Amazon’s two flagship streamers look nothing alike and cost very different money. The Fire TV Cube (3rd gen) sells for £139.99, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max sells for £69.99. Both do 4K Dolby Vision, both run the same Fire TV apps, and both ship with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced. So where does the extra £70 go? Into hands-free Alexa, an HDMI input, built-in Ethernet, and the fastest processor Amazon puts in a streamer. Here is the full breakdown.
Fire TV Cube vs Stick 4K Max: The 60-Second Answer
Buy the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at £69.99. It streams everything the Cube streams in the same 4K Dolby Vision quality, for half the price. For most living rooms, it is the smarter buy.
Buy the Fire TV Cube at £139.99 if you want hands-free Alexa (no remote needed), an HDMI input for a cable or satellite box, built-in Ethernet, and the fastest Fire TV experience.
UK Prices: What You Pay
- Fire TV Cube (3rd gen): £139.99 RRP, often discounted to around £109.99 in sales
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: £69.99 RRP, regularly drops to £39.99 to £46.99 in sales
The Cube costs roughly twice the Stick at full price, and the gap rarely closes: when one is discounted, the other usually is too. In practice, expect to pay about £60 to £70 more for the Cube.
The 5 Differences That Actually Matter
- Hands-free Alexa: the Cube has built-in microphones and a speaker, so it works like an Echo. Say “Alexa, play The Boys” from across the room and the TV obeys, no remote in hand. The Stick 4K Max needs a button press on the remote for voice.
- HDMI input: the Cube has an HDMI input port. Plug in a cable box, satellite receiver or games console and the Cube can switch to it and control it by voice. No Fire TV Stick has this.
- Built-in Ethernet: the Cube has a 10/100 Ethernet port on the back for a wired connection. The Stick 4K Max is Wi-Fi 6E only, with an optional adapter sold separately.
- Processor speed: the Cube runs an octa-core chip and is the fastest Fire TV device for menus, app launches and search. The Stick 4K Max is quick, but the Cube is a step ahead.
- Size and placement: the Stick hides behind the TV. The Cube is a small box that sits in front of the TV, always listening, with a glowing light ring.
Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen): £139.99
The Cube is Amazon’s answer to the question “what if a Fire TV and an Echo had a baby?” It is the most capable streamer Amazon makes: the fastest chip, hands-free voice from anywhere in the room, and enough ports to anchor a whole home cinema setup. The HDMI input is the standout trick. Connect a Sky box or console and say “Alexa, switch to satellite” without hunting for another remote.
Pros
- Hands-free Alexa, works like an Echo smart speaker
- HDMI input controls a cable/satellite box or console
- Built-in Ethernet port for rock-solid wired streaming
- Fastest Fire TV processor (octa-core)
- Doubles as a smart speaker when the TV is off
Cons
- £139.99, roughly twice the Stick 4K Max
- Bulky box must sit in front of the TV
- Always-listening mics are not for everyone
- Same picture quality as the much cheaper Stick
Fire TV Stick 4K Max: £69.99
The Stick 4K Max is the sweet spot of the entire Fire TV range. It delivers the same 4K Dolby Vision picture, the same apps and the same 16GB of storage as the Cube, in a stick that vanishes behind the TV, for half the money. Wi-Fi 6E keeps 4K streams stable, and the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced handles voice when you want it.
Pros
- Same 4K Dolby Vision picture as the Cube for £69.99
- Compact stick hides behind the TV
- Wi-Fi 6E, 16GB storage, Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced
- Frequently discounted to under £50
Cons
- No hands-free Alexa (remote button required)
- No HDMI input for other devices
- No built-in Ethernet (adapter sold separately)
- Slightly slower menus than the Cube
Hands-Free Alexa: The Cube’s Killer Feature
This deserves its own section, because it is the reason the Cube exists. With far-field microphones, the Cube hears “Alexa” from across the room, even while the TV is playing. It can turn the TV on and off, switch inputs, adjust a connected soundbar, dim smart lights for movie night, and answer questions, all without you touching anything. When the TV is off, it behaves as a full Echo speaker for music, timers and smart-home control.
