Streaming Devices / Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
Wins overall by 1.8 points
Quick Verdict
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.8 points. Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) and Roku Ultra (2024) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is $115 cheaper than the Roku Ultra (2024) ($34.99 vs $149.99). On Video Quality, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (9.0 vs 4.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. On Remote, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (9.0 vs 5.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. On Speed & Performance, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. Overall, the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 7.9/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.1/10 for the Fire TV Stick HD (2026). 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 Ultra (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $149.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2024 |
| Max Resolution | 1080p 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 MT8698D — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 2✓ |
| Storage (GB) | 8 | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO |
| Ethernet | Adapter only (sold separately) | Built in (10/100) |
| 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 | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.5 — a 4.5-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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — 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 Fire TV Stick HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Ultra (2024) 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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.5 — a 3.5-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 5.0 — a 0.5-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) does not close the gap elsewhere.
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 Ultra (2024) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $115 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget or travel.
Choose the Roku Ultra (2024) if…
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
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 Ultra (2024)
Pros
- +The best remote of any streaming device here — backlit, rechargeable, hands-free voice and a lost-remote finder
- +Decodes Dolby Atmos rather than only passing it through
- +HDMI 2.1 with Quick Media Switching, rare outside Apple TV
- +Built-in ethernet and a USB 3.0 port for local media
- +Fastest Roku by a wide margin
Cons
- −Ethernet is 10/100, not gigabit
- −The Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) dropped the headphone jack the first-gen Pro had
- −List price rose from $99.99 to $149.99 in July 2026
- −No design change since the 2021 Ultra
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or Roku Ultra (2024) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Roku Ultra (2024) 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 Video Quality, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Video Quality (9.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Which is better for Remote, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Remote (9.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Speed & Performance (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond.
Which is better for Platform & Apps, the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Platform & Apps (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is.
Is the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) worth the price difference over the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) is the cheaper option at $34.99 versus $149.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Video Quality.
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 Ultra (2024) is the better fit for home-theater or 4k-hdr.
What's the warranty on the Fire TV Stick HD (2026) vs the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Fire TV Stick HD (2026) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Ultra (2024) 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.
Premium Option
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro — $199.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.