Roku and Fire TV are two of the biggest names in streaming devices. In this post, we’re breaking down the details of each to help you choose which device is right for you.
Roku
You’ll have plenty of options to choose from when looking at Roku devices.
- Roku Express: $29.99
- Roku Express+: $35.00 (only at Walmart)
- Roku Premiere: $39.99
- Roku Premiere+: $49.00 (only at Walmart)
- Roku Streaming Stick: $49.99
- Roku Streaming Stick+: $59.99
- Roku Ultra: $99.99
The Roku Streaming Sticks are great for traveling. The small streaming device can easily be packed and taken along to watch all of your channels when you’re away from home.
The Roku Ultra has all of the power and stability that you’ll want when choosing your main device for anchoring your cord cutting setup. An ethernet port allows for better connection speeds, and a Micro SD and USB port will let you add storage or watch content from another device. The included remote also has a headphone jack for listening without distractions.
The Roku is compatible for all of the major streaming services. You can add apps to your menu through the Roku Channel Store. There, you’ll find a huge selection of both free and paid channels to choose from. With the variety available in the store, you’ll find both big names like Netflix and Hulu, along with smaller niche channels.
The Roku menu is customizable. After adding all of your apps, your main menu will be a simple grid with those apps in clear view.
Fire TV
Amazon has created several Fire TV streaming devices as well.
- Fire TV Stick: $39.99
- Fire TV Stick HD: $49.99
- Fire TV Cube: $119.99
The small size of the Fire TV Sticks make them another great option for traveling. Just load your favorite channels onto the device at home and take it with you to watch on a TV wherever you go. All of the Fire TV devices come with an Alexa Voice Remote, making it easy to search for, choose, and control your content with voice commands.
The Fire TV Cube isn’t just a streaming device, but one device that can control entertainment in your entire home. The Fire TV Cube has Alexa built-in, so you can use voice commands to control your TV. Even when the TV is off, Alexa will help you do everything from checking the weather to changing the temperature in the room with a connected smart thermostat.
Look for content to add to your Fire TV on Amazon. One common complaint about the Fire TV is that YouTube TV doesn’t have an app for the devices. Luckily, YouTube TV is coming back to the Fire TV later this year. With that addition, both the Roku and Fire TV will be compatible with nearly every streaming service.
The menu on the Fire TV devices is very Amazon-centered. You’ll see your apps, but will also find that your main menu is full of Amazon content. That can be great if you’re a Prime member and want to see those options, but less great if you want to see all of your channels without all the scrolling and searching.
Which Should You Choose?
Just like streaming services, the device you choose will depend on your personal preference – which menu, smaller channels, and features you like best.
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