When it comes to the interface itself, it is fairly intuitive but Amazon definitely makes sure that its own content from Prime Video is prominent. This is great if you have an Amazon Prime Video membership<\/a> but could be mildly irritating if not.<\/p>\n

Roku\u2019s homepage is simple and user-friendly, but is also a lot more neutral. Because Roku does not have its own streaming service (though it does have The Roku Channel<\/a>), this might be a better option for those who want a single place to access all their channels, subscriptions and apps from a range of providers.<\/p>\n

Voice control<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Both the Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick allow you to control the TV with your voice. With the Amazon Fire TV Stick it comes in the form of a button on the remote, and on the in-app remote for Roku.<\/p>\n
In both of these occasions, you hold down the button to speak and the smart TV sticks will pull up the requested content. We have reviewed both of these devices and found them to be fast responding with manual and voice searches and had no problem understanding our requests.<\/p>\n
If you would prefer to use voice search as the primary way of navigating these streaming devices, you many benefit from investing in the Amazon Fire TV Cube<\/a>. At \u00a3109.99, it is more expensive than both the mid-range devices we\u2019ve been discussing but it is more powerful.<\/p>\n
The Fire TV Cube is a result of Amazon combining its streaming device<\/a> with an Amazon Echo smart speaker. This means that the voice search is more sophisticated and you can control your TV simply by speaking aloud to Alexa<\/a> \u2013 no button needed.<\/p>\n
The Fire TV Cube can also be used to control other smart home devices such as lights, plugs, thermostats and other smart speakers. It is a great option if you want more than to simply access your streaming services.<\/p>\n
To find out if you\u2019d be better off with the Fire TV Cube, read our Amazon Fire TV Cube review<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Apps and channels<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
As we\u2019ve mentioned, Amazon does like to show off its services on the Fire TV homepage. Amazon Prime Video shows<\/a> are front and centre on the Amazon Fire TV Stick but both media players offer a great range of apps.<\/p>\n
Roku also has Prime Video and they both offer access to the likes of Disney+, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Spotify, NOW TV, BT Sport and YouTube.<\/p>\n
These same apps and channels are available whether you choose the cheaper Roku Express or the more sophisticated Fire TV Cube.<\/p>\n
Both streaming sticks<\/a> can also be used to cast your photos and videos from your mobile phones (iOS\/Android) to your TV.<\/p>\n
Roku overview: what smart TV sticks are available?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
There are four smart TV sticks in Roku\u2019s main range. These are:<\/p>\n
Roku Streaming Stick 4K<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is Roku\u2019s best streaming stick. In our full Roku Streaming Stick 4K review<\/a>, we commended the device for its simplicity and its wide choice of apps. Notably, Roku sticks like this one offer more free-to-air TV than Amazon rivals.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a349.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Roku Express<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The Roku Express is the cheapest streaming device from Roku. Offering HD streaming, the media player has a RRP of just \u00a329.99 and other features including casting photos, voice search and the Private Listening mode.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a323.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Roku Premiere<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The mid-range offering from Roku, the Roku Premiere provides HD and 4K streaming of your favourite Netflix, Disney+ and NOW TV shows. The media player is thinner than that of the Roku Express but still gives you access to all of the same features.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a334.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Roku Streaming Stick+<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The Roku Streaming Stick+ is the brand\u2019s most expensive dedicated streaming device and streams HD, 4K Ultra HD, and HDR. The media player is in a stick-style so can be hidden behind the TV unlike the other two Roku devices but has many of the same features including voice search and Private Listening mode.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a339 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick overview: what smart TV sticks are available?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Amazon\u2019s smart TV stick range is now made up of five devices. These include:<\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Amazon\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The best streaming device in Amazon\u2019s range is also the newest, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max. It does what it says on the tin, but it does it very well, offering 4K streaming and a wide range of apps and programmes. For more information take a look at our full Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max review<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a354.99 on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Fire\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite was released in 2020 and is now Amazon\u2019s cheapest smart TV stick. The remote does not have power or volume buttons but it does have voice search and HD streaming.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a329.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Fire\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The Amazon Fire TV Stick was also updated in 2020 and now features power and volume buttons on its Alexa remote. The smart TV stick plugs into the back of the TV so is relatively hidden and is 50 per cent more powerful than the 2019 model.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a339.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Fire\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
With a RRP of \u00a349.99, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K offers HD and 4K streaming. Other features include voice search and the same Alexa remote as the original Fire TV Stick. It also supports live camera feeds, can check the weather, dim lights, and stream music.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a349.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Cube<\/strong><\/h3>\n $\""Amazon\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
The most powerful, and most expensive, streaming device from Amazon. The Fire TV Cube is the fastest Fire TV model and can control a compatible soundbar, lights, smart plugs and other speakers. For \u00a3109.99, it also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos.<\/p>\n
Buy now for \u00a3109.99 at Amazon\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
Which smart TV stick should you buy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n $\""Roku\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
This decision largely comes down to how much you watch Amazon Prime Video and how many other Amazon subscriptions you have. If the answer for both of these questions is \u2018a lot\u2019, you would probably benefit from getting an Amazon Fire TV device over a Roku smart TV stick.<\/p>\n
Amazon Prime Video shows and movies are prominent on the Fire TV homepage and this may become a nuisance if you have no interest in watching any of it. Though, voice search somewhat negates this because you don\u2019t have to manually scroll.<\/p>\n
However, it is also worth considering that while both the Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick are around the same price, the Fire TV Stick only streams in HD while the smart TV stick from Roku also offers 4K. If you do own a 4K TV, it may benefit you to buy the Roku Premiere to get the most from it.<\/p>\n
Amazon Fire TV Stick:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a339 at AO<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339.99 at Very<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339.95 at John Lewis<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339.99 at Currys PC World<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Roku Premiere:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a332.99 at Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339 at Very<\/a><\/li>\n
\u00a339.99 at Currys PC World\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
What\u2019s the difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\n<\/div>\n
The\u00a0 Roku Streaming Stick 4K<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0 Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max<\/a> are close competitors and there\u2019s not too much to choose between them. However, one or two key differences will help you decide which device is best for you.<\/p>\n
Firstly, you\u2019ll need to plug the Amazon stick into the mains, whereas the Roku stick can cope using a wired connection to your TV. This is a small win for the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.<\/p>\n
While the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers a subscription-based gaming app, Luna, Roku counters this effectively by offering a better offering in terms of free-to-air content.<\/p>\n
The Fire Stick 4K Max is compatible with VPNs from the get-go, which Roku streaming sticks aren\u2019t. That will be a real plus for some viewers. The Amazon stick is a little bigger than its competitor and needs mains power. The remote feels slightly cheap and tacky too, whereas the Roku one is slightly more tactile. These are all minor setbacks and really there\u2019s not too much to choose between the pair for most users. However, the extra free content available via Roku is likely to persuade some would-be buyers.<\/p>\n
Looking for something new to watch? Take a look at our best streaming services<\/a> guide.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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