Published On: August 2, 2023

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

Published On: August 2, 2023
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

Find out which Amazon streaming device is right for you. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers 4K streaming in a compact design, while the Fire TV Cube provides hands-free voice control and added smart home capabilities.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

  • David Bates, a dedicated home theater connoisseur, shares his passion and expertise through engaging writing. He provides insights on the latest trends, technologies, and techniques, helping others achieve optimal audiovisual experiences.

Struggling to decide between the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube?

Both offer enticing features like 4K resolution support and integrated Alexa control. This article will explore every nook and cranny of these two gadgets, comparing their prices, designs, features, picture quality, sound quality and more.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is more budget - friendly compared to the Fire TV Cube, making it a great option for those looking for an affordable streaming device.
  • The Fire TV Cube offers faster speed and performance with its quad - core processor, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max falls behind in terms of responsiveness.
  • Both devices support 4K resolution and provide impressive picture quality, but the Fire TV Cube delivers slightly better visuals with vibrant colors and enhanced contrast.
  • Alexa functionality is fully integrated into both devices, allowing easy operation through voice commands.

Price Comparison: Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

In terms of pricing, there's a notable difference between the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube. Let's take a closer look at the comparison in the table below.

DevicePrice
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max$79.99
Amazon Fire TV Cube$174.98

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is competitively priced, making it a more budget-friendly option compared to the Fire TV Cube.

Why Is the Fire TV Cube Much More Expensive?

While both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube offer high-quality content streaming, their price disparity is justified by the unique features they bring to the table. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a capable streaming stick, while the Fire TV Cube offers the convenience of a streaming box and Alexa speaker combined.

With hands-free Alexa integration, users can effortlessly interact with the Fire TV Cube by simply speaking commands or questions, adding a new level of convenience to their entertainment experience. On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max's Alexa functionality is accessed through its remote's Alexa button.

Young woman holding money

In terms of performance, the Fire TV Cube boasts superior horsepower with its hexacore 2.2Ghz + 1.9GHz CPU and 800MHz GPU, making it a powerful contender in Amazon's lineup.

While the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is touted as the "most powerful 4K streaming stick" due to its 1.8GHz CPU and 750MHz GPU, the Fire TV Cube takes it a step further with its higher processing capabilities. Additionally, the Fire TV Cube offers double the internal storage (16GB) compared to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (8GB), providing ample space for apps and games.

One area where the Fire TV Stick 4K Max gains an advantage is its support for Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which offers a smoother streaming experience for users with Wi-Fi 6 routers and multiple connected devices. In contrast, the Fire TV Cube utilizes the Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standard. This makes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max a preferred choice for those seeking seamless streaming in a Wi-Fi 6 environment.

The higher price of the Fire TV Cube is justified by its dual functionality as a streaming box and Alexa speaker, along with its more robust hardware and expanded storage capacity. On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max shines in its Wi-Fi 6 support, catering to users with advanced routers and a need for smooth, high-speed streaming.

Design Comparison: Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

Moving onto the design elements, you'll notice some clear differences between the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube. The compact size of Fire TV Stick 4K Max (9.9 x 3 x 1.4cm) allows for a seamless blend with your existing room decor, effortlessly hidden from sight behind your television screen.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

On the contrary, the cube-shaped design of the Fire TV Cube turns it into a noticeable piece in your entertainment setup due to its dimensions (8.6 x 8.6 x 7.7cm). Its more prominent shape might require allocated space on your home entertainment stand or table.

While both devices are equally sleek and stylish with a matte finish, their designs cater to different user needs and aesthetic preferences - favoring either discreet integration or an eye-catching addition to their home theater systems.

Features Comparison: Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

In this section, we'll compare the features of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube to help you decide which one is right for you. From speed and performance to resolution and video quality, we've got all the details you need.

Fire TV Cube

Speed and Performance

The Fire TV Cube outperforms the Fire TV Stick 4K Max in terms of speed and performance. It boasts a quad-core 2.2Ghz processor (compared to Stick 4K Max's 1.8Ghz processor) making its capabilities top-of-the-line.

This allows for faster content loading, smoother navigation through menus, and decreased buffering during playback.

Both devices support Wi-Fi 6 which ensures stable internet connections for uninterrupted streaming experiences.

