Amazon’s Fire TV devices offer plenty of convenience and affordability, so if you’re looking for the means to take your TV to the next level in terms of smart features, a Fire TV device is one way of doing so.
The online retail giant offers a several streaming devices at different price points to cater to different budgets. Whether you’re looking for a cheap upgrade or want hands-free Alexa control over your home cinema equipment, Amazon caters to all those needs.
We have a range of streaming devices and TVs on this best list to help you choose which one is best for you. Make sure to choose one that suits the equipment you already have. There’s little point in buying a 4K streaming stick if your TV doesn’t support 4K resolution, and vice versa with a HD streamer. And if it’s not a streamer but a TV you’re after, then Amazon’s own brand TVs are available in the UK.
Our team of experts have compiled a list of the best Fire TV devices on sale, putting them through their paces by assessing how easy they are to set up, picture and sound quality, features, and value for money.
If, ultimately, you’re not convinced by a Fire TV device, then have a look at our best streaming devices page to see other options. And if you’re looking for a new TV, then have a look at our best cheap TV, best 4K TV and best TV page.
Best Fire TV at a glance
- Best Fire TV device for home cinema: Amazon Fire TV Cube – check price
- Best Fire TV Stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max – check price
- Best Fire TV: Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED – check price
- Best Fire TV Stick for most people: Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote – check price
- Best budget Fire TV Stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite – check price
How we test
We use every Fire TV we review for at least a week. During that period we check to find how easy it is to set up, how intuitive its UI is and what its app selection is like.
During the test period we will see how well it performs running a variety of different content types. Where applicable this will include content mastered in various HDR standards and resolutions.
We will also monitor how stable the device’s Wi-Fi connection is and reliable its voice command functionality are where applicable.
- Swift and powerful performance
- Hands-free Alexa
- Excellent AV performance
- Addition of HDMI input
- Looks better than previous models
- More expensive
- Optional Alexa Pro Remote
- Fire TV interface is too dense in current incarnation
- Super Resolution has minimal effect
- HDR and Atmos support
- Good picture quality
- Lots of apps
- Alexa remote
- Improved interface
- HLG not available
- Fairly Prime-centric
- Limited to 1080p
- Great selection of apps
- HDR10+ dynamic metadata
- HDR10+ dynamic metadata
- Only 1920 x 1080 resolution
- No volume control
- Some very capable alternatives
- Excellent streaming performance
- UI speed improved over older models
- Bundle of entertainment apps
- Supports all major HDR formats
- Wi-Fi 6 compatible
- Prime customers best served to get the most from it
- Some might not dig the amount of ads
- No High-res audio support
- £5 more expensive than standard Fire TV 4K
- Colourful performance (in the right mode)
- Slick Alexa integration
- Well stocked for apps
- Fire TV Ambient Experience
- Feet not the most accommodating for placement
- HDR performance could use more finesse
- Rough upscaling with 480p content
- Competition is cheaper
Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022)
The best Fire TV device for home cinema users
Pros
- Swift and powerful performance
- Hands-free Alexa
- Excellent AV performance
- Addition of HDMI input
- Looks better than previous models
Cons
- More expensive
- Optional Alexa Pro Remote
- Fire TV interface is too dense in current incarnation
- Super Resolution has minimal effect
In Amazon’s line-up of streaming devices, the Fire TV Cube stands out as the most premium option, and while we’ve enjoyed previous iterations, the third gen Cube is the best yet.
For starters, the revised Fire TV Cube features a friendlier design that does away with the plastic approach of before corners with a wraparound fabric material that makes the Cube look like it’s a stylish part of your home cinema system.
The biggest feature of the Cube has always been its hands-free Alexa capabilities and the built-in microphone is prompt to hear your queries and fetch results for you. There’s an HDMI input included, so you can connect devices like a PS5 to the Cube without issue as it also recognises auto low latency mode for a quicker performance with games.
