Researched comparisonLast updated October 2026 · How we review
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products from established brands.
Quick Answer
Roku Streaming Stick Plus is the lowest-priced pick, Fire TV Stick 4K Plus adds Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6, and Google TV Streamer is the box with Ethernet and 32 GB of storage.
- Roku Streaming Stick Plus: best for a low-cost 4K stick that stays out of sight behind the TV
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: best for a Dolby Vision TV where you also use Alexa
- Google TV Streamer (4K): best for a living room hub with wired Ethernet and Matter and Thread support
Prices as of October 19, 2026, 9:49 pm CT.
A streaming device turns any HDMI TV into a smart TV, and it is often a better interface than the one built into the set. These three cover the main platforms (Roku, Fire TV and Google TV), and Amazon.com sold each at the time we checked.
How We Chose
We picked one 4K streaming device each from Roku, Amazon and Google that Amazon.com sold at the time we checked. They are not the same class: the Roku and Fire TV are sticks, while the Google TV Streamer is a larger set-top box at a higher price, so the Google is best weighed on its extra features. Specs come from each manufacturer’s own page. Streaming service apps and prices change, so check that the apps you use are supported on the platform you choose.
The Lineup
Specs come from each manufacturer’s own pages. Prices as of October 19, 2026, 9:49 pm CT. 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 at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Amazon may show a different seller than the brand or Amazon.com. 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.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
$49.99 as of Oct 19, 2026, 9:49 pm CT on Amazon · Lowest price and lightest
Best for: a low-cost 4K stick that stays out of sight behind the TV
Roku’s page lists up to 4K at 60 fps, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, dual-band Wi-Fi and a voice remote with TV power and volume buttons. It does not list Dolby Vision for this model, so a Dolby Vision TV will not get that format from it. At 0.90 oz it is the lightest of the three, and it has the lowest price.
Warranty: Roku’s Limited Warranty
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
$69.99 as of Oct 19, 2026, 9:49 pm CT on Amazon · Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6 at a stick price
Best for: a Dolby Vision TV where you also use Alexa
Amazon’s device specifications list Wi-Fi 6, 8 GB of storage and support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. It costs $20.00 more than the Roku, and it adds Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6 for that money. Amazon’s specs page lists no weight for this model.
Warranty: Amazon’s Limited Warranty
Check Price on Amazon →Google TV Streamer (4K)
$149.00 as of Oct 19, 2026, 9:49 pm CT on Amazon · Set-top box with Ethernet and smart home features
Best for: a living room hub with wired Ethernet and Matter and Thread support
Google’s specs list 32 GB of storage, 4 GB of RAM, an Ethernet port, and Matter and Thread border router support, along with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. It is a set-top box rather than a stick, and it costs about two and a half times the Roku. Google’s page lists Wi-Fi 802.11ac, which is older than the Wi-Fi 6 on the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus.
Warranty: Google’s Hardware Limited Warranty
Check Price on Amazon →Our Take
For a basic 4K stick at the lowest price, the Roku is the straightforward choice. Add the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus if you want Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6, and the Google TV Streamer if you want Ethernet, 32 GB of storage and smart home hub features. None of the three pages we read states a warranty length, so check each company’s terms.
More Living Room Guides: All Living Room Guides · Best Premium Air Purifiers 2026 · Best Premium Robot Vacuums 2026 · Best Robot Vacuums 2026 · Best Space Heaters 2026 · Best Air Purifiers for Living Rooms 2026 · Best 65-Inch Smart TVs for Your Living Room 2026 · Best 8×10 Area Rugs for Living Rooms 2026 · Best Soundbars for Your Living Room 2026 · Best Recliners 2026 · Best Sofas for Your Living Room 2026 · Best Electric Fireplaces 2026 · Best Portable Projectors 2026 · Best Record Players 2026 · Best Full Motion TV Wall Mounts 2026 · Best Cordless Stick Vacuums 2026 · Best Subwoofers 2026 · Best Bookshelf Speakers 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a 4K streaming device if my TV is smart?
Not always. A separate device can still help if your TV’s built-in apps are slow or no longer updated. As general guidance, a TV that already runs the apps you use well may not need one.
Which of these supports Dolby Vision?
Amazon’s specs list Dolby Vision for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, and Google lists it for the Google TV Streamer. Roku’s page for the Streaming Stick Plus lists HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG without Dolby Vision.
Which has Ethernet?
Google lists a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port on the Google TV Streamer. The Roku and Fire TV sticks are Wi-Fi devices.
What warranty do these streaming devices have?
None of the pages we read states a length. Roku’s support page describes a limited hardware warranty, Google says its hardware warranty terms vary by region, and Amazon’s Fire TV device warranty page is linked in its product card. Read each company’s terms for the conditions.
