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Even though most new televisions are already smart out of the box, adding a streaming device to any non-Fire TV, like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, can elevate your viewing experience. 

TheFire TV Stick is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that connects to your TV's HDMI port to let you stream content from your favorite subscriptions, such as Netflix, HBO Max,andHulu. 

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Considering there are four to choose from with different features and prices, there's sure to be one for all TV-watching needs.

Fire TV Sticks compared

	Fire TV Stick Lite	Fire TV Stick	Fire TV Stick 4K	Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Price	$30	$40	$50	$55
Alexa remote	2nd Gen, no TV controls	3rd Gen, TV controls	3rd Gen, TV controls	3rd Gen, TV controls
Video quality	1080p and 720p up to 60 fps	1080p and 720p up to 60 fps	2160p, 1080p and 720p up to 60 fps	2160p, 1080p and 720p up to 60 fps
Supported formats	HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, Vp9	HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, Vp9	Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9	Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9, AV1
Audio quality	HDMI passthrough of Dolby-encoded audio	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos
Connectivity	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE	Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi 6 support, Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE
Storage	8GB internal	8GB internal	8GB internal	8GB internal
Memory	1GB	1GB	1.5GB	2GB
Processor	Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz	Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz	Quad-core CPU 1.7GHz, GPU 650MHz	Quad-core CPU 1.8GHz, GPU 750MHz
Picture-in-picture	-	-	Yes	Yes

You should buy a Fire TV Stick Lite if...

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1. You prefer a more affordable option

The Fire TV Stick Lite is Amazon's most affordable streaming device; nothing more, nothing less. It's priced at$30, but very often on sale for$20 to$25, so if a low price is a big deciding factor for you in choosing a Fire TV streaming device, then the Lite version is probably the one to go with.

2. An everyday streaming experience is all you need

Because the Fire TV Stick Lite is the bare-bones version of the Fire TV Stick, it's best suited for everyday streaming rather than as the backbone of a full-blown home theater. 

The simple version will still give you access to the same operating system as the more expensive options, with all your favorite streaming services just a push of a button away, but the remote doesn't come with TV controls. So you can't program this remote to control your TV's volume or turn it on or off. 

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Another difference in the Lite version when compared with the other three versions is that it doesn't support Dolby Atmos, which can provide better audio clarity and a more immersive TV experience.

Fire TV Stick Lite

$30 at Amazon

You should buy a Fire TV Stick if...

The remote included with the Fire TV Stick features TV controls.

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1. You prefer an all-in-one remote control

Though this version isn't all that different from the Lite model, theFire TV Stick features the third-generation Alexa remote, which has volume and on or off buttons that can be programmed to work with your television. This makes it so you'd only need the Fire TV Stick remote most of the time, so you don't have to worry about keeping both the Alexa remote and your TV's remote controls handy.

The buttons can control your TV, soundbar, and receiver.

2. It's for a 1080p television

If you don't need 4K support, then there's no need to get the more expensive versions of the Fire TV Stick, as the basic Fire TV Stick will do the job. The 4K versions require a 4K television to display ultra-HD content, so anyone with a Full HD 1080p-resolution TV can still enjoy all their favorite streaming subscriptions with the standard version, and it also supports Dolby Atmos.

Fire TV Stick

$40 at Amazon

You should buy a Fire TV Stick 4K if...

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1. 4K streaming is more your speed

If you have a 4K television and want to add a Fire TV Stick to either give it smart capabilities or because you prefer Fire OS, then theFire TV Stick 4K is a great choice. Because theFire TV Stick and Stick Lite versions only support up to full HD 1080p resolution, the Fire TV Stick 4K stands out if you're looking for better, cinematic picture quality.

Also:Roku vs Fire Stick: Which one is better for your needs?

2. You want a 4K version but don't need Wi-Fi 6

The Fire TV Stick 4K is priced at$50 and, like other models, sees frequent discounts in price. This is only$5 cheaper than the Max model, which supports Wi-Fi 6. But if you know you won't be making the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 anytime soon, then the Fire TV Stick 4K is a great option for high-quality streaming.

Also:The best 4K TVs: Which TV brand is most reliable?

This version supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio, as well as HDR for crisper images. Compared with the Fire TV Stick and Lite models, the 4K version features 1.5 GB of memory, making for faster load times and snappier performance. 

Fire TV Stick 4K

$50 at Amazon

You should buy a Fire TV Stick 4K Max if...

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1. Wi-Fi 6 support is a must

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a future-proof version streaming device thanks to its support for Wi-Fi 6. If you've already upgraded to a Wi-Fi 6 router, then the 4K Max is a seamless fit, and you'll benefit from faster speeds and more streams. 

2. You want the fastest Fire TV Stick available

Both 4K versions of the Fire TV Stick support 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Sound, built to provide a high-quality, almost cinematic experience. But the Fire TV Stick 4K Max features a faster processor and 2GB of memory, which makes for a smoother streaming and gaming experience and improved speed compared with the 4K version.

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It retails for$55, and is the highest-performing, most powerful Fire TV Stick available.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max

$55 at Amazon

Alternatives to consider

If you're still looking to check out other options, these are some worthy alternatives to the Fire TV Stick lineup:

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

$40 at Amazon

Fire TV Cube

$140 at Amazon

Roku Streaming Stick 4K+

$70 at Amazon

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