Streaming Devices / Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 2.0 points
Quick Verdict
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 2.0 points. Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Google TV Streamer (4K) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is $60 cheaper than the Google TV Streamer (4K) ($39.99 vs $99.99). On Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (9.0 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. On Platform & Apps, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. On Video Quality, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. Overall, the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.1/10 for the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Fire TV Stick 4K Select | Google TV Streamer (4K) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $99.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | No | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8698 — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 4✓ |
| Storage (GB) | 8 | 32✓ |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Ethernet | Adapter only (sold separately) | Gigabit (built in) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + BLE | 5.1 |
| Operating System | Vega OS 1.1 (Linux-based, not Android) | Google TV on Android 14 for TV |
| Remote | Voice, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Voice remote with Gemini, AAA batteries, customizable shortcut button, Find My Remote chime |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Porcelain, Hazel |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.0 — a 4.0-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Google TV Streamer (4K) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. features and performance relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Fire TV Stick 4K Select if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $60 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget or travel.
Choose the Google TV Streamer (4K) if…
- • Smart Home matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 9.0/10 here (matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability).
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
Pros & Cons
Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Pros
- +4K output for under $40 at list, and it is discounted hard and often
- +Snappier in use than the price suggests
- +Same TV-controlling Alexa remote as the pricier sticks
Cons
- −Wi-Fi 5 only — a step down from the 4K Plus and 4K Max, which both have Wi-Fi 6 or better
- −No Dolby Vision
- −Dolby Atmos is passthrough to an external receiver; Amazon's own documentation and hands-on reviews disagree on whether the device decodes Atmos itself
- −Vega OS means no sideloading, and reviewers found gaps including Xbox Game Pass and limited VPN options
- −1GB of RAM — the first 4K Fire TV to ship with that little
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Pros
- +Gigabit ethernet and Thread border router built in, at a quarter of the price Apple charges for the same
- +4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage is generous at this price
- +Google Home panel makes it a genuine smart-home hub, not just a streamer
- +Find My Remote solves a problem every other remote here ignores
- +Full Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- −Wi-Fi 5 only — no Wi-Fi 6, which is hard to defend on a device launched in 2024
- −The Cortex-A55 chip is modest next to Apple's A15
- −Remote takes disposable AAA batteries rather than charging over USB-C
- −Google TV's home screen is advertising-led, like Fire TV's
- −Capped at 4K60
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or Google TV Streamer (4K) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google TV Streamer (4K) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Smart Home, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Smart Home (9.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability.
Which is better for Platform & Apps, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Platform & Apps (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is.
Which is better for Video Quality, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Video Quality (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Audio Support (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select worth the price difference over the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the cheaper option at $39.99 versus $99.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Smart Home.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the better fit if you mainly care about budget or travel. The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit for smart-home or home-theater.
What's the warranty on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select ships with a 12-month warranty; the Google TV Streamer (4K) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Fire TV Stick HD (2026) — $34.99
Premium Option
Roku Ultra (2024) — $149.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.