Streaming video players have come a long way in just 10 years. In 2009, almost no one had a Roku, and Amazon? Prime Video had just come out in 2006, so at the time it was still just a blip on the radar. But 10 years later, Amazon and Roku are two of the biggest names in streaming video players thanks to Amazon Fire TV and the growing family of Roku players. That said, you can find about half a dozen Roku players on the market these days, including the Roku Ultra, Roku Premiere, and Roku Express along with Amazon's three flagship streaming sticks: the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire TV Cube. (Note: Fire TV Cube, Roku Ultra, and Roku Premiere are only available in the US, so it's worth keeping that in mind.) If you're not familiar with all the players and what they're capable of, this can be a lot to take in. But that's why we're here to help break down the differences between hardware and highlight the strengths of the platforms. . Consider this your guide to Streaming Hardware 101.
- Expect to see great deals on Roku and Amazon Fire TV products during Amazon Prime Day 2020 from July 15-16.
What are the main differences?
When you think of Amazon Fire TV, you really should think of Amazon's video streaming service and Alexa voice assistant because those are its defining features. Of course, Roku can also access Amazon Video, but the streaming service takes center stage in Amazon's streaming hardware. This is great if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber... and maybe not so much if you don't want to buy Amazon's subscription service. That said, no matter how you slice it, having Alexa in a streaming video player is great. It works almost exactly like a smart speaker, except you can ask Alexa to call up videos for you, too. Add to that the ability to manage your calendar and keep track of your shopping lists, and it's easy to see why having Alexa is a huge plus for Fire TV.What is the easiest to use?
Now, of course, ease of use is pretty subjective, some things that come easy to us won't necessarily come easy to you, but one caveat aside, we think Roku is the easier of the two platforms. It launches you right into the start menu, where you can see all the apps you've downloaded, and the App Store is immediately visible. The interface is simpler, and while a bit dated at the moment, it's probably what your parents could use. That's not to say that the Amazon Fire TV interface is particularly difficult to use - it's not - but it puts more emphasis on Amazon Prime content and finding something else can take a bit of time. effort / know how to do. Still, if you know where to look, you can find apps for Netflix, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, and everything else, and having content on the front end means it's a bit quicker to fire it up and go straight to it. to something to look at. It's worth noting here that, unlike the Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra, all members of the Amazon Fire TV and Roku family of devices come with a remote. This traditional control scheme makes them a bit easier for the average non-technical person to pick up and use, and the built-in microphone adds a convenience factor for finding something to watch. We'll cover more of them in the next section, but it's worth noting that both are easier to use than other streaming solutions.Which has more content?
Unless you count every video on every streaming service on each of these two platforms, it's impossible to know which has the most content to watch. That said, knowing what streaming services are on each platform and how much content they have can give us a rough estimate. Both platforms have access to the major services Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Sling TV, HBO Go/Now, and YouTube, but only Roku also has access to The Roku Channel, this free ad-supported streaming service. that we mentioned above. It's also worth noting that Roku has more channels than any other platform; however, what Roku considers a ``channel'' is usually just a custom app filled with videos you might find on YouTube. . Still, if you just want a full playlist of old western movies, Roku has them and Amazon doesn't. Of course, it's a bit easier to find content on Roku than it is on Amazon Fire TV: Roku Search scans many streaming services and lists them by price with the cheapest options and those you subscribe to. in advance. It's a great system that could save you money in the long run. (It's worth noting that Amazon also has a full search feature, but it places more emphasis on Amazon Video results.)What is the cheapest?
If you compare the cheapest Roku player to the cheapest Amazon Fire TV player, it's a tie: You can get both the Roku Express and the Amazon Fire TV Stick for just $29 ($25). Both are great HD streaming devices that will impress people who still have an HDTV. Today's best deals on Roku Express and Amazon Fire TV Stick Roku Express HD streaming... Fire TV Stick streaming support... Of course, if you want a 4K streaming stick, you'll have to upgrade to the Roku Premiere ($35 ) or the slightly more expensive Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($39 / €49). You can expect 4K/HDR support from both devices and the entire content library on both devices. Today's best deals on Roku Premiere and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Roku - Streaming Premiere 4K... Streaming Fire TV Stick 4K... If you're looking for the best gamers for the best gaming experience, the flagship Roku Ultra it'll set you back $99 while the Amazon Fire TV Cube with Alexa will only cost $79, though, for now, the two are exclusive. In the U.S. Either way, it's a good deal for two of the best streaming devices on the planet. Today's best deals on Roku Ultra and Amazon Fire TV Cube Roku - Ultra 4K streaming ... Amazon Fire TV Cube - 2nd ...
What is the best?
It all depends on who you are buying for. If you're shopping for someone who really appreciates picture quality and owns a 4K TV with Dolby Vision, you can't beat the Amazon Fire TV Cube. Not only is it a great transmitter, but it's a great starting point for building a smart home. But if you're shopping for someone who isn't so technical (read: your parents or grandparents), you might want to get the more basic Roku streaming stick. It's easy to use and inexpensive enough that it won't break the bank. Today's best deals on Roku Express, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku Premiere, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku Ultra, and Amazon Fire TV Cube Roku Express HD Streaming... Fire TV Stick Streaming Support... Roku - Streaming Premiere 4K... Streaming Fire TV Stick 4K... Roku - Streaming Ultra 4K... Amazon Fire TV Cube - 2nd...