The Fire TV Cube supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so it can help produce the best performance from whichever streaming app you’re watching. Picture performance will depend on the calibre of your TV, but we found the performance to be very good when viewed on a Sony OLED. From an audio perspective it puts in a solid performance too, with a detailed, balanced presentation with stereo and Dolby Atmos content.
It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which if you have a compatible router, should allow for a stronger Wi-Fi performance. Even so, the performance was still strong when connected to the reviewer’s router wirelessly.
It is more expensive than the previous Fire TV Cube, which may put some off considering the Apple TV 4K box is now cheaper. We’re not too fond of the dense nature of Amazon’s Fire TV interface, and its focus on Prime Video and Freevee content. Nevertheless, this is the best streaming experience from a Fire TV device, especially for home cinema users.
Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Fire TV Cube (2022)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The best Fire TV Stick
Pros
- Excellent streaming performance
- UI speed improved over older models
- Bundle of entertainment apps
- Supports all major HDR formats
- Wi-Fi 6 compatible
Cons
- Prime customers best served to get the most from it
- Some might not dig the amount of ads
- No High-res audio support
- £5 more expensive than standard Fire TV 4K
If you can’t stretch your budget to accommodate the Fire TV Cube but are after a similar level of performance and features, then the next best among Amazon’s Fire TV line-up is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Cumbersome name aside, the difference between the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Stick 4K is Wi-Fi 6 (futureproofing it for next-gen routers), a faster processor, more storage and the Live Picture-in-Picture view that allows you to check your smart camera without interrupting what you’re watching.
We found the picture performance to be of similar quality to the Fire TV Cube with great colours, good detail and few issues in terms of buffering. HDR support hits the right notes with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG available where supported. Where the Fire TV Cube edges the 4K Max is with darker scenes where there’s less compression to be noted. Audio is also very good with Dolby Atmos support and a sound that is more nuanced and detailed than the similarly priced Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Despite the similar specification of the Roku and Amazon streamers, we feel this gives the edge to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Also in the favour of the Fire TV Stick 4K is the number of apps available on the Fire TV platform, which is slightly more than what we found on the Roku. With Alexa you also get her smarts and ease of navigation, in a number of cases it’s easier to ask her to fetch something than use the remote yourself.
Like every other Fire TV streamer on this list, you’ll need to be within the Prime ecosystem to make the most of it.
Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
The best Amazon Fire TV
Pros
- Colourful performance (in the right mode)
- Slick Alexa integration
- Well stocked for apps
- Fire TV Ambient Experience
Cons
- Feet not the most accommodating for placement
- HDR performance could use more finesse
- Rough upscaling with 480p content
- Competition is cheaper
There’s a reason why there haven’t been any Fire TVs on this list until now, and that’s because they’ve not really passed the muster. But the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED is one of the first we can give a recommendation too.
That’s not to say that it is perfect, as it comes with a few flaws. However, it’s an ambitious performer for its price and puts in a generally enjoyable performance across the board.
The design is smart with its thin, sliver bezel trim, though we’re not fans of the feet placement, at least for the 65-inch version. They’re set at the edges and it means you’ll need a wide surface to position the TV on. Not everyone will have the space to accommodate this model.
The Fire TV interface has its good and weak points. The amount of choice and options it provides in terms of apps is excellent, but the content is much too weighted towards Amazon’s own Prime Video and Freevee. If you subscribe to other streaming services, Amazon doesn’t make it too easy to find what else is available in our experience.
Alexa voice control is reliable as we’ve to expect, supported with the Voice Remote and hands-free interaction if you choose to interact in that manner. The Fire TV Ambient Experience makes this more a lifestyle TV, and if you’re ensconced within the Amazon ecosystem, it’s a handy way to keep track of things through the customisable widgets.
In terms of its picture performance, the Fire TV Omni QLED features surprising support for Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, two HDR supports we don’t often see at this price. The image quality could be more consistent in our opinion, HDR10/HDR10+ is not the most colourful; while Dolby Vision content is but suffers from raised blacks.
