Rankings
Xiaomi's TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) delivers 4K HDR video with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, powered by a fast quad-core CPU and Wi-Fi 6. It lacks a wired Ethernet connection and AI upscaling. Best suited for portable or secondary-TV streaming where space and wireless performance matter.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is a streaming stick delivering 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos, plus AI-powered search and Alexa integration. It is limited by occasional lag under heavy use and only 8 GB of internal storage, and it relies on TV USB power. Best suited for cord-cutters and Alexa-enabled homes seeking affordable 4K streaming.
The Roku Streaming Stick+ is a compact HDMI-plug-in streaming device delivering 4K60fps HDR with a long-range dual-band Wi-Fi and voice-enabled remote. Its budget-friendly design lacks Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and an Ethernet port, which may limit premium audio-video and wired stability. Ideal for cost-conscious cord-cutters seeking easy setup on secondary TVs.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers 4K Ultra HD streaming with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, powered by a quad-core processor and Alexa voice remote. Its limited 1 GB RAM, Wi-Fi 5 connectivity and 8 GB storage can cause occasional lag and restrict app installations. Best for budget-conscious casual streamers who want an affordable 4K experience.
Roku's Streaming Stick 4K offers true 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and long-range Wi-Fi in a tiny dongle, plus extensive smart-home compatibility. It lacks Ethernet and has only 1 GB RAM, which may affect heavy app use. Perfect for users seeking a simple, reliable 4K streamer with broad ecosystem support.
The KD3 is a compact Android TV stick delivering 4K HDR with AV1 efficiency and a Google Assistant voice remote. Its limited internal storage and micro-USB power connector are notable trade-offs. Best suited for budget-focused users who want a portable Google TV device.
The X88 Screencast TV Stick is an affordable Android 13 dongle with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 4K-capable HDMI 2.0b output, bundled with a remote and HDMI extender. In practice, its video often caps at 1080p and its modest 2 GB RAM and 16 GB storage limit multitasking. It fits budget-conscious travelers or secondary-room setups needing basic streaming.
Greva's Android TV Stick packs a Rockchip RK3518 quad-core CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and supports up to 8K HDR10 playback with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. It lacks the extensive app catalog of mainstream platforms and may miss some HDMI-2.1 features. Targeted at enthusiasts who prioritize high-resolution support and connectivity over a broad ecosystem.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | 1 GB | 2 GBbest | 1 GB | 2 GBbest | 1 GB | 2 GBbest | 2 GBbest | |
8 GB | — | 8 GB | — | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GBbest | 16 GBbest | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 100 Mbpsbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 2.5 Wbest | — | 3.5 W | — | — | — | — |
| ↓ lower better | 45.4 g | 26 gbest | 241 g | 28.35 g | 28 g | 42.5 g | 128 g | 50 g |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||||||||
Processor Model | Mediatek MT8696D | ARM Cortex A53 | Amlogic S905Y4 | ARM Cortex A55 | Quad-core Cortex-A55 | MT8698 MCM quad-core 1.7 GHz | Rockchip RK3518 Quad-Core 64-bit Cortex-A53 CPU | RK3528 Quad-Core 64-bit Cortex-A53 |
GPU Model | — | — | ARM G31 MP2 | OpenGL ES 2.0 | ARM G310 V2 | — | Mali-450 | — |
RAM (GB) | — | 1 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
Storage(1) | ||||||||
Internal Storage (GB) | 8 GB | — | 8 GB | — | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Ports(1) | ||||||||
HDMI Version | — | — | 2.1 | 2.0b | — | — | — | 2.0b |
Connectivity(2) | ||||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 | Dual-band | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 |
Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth | — | 5.0 | — | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Audio(1) | ||||||||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos | Stereo | Dolby Atmos | Digital stereo over HDMI, DTS Digital Surround passthrough, Dolby‑encoded audio passthrough | MP3, AAC, RM, FLAC, DTS:X, DTS HD, Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision audio | — | — |
Controls(1) | ||||||||
Remote Type | Alexa Voice Remote | Voice Remote with IR | IR + Bluetooth voice remote | Voice Remote | Bluetooth voice remote | Alexa Voice Remote | Voice Remote | Remote |
Power(1) | ||||||||
Power Consumption (W) | — | 2.5 W | — | 3.5 W | — | — | — | — |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||||
Weight (g) | 45.4 g | 26 g | 241 g | 28.35 g | 28 g | 42.5 g | 128 g | 50 g |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 38.6x17.5x141.2 mm | 20x12x94 mm mm | 92.5×29.5×14.5 mm mm | 20x48x11 mm mm | 90 x 40 x 165 mm mm | 38.1x15.24x101.6 mm | 25.4x25.4x25.4 mm mm | 30x13x787 mm mm |
Software(1) | ||||||||
Supported Apps | — | Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, Sling | — | — | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube | — | — | — |
Display(2) | ||||||||
Maximum Video Resolution | 2160p | 3840x2160 | 4K | 3840x2160 | 4K | 2160p | 8K | 3840x2160 |
HDR Formats Supported | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10 | HDR |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for its lightning-fast app starts, fluid navigation, and AI-driven search that feels smarter than previous generations. They highlight the premium picture and audio quality from Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, as well as the added value of Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming. Wi-Fi 6 is praised for delivering reliable 4K streaming even on congested networks, though reviewers note minor lag under heavy use and the limited 8 GB storage compared to the 4K Max.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the device's speed, easy setup, and high-quality 4K/Wi-Fi 6 performance, often calling it "fast streaming, easy to setup, great apps" and noting its suitability for small spaces thanks to the HDMI extender. Recurring complaints focus on occasional lag and the limited internal storage, but overall satisfaction remains high with users describing it as "perfect for streaming".
