Roku TV vs Amazon Fire TV

The market for streaming devices is booming. Today there are so many devices out there; ones that come with 4K, voice-enabled remotes, and more. Though there are so many devices to choose from, the plethora of choices out there makes it difficult to determine what device may be the best for you. 

The good news is that it's possible to find the right device. And you may find luck searching for a device among Amazon Fire TV and Roku families, two of the major players in the streaming device industry. Here's what you need to know to make your search easier.

Roku TV vs Amazon Fire TV devices compared

Roku devices may be a bit pricier than Amazon Fire TV products, but not by much. As you can see, the cheapest Roku device here is only five dollars more than the cheapest Amazon Fire product. When considering the price for these devices, you should also keep in mind which devices support the streaming quality you're looking for.

For example, though Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is only $30, it doesn't support 4K streaming. So if that's what you're looking for in your device, then you might be more inclined to purchase the Roku Premiere for $35 or the Roku Streaming Stick+ for $50. 

Which device is best for you?

User experience

Amazon Fire 

In 2021, Amazon took a page out of Roku's book and released remotes with branded service buttons. The remote comes installed with Prime Video, Disney Plus, Netflix, and Hulu. Even if you do not have the 3rd generation remote, you will still be satisfied with your overall user experience.

Especially when you consider that Amazon Fire devices come with the "essence" of Alexa; Amazon's favorite AI and arguably the most intuitive virtual assistant out there. With Alexa's help, users can seamlessly maneuver any Fire device's interface and stream the content they want with little to no effort.

Roku

There's not a ton of key differences between Roku and Amazon when it comes to user experience. But we'd be remiss if we didn't call out the Roku's remote control. All new Roku models come complete with a remote control that features buttons to four streaming services. 

This may seem minor, but in the streaming world, it's a game-changer. With Roku, all of your favorite content is literally only a click away, making it easier than ever to stream content from Hulu, Sling, Netflix, and Disney Plus. If you're looking for ways to shortcut your streaming experience, then Roku's got plenty of options.

Extras

Amazon Fire

Amazon Fire's homepage and system interface recently underwent a massive update to improve its accessibility and look. It's important to mention here that though the devices were updated, that doesn't mean they're objectively better. Some might prefer the previous interface to the current version, but that shouldn't take away from Amazon's efforts.

What's more, all Amazon Fire devices are linked to your Amazon account. This means that all your content preferences will be automatically synced with your device upon setup. When you first launch the device, you'll be recommended different titles based on your preferences and be able to find your next watch quicker.

Roku

Both Amazon Fire and Roku are compatible with almost all of the major streaming services out there, such as fuboTV, STARZ, and Hulu + Live TV. But there's one key difference between the two devices when it comes to content: the Roku channel. Available only on Roku devices, The Roku Channel gives users access to specific ad-supported content from Roku.

The channel comes complete with a few classic movies like The Devil Wears Prada, The Wolf of Wall Street, and 5 Flights Up. You can even stream a few live stations with the channel and tune into shows like TMZ and Now This. Ultimately, the Roku channel has the potential to be a great perk for those looking to cut costs for streaming.

Disadvantages

Amazon Fire 

One thing you should know about Amazon Fire products is that they're frequently subject to cross-promotional advertising. This is Amazon we're talking about here, a world leader in e-commerce and technology, so it makes sense that the company would use every avenue it could to promote its products. However, the constant promotion of other related Amazon products on Fire devices can get, well, annoying.

Roku

Roku may be one of the best streaming devices out there, but it's not without its flaws. Roku products require a high-grade internet connection or an internet download speed of 1.5 Mbps to work bug-free, and also comes with data caps. So those who cannot afford such an internet plan might consider looking elsewhere for a streaming device that meets their needs. This isn't to say that you can't watch content on Roku if you have an internet plan below 1.5 Mbps, but you will almost certainly run into some lags and issues if your internet connection isn't up to snuff.

Our final take

Amazon Fire and Roku devices are the two most renowned streaming devices in the industry. These devices are trendsetters in their own rights and feature technology and extras that are sure to change the game of streaming for years to come. 

There may be some essential differences that distinguish the devices from one another. But the bottom line is you can't go wrong with either of these services when it comes to streaming your favorite content.