Quick Summary:
- The new Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote offers faster navigation and streaming than previous generations
- Control your TV with the new Alexa Voice Remote
- Enjoy a huge library of supported streaming services
- List price is affordable at $59.99, but $10 more gets you 4K video playback
Amazon.com List Price; $59.99 (as of 2/4/21 11:00 EST). Read full disclaimer.
Whether you’re a cable-cutter or just really love watching TV shows and movies, a media streamer is an essential part of every modern home entertainment system. The new third-generation Fire TV stick comes with an improved Alexa-enabled remote, and it's the best-priced option for HDTV owners.
Our WhistleOut expert with two decades of experience in audio/video streaming checks out the newest Fire TV device to see if it’s a worthy addition to your entertainment system.
Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) at a Glance
There are better devices for Canadians who want a simple and straightforward experience, but when it comes to making your HDTV smarter, the Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) is a complete solution in one low-cost package.
What we love
- Fast navigation and streaming
- HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos
- Alexa Voice remote controls TV power and volume
- Low cost and frequent discounts
What we don't
- App browser needs refinement
- No UHD (2160p) video processing
- Ads on your home screen
80/100
Fire TV Stick: Ease of Set-Up
There are a few important pieces of hardware in the box when you first receive your Fire TV Stick:
- The Fire TV Stick itself
- The new Alexa Voice Remote with TV controls
- An HDMI extension cable (the Stick’s body is a bit chunky and difficult to fit behind some televisions)
- A USB power adaptor
- A 150cm (5’) micro-USB cable
- A small booklet with legal and warranty info as well as a pocket-sized quick start guide that helps you get started
We found set-up to be quick and easy—simply plug one side of the micro-USB cable into the included power adapter, then plug the other side into your Fire TV Stick. Then insert the Fire Stick into an available HDMI port on your TV, and you're ready to go.
While you may be tempted to use your television’s built-in USB port for power, but Amazon recommends using the included power brick as some features may not work properly without enough power.
Quick Tip: Have an Amazon Canada Account Ready
Your set-up will go much quicker if you've already created an Amazon Canada account —so if you're a new customer, consider doing so before your Fire TV Stick arrives!
The remote already has batteries inside, and the full set-up process happens on-screen, making configuration quick if you already have an existing Amazon Canada account. Even with a software update, this part of the process took less than ten minutes.
The Fire TV interface suggests popular apps to automatically download, but you’ll need to log into them individually. The onscreen keyboard is functional, but I’d love to see more apps adopt a quicker, "go to this webpage” method of authorization—it took another ten minutes to download the apps I wanted and sign into my streaming services. That said, aside from knowing the Wi-Fi password, there was nothing that required a high degree of technical ability in order to set up the Fire TV Stick.
Fire TV Stick: Audio/Video Support
| Video Specs | Audio Specs |
|---|---|
|
1080p and 720p 60Hz HDR10+ MPEG-4 h.264, h.265 VP8, VP9 HDMI with HDCP 2.2 |
Up to 48kHz 8 channels 16-bit and 24-bit Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus AAC MP3 |
Faster hardware inside the 2020 edition Fire TV Stick enables video output at full HD (1080p) and 60 frames per second (fps). Colour is rich on supported televisions thanks to new HDR10+ support, and this little stick can deliver up to 7.1 channels of surround sound thanks to industry-leading Dolby Atmos sound processing.
Dolby Vision, 4K resolution, and DTS audio are not supported on this Fire TV Stick model. Even so, it’s about the best audio/video experiences you’ll find without upgrading to 4K.
Fire TV Stick: Smart TV Features
Even though you can run Netflix on everything from your TV to a refrigerator, some other streaming services are harder to find. The Fire TV Stick sets itself apart by supporting one of the largest selections of streaming service apps in Canada, including:
- Prime Video
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Apple TV+
- Crave
- DAZN
- SportsNet Now
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
There is also a wide selection of streaming apps with live TV streams including:
- CBC Gem
- CTV
- Global TV
- Redbull TV
Since the Fire TV Stick has access to the Amazon App Store, you’ll also find many games and utilities. We recommend buying and downloading some Jackbox titles for impromptu party games whenever we’re allowed to have guests visiting indoors again. Be aware that apps and streaming services not available in Canada (like Hulu and HBO Max) cannot be installed using the Amazon App Store.
Holding down the microphone button on the remote enables the Alexa voice assistant to launch a particular show or app. The new Alexa Voice Remote model uses a built-in IR controller to give you quick access to your TV and sound system’s volume control.
One way Amazon keeps the price of this device low is to sell ad space. Often, it’s for relevant content like new TV shows, but sometimes you’ll get a banner ad on the home screen for soap. Not soap operas… just soap. There is no clear way to opt out of this.
Fire TV Stick: User Experience
The speedy 3rd gen Fire TV Stick packs a processor inside that responds 50% faster than the previous model. I've been using the 2nd generation Fire TV Stick for years, and the performance boost on the new model alone is worth the price of an upgrade.
Amazon recently updated the interface making it easier to find your most common streaming services. The interface update will be rolling out to older models (including the 2nd generation Fire TV Stick) in spring 2021.
The remote looks the same but adds four new buttons (TV power, volume up, volume down, and mute) and an IR controller that allows it to command TVs and soundbars—a serious upgrade in convenience. The new remote also feels a bit heavier and less likely to slip out of your hands.