“fast streaming, easy to setup, great apps”
“Works fast... perfect for streaming.”
“very impressed”
Select the KD3 for Google services and AV1 efficiency; opt for Fire TV Stick 4K if you prefer Alexa and a tighter Amazon ecosystem.
Professional reviewers commend the Stick+ for its sleek, plug-and-play form factor, strong long-range Wi-Fi, and solid 4K/HDR picture at a budget price, but they criticize the missing Dolby Vision/Atmos support and the lack of an Ethernet port, which limits its appeal for premium-audio or wired-network users.
Everyday users love the effortless setup, crisp 4K/HDR picture, responsive voice remote, and reliable Wi-Fi range, especially for upgrading older or secondary TVs, while recurring complaints focus on occasional overheating, short remote battery life, and intrusive interface ads.
Professional reviewers praise the KD3 for its powerful quad-core CPU, AV1-enabled 4K@60 fps playback and the modern Android 11-based Google TV interface, noting its fast, responsive UI and convenient OTA updates. They also highlight the built-in Chromecast and dedicated shortcut remote as strong differentiators. However, they criticize the limited free internal storage, the outdated Micro USB power port, and the fact that it doesn't match the raw performance of premium competitors like the NVIDIA Shield.
Everyday users appreciate the stick's ability to deliver smooth 4K streaming from Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube, the responsive Google Assistant remote, and the portability for travel or secondary TVs. Common praise centers on AV1-driven bandwidth savings and easy casting. Recurring complaints focus on the cramped internal storage, occasional Wi-Fi instability, and the presence of bloatware that eats into the already limited space.
Professional reviewers commend the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for its snappy performance, fast quad-core processor, and excellent picture quality with full HDR and Dolby Vision support. The device's discreet size and robust smart-home integration are also highlighted, positioning it as Roku's top-of-the-line streaming stick.
Everyday users give the stick high marks, repeatedly noting the sharp 4K picture, smooth streaming experience, and the convenience of the voice remote with TV power and volume controls. The long-range Wi-Fi is frequently mentioned as a benefit in larger homes.
Professional reviewers praise the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) for delivering performance on par with much larger TV boxes, highlighting its smooth interface and substantial CPU/GPU improvements, while noting the lack of AI upscaling as the main drawback.
Everyday users consistently commend the device for its lag-free 4K streaming, portable form factor, and responsive UI, with few complaints aside from the missing AI super-resolution capability.
Professional hands-on reviewers commend the Fire TV Stick 4K Select for delivering the fastest app launches and a bright, crisp 4K picture at an affordable price, emphasizing its Dolby Vision/Atmos support and AI search. However, they criticize its outdated 1 GB RAM, Wi-Fi 5 radio and overall lack of premium features, labeling it under-featured compared to newer sticks.
Everyday users appreciate the smooth 4K streaming, quick app loading, Alexa voice control and the inclusion of free ad-supported TV and cloud gaming. Recurring complaints focus on occasional UI lag, limited storage/RAM and occasional incompatibility with certain apps, as well as the older Wi-Fi standard.
Professional reviewers commend the X88 Pro for its crystal-clear 1080p playback on large screens, reliable Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and budget-friendly price that brings Android 13 streaming to any TV. However, they caution that the advertised 8K capability is exaggerated, the base RAM/storage limits multitasking, and the lack of active cooling could cause throttling under heavy use.
Everyday users love the stick's portability, easy plug-and-play setup, and the surprisingly good picture quality for streaming services on older TVs. Common complaints revolve around over-hyped resolution claims, occasional app lag on the base model, and confusion caused by inconsistent specs across different sellers.
