Streaming Devices / Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
Fire TV Stick HD (2026)
Amazon's cheapest stick — HD only, but it powers straight from the TV's USB port.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) takes this by a clear 0.6 points. Amazon's cheapest stick — HD only, but it powers straight from the TV's USB port. The Roku Streaming Stick (2025) only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) and Roku Streaming Stick (2025) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is $5 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) ($34.99 vs $39.99). On Platform & Apps, the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. On Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. On Connectivity, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. Overall, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores 6.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 5.5/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick (2025). 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 HD (2026) | Roku Streaming Stick (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $39.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 1080p at 60fps | 1080p (upscales from 720p) |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | None — this model has no HDR support |
| Dolby Vision | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8698D — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz | ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM (GB) | 1✓ | 0.5 |
| Storage (GB) | 8 | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Dual-band; Roku does not publish the 802.11 standard for this model |
| Ethernet | Adapter only (sold separately) | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + 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 HD (2026) leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.0 — a 1.0-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) leads clearly here, 4.5 against 3.5 — a 1.0-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-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 (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Streaming Stick (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 HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) 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 (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) and Roku Streaming Stick (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 HD (2026) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) if…
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores 7.0/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores 7.0/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • Value matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores 7.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores 6.0/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) if…
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
Pros & Cons
Fire TV Stick HD (2026)
Pros
- +Cheapest way onto Fire TV, and the remote controls your TV's power and volume
- +Powers straight from the TV's USB port — genuinely cable-free behind the screen
- +Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 are real upgrades over the 2024 model it replaces
- +Passes Dolby Atmos through to a soundbar or receiver
Cons
- −1080p output only — no 4K, so it will not grow with a 4K TV
- −No Dolby Vision
- −Vega OS is not Android: no sideloading and no Downloader, and the app catalogue is Amazon Appstore only
- −1GB of RAM is the least in the Fire TV line
- −Fire TV's home screen is heavily ad-driven
Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
Pros
- +Roku OS is the cleanest and least ad-driven of the major streaming platforms
- +Runs entirely off the TV's USB port
- +Bluetooth headphone mode works directly from the device
- +Tiny and genuinely travel-friendly
Cons
- −1080p only, and no HDR of any kind — the only current Roku with no HDR at all
- −512MB of RAM, the least of any device here
- −No ethernet option
- −Basic AAA remote with no backlight or finder
- −List price rose to $39.99 in July 2026, which is a lot for an HD, no-HDR stick
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or Roku Streaming Stick (2025) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) 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 HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick (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 Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores higher on Audio Support (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores higher on Connectivity (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Which is better for Value, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) scores higher on Value (7.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is the cheaper option at $34.99 versus $39.99. 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 HD (2026) vs the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Streaming Stick (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 HD (2026) — $34.99
Premium Option
Roku Streaming Stick (2025) — $39.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.