The trade-off is privacy: an always-listening device in the living room. The microphones can be muted with a button, and the light ring turns red to show it is off. If that trade-off bothers you, the Stick 4K Max’s push-to-talk remote is the simpler alternative.
Fire TV Cube vs Stick 4K Max: Full Comparison (2026)
| Spec | Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) | Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
|---|---|---|
| UK price (RRP) | £139.99 | £69.99 |
| Processor | Octa-core, fastest Fire TV | Fast quad-core class chip |
| Hands-free Alexa | Yes, built-in mics and speaker | No, remote button only |
| HDMI input | Yes, for cable/satellite box or console | No |
| Ethernet | Yes, built-in port | No, optional adapter |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Picture | 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
| Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Remote | Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced | Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced |
| Device control | TV, soundbar, AVR, cable box via voice | TV and soundbar via remote |
| Smart speaker mode | Yes, works with TV off | No |
| Best for | Smart-home and home-cinema setups | Pure 4K streaming value |
Which Should You Buy?
- Just want great 4K streaming: Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Same picture, half the price.
- Hate remotes: Fire TV Cube. Hands-free voice does everything.
- Have a Sky/cable box or console to integrate: Fire TV Cube. The HDMI input is made for this.
- Need wired internet: Fire TV Cube. Built-in Ethernet beats a dongle.
- Deep in the Alexa smart home: Fire TV Cube. It becomes another Echo in the living room.
- Second TV or bedroom: Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Cheap, tiny, and every app works.
- Privacy-conscious: Fire TV Stick 4K Max. No always-listening microphones.
Fire TV Cube vs Stick 4K Max: Your Questions Answered
Is the Fire TV Cube worth twice the price of the Stick 4K Max?
Only if you will use what the extra money buys: hands-free Alexa, the HDMI input, and built-in Ethernet. For picture quality and apps alone, the Stick 4K Max matches the Cube, so most buyers should save the £70.
Do both support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos?
Yes. Both output 4K with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Atmos. Picture and sound quality are effectively identical.
Can the Fire TV Cube replace an Echo speaker?
Largely, yes. With the TV off, the Cube plays music, sets timers, answers questions and controls smart-home devices like an Echo. Audiophiles will still prefer a dedicated speaker.
What does the Cube’s HDMI input do?
It lets you plug in a cable box, satellite receiver or games console. The Cube can then switch to that input and control the device with your voice, replacing extra remotes.
Which is faster?
The Cube, thanks to its octa-core processor. Menus, app launches and voice responses feel snappier. The Stick 4K Max is still quick and never feels slow in normal use.
Does the Stick 4K Max have Ethernet?
Not built in. It is Wi-Fi 6E only, though Amazon sells a USB Ethernet adapter separately. The Cube has the port on the back.
Can I turn off the Cube’s microphones?
Yes. A button on top mutes the microphones, and the light ring turns red to confirm. You can also unplug it when not in use.
Which should I buy for a home cinema setup?
The Cube. HDMI input, Ethernet, device control and hands-free voice make it the better hub for a TV plus soundbar plus satellite box setup.
Related Guides
- 👉 Fire TV Cube Review (Europe)
- 👉 Fire TV Stick 4K vs 4K Max
- 👉 Fire TV Stick Not Working: Fixes
- 👉 Best Budget Streaming Device UK
Final Verdict: Fire TV Cube vs Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Buy the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at £69.99. It is the best-value streamer Amazon makes: the same 4K Dolby Vision picture and apps as the Cube, in a stick that hides behind the TV, for half the money.
Buy the Fire TV Cube at £139.99 if you want the full smart-living-room experience: hands-free Alexa from the sofa, an HDMI input that tames your satellite box, and wired Ethernet for bulletproof streaming.
My final word: the Cube is the better device, but the Stick 4K Max is the better buy. Unless you can name the Cube-only feature you will use daily, keep the £70.
