Thanks to its powerful internals, great interface and Alexa, the Fire TV Stick is a fantastic gadget for watching Prime Video, Netflix, and UK TV on demand. Now with extra buttons at the same price. Even if you own a smart TV, the Stick is still a good buy - especially if you don't have Alexa through another device. It isn't quite as convenient as using an Amazon Echo, but at this price, it's fantastic value.

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

A great streaming choice for Amazon Prime members, particularly those who travel.

Easy installation in any HDMI port; Straightforward; simple menus; ASAP technology loads full resolution videos instantly; Plenty of free content for Amazon Prime members

Missing some major apps including Vudu and M-Go; Global search favors Amazon results; Remote app is inconsistent and voice search may not work

A great streaming media player, but Amazon is a little heavy-handed

Speedy operation; Voice search; Good performance and build quality

Voice search is not universal; Amazon features strongly prioritised; No bundled HDMI cable; No USB playback

Powerful, flexible and user-friendly, Amazon’s box has staked a spot among the streaming elite

Simple setup and UI; Good AV performance; Compact; tidy design

Voice search limited to Amazon content; Occasional remote lag

Adds UHD HDR playback, but Amazon’s streamer only has a clear advantage over 4K smart TVs when used with an Echo device

Cheap; 4K HDR support; Alexa voice control works well;

Can’t be powered by some TVs; No access to Now TV;

Amazon did the right thing in releasing a super-portable streaming stick. The Fire TV Stick is small enough to take on holiday with you or to lend to a mate, and looks very respectable when stacked up against Google's Chromecast or Roku's Streaming Stick. While it doesn't offer quite as many apps, it's got all the basic, popular streaming services stacked up, with the bonus of a selection of high quality casual games to dip into. The problem really comes with the Fire TV Stick's core audience - people who already pay for Amazon Prime and want to get the most from it. Given that you're paying £79 or $99 a year for the service, saving a little on a cut-down streaming device doesn't add up. The standard Fire TV box comes with a revolutionary voice control remote, beautifully smooth video and pretty fast gaming - the Fire TV Stick really only has its price and size going for it. The Fire TV Stick is a solid performer at a very cheap price, then, but if you're a streaming veteran there's probably not enough reason to up sticks and switch to this. READ MORE: The Best Connected Home Gadgets in the World right now

Cheap, well made and easy to use; Good audio and video quality; Fun one-button casual gaming; Great deal for Prime members;

Slower than its big brother; No voice search; Fewer apps than rivals;

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;