Roku Express 4K+
Score: 68/100
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD
Score: 75/100Rankings
The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is an entry-level streaming dongle delivering Full HD video with Alexa voice control and HDR support. Its main limitations are the lack of 4K capability and modest hardware that can feel sluggish with many apps. Best for budget-conscious users who only need 1080p streaming and basic smart-home integration.
Roku Express 4K+ provides compact 4K/HDR streaming with a voice remote that also controls TV power, volume, and mute, making setup effortless. Its drawbacks include the absence of Ethernet, limited 1 GB RAM and 16 GB storage, and lack of Dolby Vision or Atmos support. Best suited for users who want an affordable, easy-to-use 4K streamer for secondary rooms.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1 GBbest | 1 GBbest | |
16 GBbest | 8 GB | |
60 Hzbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 45.4 g | 31.8 gbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Processor | ARM Cortex A55 quad-core | Enhanced 1.7 GHz quad-core |
Storage(1) | ||
Internal Storage (GB) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
Display(1) | ||
Maximum Resolution | 4K UHD | 1080p |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 |
Controls(1) | ||
Remote Type | Voice remote with TV power, volume, mute | Alexa Voice Remote |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 45.4 g | 31.8 g |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 40.64×21.08×76.2 mm mm | 29.97×12.45×85.9 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Roku Express 4K+ for its brilliant 4K picture quality, smooth dual-band Wi-Fi streaming, and convenient voice remote, while noting the lack of Ethernet, limited RAM/storage, and absence of Dolby Vision/Atmos.
Everyday users praise the device's effortless setup, reliable 4K/HDR streaming, and handy voice remote, but complain about occasional Wi-Fi buffering, limited storage, and lack of Ethernet or premium HDR/audio formats.
“in real usage, the performance is still acceptable for basic streaming”
“great choice for those seeking affordable Full HD streaming with simple setup”
Professional reviewers consider the Fire TV Stick HD a solid, budget-friendly choice for anyone who only needs Full HD streaming. They note that while the hardware is modest-featuring a 1.7 GHz quad-core CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 8 GB storage-it still provides acceptable performance for everyday services like Netflix and Prime Video. However, critics point out that the specs lag behind modern Android TV boxes and that the device is more restrictive than higher-tier Fire TV models, limiting power-user flexibility.
Everyday users appreciate the low price, reliable HD playback on popular services, and the plug-and-play simplicity. Common praise centers on its value for casual viewers and stable performance with a good internet connection. Recurring complaints involve the lack of 4K support, limited storage and RAM for heavy multitasking, and fewer customization options compared with Android-based alternatives.
