Streaming Devices / Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (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 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) edges ahead by 0.0 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is a defensible pick on its own terms. 4K HDR Roku that runs off the TV's USB port — the travel pick.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is $25 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) ($34.99 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 Video Quality, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads (6.5 vs 4.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. 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. Overall, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) 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 HD (2026) | Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $59.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 1080p at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8698D — 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 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) 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 Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 4.5 — 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 HD (2026) 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 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 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 Plus (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 Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) 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 HD (2026) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-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 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).
- • You want to spend less — it's $25 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).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores 6.5/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Your main use case is 4k-hdr.
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 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 HD (2026) or Roku Streaming Stick Plus (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 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 Video Quality, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores higher on Video Quality (6.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (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 Plus (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.
Is the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is the cheaper option at $34.99 versus $59.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Platform & Apps.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is the better fit if you mainly care about budget or travel. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the better fit for 4k-hdr.
What's the warranty on the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) 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
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.