Which is the best media streaming stick to buy? We compare the new Amazon Fire TV stick with Google's Chromecast and the Roku streaming stick
Streaming media content to your TV has never been easier or cheaper. Just plug a little device into one of your TV's HDMI ports, and you're away.
Google's Chromecast and the Roku Streaming Stick have been providing low-cost streaming kicks for some time, and now Amazon is set to join the party with the UK launch of the Fire TV Stick.
So which cut-price media-streaming stick is best? Let's take a look at what each has to offer.
Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick: Design and Remote
All three devices sport similar designs - compact sticks that plug into your TV's HDMI port. They all resemble old-fashioned USB sticks.
However, all three require external power supplies, spoiling those petite designs somewhat. These are typically provided through a spare USB port or a mains adaptor.
The Roku Streaming Stick comes with a dedicated remote control as standard, though you can also now control it using your smartphone and the Roku app. The physical controller also features a headphone jack, which is a nice touch.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick also has a physical controller as standard, with a nifty voice-activated remote as a sold-separately option, as well as a dedicated games controller. You can also use your smartphone to control it.
Google's Chromecast doesn't have a controller available at all, so you have to rely on your smartphone to act as the remote, although third party TV remote control support was recently added.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Fire TV review
Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick: Performance and Specs
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is the best specced device of the three. Its dual-core CPU is said to be six times more powerful than the Roku Streaming Stick's single-core equivalent, and its 1GB of RAM is double that of the both of its rivals. That might come into play if you're particularly interested in playing games on it.
Meanwhile, with 8GB of storage, the Fire TV Stick has four times more capacity for apps and the like than the Chromecast.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick have another advantage over the Chromecast in that they come with faster and more flexible dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity. The Fire TV Stick also supports something called 'Captive Portal', which makes it easier to connect to Wi-Fi setups where it requires logging in through a web browser.
Finally, Amazon's Fire TV Stick completes its convincing spec win by being the only one of the three with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can hook up devices in that way.
SEE ALSO: 7 Best Chromecast Apps
Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick: Interface and Content
The Chromecast really is a stripped back, almost dumb device that relies wholly on your phone (or tablet, or laptop) to do the browsing and casting of whatever media app is on your handset. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course, but it doesn't make for the most welcoming living room experience.
It's the opposite approach to the Roku Streaming Stick, which is all about running apps on the device itself - the ability to cast music, videos, photos from your smartphone is a bit of an afterthought. However, there is a strong roster of some 1,000 custom apps bringing you a range of content direct to your Roku.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is closer to the Roku approach, but with a specific (and understandable) focus on Amazon's extensive media library and services, which run direct on the device. If you don't have an Amazon Prime account, this probably isn't the device for you.
That being said, you can also perform direct screen mirroring from your Android or (of course) Fire OS device. Meanwhile, ASAP preloads video content you're likely to like, so it's all there waiting for you when you boot it up.
Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick: Price
Google's Chromecast is the cheapest option here at £30, but then, given how bare bones it is compared to the other two, it jolly well should be.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Roku Streaming Stick is £49.99. That might sound dear, but do remember that it comes with a physical remote as standard, which the Chromecast doesn't.
Of course, Amazon's Fire TV Stick DOES come with a remote, and it's only a little dearer than the Chromecast at £35. If you're an existing Prime subscriber, you get it for just £19.
The Fire TV Stick seems to be the best value option overall given its power and range of abilities. It comes with a physical remote as well, although you have to pay an extra £24.99 if you want that nifty voice function.
SEE ALSO: Chromecast tips and tricks
Early Verdict
We still need to get our hands on the Amazon Fire TV Stick when it launches on April 15 to be sure, but it already appears to be the strongest media streaming stick out there.
It looks to be faster than either of its rivals, which should make navigation through its slick interface a breeze, while HD games are also likely to fly. You also have excellent peripheral options, including a slick voice-activated remote control and a games controller.
The only thing that might lead us to hesitate giving the Fire TV Stick our whole-hearted recommendation at this early point is the whole Amazon ecosystem thing. If you're not signed up to Amazon Prime Instant Video, it isn't nearly so compelling a package.
If you're not an Amazon person - and don't intend to become one - the Roku Streaming Stick does much of the same stuff, but with a more service-agnostic outlook.
As for the Chromecast, it still has its no-nonsense charms, but it feels a little dated and bare bones compared to the others. With the Google Nexus Player rumoured to hit the UK soon, we'd give it a miss at this point.