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If you want to cut the cordย and enhance your streaming TV experience, you may wonder which device is best suited for you. The Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick are two of the most popular options on the market — and they're both on sale right now. However, there are some key differences to consider before pulling the plug.
Amazon Fire TV and Roku strive to provide theย best streaming experienceย possible through dongles, branded televisions, and streaming boxes. Choosing the right device, however, involves more than just comparing price tags. I'll delve into the major differences between Fire TV and the Roku streaming platform to help you determine which one best suits your needs and preferences, using the comparable Roku Streaming Stick Plus and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus as examples.
Specifications
| Features | Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Roku Streaming Stick Plus |
| Normal Retail Price | $50 | $40 |
| Picture quality | 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ | 4K resolution, HDR10, HDR10+ |
| Frame rate | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 Dual-band | Wi-Fi 5 Dual-band |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1 output with ARC support, Micro-USB for power | HDMI 2.0b |
| Remote batteries | Two AAA batteries | Two AAA batteries |
You should buy a Fire TV Stick 4K Plus if…
1. You want more features, though not for less money (right now)
When you compare the tech specifications of a Fire TV Stick 4K Plus against the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, you'll find that both devices are very similar. Amazon typically offers bigger discounts more often on its Fire TV Stick than Roku does, although not currently. While the former is now available for half off at $25, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus just dropped to $19. The Fire TV may be a better deal if you value Dolby Vision and seamless Alexa integrations, which brings me to my next point.