast for a more immersive viewing experience.
The Stick Max variant offers seamless streaming with minimal buffering, even when watching 4K movies or streaming games through Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service.
The setup process for the Fire TV Stick is praised for its simplicity and intuitive user interface. The clean and easy-to-navigate interface makes it comfortable for users of all levels of tech-savviness. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi for a stable and fast connection, and the remote control offers various functions and features, including voice control, media playback controls, and shortcut buttons for popular streaming services.
Some versions even have backlit buttons and a "Find my Remote" function.
While the Fire TV Stick offers some casual gaming capabilities, it is not as extensive as dedicated gaming consoles. It supports popular gaming apps and platforms like Twitch, as well as ports of popular Android mobile games. However, the maximum resolution for gaming is 1080p, and the maximum frame rate is 60 fps.
For more serious gamers, alternatives like the Amazon Fire TV Cube or dedicated gaming consoles may be more suitable.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is a reliable streaming device that offers a comprehensive selection of content, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and convenient remote control features. It is suitable for users who want a seamless streaming experience with easy navigation and control options, as well as some casual gaming options.
Content availability
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers a wide range of streaming services, including popular options like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, making it a versatile device for entertainment.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers a wide range of streaming services, making it a versatile device for entertainment. Users can access popular streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube TV, ESPN+, Sling TV, YouTube, Crackle, and Pluto TV.
These services provide access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, live sports events, and on-demand content. The Fire TV Stick supports both regional and international streaming services, allowing users to access content from various regions. It also offers the ability to watch live TV channels through streaming services like Sling TV and YouTube TV.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick provides a comprehensive selection of content for users to enjoy.
Picture and sound quality
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers impressive picture and sound quality, with the standard version supporting up to 1080p HD resolution and the 4K version delivering 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60 frames per second, along with complete HDR support for enhanced color and contrast.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers impressive picture and sound quality according to expert reviews. The standard Fire TV Stick supports streaming up to 1080p HD resolution, while the Fire TV Stick 4K can handle streaming in 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60 frames per second.
This means that it can deliver a higher level of clarity and detail in videos compared to the standard version.
In terms of HDR support, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers complete HDR support, including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Digital Plus. This allows for enhanced color and contrast, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
It is also future-proofed with advanced technology, making it a standout option in terms of UHD performance and compatibility with different HDR formats.
When it comes to streaming high-quality content, the Fire TV Stick has been praised for its seamless streaming experience and reliable Wi-Fi performance. Reviews mention that there were minimal buffering incidents during on-demand content streaming, and the Stick Max variant experienced no buffering lags while watching 4K movies or streaming games through Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service.
The Fire TV Stick also comes with dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi support built-in, contributing to its strong Wi-Fi performance.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers excellent picture and sound quality, making it a great option for those looking for a reliable streaming device that can handle high-quality content without buffering or lag. Whether you're streaming movies, TV shows, or playing games, the Fire TV Stick delivers a satisfying viewing experience.
Setup
The Amazon Fire TV Stick receives praise for its intuitive user interface, easy setup process, and convenient remote control features, making it a user-friendly streaming device.
Based on the expert reviews, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is praised for its intuitive user interface and easy setup process. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it comfortable for users of all levels of tech-savviness. The setup process is straightforward, with simple tabs for Home, Find, and Live.
The Fire OS maintains a familiar layout with rows of icons and stacked categories, providing easy navigation.
In terms of connectivity, the Fire TV Stick has an HDMI connection for easy connection to a TV. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, allowing for a stable and fast connection to both 2. 4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The Wi-Fi performance is seamless, with no issues in streaming on-demand content and minimal buffering during live content streaming.
The remote control for the Fire TV Stick offers various functions and features. It allows for navigation through the software and menu options, as well as media playback controls. The remote also has volume controls and shortcut buttons for popular streaming services. Some models have backlit buttons for easier use in low-light environments.
