{"id":85681,"date":"2022-04-21T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/?p=85681"},"modified":"2024-05-30T23:39:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T03:39:43","slug":"fire-tv-vs-fire-tv-stick-what-are-the-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/fire-tv-vs-fire-tv-stick-what-are-the-differences\/","title":{"rendered":"Fire TV vs Fire TV Stick: What Are the Differences?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fire TV and Fire TV Stick<\/a> are two distinct types of Amazon TV streaming devices. This article compares products in both categories so that you have a clear understanding of the similarities and differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll cover differences in physical attributes, technical specs, price, availability, and other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fire TV vs. Fire TV Stick: Design and Form<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Fire TV is the set-top box version of Amazon\u2019s media streaming player. Fire TVs are square. It\u2019s a streaming device you place atop an entertainment center or shelf and connect to your TV using a cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only the 3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV device has a built-in pendant-like HDMI cable. The device hangs from the back of your TV when plugged in\u2014like Google Chromecast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick is a much smaller version of Amazon\u2019s streaming media player. It\u2019s a rectangular dongle the size of a chocolate bar. Unlike Fire TV, you don\u2019t need a cable to connect a Fire TV Stick to your TV. You can plug the HDMI end of the streaming stick directly into your TV\u2019s HDMI port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Fire TV Stick\u2019s form factor makes it the best choice for a cable-free entertainment center. Unlike the Fire TV set-top box, you can power a Fire TV Stick directly from your TV\u2019s USB port. Most Fire TV models (1st and 2nd gen) require power from a wall socket to come on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon Fire TV Cube Explained<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Think of the Fire TV Cube as Fire TV in a cube. In addition to the shape difference, the Fire TV Cube has four buttons on the top\u2014Microphone, Action, and Volume buttons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fire TV Cubes have built-in microphones and speakers for hands-free interaction with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. You can interact with Alexa on the Fire TV Cube without a TV (like the Amazon Echo<\/a>) or when your TV is off. A Fire TV Cube is a blend of Fire TV and Amazon Echo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what do Fire TVs and Fire TV Cube devices have in common? They lack an HDMI plug like the Fire TV stick has\u2014you need an HDMI cable to connect the streaming devices to your TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Storage and Memory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All Fire TV and Fire TV Stick generations have eight gigabytes (8GB) of storage space. Fire TV Cubes have 16GB storage space, most likely because they double as streaming devices and smart speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memory-wise, Fire TVs and Fire TV Cubes have 2GB RAM, while Fire TV Sticks\u2019 memory ranges from 1GB\u20131.5GB. Typically, Fire TV Stick Lite models and older generations of the streaming sticks have 1GB RAM. Fire TV Stick models that offer 4K streaming have higher memory configurations (1.5GB max).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1st and 2nd generations of the Fire TV have built-in USB ports. So, you can easily expand the devices\u2019 storage with a thumb drive. Fire TV Sticks lack USB ports, so you\u2019ll need a Micro USB to USB adapter to connect a USB drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexa Voice Remote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When buying a Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV Stick, ensure you choose one with an Alexa Voice Remote. With Alexa, you can find TV shows, adjust media playback, and execute other tasks via voice control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Amazon Fire TV devices support Alexa and ship with an Alexa Voice Remote, except the models listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n