With so many options out there, choosing the right 4K streaming device can feel overwhelming. Should you grab something cheap like the Roku Express 4K+ or splurge on a more powerful media player like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K?
I‘ve tested both of these affordable 4K streamers extensively, and in this detailed comparison I‘ll go through how they stack up across all the key factors – from video support to processors to voice assistants and beyond. Read on to find out which device offers the best bang for your buck.
An Overview of the Main Differences
Before we dig into the nitty gritty, here’s a high-level look at how the Roku Express 4K+ and Fire Stick 4K compare:
Video quality: The Fire Stick 4K supports more formats like Dolby Vision HDR for better brightness and colors.
Audio: More immersive sound with Dolby Atmos support on Fire Stick 4K.
Design: Roku is box-shaped while Fire Stick directly plugs into HDMI port.
Voice remote: Fire Stick remote has Alexa built-in for smarter voice control.
Performance: Fire Stick slightly faster processor but both handle 4K streaming fine.
Ecosystem: Fire Stick gives you more Amazon-centric features and services.
Price: Fire Stick 4K costs around $10 more than the Roku Express 4K+.
Let’s dive deeper into the specifics on each device…
Hardware and Design
First up, how do these media streamers physically compare?
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K maintains the slim HDMI stick design measured at just 3.9 x 1.4 x 0.55 inches. It directly plugs into your TV’s HDMI port to stay completely out of sight.
A bundled HDMI extender helps wrestle the stick into hard-to-reach ports. Once plugged in, an included power adapter keeps it juiced up for seamless 4K streaming.
The Roku Express 4K+ looks like a small set top box, measuring about triple the volume of the Fire Stick at 3 x 1.5 x 0.75 inches. It sits near your TV rather than directly connecting to the port.
Both streamers are accompanied the by necessary power brick, HDMI cable, and IR voice remotes.
So which physical design is better? Honestly, it depends on your setup. If you‘ve got limited space around your TV, the Fire Stick 4K’s petite stick shape lets you hide it away completely. But if you don‘t mind making a tiny bit of room for the Roku box, its form factor is perfectly fine too.
I’ll give the Fire Stick 4K a slight edge for its ultra-discreet size that keeps ports open for other devices. But it’s not a huge difference.
On the whole, both these streamers have simple yet practical hardware designs tailored towards easy 4K streaming.
Video, Audio and Smart Features
Let’s move onto what you can actually watch on these devices. When it comes video quality, the Roku Express 4K+ and Fire Stick 4K share support for the core essentials:
- 4K Ultra HD resolution
- HDR10 High Dynamic Range
- HLG HDR format
So all your favorite Netflix/Prime/Disney+ shows and movies will stream in vibrant 4K clarity with enhanced contrast and a wider color range.
But the Fire Stick 4K goes a step above by adding Dolby Vision – an advanced HDR format found on lots of cutting edge streaming and Blu-ray releases. With scene-by-scene recalibration and up to 10x the brightness range of standard video, Dolby Vision offers the most cinematic viewing experience currently available.
If you want those eye-popping visuals, the Fire Stick 4K is the only choice.
For audio, the Roku Express 4K+ handles basic Dolby Audio soundtracks fine. But the Fire Stick 4K adds support for immersive Dolby Atmos object-based audio found on newer films and shows. If you’ve got a decent speaker system, this can make a noticeable difference in surround effects and audio clarity.
So for home theater buffs, the Fire Stick 4K’s upgraded video and audio format support makes it the way to go. But the Roku Express 4K+ still delivers a pleasing 4K streaming picture for more casual users.
Now onto smart features…
Both streamers ship with voice remotes, letting you search for content, switch apps, adjust volume and more with handy hands-free voice commands.
But the Fire Stick 4K has Alexa directly built-into its remote. That means you can check weather, control smart home devices, set timers/reminders, manage shopping lists, pull up recipes, and access countless other Alexa skills.
Having this full-fledged voice assistant integrated makes Fire Stick 4K feel like the centerpiece of your connected home. Roku’s voice features focus squarely on streaming control.
If you want smarter voice control beyond just TV streaming, the Fire Stick 4K’s Alexa integration really outshines the more basic Roku remote. It transforms the stick into an multifunctional smart hub.