The remote features a built-in microphone for voice control, allowing users to search for content, launch apps, control playback, and even control compatible smart home devices. It can also be programmed as a universal remote to control the TV's power, volume, and channels. Some versions of the remote even have a "Find my Remote" function to locate a misplaced remote.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is praised for its user-friendly setup, intuitive interface, and convenient remote control features. It is suitable for users who want a seamless streaming experience with easy navigation and control options.
Gaming capabilities
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers casual gaming capabilities and supports popular gaming apps and platforms, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a media streaming device with gaming options, although it is not as extensive as dedicated gaming consoles.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers some casual gaming capabilities, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a media streaming device with gaming options. It supports popular gaming apps and platforms such as Twitch, allowing users to watch live streams of games and even stream their own gameplay.
Additionally, the Fire TV Stick offers ports of popular Android mobile games, allowing users to play games like Minecraft and Crossy Road on their TV.
However, it's important to note that the gaming capabilities of the Fire TV Stick are not as extensive as dedicated gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. The maximum resolution for gaming is 1080p, and the maximum frame rate is 60 fps. If gaming is a primary concern, alternatives like the Amazon Fire TV Cube or dedicated gaming consoles may be more suitable.
One of the advantages of the Fire TV Stick is its compatibility with external gaming controllers. It supports the official Amazon Fire TV Game Controller, as well as popular controllers like the Xbox One controller and the PlayStation DualShock 4 controller. This means that users who already own these controllers can use them to play games on the Fire TV Stick without the need for an additional purchase.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers some casual gaming options, making it a versatile choice for those who want a media streaming device with the ability to play games. However, for more serious gamers, dedicated gaming consoles may be a better option.
Position in ranking
We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all TV boxes and sticks.
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player |
WIRED
|
TechRadar
|
Business Insider
|
Reviewed
|
The Verge
|
PCMag
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IGN
|
Tom's Guide
|
TechHive
|
Digital Trends
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $180 |
Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K (2022) has received positive reviews for its content availability, picture and sound quality, setup, and gaming capabilities, making it a versatile streaming device suitable for users who want a comprehensive range of streaming services, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
9
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | $42 |
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, high-quality picture and sound, easy setup, and the option for casual gaming experiences.
|
1
|
9
|
-
|
3
|
3
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7
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7
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1
|
1
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $67 |
Chromecast with Google TV 4K
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content options, impressive picture and sound quality, and convenient features, making it a reliable and user-friendly choice for home entertainment.
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2
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-
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5
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2
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2
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2
|
6
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3
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $78 |
Roku Ultra 2022
The Roku Ultra 2022 is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, excellent picture and sound quality, easy setup, and some gaming capabilities, making it suitable for various streaming preferences.
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
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-
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-
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Highest recommended tv boxes and sticks this month
ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. tv boxes and sticks below are at the top of our ranking this November.
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| Apple TV 4K | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Chromecast with Google TV 4K | Roku Ultra 2022 |
|
Rank
#1
out of 76
Reviews
In comparison:
10.0
Amazing
|
Rank
#2
out of 76
Reviews
In comparison:
Roku Streaming Stick 4K rank #2 out of 76.
Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.7
Amazing
|
Rank
#3
out of 76
Reviews
In comparison:
Chromecast with Google TV 4K rank #3 out of 76.
Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.1
Great
|
Rank
#4
out of 76
Reviews
In comparison:
9.0
Great
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Apple TV 4K (2022) has received positive reviews for its content availability, picture and sound quality, setup, and gaming capabilities, making it a versatile streaming device suitable for users who want a comprehensive range of streaming services, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. | The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, high-quality picture and sound, easy setup, and the option for casual gaming experiences. | The Chromecast with Google TV 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content options, impressive picture and sound quality, and convenient features, making it a reliable and user-friendly choice for home entertainment. | The Roku Ultra 2022 is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, excellent picture and sound quality, easy setup, and some gaming capabilities, making it suitable for various streaming preferences. |
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