When it comes to streaming sticks, there are many choices available right now. With so many options in the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Roku and Amazon are both leaders in this field, so we’re comparing their best devices to help you make a decision.
So, if you confused between Roku or Amazon, we’re comparing these two brands to assist you. While Amazon is a massive global brand, you shouldn’t overlook Roku. Roku specialises in making affordable streaming devices and has a good track record in this area.
To determine which smart TV option is better, we’ll look at various features such as the price, design, voice control, and the range of apps and channels available. Let’s dive deep into the detail guide.
Roku vs Fire Stick: what’s the difference?
Roku Premiere and the Amazon Fire TV Stick are a favourite pick of customers in mid-range smart TV sticks. You watch streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ (including Star for adults), and Amazon Prime Video on older TVs that aren’t ‘smart.
While both of them do a good job at this, some special features, apps, and designs are unique to each of these smart TV sticks.
Here are the important distinctions between Roku Premiere and the Amazon Fire TV Stick to help you in picking the right streaming device for your requirements.
Price
The Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick both cost £39.99. At this price, the Amazon Fire TV Stick offers better-quality full HD streaming and voice search featuring the new Alexa remote.
However, Roku features Premiere media player, providing 4K streaming, making the video quality even better.To stream 4K from Amazon, you’d have to spend an extra £10 for the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
If you’re looking to save some money, both Roku and Amazon offer more affordable options: the Roku Express and Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, both priced at £29.99.
Design
In 2020, the Amazon Fire TV Stick got an update, with the most asked-for feature – power and volume buttons on the remote. This feature also boosts performance of the smart TV stick by 50% compared to its 2019 version.
Roku Premiere doesn’t have volume buttons, but it comes with shortcuts to popular apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Google Play. It also offers a free Roku mobile app giving an extra remote, to control volume through this app.
Roku’s app has a unique ‘Private Listening’ mode. This function allows the user to listen to your TV audio using headphones on the Roku mobile app.
Voice control
Both the Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick have a voice control feature on your TV. On the Amazon Fire TV Stick, comes with a voice control button on the remote for this purpose, while for Roku, has a voice control feature on app.
You can press and hold the button to talk, and search for any show you want to watch on the smart TV. if you like using voice control then invest in Amazon Fire TV Cube which will cost around £109.99 which is comparatively priced higher.
Also Fire TV Cube can control home devices like plugs, lights, thermostats and smart speakers.
Apps and channels
Amazon promotes its services on the Fire TV homepage. Amazon Prime Video is prominently featured on the Amazon Fire TV Stick along with many other apps to choose from.
Roku also has an option of viewing the Prime Video, and you can also access popular services like Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, ITV Hub, NOW TV, Spotify, BT Sport, and YouTube.
You can find these channels and apps on both Fire tv and Roku. These streaming sticks can also help to display the videos and photos from your mobile to TV.
Which smart TV stick should you buy?
Which device you pick majorly depends on the usage of Amazon Prime Video and other Amazon subscriptions. If you use these apps more the you should go with Amazon Fire TV device over a Roku smart TV stick.
Amazon Prime Video is prominently featured on the Fire TV homepage. If you are not into Amazon content then you can buy a Roku smart tv stick.
Both the Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick have almost same cost however the Fire TV Stick only streams in HD. Go with Roku’s smart TV stick to do 4K streaming. So, if you own a 4K TV, getting the Roku Premiere might be a better option.
Conclusion:
The choice between the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Roku Premiere largely depends on your viewing preferences. If you’re a heavy user of Amazon Prime Video and have other Amazon subscriptions, the Fire TV Stick may suit you best despite its focus on Amazon content. The voice search feature can help navigate this.
However, if you’re looking for the best video quality and have a 4K TV, the Roku Premiere, with its 4K streaming capability, maybe the better choice. Both devices have a wide range of apps and channels, making them versatile options for accessing various content.