There are also additional refinements to the new Fire TV Stick whether you just want a simple streaming solution, or you're a serious tech geek.
Casual Streamers
During the setup process, the Fire TV Stick recommends some common streaming and live TV apps to install. Early in 2021, Amazon rolled out a radical new interface redesign to all Fire TV models new and old. It’s now easy to find common apps, which automatically show on the home navigation screen for quick download. Finding the app store requires more comfort with the user interface. If there’s a specific app or streaming service you want, simply hold down the microphone button on the new remote and ask Alexa for it by name. You’ll suddenly be shepherded to the Amazon App Store.
Configuring the Alexa Voice Remote occurs during initial setup. After that, you can easily change the volume or power off the TV. Switching the television to the Fire TV Stick video input is as simple as a double tap of the home button. Switching to other TV inputs is possible but a bit more challenging.
Power Users
The new Alexa Voice Remote can switch TV inputs using IR control or HDMI-CEC. However, our testing did not find it worked well. Once it’s working properly, the remote should be able to switch the television input just by asking Alexa with voice commands.
Amazon Fire TV devices run a modified Android OS and many users choose to “side-load” unauthorized apps. The faster processor and hardware support for more codecs on the 2020 edition of Fire TV Stick offers playback of more formats than the previous model. However, our tests playing UHD content were unsuccessful even though the hardware inside appears similar to the Fire TV Stick 4K.
Fire TV Stick: Future Proof
At the time of this review, Amazon sells three models of Fire TV Stick. At regular price, there’s only $20 difference between the cheapest Fire TV Stick Lite and the premium Fire TV Stick 4K. Right in the middle (both by price and features) is this Fire TV Stick. It offers support for modern media and display formats including HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, but it is limited to 1080p video which you may regret if you plan to upgrade to a 4K TV.
The built-in IR blaster on the Alexa Voice Remote enables universal remote compatibility in a clean, minimalist design we like. With Alexa voice assistant built-in, future upgrades will offer more features like reporting the weather without pausing playback. It would be nice if the IR remote could be programmed to support non-Alexa smart devices, but the narrow focus of the Fire TV Stick probably isn’t intended for that.
Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) Final Verdict:
The 3rd gen Fire TV Stick released in 2020 includes everything you need in the box, making setup a breeze. Casual users who just want a plug-and-play solution to make an aging HDTV “smart” again can get up and running in about ten minutes with minimal difficulty. Configuring the Fire TV layout with all the apps you want can take some time, but for most uses—including 3rd party app support—the Fire TV Stick is a powerful ally. The new Alexa Voice Remote makes it easier to command both your television and streaming device with one minimal controller.
Final Score: 80%
Is the Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) Worth It?
If you don’t have immediate plans to upgrade to a UHD television, then the 2020 refresh of Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is worth the price. The Alexa voice assistant is built into the remote and can now control your television power and volume.
It’s a great device for power users, but casual viewers may prefer the more refined experience on Apple TV or the new Chromecast with Google TV. However, no streaming stick can beat the value, and Amazon Fire TV devices often go on sale with deep discounts.
Fire TV Stick Alternatives
Set-top and behind-the-TV streaming devices have been around long enough that Canadians have a wide range of options. There’s no single device that suits everyone perfectly, so here are a few options the experts at WhistleOut like.
Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick Lite
Features are nearly the same for both devices behind the TV, but the big difference with the Fire TV Stick Lite is a lack of an IR blaster for TV power and volume control. Dolby Atmos is pass-through only, which means you’ll need a receiver for processing 7.1 surround sound.
Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick 4K
The Fire TV Stick 4K version adds processing and playback of UHD content (2160p) with Dolby Vision. You may consider paying the extra $10 to future-proof your Fire TV Stick in case you upgrade your TV but be aware this model was released in 2018 and is due for a refresh next year.
Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Cube
The Fire TV Cube includes UltraHD (2160p) playback, a faster processor and a hardwire ethernet port. The always-on Alexa voice commands even give you limited control of your entertainment system. The Cube is much faster and has more storage, but it costs more than twice as much at $149.99.
Fire TV Stick vs. New Chromecast with Google TV
The newest Chromecast model includes a remote and onscreen user interface, same as the Fire TV Stick. With video output up to 4K, this competes with the Fire TV Stick 4K in both performance and price. You won’t find the Apple TV app here yet, but the voice remote uses Google Assistant, which may apply better to controlling smart devices in your home.
Fire TV Stick vs. Apple TV HD
The Apple TV HD doesn’t have an IR controller like the Fire TV Stick, but it does everything else—and does it better. Apple’s on-screen interface is clean, premium games run smoothly, and you can get just about every streaming app available in Canada. The Siri voice assistant is built into the remote which is good if you prefer it over Alexa. You’ll pay for this premium experience, as it’s priced much higher and rarely goes on sale, whereas the Fire TV lineup frequently does. If you're spending this much, we recommend upgrading to the Apple TV 4K to future-proof your investment.
Fire TV Stick vs. Roku Premiere
Although it’s priced lower ($49.99), the Roku Premiere adds 4K streaming to compatible televisions. You need the upgraded model to get a voice assistant in your remote and an IR controller. However, Roku is a favourite among cable-cutters for its wide support of 3rd party apps including Apple TV+.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. WhistleOut utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
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