Is Fire Stick Worth It? (Everything You Need To Know!)

Unless you’ve been living “off-grid,” you will probably know many folks with this excellent streaming media device, but is Fire Stick worth it?

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is excellent value for money. It has most of the apps and premium streaming services you could ever wish for. It’s also compatible with a vast range of HDR standards right out of the box.

With Amazon Fire TV users of over 35 million, the Fire Stick is a device that plugs into the HDMI port of your TV to replicate most of the functions of the Amazon Fire TV box.

Is Fire Stick worth it?

Built around Amazon Prime, many videos and TV shows are free for Prime members. You can also rent or buy movies, TV series, etc. All your Amazon content is safely stored in Amazon’s Cloud for playback anytime.

You can also use the Alexa Voice Service. Just say, “Alexa, find comedy movies,” and you will get an instant list of great funny films. The new Fire Stick is also extremely fast and just as fluid as swiping through apps on a smartphone or iPad.

With access to your favorite apps and channels, the Fire Stick is a great investment and an excellent way for non-techy people to get into the world of streaming movies, TV shows, news, sports, and gaming.

What is a Fire TV Stick?

The Amazon Fire TV stick is a straightforward little dongle that plugs straight into your TV and gives you access to many smart TV features.

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The hugely popular Fire Stick is the same size as a flash drive and can be plugged into the HDMI port of any TV.

The Fire Stick is a cheaper and more portable version of the Fire TV box and enables users to stream media using Wi-Fi.

Which channels can I watch with the Fire Stick?

The Fire Stick provides access to thousands of channels, Alexa skills, and apps. You get access to more than 500,000 movies and TV episodes. Channels include all your favorites, including Fox News, Netflix, and BBC News.

What’s the difference between a Fire Stick and a Fire TV box?

The main difference is that the fire stick is portable. You can unplug your device, put it in your pocket, and take it on vacation. You can then access an entire world of content wherever you go.

The Amazon Fire TV box can be connected with Ethernet for higher speeds, whereas the Fire Stick uses your Wi-Fi connection. The Fire TV box is set up for 4K and UHD, whereas the Fire Stick is limited to 1080p.

If your Wi-Fi is weak, a Fire TV box might be the way to go. If your Wi-Fi is reliable and strong, you really can’t beat the convenience and portability of a Fire Stick.

Does Fire Stick need Wi-Fi?

Yes, having a wireless internet connection would be best, as the Fire Stick does not have an Ethernet port.

Can I replace my cable service with a Fire TV Stick?

If you do, you will join tens of millions of like-minded folks. However, not every channel is available to stream with the Fire Stick (but most of your favorite channels are). If you are a huge sports or news fan, you might still be better off with your cable subscription. It would be best if you spent some time checking which channels you need before making a decision.

Should I upgrade if I have the old Fire Stick?

The new Firestick features the Alexa Voice Service and uses a faster quad-core processor. It’s equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 and has a dual antenna making the new Fire Stick much faster than its predecessor.

However, if your older Fire Stick does everything you need (and streams without buffering), there is no reason to change.

Does the Fire Stick work on a laptop?

No, most laptops only have an HDMI output (the same as the Fire Stick itself). The Fire Stick is an HDMI plug and not a USB. You can access Amazon Prime with just a web browser so that no Fire Stick would be necessary in this case.

You can also access all features of Fire TV by plugging in the Fire Stick to your computer monitor.

What is a jailbroken Fire Stick?

First things first, “jailbroken” is a misnomer! This means that someone has added & installed media server software to the device. The most popular is KODI.

Contrary to many rumors, no modifications or hacks are required to install a media server to your Fire Stick.

Please note that you could be breaking the law if you use KODI to view media you usually pay for. Therefore, due diligence is required before using a “jailbroken” fire stick. KODI is a reputable and legal software. However, misuse can land you in court if it is deemed that you have streamed pirated content.

Is a jailbroken firestick worth it?

Although there is no record of anyone getting in trouble for using a jailbroken Firestick, it certainly doesn’t mean they are safe. Actually, “jailbreaking” a Firestick is legal; streaming copyrighted content with one is. You could be liable to five years in prison and a considerable fine if caught.

You can get free access to premium movie videos if you still go ahead. You can also watch premium TV shows free of cost.

The Fire Stick also paid has games. You get free access to those games with a jailbroken Amazon Fire TV Stick.

With all that being said, we can’t condone using a jailbroken Firestick.

How to use KODI on Fire Stick?

Getting KODI on your device requires an internet connection, patience, and 15 minutes. You can find instructions on how to get KODI by clicking here.

Does the Fire Stick support 4K and UHD?

Unfortunately not, the Fire Stick is limited to 1080p. It would be best to have 4K or UHD; you should consider getting an Amazon Fire TV box.

What are the alternatives to a Fire Stick?

There are tons of streaming media players available right now. Here are our top five alternatives to the Fire Stick:

Amazon Fire TV – All-new, streamlined Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and HDR support.

Apple TV 4K – 4K High Dynamic Range (Dolby Vision and HDR10) for stunning picture quality.

Roku Ultra – Brilliant 4K, HDR, and HD streaming.

Nvidia Shield – 4K HDR quality and the most immersive sound with Dolby Atmos & DTS-X surround sound.

Roku Express – Easy HD streaming at an incredible price.

Is the Fire Stick better than the Roku?

The Fire Stick is much faster than the Roku, and the navigation features are much better and easier to use. Furthermore, with the Fire Stick, you can access an extensive collection of games, some of which are free, and some have to be purchased. You can play them on the included remote controller or buy a specialized gaming controller.

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If you are still asking if a Fire Stick is worth it, The answer is a resounding “YES.”

A big thanks for our featured image HBO Now Apple TV Flickr photo by Harrison Weber shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license.