Amazon Fire TV Review

Amazon Fire TV at a Glance

• Compatible with Alexa voice commands

• Up to six unique profiles allowed per account

• Access to live TV and streaming apps 

What is Amazon Fire TV?

First Generation Amazon Fire TV family models were released in late 2014, resembling a small box and remote setup. Since then, however, the devices have become much smaller. Newer models resemble the Amazon Fire Stick, containing just a USB plug and a small attached device. 

Great, that's out of the way. What do Amazon Fire TV devices do? The streaming players help you replace regular cable. Once attached to your TV and your wireless internet, you can use Amazon Fire TV to watch movies and shows from almost any platform or channel. 

Users can stream live programs, browse on-demand content, and download apps for everything from music and games to Netflix and Hulu. The Amazon Fire TV is popular because of its convenience and the fact that the remotes are compatible with Alexa. 

Finally, the Amazon Fire TV family includes three generations of its namesake device, as well Fire Cube TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Amazon Fire Stick 4K. 

Amazon Fire TV device pricing

The price range for Amazon Fire TV products is pretty wide. The Fire Stick Lite is the most affordable option for $30, followed by the Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) at $40, the Fire Stick TV 4K at $50, and the Fire TV Cube at $120. 

Pricing is pretty consistent across retailers; you're unlikely (though it's probably not impossible) to score a significantly lower deal than the standard Amazon price point. One way to get around the standard pricing would be store-specific promotions that don't exclude Amazon Fire TV (like Black Friday deals, etc.). You can find Amazon Fire TV right on Amazon, or pick it up in person at places like Best Buy, Target, and Lowes. 

Amazon Fire TV device features

Amazon Fire TV has some stand-out features. The interface may look familiar to people who are used to streaming on other platforms, but fun extras like using your device as a voice assistant when the TV is off are not found elsewhere.

Here are some of the Amazon Fire TV specs and features we think will matter most as you decide which player is right for you. 

Voice activation

It's no surprise that Amazon has fully integrated Alexa into its Amazon Fire TV gadgets. You can use your remote to ask "Alexa, what's the weather" to pull up a weather app, or "Alexa, go to live" to switch over to live TV from on-demand. 

You can also seek out specific apps ("Alexa, open Netflix") or programs ("Alexa, turn on Bridesmaids"). The Alexa Explore app on the Main Menu will roll out to all devices soon, which lets you check sports scores, find recipes on the fly, and more. Alexa is activated via a simple button on Amazon Fire TV remotes. 

Easy setup

Another thing people love about Amazon Fire TV is that it's easy to set up. For instance, for the Fire TV Cube, you start with attaching the HDMI cord into your TV and the Fire TV Cube. Once you power the device on, you just navigate to the HDMI input on your television. Your remote will begin pairing with your TV. From there, on-screen instructions guide you through registration and wifi connectivity. 

All told, you can get an Amazon Fire TV product out of the box and totally set up within about 10 minutes if you're not tech-averse. Even less savvy users can get going within the hour. Personalize your Amazon Fire TV experience by downloading specific apps to create a custom home screen. 

App availability

There are more than 11,000 apps available on Amazon Fire TV. These include TV apps, game apps, music apps, and more. You can connect your stable apps (the ones you can never seem to quit) like HBO Max, Hulu, and Starz. You can also download apps for specific networks like NBC or ESPN. Most apps offer free downloads. Once your Amazon Fire TV is set up with your favorite network and streaming apps, you can scroll through them using your remote or simply use the voice commands to go directly to the content you want. 

One of the most popular apps on Amazon Fire TV is the Amazon Prime Video app. There are thousands of titles on the app, comprising both programs from other networks and original content. Amazon originals include Modern Love, Upload, Absentia, The Boys, Homecoming, Troop Zero, and The Lie. 

Keep in mind that for many apps, you'll need login credentials. For instance, if you download the Starz app, you may have to sign in and activate Starz from a browser before you can start watching. When it comes to customizing your app menu, you can add and remove apps using the Pin, Move, and Remove functions.

Remote control

In addition to the voice control button, your Amazon Fire TV remote also has a Home button, and pause, fast forward, and rewind functions. You can also launch a soundbar or get to the live TV guide quickly. Some remote control models have preset buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. You can deploy these platforms with the press of a finger if voice control isn't your jam. 

Streaming quality

The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite and Amazon Fire TV Stick offer streaming quality up to 1080p, full HD with support for HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, and HLG. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is equipped with up to 4K Ultra HD, plus support for HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. The Amazon Fire TV Cube also has up to 4K Ultra HD quality, with support for HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. 

Amazon Fire TV compared

Amazon Fire TV compared to Roku

Of all other streaming players, Roku is the most similar in user experience. Some Roku players are similar to the original Amazon Fire TV, but the brand has also expanded to USB devices. Like Amazon Fire TV, you download content apps from a marketplace and navigate them via remote. In addition to voice control, most Roku remotes also have a jack for earbuds. Roku regular pricing ranges from $30 - $180. One advantage Roku has is that they offer exclusive products with Walmart, which are usually a few dollars cheaper than other models. 

Amazon Fire TV compared to Portal

Facebook Portal TV is the closest Portal product to Amazon Fire TV, but it's just catching up in terms of content. Both platforms can be paired with Alexa, but as of mid-2021, Portal only allows people to use their players for Netflix. The main purpose of Facebook Portal TV is to video call with friends and family and play interactive games. If the Portal eventually adds more apps and opportunities for content, it may be more useful than the Amazon Fire TV. For now, it doesn't have the same streaming capabilities and can't match the app library that Amazon has. 

Our final take

The Amazon Fire TV is great for Amazon lovers and people who want to set up a smart home. The Amazon Fire TV Cube can even be used just like an Alexa-enabled device when the TV is not in use. There are thousands of apps to choose from, including Netflix and Hulu. The one major downside is that, unlike other live TV streaming devices, there isn't a built-in DVR function. You'll have to buy an Amazon Fire TV Recast device to record and watch back content. The Recast is $230, but there is no monthly subscription fee. Overall, we recommend the Amazon Fire TV devices for any streamer who wants a customized platform and likes voice controls.