Streaming Content and Apps
When it comes to what you can actually watch, both Roku and Fire TV provide access to all of the major streaming platforms – Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, YouTube and literally thousands more apps.
So you can binge watch all of your must-see shows, follow newest movie releases, keep up with news channels and enjoy a wide selection of free TV, music and more. As long as the app is available, these streamers have got you covered.
It’s pretty much a toss-up here.
Amazon does offer some exclusive extras for Fire TV users like free mobile game content each month with Prime membership. And their cloud gaming service Luna only works on Fire devices.
But for most buyers simply looking to stream shows and movies, app support is virtually identical across both platforms. Unless you care about those Amazon value-adds, it’s essentially a draw when it comes streaming content.
Performance and Hardware
While keeping costs down, these streamers still manage to pack decent specs under the hood. Let’s see how their components compare…
The Fire TV Stick 4K features a MediaTek MT8695 quad-core ARM processor ticking at 1.7GHz. That delivers smooth 4K streaming and system performance that beats out previous Fire models. It’s paired with a 650 MHz Mali-G52 MP2 GPU for graphics rendering.
For memory, there’s 1GB DDR4 RAM – fairly standard for streamers nowadays. Storage comes in at 8GB, giving you room to install quite a few streaming apps before needing expandable storage.
The Roku Express 4K+ isn’t far behind with its Realtek RTD1319 quad-core, 1.2 GHz chipset. It matches the 1GB RAM of the Fire Stick 4K while halving the internal storage space at just 4GB.
Both streamers incorporate dual-band WiFi support so you can connect them to 5GHz networks for smoother streaming if needed. The Fire Stick 4K ups its max speed to 1733Mbps vs 1300Mbps on Roku.
In real world testing, the Fire Stick 4K’s moderately faster processor and extra RAM provide a slight bump in snappiness when loading apps and switching between streams. But honestly, both handle demanding 4K video without any hiccups or buffering in my experience.
The average person likely won’t notice much difference based on the hardware specs alone. Software optimization plays just as big a role. And Roku’s simple interface keeps things flowing smoothly.
Down the line, the Fire Stick 4K could potentially maintain its brisk performance for a year or so longer thanks to the headroom provided by its chipset and memory. But both streamers honestly feel great for now.
Price and Value Comparison
Lastly, let’s tally up the value you’re getting based on what each streamer costs.
At a typical sale price of $29.99, the Roku Express 4K+ delivers a ton of streaming functionality at a budget cost. Being able to enjoy your favorite shows in gorgeous 4K quality for just over 25 bucks feels pretty great.
Meanwhile, the Fire TV Stick 4K usually goes for around $39.99. That extra $10 brings Dolby Vision/Atmos support, 8GB more storage, and the full integration of Alexa voice assistant.
If you want best-in-class performance packed with the latest audio/video formats and smartest voice control, the Fire Stick 4K gives you better bang for buck.
But if you just want to start streaming essential 4K at the lowest possible price, choosing the Roku Express 4K+ is perfectly fine too. For casual streamers on a strict budget, saving $10 here makes sense.
Both devices offer awesome streaming functionality for really reasonable prices. But across the board, those little bonuses on the Fire Stick 4K add up to a more complete overall package that justifies spending a tiny bit more.
The Bottom Line
So if you‘ve made it this far, which 4K streamer comes out on top in my final verdict?
For most people looking to maximize both streaming features and future-proof power on a budget, I recommend choosing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
The addition of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support provides picture and sound quality closest to a real cinema experience. Alexa integration unlocks smarter hands-free control of your TV viewing and smart home. And slightly better benchmarks translate to longer-lasting smooth performance as more demanding apps arrive.
Of course, the Roku Express 4K+ holds its own as a cheaper way to start streaming the essentials too. If you just want basic 4K functionality and can live without next-gen formats or a smarter voice assistant, feel free to save $10 here.
But for a tiny bit more money, Fire Stick 4K buyers get excellent long-term value – making this feature-packed streamer the way to go for most of my friends.
Hope this detailed comparison helped break down how the Fire TV Stick 4K and Roku Express 4K+ stack up across all the key factors. Let me know if you have any other questions!
