Streaming Devices / Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
The value pick of the Fire TV line — Dolby Vision and Atmos decode for $50.
Wins overall by 1.0 points
Quick Verdict
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.0 points. The value pick of the Fire TV line — Dolby Vision and Atmos decode for $50.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is $30 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($49.99 vs $79.99). On Value, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus leads (8.8 vs 5.5/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Audio Support, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus leads (9.0 vs 6.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. On Connectivity, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus leads (7.0 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. Overall, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores 7.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Fire TV Stick 4K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $49.99 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 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 | ARM Cortex-A55 | MediaTek MT8696D — quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 2✓ |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | 8 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) dual-band MIMO with long-range receiver | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ethernet | None | Adapter only (10/100, sold separately) |
| Bluetooth | None — this model has no Bluetooth | 5.2 + BLE |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Fire OS 8 (Android 11) |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Voice, TV/soundbar 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 Plus leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.0 — 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 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Streaming Stick 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 6.5 — a 2.5-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 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Streaming Stick 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 Fire TV Stick 4K Plus leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.0 — a 2.0-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 Plus leads clearly here, 8.8 against 5.5 — a 3.3-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick 4K if…
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
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).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores 9.0/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores 7.0/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores 7.0/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
- • You want to spend less — it's $30 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Pros
- +The only Roku stick with Dolby Vision
- +Long-range Wi-Fi receiver helps in rooms far from the router
- +Roku OS remains the cleanest major streaming platform
- +Compact enough to pair with a projector
Cons
- −No Bluetooth at all, so private listening only works through the phone app
- −Needs a wall outlet, unlike the two 2025 Roku sticks
- −802.11ac Wi-Fi, not Wi-Fi 6
- −The oldest silicon in Roku's current line
- −List price rose from $49.99 to $79.99 in July 2026, the steepest increase in the range
- −Dolby Atmos is passthrough to a receiver, not decoded on the device
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 Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Plus better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 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 Value, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores higher on Value (8.8/10 vs 5.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores higher on Audio Support (9.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores higher on Connectivity (7.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus scores higher on Speed & Performance (7.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond.
Is the Roku Streaming Stick 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 $79.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Value.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better fit if you mainly care about 4k-hdr or home-theater. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the better fit for budget.
What's the warranty on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 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
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) — $59.99
Premium Option
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) — $59.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.