![Fire TV Stick Lite vs. Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick 4K: What’s the Difference? Fire TV Stick Lite vs. Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick 4K: What’s the Difference?](https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/amazon-fire-stick-with-controller-close-up.jpg)
Quick Links
-
What’s the Price Difference?
-
Which Fire TV Stick Should You Buy?
Key Takeaways
- The three Fire TV Stick models have similar specs and designs with slight differences.
- The price difference between the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick 4K is minimal, with the 4K version providing enhanced streaming quality.
- While all Fire TV Stick models offer great streaming content, if you want the best audio and video quality or cloud gaming support, opt for the 4K version.
Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks are among the best streaming devices on the market. However, with four models available, it can be tough to pick what to buy. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick 4K.
Feature |
Fire TV Stick Lite |
Fire TV Stick |
Fire TV Stick 4K |
Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
---|---|---|---|---|
Resolution |
Up to 1080p Full HD |
Up to 1080p Full HD |
Up to 4K Ultra HD |
Up to 4K Ultra HD |
HDR Support |
HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
Audio |
Dolby Audio (Via HDMI passthrough) |
Dolby Atmos Audio |
Dolby Atmos Audio |
Dolby Atmos Audio |
Processor |
Quad-core 1.7GHz |
Quad-core 1.7GHz |
Quad-core 1.7GHz |
Quad-core 1.8GHz |
Storage |
8GB |
8GB |
8GB |
8GB |
RAM |
1GB |
1GB |
1.5GB |
2GB |
Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Bluetooth 5.2 |
Bluetooth 5.2 |
Remote |
Alexa Voice Remote Lite (no TV controls) |
Alexa Voice Remote |
Alexa Voice Remote |
Alexa Voice Remote (with TV controls) |
Live View Picture-in-Picture |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Price (MSRP) |
$29.99 |
$39.99 |
$49.99 |
$59.99 |
Specs and Design
All three models have a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, 8 GB of internal storage, and 650MHz IMG GE8300 GPU. However, the Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick have 1GB of memory, while the 4K version includes 2GB. The former two also support Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 while the 4K Max version has support for upgraded Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
All models have voice support with Alexa through the remote. Moreover, they connect to your TV via an HDMI port and provide free cloud storage for digital content purchased from Amazon.
If you looked at all of the Fire TV Stick options side by side, you wouldn’t be able to tell each version apart. The Fire TV Stick Lite, the classic Fire TV Stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K, and even the Fire TV Stick 4K Max version all look identical.
There are slight visual differences between the buttons on the Lite remote and the full-featured Alexa Voice Remote, but that’s in terms of design differences. No matter which version you buy, every Fire TV Stick comes with identical contents, except for the TV Stick Lite, which comes with a Lite version of the remote.
What’s the Price Difference?
There’s not much difference in price between the classic Fire TV Stick, the Lite version, and the 4K version. The cheapest Fire TV Stick you can buy is the Lite version, priced at $29.99. For only $10 more—at $39.99—you can snag the classic Fire TV Stick. Then, another $10 price hike gets you the Fire TV Stick 4K at $49.99, and another ten bucks lands you the 4K Max.
But these are launch prices. Since Amazon regularly offers discounts, you can snag any model for less if you keep an eye out.
Streaming Quality
The Fire TV Stick Lite meets the bare minimums in the modern day regarding streaming quality, supporting only 1080p and 720p resolution and up to 60 frames per second. Surprisingly, the Fire TV Stick has the same exact streaming quality specs. The video content formats supported on both the TV Stick and the TV Stick Lite are the same as well, most notably including HDR 10, HLG, and HDR10+.
As its name implies, the TV Stick 4K and Stick 4K Max support 4K resolution (2160p) in addition to 1080p and 720p at up to 60 frames per second. The TV Stick 4K and 4K Max features HDR 10, HLG, and HDR10+ video content formats like the other two devices, but it also features Dolby Vision.
Dolby Vision is better than HDR 10, using dynamic metadata to adjust your TV’s picture automatically for the perfect exposure in every shot.
On the other hand, HDR 10 uses static metadata, meaning that only one HDR setting—likely customized by you during TV setup—will be applied to whatever you’re watching, maintaining the same color and brightness levels throughout the movie or TV show.
Keep in mind that 4K resolution and Dolby Vision are fantastic, but you’ll need a TV capable of supporting these features. If you’re searching for a new TV, we’ve compiled a list of the best Dolby-Vision-ready TVs, all of which support 4K resolution. Lastly, you also need to have access to Dolby Vision content. Fortunately, most of the best 4K streaming services also have Dolby Vision content.
Audio Quality
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite is equipped with HDMI audio passthrough technology for Dolby-encoded audio, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, and Dolby Atmos. The classic Fire TV Stick also features this HDMI audio passthrough technology but is also equipped with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital+ surround sound.
On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max offers the same audio setup as the Fire TV Stick but specifies that it’s capable of 7.1 surround sound, 2-channel stereo, and HDMI audio passthrough up to 5.1.
Remote
To go with the Fire TV Stick Lite, Amazon created the Alexa Voice Remote Lite. The remote can’t control your TV, but you can still use voice commands with Alexa to find, launch and control content within the TV Stick Lite.
You can also use Alexa through the remote the same way you would on a smartphone or tablet, asking Alexa to show you live camera feeds, control smart devices throughout your home, or even make a pizza order.
Amazon’s classic Fire TV Stick and the premium 4K option are sold with the full-featured Alexa Voice Remote. This remote can do everything the Lite remote can do, as well as control the power and volume levels of your TV, soundbar, and receiver.
With the Alexa Voice Remote, you can use voice commands or physical buttons to turn your TV on or off, mute the TV, or adjust the volume level.
Cloud Gaming
Another key difference between the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick 4K is cloud gaming support. With 2GB of memory, only the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max supports cloud gaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming, which allows you to play Xbox games without a console. The only requirement here is an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which you might find turns into a full-time subscription of its own.
The 4K Max will also deliver better overall graphics performance, coming with a 750MHz GPU. That’s not powerful by modern GPU standards, but it doesn’t give the 4K Max the edge when it comes to gaming.
Which Fire TV Stick Should You Buy?
With any Fire TV Stick you buy, you’ll be able to stream over one million movies and TV episodes. Some of those movies and shows require a subscription, but there’s a ton of great free content as well. You can watch live TV with certain subscriptions and listen to your favorite songs through Spotify, Pandora, or other music apps.
Because every TV Stick is equipped with these awesome features, it’s kind of impossible to make a wrong decision. However, if you don’t need extra remote features, you can save some money with the Lite version.
If you want to future-proof your streaming stick or need the best audio and video quality, splurge on the 4K or 4K Max version. The two also allow you to play Xbox games like Forza Motorsport and Starfield through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Or, if you can’t decide between the cheapest and most expensive options, go with the classic Fire TV Stick.