Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The big upgrade for the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K over the basic Fire TV Stick is support for 4K video, of course, but that’s far from the only improvement: HDR has also been added, not just in standard HDR10 form, but also HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making this the most format-friendly video streamer currently available. Alexa has been added, too, and proves compelling – making the Fire TV Stick 4K worth the small premium it commands over its sibling.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a more compact design than many streamers, but at 10cm, it will protrude from your TV – plugging it in next to other cables can be a squeeze too. There is an HDMI extender in the box that can help with the latter issue as well as improving the wi-fi performance. You can also hardwire the Fire TV Stick 4K to your router by adding the optional ethernet adapter.

As well as being physically bigger than most sticks, the Fire TV Stick 4K also draws more power, to the extent that you should use the USB wall plug that comes in the box rather than running the cable into one of your TV’S own sockets.

Slick Stick

First-time set-up is pleasantly slick – the Stick automatically connects to your wi-fi and links to your Amazon account. Once the initial set-up is complete there are a few more advanced options worth exploring, including turning on the option to play all content in its native frame rate. The Fire TV Stick 4K is by default set to output HDR, effectively upconverting standard dynamic range content to rather inauthentic effect, so we change that in the setting menus too.

If your previous experience of Amazon is limited to the Prime Video app built into your TV, you’ll be pleased to discover that the presentation and user experience offered by the Fire TV Stick 4K is vastly superior. Home screens are bright, colourful and full of Amazon’s latest content, menus are bold and clear, and operation is snappy and smooth.

Adding a further dimension to operability is Alexa voice control. Simply press the voice control button on the remote and issue commands into the integrated microphone. What makes the Fire TV Stick 4K’s voice control special is its combination of responsiveness, consistency of comprehension and scope. Issuing commands feels natural, they are always understood and acted upon quickly, and you can do more than simply search for a show or pause what you’re watching.

With HDMI-CEC set up, you can issue a single voice command to turn on your TV, turn on the Fire TV Stick 4K and start playing your favourite series. If you have another Alexa device, such as an Echo Dot, you can issue the command ‘out loud’ – no need for the Stick’s remote.

However, Alexa is slightly hampered by a patchy general search function. It’s not universal, for a start, so iplayer, for example, isn’t included in results. And although Netflix is included, Amazon results are, predictably, prioritised.

At front and centre of the app selection is Amazon Prime Video, here available in 4K with standard HDR, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision – and with Dolby Atmos sound. Netflix is here, too, also in 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision – although without HDR10+ or Dolby Atmos. As well as BBC iplayer you get ITV Hub, 4OD and Demand 5, while for music, there's Spotify, Deezer and Tidal.

The Grand Tour looks excellent when played through the Fire TV Stick 4K. It's a sharp and detailed image, to the benefit of the four-wheeled beauties on show, if not the increasingly saggy presenters. It’s bright and vibrant, making the image of a Ford GT rumbling through the streets of New York all the more stunning.

There’s a bit of judder to tricky motion and some of the brightest detail is missing, but this is an impressive picture that surpasses the prevailing stick standard. There’s a bit of detail missing at both ends of the spectrum, but blacks are deep and dramatic while whites are punchy and pure – the result is a dynamic, engaging picture.

Informer on BBC iplayer proves that the Fire TV Stick 4K is a dab hand when it comes to standard-def 1080p. Detailed and clear, and with subtle, balanced colours, there’s nothing here to complain about, particularly given the price.

Dolby Atmos is practically unheard of at this end of the market, so we play Amazon’s Jack Ryan and are delighted to discover that it sounds really good. This is room-filling sound with excellent placement of effects and real weight and drama. The Fire TV Stick 4K sounds good with standard 5.1 and even stereo, too. This is a clear, detailed and spacious sound regardless of the format.

Next to the very best streamers, such as the Apple TV 4K, the Stick is slightly lacking in terms of dynamics and outright punch, which can rob an action set piece of a little of its impact. For a device this size and price, though, the Fire TV Stick 4K is undeniably impressive. It has all the apps you need, supports all current HDR formats and throws in Dolby Atmos for good luck.

The Apple TV 4K still has the edge in terms of picture and sound quality and gives you access to a better-stocked selection of 4K HDR films. But the fact that you have to spend a whole lot more to better the Fire TV Stick 4K proves just what an exceptional bargain it is.