Among pricey streaming gadgets, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a no-fuss upgrade for your slow smart TV

Tom's Guide Verdict The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is an easy recommendation if you want a fast, affordable way to stream content in crisp 4K resolution. Its new Vega OS is responsive, the redesigned remote is the best Amazon has made to date, and the price is right. The lack of Dolby Vision and Android app sideloading stings, but for most people, this is a great pickup. Reasons to buy +New Vega OS is responsive and easier to navigate than Fire OS +Redesigned remote is a massive improvement +Slim form factor that can be powered by the TV's USB port +Alexa+ is included at no extra cost +Affordable, especially when it's on sale Reasons to avoid -No Dolby Vision support -No Android app sideloading like Fire OS, which means less access to third-party apps -Power adapter and HDMI extender cost extra if your TV doesn't have a USB port -Home screen is stuffed with ads Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Roku's streamlined interface has long been my favorite way to watch content. I still use a Roku TV today, and I haven't made any plans to change that. But I have to admit Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K has given me more than a few reasons to reconsider.The Fire TV Stick 4K replaces both the 4K Select and 4K Plus streamers, and it's Amazon's first 4K device to run its new Vega OS instead of the Android-based Fire OS. The new stick also has a slimmer body, can use USB power from your TV, and comes with a redesigned remote.While it has downsides, including no Dolby Vision support or Android app sideloading, the Fire TV Stick 4K is still a fast, affordable way to bring a sluggish smart TV back to life, making it a real contender among the best streaming devices.Latest Videos FromTom's GuideAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K review: Price and availability (Image credit: Future)Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K specsMax resolution: 4KSupported video: HDR10, HDR10+, HLGSupported audio: Dolby-encoded audio (HDMI pass-through)Storage: 8GBWi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6Cloud gaming: Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, NVIDIA GeForce NOW (coming soon)Amazon announced the Fire TV Stick 4K on September 30, 2026. It has a list price of $59.99, which sits between the cheaper Fire TV Stick HD ($19.99) and the more powerful Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($84.99). It replaces the 4K Select and the 4K Plus, both of which are being phased out.Amazon launched the stick with a $29.99 introductory deal that ran during October's Prime Day sale. The company often discounts its own hardware during sales, so you can probably find it cheap if you wait until Black Friday or a future Prime Day event.Keep in mind that the sticker price doesn't cover everything. There's no power adapter or HDMI extender in the box, so if your TV doesn't have a USB port, you'll need to buy some accessories to make it compatible.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review: Design (Image credit: Future)The Fire TV Stick 4K is noticeably slimmer than its predecessors, so it's easier to squeeze in next to your other various input cables. The biggest change to the stick itself is "Direct Power," which makes it the first 4K Fire TV Stick that can be powered by your TV's own USB port rather than an outlet. To me, cutting down on cables is always a welcome change.Want more streaming news?Sign up to the weekly Tom's Streaming Guide to stay in the loop with the latest releases and top recommendations across your favorite streaming services. We’ve got you covered with a complete guide on what’s worth watching.The new remote is the real star, though. It's a full redesign with a flat top and curved bottom, and features a metal Home button that's easier to find by touch. A new customizable star button opens Prime Video by default, but can launch any app you assign to it. It'll also control your TV's power and volume controls, so you won't need to keep your old remote around.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review: Setup (Image credit: Future)Setup is about as painless as it gets. Just plug the USB-C cable into the stick, plug the stick into your TV's HDMI port, connect the other end of the cable to your TV's USB port, and drop the two included AAA batteries into the remote. Then connect to Wi-Fi, sign in to your Amazon account, and you're ready to stream.Older Fire Sticks that ran Fire OS could sideload third-party Android apps, but because the new stick runs Vega OS, you can only install apps from the Amazon app store. Amazon says it has added more than 2,000 apps since Vega launched, including Spotify, Xbox, and VLC, plus Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, and more. Your mileage may vary if you rely on a niche app, so check that your must-haves are available before you buy.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review: Performance (Image credit: Future)The Fire TV Stick 4K has a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. It supports 4K at up to 60 frames per second with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, plus Wi-Fi 6. Dolby Atmos works through HDMI pass-through, so you'll need a compatible soundbar or receiver to get the best-sounding audio.The new Vega OS experience is smoother, faster, and more intuitive than the old Fire OS. The home screen and menus felt responsive, and all my apps launched quickly without any hitches. Amazon claims that the stick is 20 to 40 percent faster than a similarly priced competing streaming stick, but it doesn't say which one, so I'd take that with a grain of salt (although you can probably guess which one they're talking about). (Image credit: Future)Alexa+ is another highlight. It's included for free with the Fire TV Stick 4K, and handled all of my requests well. You can ask for a top-rated drama film, then follow up by asking for newer releases, and Alexa+ will narrow your choices down for you. It can also answer questions about what you're watching, and even move Prime Video content to another Fire TV in your home if you have one.I'm also a fan of the stick's Bluetooth headphone pairing feature for late-night viewing.There are some drawbacks, though. While the home screen is easy to navigate, recommendations and sponsored content take up a big chunk, which got old fast. Also, it lacks Dolby Vision support. This is the first 4K Fire Stick without this feature, so if you've got a high-end OLED and want the best possible picture from Netflix and Disney+, you'll be stuck with HDR10+ or HDR10. If you desperately want Dolby Vision, you’ll have to get either the Fire Stick 4K Max or a Fire TV Cube.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review: VerdictThe Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a fast, intuitive, and affordable streaming stick that's an excellent fix for a slow or outdated smart TV. The new remote is a massive improvement; the slim design and USB power make setup easy, Alexa+ is a nice bonus, and Vega OS feels snappy. You'll be giving up Dolby Vision and Android app sideloading, and you might spend a little extra on accessories depending on your setup, but for the price, I think it's a great deal.If you're looking for an alternative pick, the closest match is Amazon's own Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It still runs Fire OS, so you can sideload apps, supports Dolby Vision, and is more powerful overall. But it costs $25 more, and you won't get the new remote, so it's up to you to decide if the trade-off is worth it. If you care more about a clean, ad-light interface rather than price, I suggest the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.All in all, if you want to stream in 4K without spending much, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a great pick, even with its few shortcomings. Dylan Haas is a Freelance Contributor and Lab Tester for Tom’s Guide. He’s a seasoned journalist with bylines at publications like Mashable, GameSpot, and Paste Magazine where he covered the latest in tech, gaming, and entertainment. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.