![]() ![]() The media stick is responsive and immediately acts on the commands coming from the wireless remote. As long as the Firestick is attached to the display, you can relax and catch up on new content without interruptions. ![]() The cordless setup means you don’t have to worry about faulty or damaged cables interrupting your streaming. ![]() Small and practical, the sticks connect to the TV through an HDMI port. Portable SizeĪt first glance, it’s easy to mistake the media player for a thin USB flash drive. Additionally, the Firestick enables Alexa to display the weather forecast, sports results, or Wikipedia info, a perk that many streaming devices lack. Thanks to the Alexa integration, users can also monitor their home security camera footage on their TV screens. Once you press the microphone button, issuing the appropriate voice command will prompt Alexa to browse shows, movies, and apps from different platforms. You can use it to adjust the television’s volume and power and even access advanced playback commands. The Alexa-enabled remote is equipped with a designated microphone button that activates the voice assistant and pairs it with the media device. The USB-style Firestick fits into any suitcase or bag, allowing you to stream content even when you’re far away from home. Moreover, the app is perfect for traveling since you don’t have to carry the remote to keep up with your favorite shows. You can find movies using the built-in keyboard or voice commands, access games, and adjust the playback controls. To launch the app, all you have to do is check that the Firestick and smartphone are connected to the same wireless network. Users dissatisfied with the Firestick remote can download the app and transform their Android or iOS phone into a simple-to-navigate remote. The Amazon Fire TV app is free to download on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store. All Firestick products come with a well-integrated Alexa and offer hands-free control, but newer models feature several exclusive perks.īefore reaching for your wallet, check whether Firestick devices are on sale to get the best blend of affordability and quality. However, Amazon has several sales during the year when purchasing the latest model is more budget-friendly than going for the original. Depending on the model, a Firestick player will cost you between $30-$60. We’ve included the maximum supported resolution in our list.Many customers are attracted to the least expensive original Firestick models, but it’s best to hold off on shopping until the discount season. If you've just got an older HD telly, you can save some money by getting a more affordable streamer that doesn't support Ultra HD. These relate to the image quality they can display on your TV, so if you've got a high-end Ultra HD 4K TV or plan to get one in the future, you may want a streaming stick that supports 4K streaming and enhances detail in very bright and very dark scenes – this is known as High Dynamic Range (HDR). You'll see the terms HD, 4K, and HDR when picking the best streaming device for you. NOW hasn’t always been available on the Amazon Fire TV platform, though, and you can’t add extra apps to the Now TV Smart Stick, so we reckon it's always worth checking that all the apps you need are available. These days, most devices offer all your favourite apps like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, NOW, Amazon Prime, and access to all the main TV catch-up services including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4. Both types need to be plugged into mains power and all but one in our roundup (the original Chromecast) come with their own remote control. Streaming boxes, on the other hand, connect to your TV with an HDMI cable and will need their own space in your TV setup (although some, like the Roku Express models, are box-shaped but tiny enough to hold in the palm of your hand). Streaming sticks look a bit like bigger flash drives with a built-in HDMI connector to plug directly into the port on your TV. This will come down to personal preference and what fits behind your television or in front of it. There are a lot of streaming devices to choose from, so here are some of the key points to consider before you buy: Form factor ![]()
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