Upscaling and motion is solid enough, although we wouldn’t watch any 480p content on this screen. It’s not the brightest for HDR content, we measured it a peak of 529 nits, which is just bright enough to give a sense of HDR.
The sound system is crisp almost to a fault, but it can provide a good amount of space to films and TV shows. Like the picture quality, some sound modes fair better than others, but a soundbar will remedy that with a better sound.
Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote
The best Fire TV Stick for most people
Pros
- HDR and Atmos support
- Good picture quality
- Lots of apps
- Alexa remote
- Improved interface
Cons
- HLG not available
- Fairly Prime-centric
- Limited to 1080p
If you’re looking to give your bedroom/kitchen TV a smart upgrade, we recommend most people check out Amazon’s Fire TV Stick with Alexa Remote as their first port of call.
It’s been updated since we last reviewed it, getting the same new Alexa remote as the 4K Max has. The difference between this Fire TV Stick and Fire TV 4K Max is that it tops out at 1080p resolution and not 4K – but for the money we found it offered great value.
The remote is easy to use, and the setup process is made easy, as simple as plugging the stick into a TV’s HDMI port, connect it to the mains, signing into your Amazon account to watch your favourite films and shows.
It shares the same selection of apps as the Cube, which are available across the Fire TV range, and it supports HDR and Atmos sound. The app selection is a key selling point with it letting the base Fire TV Stick turn everything from a gaming monitor to an old 32-inch flatscreen into a fully functioning smart TV.
The remote also has Alexa support , and we found the mics easily picked up our reviewer’s vocal commands in most instances. If you still have an old HD TV and have even a little bit of cash spare, we’d recommend checking out our best 4K TV or best cheap TV guides to view the number of affordable Ultra HD sets on the market.
Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite
The best option for people on a budget
Pros
- Great selection of apps
- HDR10+ dynamic metadata
- HDR10+ dynamic metadata
Cons
- Only 1920 x 1080 resolution
- No volume control
- Some very capable alternatives
The Fire TV Stick Lite is currently the cheapest Amazon stick available, so if you just want the basics and can live with HD resolution, then this is the Fire TV Stick to get.
Though it’s cheaper than the Fire TV Stick with Alexa remote above, the only real difference we noted was its lack of Dolby Atmos audio. That’s only an issue if you have equipment that supports it or intend to upgrade your audio options in the future.
The Fire TV Stick Lite’s interface is a little dense and favours Prime Video/Freevee content, and it’s also limited to 1080p resolution. While we found this limits its usefulness on 4K sets where it has to rely on the TV’s upscaling to improve image sharpness considering that performance varies from TV to TV, the price is a key factor we can’t ignore. It also supports HDR content but that’s dependant on how good your TV is at HDR.
The similarly priced Roku Express 4K supports the Ultra HD resolutions, and we would recommend hat streamer above the Lite to those not tied to Prime. If you are reliant on Prime Video the Fire TV Stick Lite is undeniably better thanks to its Alexa support, a more reliable remote and better integration with Amazon’s ecosystem.
Reviewer: Simon Lucas
Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite
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FAQs
Based on our experience reviewing them, Fire TV sticks are a quick and easy way to turn any display into a functioning smart TV. Though the sticks push Amazon’s services front and centre, occasionally making it difficult to tell which content is free or paid for, we generally recommend them to most Prime subscribers on the hunt for a streaming stick.
Not every Fire TV stick can stream in 4K. The 3rd Gen Fire TV stick and Lite version are limited to 1080p, while the Fire TV 4K Sticks can stream at 4K resolution.
Fire OS lets you stream content from multiple services outside of Prime Video but you will need to pay a separate subscription fee to access them.
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Comparison specs
You can see a comparison of all the products mentioned in this guides’ specs in the table below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
