If you’re a cheapskate like me this is the streaming device you need

I have spent some time with numerous streaming devices, ranging from the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra to Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Each of these fills specific niches, and while I have the Apple TV 4K as my main device, I have a home for all of them, barring the Chromecast because I just ran out of screens to use it with. It’s also the only product that’s been officially discontinued, so I retired it at the right time.

Of these devices, the Apple TV 4K is the best, and I’m sure most would agree. However, it’s only the best in a world where budget isn’t an issue. For a lot of people, especially people looking to just get off their smart TV’s old and slow UI, the Apple TV doesn’t reign supreme. Instead, a cheaper stick is arguably a better option for a huge portion of would-be buyers. I picked up a Fire TV Stick back in March for a little over $40, and while it’s in my basement, I could easily be using it in my living room if I didn’t already have an Apple TV. Following this advice could end up saving you quite a bit of cash, especially if all you want is streaming apps.

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The Fire Stick isn’t the best, but it could be for you

Know what you need before buying

Pocket-lint / Amazon

Unlike the Apple TV or Roku Ultra, a Fire Stick is something you plug into your TV that looks more like a flash drive than a streaming device. Nevertheless, it does the same thing as those other devices, but it just doesn’t have as much power. For things like watching TV and movies, that’s not a big deal as there’s still plenty of room for all the streaming apps you could need with plenty of room left over. You’ll notice some sluggishness compared to the pricier boxes, but it works all the same.

The main reason I say the Fire Stick could be the best device for you is because of its price. A new Apple TV 4K costs either $130 or $150, so it’s effectively priced out for people looking to stay on a budget. While many people argue the Apple TV has better picture quality, and I’m inclined to agree, it’s just not a good buy for a large chunk of people. If you look at the Fire TV Stick 4K, it costs $50 and comes equipped with Dolby Vision, so it’s not like it’s a slouch in the picture quality department by any means. Of course, it means you need a TV that supports Dolby Vision, and many mid-range TVs don’t have that ability.

If you don’t have a top-of-the-line TV, there’s no reason to pair it with a top-of-the-line device. If you don’t have a 4K TV, you can drop to a regular HD Fire Stick and still get a good experience. Amazon has many options available for all sorts of buyers, while Apple just has the two high-end models for sale unless you hit the used market. Fire Sticks are cheap, and they often go on sale, so you never have to worry about breaking the bank. Due to their size, you don’t have to clear off any space on the shelf to set them down as it’s just plug-and-play. I’m very happy with mine, and it would be among my first recommendations for anybody looking to leave behind their base smart TV UI.

What adds even more value is the versatility on display with the Fire Stick, and you might be shocked to know there are some things it can do that other streamers can’t. The big thing for me is the integration with Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s wildly popular Netflix-like subscription service for games.

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Don’t sleep on the Fire TV Stick

It’s better than you might think

Pocket-lint / Amazon

Fire TV Sticks might be small, but they pack a punch. It’s the only streamer around that can play Xbox Game Pass games over the Cloud thanks to the partnership with Microsoft. Other devices such as the Apple TV 4K can use the Steam Link app to play games over the Cloud, but there’s no integration with Game Pass itself. I don’t imagine many people picking up a streaming device to play video games, but this acts more as an added bonus on top of having access to your shows and movies.

The reality is, there’s nothing wrong with a Fire TV Stick, and I truly believe it’s a great option for a lot of people. I put a lot of work into my home theater setup, so it couldn’t supplant my Apple TV 4K, but it works perfectly fine as a secondary device. For the majority of people, I have no doubt it’d work as a primary device. There’s not a lot of investment that has to be made either, as they can typically be found for under $50, and oftentimes they are way cheaper than that. The price gets even lower if you seek out a previous-gen or used model. No, the sticks aren’t as fast as an actual box, but it’s not the end of the world to lose a few seconds navigating around the apps.

Everybody is in a different situation, but there’s one thing that remains consistent for all smart TV owners — the base UI is slow and only gets worse over time. The biggest upgrade you can make, aside from a simple soundbar, is picking up a streaming device. It really doesn’t matter if it’s a high-end device like a Roku Ultra or Apple TV or a stick like a Roku or Fire TV. Everything works, and whatever gets you away from the TV UI is great. If you want the most out of your experience, it’s worth it to spend some extra cash and get an actual box. For the majority of people, something like a Fire TV Stick will more than suffice. I’ve made numerous upgrades to my setup over the years, and adding a streaming device was one of the last. If I had to do it all over again, I’d make it the first. On top of that, I’d probably get a stick to test the waters first, because I can always upgrade down the road and use the stick in my bedroom.

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