Streaming Devices / Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select
The cheapest 4K Fire TV stick — but Wi-Fi 5 and no Dolby Vision are the trade.
Wins overall by 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.0 points separate them. The cheapest 4K Fire TV stick — but Wi-Fi 5 and no Dolby Vision are the trade. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are both current-generation streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is $20 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) ($39.99 vs $59.99). On Platform & Apps, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. On Value, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select leads (6.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. Overall, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores 6.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.1/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. 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 | Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $59.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8698 — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz | ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 1 |
| Storage (GB) | 8 | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Dual-band; Roku does not publish the 802.11 standard for this model |
| Ethernet | Adapter only (sold separately) | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + BLE | Yes — supports headphone mode |
| Operating System | Vega OS 1.1 (Linux-based, not Android) | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Voice, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are level here, at 6.0/10 each. processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Video Quality
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are level here, at 6.5/10 each. maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Audio Support
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-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 Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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 Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are level here, at 5.5/10 each. Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Remote
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select leads clearly here, 5.5 against 5.0 — a 0.5-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are level here, at 5.0/10 each. matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Fire TV Stick 4K Select if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores 8.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores 6.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores 5.5/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) if…
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
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
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Pros
- +4K HDR from a stick that needs no wall outlet — unusual and genuinely useful for travel
- +Roku OS remains the cleanest major streaming platform
- +Bluetooth headphone mode direct from the device
- +Same 0.9oz body as the HD stick
Cons
- −No Dolby Vision — HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG only
- −No Dolby Atmos
- −No ethernet option
- −Basic AAA remote with no backlight or finder
- −List price rose from $39.99 to $59.99 in July 2026
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select 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 Platform & Apps, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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 Value, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores higher on Audio Support (6.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Remote, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select scores higher on Remote (5.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the cheaper option at $39.99 versus $59.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Platform & Apps.
What's the warranty on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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 4K Plus — $49.99
Premium Option
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $49.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.