How to Choose Between Roku and Fire Stick
As far as streaming devices go, the Roku and Fire TV Stick seem similar in appearance. Both will cost between $20 and $40 depending on the device (and if there’s a sale). They both do a good job of turning your regular TV into a smart TV where you can stream your favorite shows as well as watch live TV online and also install apps to further enhance your TV viewing experience.
But that’s where the similarities end. Both Roku and Fire TV Stick have their own approaches to hardware, software, and running their own services.
What Roku and Fire TV Stick Do Right
As I mentioned above, there are things that both devices do well from the start.
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Cost-effective : You can get any streaming device for around $30, and they often sell for even less.
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Robust application support . Both devices come with thousands of TV apps and are so popular that you’ll even find apps for little-known channels and utilities.
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Fast and Responsive : If you buy the 4K versions, both the Roku and Fire TV Stick are quite fast to use, and if you have a good internet connection, you won’t have any problems.
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One remote : With the exception of the cheapest Rokus, both devices come with an HMDI CEC-enabled TV remote that lets you adjust the TV’s volume and turn it on and off. This means you can stream anything with just one remote control, further enhancing your TV viewing experience.
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Voice control : Both devices feature remote controls with built-in voice control.
Best in terms of UX, menus, and ease of use: Roku.
Roku’s overall interface, especially the menus, is designed much better than the Amazon Fire TV Stick. Roku has a simple app-based navigation system that you can customize to suit your needs. Accessing Netflix or Prime Video can happen in just a couple of clicks.
The Fire TV Stick’s home screen is a mess in comparison. Amazon is focusing more on TV shows and movies rather than apps, which only occupy a thin strip between all the other content. Right at the top you’ll find an autoplay trailer ( thankfully, you can turn off autoplay ) for Amazon’s new TV show.
In everyday use this is very annoying. A couple of apps are missing from the top bar, and opening the full app library requires extra clicks.
Overall, Roku is faster, smoother, and much less annoying. The Fire TV Stick’s interface isn’t slow either, especially when you get the 4K Max model, but it does take more time to wade through all the unnecessary promotions and tiles.
Best Voice Assistance and Home Theater Solution: Fire TV Stick
If you like using your voice to control your TV, especially if you already have Amazon Alexa devices in your home, you’ll get more from the Fire TV Stick 4K ($29.99) or Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($39.99) as streaming. device.
The Fire TV Stick has Alexa built-in and is much better at launching apps and searching for content than Roku. However, Roku’s search feature is generally faster. But when it comes to voice assistance and integration, the Fire TV Stick excels.
If you have an Alexa speaker, you can use the entire Fire TV interface without even picking up the remote. You can simply ask Alexa to launch Netflix or watch a show, and the Fire TV Stick will turn on the TV and start the show. This is also a great way to get around the whole Fire TV Stick home screen interface problem.
Roku can integrate with Alexa and Google Nest speakers, but you’ll have to add “on Roku” to the end of each request, and it doesn’t support TV control options.
And if you have a home theater with an AV receiver or soundbar, you might be better off using a Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV Stick will let you control your audio devices with the same remote, so you can truly use one remote for your TV and audio system. Roku doesn’t have this feature.
If you’re in the market for a Fire TV Stick, I’d recommend spending a little more on the $39.99 Fire TV Stick 4K Max . It features a new 2.0GHz quad-core processor, Dolby Vision support, DHR10+ support, 16GB storage and more.
Best overall pick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Ultimately, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is my top choice. It’s small, quick to use, and loads quickly. Additionally, it supports 4K, HDR10/10+ and Dolby Vision content. It has a Rokus-specific feature: you can listen to audio through your smartphone using the Roku app.
If you don’t want to spend $39 on a Roku Streaming Stick, the Roku Express 4K+ is also a great option. It’s $10 less and you lose the sleek form factor and HDR, but you get the same fast interface and all the great Roku features.
Best budget option: Fire TV Stick Lite.
Sometimes a $19.99 streaming stick is just too hard to beat. If you’re on a budget or want to buy a streaming stick to carry around in your travel bag, you can’t go wrong with the Fire TV Stick Lite . It doesn’t support 4K, but it plays Full HD content just fine. It also doesn’t have a remote control for volume or TV controls, but it can run all your apps and channels. Just don’t expect a super-fast experience like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Roku Express.