I used to be a longtime fan of the Google Chromecast, having owned one for the reason that first iteration in 2013. Nevertheless, its 2024 discontinuation compelled me to maneuver over to Amazon’s Fireplace TV Stick 4K—and it’s been a surprisingly nice improve!
6
An Intuitive and Characteristic-Wealthy Interface
Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf
Having not owned an Amazon streaming machine for the reason that first-generation Fireplace TV Stick, I used to be impressed by the numerous enhancements that the Fireplace TV OS has undergone in recent times. In 2025, it is without doubt one of the most user-friendly streaming interfaces I’ve used, and whereas Chromecast additionally stepped as much as the problem with Google TV, the Fireplace TV Stick’s UI nonetheless surpasses it when it comes to personalization, discoverability, and total responsiveness.
Like with Google TV, the Fireplace TV dwelling display is neatly organized into personalised content material rows, shortcuts, and trending exhibits, together with fast entry to your favourite apps. Nevertheless, in contrast to Google TV, which regularly prioritizes Google providers and content material, Fireplace TV gives a extra impartial expertise, whether or not you’re watching Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon’s native Prime Video.
5
A Superior Distant Management With Alexa Integration
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The Fireplace TV Stick 4K encompasses a newly redesigned Alexa Voice Distant, which units it aside from Chromecast with Google TV—the one technology of the machine to incorporate a distant. Whereas the latter does help Google Assistant, it’s not as polished and lacks the deeper ecosystem capabilities that Amazon Alexa gives.
The most recent Alexa Voice Distant is very intuitive, with devoted app buttons and quantity and energy buttons that sync to your TV. The blue-highlighted microphone button takes satisfaction of place on the high of the handset subsequent to the mic itself. This enables you not solely to open apps and seek for exhibits and films but additionally to regulate your good dwelling units, test climate stories, and handle Alexa routines.
In distinction, over time, Chromecast has been closely reliant on its app. Whereas Chromecasts are nonetheless an excellent buy in 2025 and might be managed by my smartphone, for dwelling use, I favor the holistic and simplified resolution that the Alexa Voice Distant gives.
4
Third-Get together App Help and Native Streaming Companies
Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf
One of many main advantages of the Fireplace TV Stick 4K is its help for a variety of third-party apps and streaming providers. In fact, there may be the same old array of choices obtainable, together with Netflix, YouTube, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, and stay TV streaming, amongst others. Nevertheless, what actually units it aside from different plug-and-play units is the flexibility to sideload apps for higher customization and a extra personalised viewing expertise.
Whereas Chromecast with Google TV additionally presents a big selection of mainstream apps, Fireplace TV’s compatibility with lesser-known providers, like IPTV providers and gaming platforms, in addition to its ad-free integration of Prime Video and Freevee, makes it a way more versatile software total.
3
Easy Integration for Sensible Houses
Amazon
Amazon has invested appreciable effort in creating its native ecosystem, and the Fireplace TV Stick 4K integrates seamlessly, providing superior automation and management in comparison with its Google counterpart. Amazon’s good merchandise are inexpensive and available, and the Fireplace TV Stick 4K simply connects with a variety of units, together with Echo audio system, Ring doorbells, Blink cameras, and good plugs.
For instance, you’ll be able to ask Alexa to point out your entrance door digicam whereas watching a film or dim your good lights utilizing voice instructions through the distant. Fireplace TV even helps Matter and Thread, making it a future-proof hub for good dwelling units throughout totally different manufacturers. For me, deeper management and higher customization choices make the Fireplace TV Stick 4K stand out compared to Google Assistant-supported units.
2
Improved Efficiency General
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The most recent Fireplace TV Stick 4K is powered by an upgraded quad-core processor and GPU mixture for smoother navigation, faster app launches, and buffering-free playback. It additionally helps 4K Extremely HD, HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and Dolby Atmos, offering a premium audiovisual expertise that may maintain its personal when linked to a high-quality TV.
This efficiency is just like that of the brand new Google TV Streamer, which can be a premium machine, though it has a a lot bigger footprint and a price ticket that’s double that of Amazon’s Fireplace TV Stick 4K.
1
Wonderful Worth for Cash
Worth for cash was probably the most compelling cause for me to go for the Fireplace TV Stick 4K. In recent times, Google has determined to drop the ultra-compact, smartphone-activated, and inexpensive Chromecast in favor of the dearer, bulkier, and remote-controlled Chromecast with Google TV. This was finally succeeded by the even bulkier shelf-top console, the Google TV Streamer, which is considerably extra highly effective—and dearer.
After I thought of that the Fireplace TV Stick 4K combines portability, comfort, app compatibility, efficiency, and affordability, together with the flexibility to stream stay TV and free ad-supported content material, it was a no brainer for me.
Should you additionally need a secondary streaming machine for sideloading apps, streaming international networks through VPN, and having a conveyable backup unit for all of your streaming subscriptions, the Amazon Fireplace TV Stick 4K is an ideal match. And whereas Google’s streaming merchandise have by no means let me down, and I’ll proceed to pack my Chromecast in my tech pouch when touring, the Fireplace TV Stick 4K presents one of the best stability of performance, ecosystem compatibility, and affordability, making it my best choice for streaming in 2025.