Storage Capacity

Fire TV Cube offers double storage capacity compared to Fire TV Stick 4K Max to store your favorite apps, games, and media content. Fire TV Cube allows for 16GB of internal storage, with Fire TV Stick 4K Max offering half of that.

This allows you to download and install a variety of streaming apps, including popular ones like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. However, neither device really excel in terms of storage, as both 16GB and 8GB are fairly limiting, so you might want to look into attaching an external storage device.

Resolution and Video Quality

Both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube offer good resolution and video quality. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max supports 4K resolution at a smooth rate of 60 frames per second, delivering clear visuals.

High resolution TV

It also supports various HDR formats, including HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, ensuring vibrant colors and enhanced contrast in your favorite movies and shows. On the other hand, the Fire TV Cube also supports 4K resolution and provides an incredibly crisp image with excellent app compatibility.

Audio Support

The audio support on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube is decent, but not outstanding for both devices, though it is worth noting that the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers better sound performance compared to the Fire TV Cube.

Numerous speakers

With superior dynamics and a more natural overall sound, you can expect an enhanced audio experience when using the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Although there are no specific details provided for the audio support on either device, this advantage in sound quality makes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max a great option for those who prioritize excellent audio performance while streaming their favorite content.

Alexa Integration and Voice Control

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube both have Alexa integration and voice control. We can control these devices hands-free using voice commands, which makes it really convenient.

Gray round speaker

With Alexa integration, we can search for our favorite content, control playback, and access different apps and services with just our voice. The voice control feature allows us to navigate through menus and settings effortlessly by using simple voice commands.

This enhances the overall user experience by providing us with seamless and easy-to-use control options.

Remote Controls

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube both come with remote controls. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max remote control features Bluetooth 5.0 + LTE connectivity, allowing for seamless connection to your device.

TV remote control

On the other hand, the Fire TV Cube remote control has Bluetooth 5.0 + LE connectivity for reliable and efficient performance.

With these remotes, you can easily navigate through menus, search for content, and control playback without any extra hassle.

Picture Quality: Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Cube

The Fire TV Cube delivers impressive picture quality, making it a top choice for anyone seeking a cinematic viewing experience. It boasts good image detail and supports all HDR formats, ensuring vibrant colors and enhanced contrast.

A living room with a large tv and a large window with a city view in the background.

With its sharp and detailed visuals, objects appear well-defined with strong black depth. On the other hand, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max falls short in this department. While it offers a crisp image and excellent app compatibility, its colors lack punch and the overall visuals are somewhat uninspiring.

When comparing these two streaming devices, it's clear that the Fire TV Cube outshines the Fire TV Stick 4K Max in terms of visuals. Whether you're watching movies or playing games, you can expect a more immersive experience with superior picture quality using the Fire TV Cube.

Verdict: Which Amazon Streamer Is Best for You?

After comparing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube, it's clear that both devices have their strengths, although Fire TV Cube does outshine its competitor in terms of performance. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with decent picture quality and performance, then the Fire TV Stick 4K Max would make more sense as a choice.

Priced at $79.99, it supports 4K resolution at 60fps and various HDR formats, making your viewing experience immersive.

However, if you want top-of-the-line features and are willing to invest in a pricier device, the Fire TV Cube is worth considering. At $174.98, it offers not only superior picture quality but also excellent app compatibility and smart capabilities.

With its built-in speaker and far-field voice recognition technology, controlling your entertainment becomes even more convenient. In those terms, it is a much more capable device.

FAQs

What is the difference between the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube?

The main difference between the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube is their form factor. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a small device that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV, while the Fire TV Cube is a larger device that sits near your TV and includes built-in speakers. Additionally, the Fire TV Cube delivers a better performance overall, while Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers a slight edge in Wi-Fi connectivity. Of course, their prices also differ.

Which device offers better performance, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or the Fire TV Cube?

Both devices offer good performance, but the Fire TV Cube generally has a slight edge in terms of processing power due to its larger size and additional cooling features.

Can I control my smart home devices with both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Cube?

Yes, both devices have built-in support for controlling smart home devices.

Do I need an external speaker system if I choose the Amazon FireTV Stick 4K Max over the FireTVCube?

While both devices support audio output via HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or Bluetooth to connect to external speakers or soundbars, some users may find that they prefer using an external speaker system to enhance their viewing experience.

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