Streaming Devices / Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 0.8 points
Quick Verdict
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.8 points. Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is $50 cheaper than the Google TV Streamer (4K) ($49.99 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 Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. On Platform & Apps, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (8.5 vs 7.5/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. Overall, the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Google TV Streamer (4K) | Fire TV Stick 4K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $49.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz | MediaTek MT8696D — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 4✓ | 2 |
| Storage (GB) | 32✓ | 8 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ethernet | Gigabit (built in) | Adapter only (10/100, sold separately) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 + BLE |
| Operating System | Google TV on Android 14 for TV | Fire OS 8 (Android 11) |
| Remote | Voice remote with Gemini, AAA batteries, customizable shortcut button, Find My Remote chime | Voice, TV/soundbar power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Porcelain, Hazel | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-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 Plus does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus are level here, at 8.5/10 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 Plus leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-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 Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-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 Plus does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 Plus 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 Plus does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus leads clearly here, 8.8 against 8.0 — a 0.8-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
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).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • 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).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
- • Your main use case is smart-home.
Choose the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores 8.8/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget.
Pros & Cons
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
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Pros
- +The cheapest way to get Dolby Vision and full Dolby Atmos decoding on Fire TV
- +DTS and DTS-HD passthrough for disc-quality audio to a receiver
- +Still Android-based, so sideloading and Downloader work
- +Wi-Fi 6 and 2GB of RAM at a $49.99 list price
Cons
- −Only 8GB of storage — half the 4K Max
- −Wi-Fi 6, not the 4K Max's Wi-Fi 6E
- −Ethernet needs a separate dongle
- −Ad-heavy Fire TV home screen
- −Amazon has said all future Fire TV sticks will move to Vega OS, so long-term Android app support here is uncertain
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) or Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
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 Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Remote (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Platform & Apps, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Platform & Apps (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is.
Which is better for Value, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores higher on Value (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) worth the price difference over the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the cheaper option at $49.99 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 Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit if you mainly care about smart-home. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the better fit for budget.
What's the warranty on the Google TV Streamer (4K) vs the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 Select — $39.99
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.