FOR shoppers looking for a smart streaming solution, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max are two major options.
We’ve compared both streaming sticks, so you can figure out which device is right for you.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from Amazon
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from Amazon
Amazon’s line-up of Fire TV streaming sticks provides a convenient and popular alternative to expensive smart TVs.
Pop one of these into your telly’s HDMI port, and your home entertainment will be hugely enhanced.
At the top of the range, the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max stand out as champions.
Both boast up to 4K video, unparalleled performance, and cutting-edge features that distinguish them from the competition.
But with so many similarities, shoppers are likely asking: what sets the standard Fire TV stick apart from the Max version?
In this comparison article, we’ve looked at everything from picture and sound quality to the price and intelligence of their remotes.
The Sun’s tech reporter, Millie Turner, has also provided her hands-on verdict on Amazon’s new Fire TV Stick 4K, noting that her television had never been faster.
Don’t forget to check out our comparison between Amazon’s smart TVs, the Fire TV Omni Series and the Fire TV 4-Series, for an in-depth look at Fire-ready TVs.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Differences at a glance
While both the Fire Stick 4K and Fire Stick 4K Max offer reliable options, understanding their similarities and differences is crucial before making your purchase.
The Fire Stick 4K and Fire Stick 4K Max offer identical picture and sound quality, supporting resolutions up to 4K UHD at 60 frames per second, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ formats, as well as Dolby Atmos sound.
The main difference lies in the Alexa remote: the Fire Stick 4K Max includes an enhanced version with additional functionality, such as controlling connected devices and dedicated channel buttons for live TV.
While the price difference between the two is minimal, the Fire Stick 4K Max offers potential future enhancements like support for Wi-Fi 6E and possibly the Ambient Experience feature (should it be realised).
Both devices share the same apps and features, making the choice between them primarily dependent on whether the enhanced remote functionality justifies the slightly higher cost of the Fire Stick 4K Max.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Picture and sound
First and foremost, it’s essential to clarify that neither of these 4K Fire Sticks will deliver 4K picture quality to a television that doesn’t support a 4K output.
Instead, they will optimize the picture quality according to the TV’s capabilities through HDMI. In this case, opting for one of Amazon’s more affordable alternatives, like the standard Fire Stick or Fire Stick Lite, may be a more suitable option.
Another point to note is that both the Fire Stick 4K and Fire Stick 4K Max are tied with identical picture and sound quality, supporting resolutions up to 4K UHD at 60 frames per second.
They also support Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ formats, ensuring vivid colour reproduction and immersive depth.
The sound output is the same story again, with Dolby Atmos sound standard, which looks to give you a spatial audio experience.
So why opt for the Max? Well, this is a clever marketing strategy as it leads shoppers to naturally gravitate towards the perceived ‘best’ option in the 4K Max.
Where the Max comes into play is in the Alexa remote, with the 4K Max coming with an Alexa Voice Remove Enhanced, with additional functionality.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Price and availability
The price when acquiring any new gadget often carries significant weight in the decision-making process, especially in today’s climate.
But, when considering these two 4K-ready Fire Sticks, the price discrepancies are minimal. The Fire TV Stick 4K comes in at £59.99, while for an extra £10, you can pick up the 4K Max for £69.99.
Needless to say, the entire lineup of Fire Sticks is readily available for purchase directly from Amazon, but they are also widely distributed across various retailers.
You’ll find them stocked at the likes of Currys, Argos, John Lewis, and Very— though at the time of writing no retailers are offering savings.
If you don’t mind the waiting game, keep an eye out for sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday, where these devices often see hefty discounts.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from Amazon
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from Amazon
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from Currys
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from Currys
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from Argos
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from Argos
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from John Lewis
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from John Lewis
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £59.99 – buy from Very
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, £69.99 – buy from Very
You can look forward to the next Prime event from October 8-9, when the asking price of plenty of Amazon streaming tech takes a nosedive.
Head to our Amazon device deals page and round up the best Prime Day deals for the best offerings from the autumn sales event.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Features
The Fire platform on both these devices also shares the same apps and features, such as Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and of course, Prime Video.
In fact, many of the distinguishing features between these two devices have nothing to do with their streaming capabilities.
For instance, the Fire Stick 4K Max offers a unique feature allowing you to connect your home security camera through the Live View Picture-in-Picture feature.
This capability is not available on the Fire Stick 4K and, until recently, was exclusively offered on the Fire TV Cube.
The Fire 4K Max does, however, support Wi-Fi 6E, delivering faster speeds and improved connectivity. But it’s a small edge compared to the Fire Stick 4K, which still provides reliable Wi-Fi 6 support for enhancing streaming speeds.
Amazon has hinted at the possibility of the 4K Max stick soon integrating support for the Ambient Experience, a feature currently exclusive to the Omni Fire TV series.
However, it remains to be seen when or if this will be realised, but it would give the Fire Stick 4K Max a much-needed edge over the Fire Stick 4K.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Design
You’d be challenged to distinguish between these two Fire sticks, as they mirror each other in size, colour, and feel.
Both sport a contemporary black matte finish, prominently featuring the sleek Fire TV logo. They also share identical dimensions, measuring in at 9.9cm x 3cm x 1.4cm.
These similarities extend beyond mere aesthetics, with both devices delivering identical sound and picture quality. However, where they truly diverge is in their Alexa-enabled remotes.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Remotes
Amazon’s Alexa-powered remotes have seen significant upgrades, with added controls for convenience and functionality added over the years.
Of course, the standout feature of these remotes is the integration of Alexa, enabling voice control for your TV. That said, as demonstrated by products like Sky’s Glass TVs, voice control is increasingly becoming commonplace.
At one time, quick action buttons for apps like Netflix, Diseny+, and Prime Video were exclusive to the 4K Max, these days both remotes come with this feature.
As I’ve touched on, when looking at these two remotes, the 4K Max’s ‘enhanced’ remote is what really sets these two devices apart.
The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced also allows you to control your connected devices, and comes with a Recents button and dedicated channel buttons to surf live TV.
Fire TV Stick 4k vs 4k Max: Verdict
Interestingly, what distinguishes these two devices isn’t their streaming capabilities, but rather the upgraded Alexa remote featured with the Fire Stick 4K Max.
Therefore, the decision ultimately hinges on whether the added functionality justifies the additional cost to you.
Here is our verdict.
Choose the Fire TV Stick 4K if:
- You want a reliable 4K streaming solution.
- You prioritize value for money without compromising on essential features.
- You’re satisfied with the standard Alexa remote.
Choose the Fire TV Stick 4K Max if:
- You’re okay with the additional cost.
- You want the added functionality of the enhanced Alexa remote.
- You want smoother performance and faster loading times.
MORE AMAZON COMPARISONS
We’re keeping our eyes peeled for the best deals for those shopping tech in 2024, and you’ll find them all listed on our tech deals hub.