We first reviewed Amazon's third-generation Fire TV Stick late last year. This year, it stealthily released a revised version, updating the remote while keeping the media streamer itself the same. It's still $39.99 and loaded with useful features like Amazon Alexa voice control; the main differences are a new remote with a few additional buttons, and a new Fire TV interface. The third-gen Fire TV Stick remains the best 1080p media streamer available, and an ideal way to add smart TV functionality to older TVs, earning it our Editors’ Choice award.Fire TV Stick Design and Hardware Physically, the third-generation Fire TV Stick is identical to the Fire TV Stick Lite and the Fire TV Stick 4K, which, in turn, were largely unchanged from previous Fire TV Sticks in design. It’s a simple 3.4-by-1.2-inch (HW) black plastic rectangle with an HDMI plug sticking out of one end. It’s completely unadorned, except for an embossed Amazon logo on the top and a micro USB port on the side. The micr...

Amazon's $40 third-generation Fire TV Stick is nearly identical to its predecessor, just a bit faster and equipped with a new Alexa voice remote, which is enough to preserve its status as the best media streamer for 1080p TVs.

Affordable; Faster processor than previous model; Includes remote with microphone, TV controls, and dedicated service buttons

1080p only; Home screen can occasionally stutter

Well priced, fast and highly capable, the Fire TV Lite is a no brainer if you want to buy into the Fire TV ecosystem and you only need Full HD.

Fast and responsive; Well priced; Often available on great deals.;

Remote lacks TV controls. Even the new interface is still cluttered.;

We first reviewed Amazon's third-generation Fire TV Stick late last year. This year, it stealthily released a revised version, updating the remote while keeping the media streamer itself the same. It's still $39.99 and loaded with useful features like Amazon Alexa voice control; the main differences are a new remote with a few additional buttons, and a new Fire TV interface. The third-gen Fire TV Stick remains the best 1080p media streamer available, and an ideal way to add smart TV functionality to older TVs, earning it our Editors’ Choice award.Fire TV Stick Design and Hardware Physically, the third-generation Fire TV Stick is identical to the Fire TV Stick Lite and the Fire TV Stick 4K, which, in turn, were largely unchanged from previous Fire TV Sticks in design. It’s a simple 3.4-by-1.2-inch (HW) black plastic rectangle with an HDMI plug sticking out of one end. It’s completely unadorned, except for an embossed Amazon logo on the top and a micro USB port on the side. The micr...

Amazon's $40 third-generation Fire TV Stick is nearly identical to its predecessor, just a bit faster and equipped with a new remote, which is enough to preserve its status as the best media streamer for 1080p TVs.

Affordable; Faster processor than previous model; Includes remote with microphone, TV controls, and dedicated service buttons

1080p only; Home screen can occasionally stutter

More powerful and with a new remote control, this latest TV Stick is still a great-value way to make any TV smart.

HDR & Dolby Atmos; Remote with TV controls; Good selection of apps;

Not much cheaper than 4K Stick; Too much Amazon self-promotion;

Welcome to the age of affordable 4K streaming. Not only do most 4K TVs now feature at least some form of app and streaming service support, but dedicated 4K media streamers are becoming less and less expensive. The Roku Premiere and Premiere+ were the first 4K models we've seen to dip under the $50 mark. They're joined by the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, a $49.99 media streamer that doesn't represent a sequel to the 1080p Fire TV Stick, but instead completely replaces the 4K-capable Amazon Fire TV. The Fire TV Stick 4K is smaller, faster, less expensive, supports Dolby Vision, and features a more advanced remote to boot. It's the best media streamer you can for under $50, and our Editors' Choice. If you haven't moved up to 4K yet, though, the non-4K Fire TV Stick offers the same features and design for $10 less.Design and Voice Remote The Fire TV Stick 4K is slightly larger than the standard Fire TV Stick, measuring 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD). It's a simple rectangular matte black...

With 4K HDR, Amazon Alexa, and very peppy performance, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the best media streamer you can buy for under $50.

Affordable; Supports 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision; Amazon Alexa; Quick Wi-Fi streaming and menu navigation

No Google Play apps; Ethernet adapter not included

The Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020) is the latest refresh of the standard Fire TV streaming stick, adding a host of new improvements such as HDR, a 60fps frame rate, and compatibility with Dolby Atmos audio. There's now a cheaper iteration in the Fire TV Stick Lite, but you'll want this step-up model for a remote with fully-fledged volume and AV controls.

60fps and HDR; Dolby Atmos audio; Volume controls;

Lite model is cheaper; Persistent ads; Only HD

The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite has everything you need for basic streaming, but the cheaper price doesn't compensate enough for the compromises.

Affordable Price; Clean layout; Alexa voice support;

No volume or power buttons; Heavy Amazon promotion; Original Fire Stick more competitive;

More powerful and with the new interface, this latest TV Stick is great value.

HDR & Dolby Atmos; Remote with TV controls; Good selection of apps;

Not much cheaper than 4K Stick; Amazon self-promotion;

Super speedy interface; Dolby Atmos support; Familiar compact design; Improved voice control;

Upgrades are decent but not Earth-shattering; No Now TV app;

Super speedy interface; Dolby Atmos support; Familiar compact design; Improved voice control;

Upgrades are decent but not Earth-shattering; No Now TV app;