While the device works great for streaming, it still has room for improvement.
We first started with Roku devices. Over time though, Roku devices basically stop working. They stop being supported, and even though they may have worked fine for years, you can no longer update them or install software, even old versions, so you have to throw them away.
So, we tried firetv sticks. The first generation was rough, but they have come along way. For media streaming and app coverage, they really can't be beat..... but....
We love that they are tied into Amazon, but also hate that they are tied into Amazon. It never lets you forget that its primary job is to let Amazon sell stuff to you and its secondary job is to be your streaming device. What do I mean by this? Well, it really likes to put you back on Amazon's homescreen as much as possible, and when you are in Amazon's homescreen, you are presented with the content you have paid for, but also a lot of content Amazon would like to sell to you. I really only want to see the content I have already paid for. For example, if you are watching something on MAX, or Netflix, and you pause the program, if you unpause it quick enough, it will just pick up where you left off. However, if you wait to long, you will find yourself back at Amazon's homescreen asking you to tell it which user profile to use. Well, unless I tell it otherwise, shouldn't I be the same person I was when I hit pause? Shouldn't I want to continue watch what I was watching when I hit pause? Once you select a profile, you are back to Amazon's homescreen where the show you ads for services they want to sell you, when all you really wanted to do was resume what you were watching when you hit pause.
So then, you have to remember... what was I watching again? And what service was it I was watching it on? And then you have to navigate back to wherever it was you were and then and only then can you resume.
So other than that, the device is great. I wish there was a way I could just pay a fee like you can on the kindle, to alter this behavior so its primary function is to be my streaming device, instead of to show me ads.
This also becomes a problem if you have guests or visitors that don't understand this is how an Amazon device works. We didn't have a password set on the device and we had an older house guest that unknowingly subscribed to all sorts of streaming services and pay per view not realizing what they saw on the TV was not in our services, even though we already subscribe to more services than you could ever possibly watch.
Lastly, the stick periodically has little flukes. Like we have the remote set to turn on the tv. One time, it wouldn't turn on the tv anymore. It turned out, it seemed to be turning it on, but then turning it right back off. Like when you hit the button once, it was sending the on off signal more than once. Unplugging the stick and plugging it back in seemed to fix it and then we could turn the tv on again. It happened in the opposite direction too. One time, we couldn't turn the tv off. We would press the button and it would turn off and then it would turn right back on again. Same as before, a reboot seemed to fix it. This doesn't happen often, but it is annoying when it does.
As for Alexa integration, it usually works well, but sometimes, it just stops working. All of a sudden telling Alex to pause just doesn't work anymore. It just doesn't do anything. Doesn't tell you there is a problem or anything, so you have to go find the remote, even though you have paused it that way 100 times before.
The wanting to take you through the advertising screens is a problem with the Alexa integration as well. You can't say "Alexa watch some movie on some service" and get taken to that movie. No, no, it is first going to want to know who you are, so you get to the profile selection screen. I should be the same person I was last time, unless I have logged out for some reason. Selecting a profile still doesn't get you to where you asked to go, it gets you to the Amazon advertising center. So then, you have to repeat yourself "Alexa watch some movie on some service", and then, and only then, will it do what you asked it to do in the first place.
So the device, is great. But it is my device, and should focus on my needs more than Amazon's, but it doesn't. That is its only flaw.
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Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn moreProduct Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn moreProduct Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn moreProduct Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Certified for Humans
Certified for Humans products are smart devices for non-experts. Stress-free, no patience needed devices. Connecting to Alexa is quick and easy—even the software updates are automatic. All Certified for Humans devices meet a high standard and customers love them because they’re surprisingly simple. Learn more here.
Simple to set up and use
1. Plug Fire TV Stick directly into your HDTV, or use the included HDMI extender.
2. Plug into wall outlet.
3. Connect to internet and enjoy.
Every day is an earth day
You don’t have to be an environmental scientist to make sustainable choices. We considered sustainability in the design of this device. Here’s how:
Materials
50% post-consumer recycled plastics in streaming media player
20% post-consumer recycled plastics in the remote
Cable and adapter not included.
Low Power Mode
To reduce its energy consumption, this device will enter Low Power Mode when it goes to sleep. Learn more here.
Device Packaging
97% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.
Part with Purpose
There may come a time when you want to trade in or recycle your device. Explore options with Amazon Second Chance.
