Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: what’s the difference
POTENTIAL Amazon streaming device shoppers may ponder between the Fire TV Cube and the familiar Fire TV Stick, but what sets them apart?
We've compared both Fire devices and looked at their differences to determine which will be the best fit for your streaming needs.
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £139.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 -
Amazon has cornered the market with its range of affordable Fire streaming sticks.
For anybody in search of simple streaming, these plug-in devices effortlessly turn any TV into a smart one via HDMI.
One the top rung of the ladder is the Fire TV Cube, with its hands-free Alexa functionality, 4K visuals, and top-tier performance.
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In this article, you'll find the comparable Fire TV Stick 4K Max and a range of more affordable streaming sticks, albeit with some compromises.
While the Fire TV Cube comes with a premium price tag, the Fire TV Sticks offer impressive streaming capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
With this in mind, what justifies the extra cost of the Fire TV Cube over the range of Fire Sticks?
In this comparison article, we've compared them head-to-head, looking at everything from picture and sound quality to their pricing and features.
Our tech reporter, Rhys Melhado-Thompson, has also looked at the Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick, check it out for an in-depth comparison of these popular Fire Sticks.
While I've looked at Amazon's 4K streaming sticks in my Fire Stick 4K vs 4K Max comparison to see how they stack up against each other.
I've also explored Amazon's smart TVs, so be sure to check out the Fire TV Omni Series and the Fire TV 4-Series for a glimpse at Fire-ready TVs.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Differences at a glance
The comparison between the Fire TV Cube and the Fire TV Sticks reveals varying differences in price and compatibility that may not justify the extra cost for those without a 4K-ready TV.
There isn't much variation in the picture and sound performance from the 4K-ready Fire TV Sticks to the Fire TV Cube. Plus, with Dolby Atmos and spatial audio available from the standard Fire TV Stick to the Cube, it's pretty consistent sound-wise across the board.
The significant price jump to the Fire TV Cube warrants consideration, especially when more budget-friendly options like the Fire TV Stick are available.
Regardless of the device chosen, access to popular streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video remains consistent, so you'll enjoy the same experience of the Amazon platform whatever you choose.
The Fire TV Cube's standout feature is its hands-free voice command, although enhanced Alexa remotes are also available for Fire TV Sticks, providing similar functionality with a tactile remote.
Overall, the decision between the Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Sticks hinges on factors such as price, design preferences, and the importance of hands-free voice control.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Picture and sound
When it comes to picture quality on the Fire TV Cube and Sticks, performance varies across the board.
For those aiming for the ultimate streaming experience, the , , and devices all offer the same 4K picture quality, albeit at different price points, with no significant leap in quality.
However, if you don't have a 4K-ready TV, investing in these devices might not justify the extra cost, as they can only display the maximum resolution supported by your television. In this case, the Fire TV Stick and below may better suit your needs.
It's a similar scenario regarding the sound quality of these Fire devices, with the Fire TV Stick through to the Cube offering Dolby Atmos and spatial audio.
Ironically for a streaming device, the key deciding factors to settle the differences between the Fire range do not solely rely on picture and sound quality.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Price and availability
There's a significant price leap when transitioning from Amazon's Fire
TV Sticks to its Fire Cube, making it a crucial consideration for potential buyers.
You'll be shelling out a premium for the , priced at £139.99, whereas the most comparable in terms of visuals and performance, the , comes in at half the price, a more budget-friendly £69.99.
That being said, for those seeking the Amazon streaming platform on a budget, Fire Stick options , offering a significant reduction in costs.
You can find them available at retailers like , , , and — but at the time of writing none of these retailers have any sales on the Fire range.
Those willing to wait and watch sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday often find these devices significantly cheaper, so holding off before making a purchase pays off.
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £139.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Sticks from £34.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £139.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Sticks from £34.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £139.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Sticks from £34.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £139.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Sticks from £34.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Cube, £144.99 -
- Amazon Fire TV Sticks from £37.99 -
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Features
Regardless of the Fire device you opt for, you'll have access to the same apps and features, including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and, of course, Prime Video taking center stage.
That being said, this is where the Fire TV Cube truly shines, as the Alexa-enabled device's voice command capabilities reach their peak.
You can effortlessly control your TV, turning it on and off hands-free by voice command, and seamlessly open and switch apps.
Of course, you can still accomplish this with the Alexa Voice Remote on Amazon's Fire TV Sticks — but there's no doubt it's a nifty feature that goes some way in justifying the extra cost of the Cube.
The Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K Max stand out as they both boast double the speed thanks to the octa-core processor, along with support for Wi-Fi 6E to enhance streaming performance.
In this regard, the Cube and top-of-the-range Fire Sticks are comparable, while even Amazon's budget streaming sticks remain reliable with support for Wi-Fi 5.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Design
There's no denying that these devices differ significantly in design, with the Fire TV Sticks offering a much more portable and discreet option compared to the Fire TV Cube.
As expected, the Cube is, well, a cube, and it will sit atop your console table next to your television.
For some, its dimensions of 8.6 cm x 8.6 cm x 7.7 cm may seem a bit bulky, but thanks to a design refresh, it looks more premium, featuring the same mesh surround as Amazon's Echo devices.
But if you're after something more discreet, all of Amazon's Fire Sticks are essentially identical and are often tucked away behind your television in the HDMI port.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Remotes
Amazon's Alexa-powered remotes vary across the range of Fire devices, and while the Fire TV Cube can be controlled hands-free, it still comes with one of the 'enhanced' Alexa Voice Remotes.
Both the Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick come with Amazon's standard Alexa remotes, which lack support for a Recents button and dedicated channel buttons for live TV navigation, as seen on the enhanced remote.
Fortunately, all these streaming devices include remotes with quick action buttons for popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video.
However, with voice control becoming a standard and a key selling point of Amazon devices, the Fire TV Cube offers a more future-proof and seamless experience.
Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick: Verdict
Ultimately, the main selling point of the Fire TV Cube is hands-free voice command, it comes at a higher price compared to the popular Fire Sticks. Therefore, it may be advisable to wait for sale periods to purchase one at a discounted price.
Here's our verdict.
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Choose Fire TV Cube if
- You want the best picture and sound quality.
- You prefer hands-free voice control and smart home integration.
- You need advanced device control capabilities.
Choose Fire TV Stick if
- You're on a budget.
- You prioritize portability and a smaller form factor.
- You don't need advanced features like hands-free voice control.
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