So you're considering an Amazon Fire TV stick as your cord-cutting hardware of choice. Or maybe you just need something less expensive for a second room.
In any event, good for you. There's a lot to like here, and more than one reason that the latest-generation Amazon Fire TV stick should serve you just fine.
Here are just a few reasons we're fans:
1. Less-expensive hardware
Amazon Fire TV is one of the more economical pieces of hardware for cord-cutters. It retails for around $39.99/£39.99 and comes packaged with an Alexa Voice Remotebut you often can find it on sale for even less, especially in Black Friday deals.
By comparison, Apple TV or the only Android TV box we recommend (the NVIDIA Shield TV) costs almost three times as much as the Fire TV.
2. Compact and convenient
Look, there are times when a proper set-top box is the way to go — like if you need all the power you can muster, mister — and there are times in which a dongle is gonna do ya. If you're mounting a TV on a wall, say, then maybe you don't want to deal with more cables poking out the back.
The point is, a dongle is a compact solution and keeps things hidden behind the display where they should be.
3. The quickest way to get to Amazon Prime Video content
Look, it's not all that hard to install the Amazon Video app on an Android TV, Apple TV or on Roku. But, if you've got an Amazon Fire TV stick, then you're already there. Because it's Amazon, right?
In fact, when you order a Fire TV from Amazon they'll go ahead and help you by syncing up with your Amazon account. All you have to do is enter your password.
4. Alexa, Alexa, Alexa
The Amazon Fire TV stick already has Alexa built-in. That means you have the full power of the digital assistant built in to the Fire TV remote control.
What can you do with it? Everything. You can search for shows and tell your Fire TV what to play. You can control any connected smart devices. You can even watch feeds from a number of home security cameras. Which is far more fun than you might think...