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| Price | From: $19.99 | From: $24.99 | From: $49.99 | From: $26.99 | From: $119.99 |
| Ratings | (46,093) | (405,059) | (253,666) | (142,656) | (5,628) |
| Best for | Essential streaming under $30 | HD streaming with convenient TV controls | Cinematic 4K streaming with Dolby Vision support | High performance 4K streaming with Wi-Fi 6 support | Ultimate 4K streaming with hands-free voice control |
| Supports 1080p Full HD |
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| Supports 4K Ultra HD & Dolby Vision (HDR for ultravivid picture quality) |
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| Live View Picture-in-Picture |
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| Hands-free with Alexa |
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| Connect & control your devices (cable box, game console, webcam, etc) |
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| Wifi support & connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E + Ethernet port |
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1.5 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Audio support | HDMI passthrough of Dolby-encoded audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
| Processor | Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz | Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz | Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz | Quad-core CPU 1.8GHz, GPU 750MHz | Octa-core 4x 2.2GHz 4x 2.0GHz, GPU 800MHz |
Technical details
Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)
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Size |
3.4” x 1.2” x 0.5” (86 x 30 x 13 mm) |
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Weight |
1.1 oz (32.0 g) |
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Processor |
Quad-core 1.7 GHz |
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GPU |
IMG GE8300 |
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Storage |
8 GB internal |
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Wifi |
Dual-band, dual-antenna wifi (MIMO) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard wifi. Supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wifi networks. |
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Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy. Pair with compatible Bluetooth speakers, headphones, video game controllers, and more. |
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Voice support |
Yes, with Alexa Voice Remote (included) or the free Fire TV app (available for download on Fire OS, Android, and iOS). |
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IR device control with included Alexa Voice Remote |
The included Alexa Voice Remote can control Fire TV Stick and certain functions (such as power and volume) on a wide range of compatible IR-enabled devices, including TVs, soundbars, and A/V receivers. Note: Certain functions may not be available on some IR-enabled devices. |
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Cloud storage |
Free cloud storage for digital content purchased from Amazon. |
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Ports |
HDMI output, micro-USB for power only. |
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Audio support |
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+ surround sound and HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, Dolby Atmos. |
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Video content formats supported |
HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, Vp9 |
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Output resolution supported |
1080p and 720p up to 60 fps |
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System requirements |
High-definition television with available HDMI input, internet connection via wifi, a power outlet. |
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TV compatibility |
High-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 1080p or 720p at 60/50 Hz. |
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Warranty and service |
90-day Limited Warranty and service included. Optional 2-Year and 3-Year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Fire TV is subject to the terms found here. |
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Content availability |
Certain apps and services are subject to change or withdrawal at any time, may not be available in all areas and languages, and may require separate subscriptions. |
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Accessibility features |
VoiceView screen reader enables access to the vast majority of Fire TV features for users who are blind or visually impaired. Screen magnifier enables viewers to zoom in and out, and pan around the screen. Text Banner consolidates onscreen text into a compact, customizable banner that appears on the screen. Watch videos and TV shows with closed captioning displayed. Use Audio Description for verbal descriptions of what is happening on the screen, including physical actions, facial expressions and scene changes. Captions and audio descriptions are not available for all content. You can also listen to Fire TV with compatible Bluetooth headphones. Learn more about accessibility for Fire TV. |
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Included in the box |
Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen), Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen), USB cable and power adapter, HDMI extender, 2 AAA batteries, Quick Start Guide |
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Software Security Updates |
This device receives guaranteed software security updates until at least four years after the device is last available for purchase as a new unit on our websites. Learn more about these software security updates. If you already own a Fire TV, visit Manage Your Content and Devices for information specific to your device. |
Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen)
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Size |
38 x 142 x 16 mm |
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Weight |
43.4 g (without batteries) |
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Batteries |
2 AAA (included) |
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Technology |
Bluetooth |
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Compatibility |
Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
Climate Pledge Friendly
Products with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
Product Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
The Reducing CO2 label applies to products certified by the Carbon Trust, that are lowering their carbon emissions year after year for the full lifecycle of the product. The Carbon Trust was formed in 2001 and introduced the world’s first carbon label in 2007. It produces its certifications to global leading and independently verified standards. The Carbon Trust has a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
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I recently purchased the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, and let me tell you, it has completely transformed my entertainment experience. This little device is an absolute game-changer!Setting up the Fire TV Stick was a breeze. It seamlessly connected to my TV, and within minutes, I was ready to enjoy a whole new world of content. The Alexa Voice Remote is an added bonus that takes convenience to a whole new level. With just a press of a button and a simple voice command, I can find my favorite shows, movies, or even launch apps without any hassle.The performance of the Fire TV Stick is exceptional. Streaming movies and TV shows in high definition has never been smoother. The picture quality is crisp, and the colors are vibrant, creating an immersive viewing experience. The device's built-in Wi-Fi connectivity ensures a stable and reliable streaming connection, so I never have to worry about interruptions or buffering.The content selection on the Fire TV Stick is unparalleled. With access to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and many others, I have an endless array of entertainment options at my fingertips. The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through different apps and discover new content.One of the standout features of the Fire TV Stick is its integration with Alexa. The voice control functionality is incredibly convenient. I can simply ask Alexa to search for a specific movie, genre, or actor, and it quickly delivers accurate results. It's like having my own personal assistant right on my TV remote!Furthermore, the Fire TV Stick's compatibility with smart home devices allows me to control my lights, thermostat, and even my security cameras using just my voice. It has truly simplified my home automation setup.I must also mention the portability of the Fire TV Stick. Its compact size makes it easy to carry and use anywhere with a compatible TV. Whether I'm traveling or visiting a friend's house, I can bring my favorite shows and movies along for the ride.In terms of value for money, the Fire TV Stick is an absolute steal. Considering the vast content library, excellent performance, and the added convenience of Alexa, it offers an unbeatable entertainment package at an affordable price.In conclusion, the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote has exceeded my expectations in every way. It has revolutionized my entertainment experience by providing seamless streaming, a vast selection of content, and the convenience of voice control. If you're looking to upgrade your TV setup, I highly recommend getting the Fire TV Stick – it's a must-have device for any avid streamer!Disclaimer: I received no incentives or promotions for writing this review. I genuinely believe the Fire TV Stick is an exceptional product that deserves recognition.
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