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If your smart TV is no longer the best in its class, it’s probably time to upgrade it with a Fire TV device.
Fortunately, it’s really easy to update your smart TV for the latest streaming service apps, or hook up an older TV in the first place. Just buy an Amazon Fire TV stick and plug it into a spare HDMI on the back of your screen. hey! No more FOMO when your friends share binge-watching tips.
Smart TVs have been around for years and are a convenient way to access streaming services and catch up on TV. But they have limitations.
If your smart TV is of a certain age, it may no longer receive updates, and if your TV tuner isn’t Freeview Play, you may find yourself short-changed when it comes to your choice of TV and set-top boxes.
A separate dongle solves all these problems. Amazon’s Fire TV range offers an unrivaled variety of streaming apps, not just the usual main attractions like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, but a host of other services, including Pluto TV (currently home to Star Trek Discovery and a large number of old shows), NOW (for Sky channels and Sky Movie Store) and UFC Fight Pass (sports).
A Fire TV device will also open up the crazy world of Alexa skills, letting you control other smart devices on your network, play games, and listen to music and podcasts.
The problem is that there are three types of Fire TV Stick. Read on to find out which one is best for you…
Budget Fire TV
Currently the most affordable member of the Fire TV family, £12.99 (was £29.99) on Amazon, this Lite model is brilliant value. The choice of streaming shows is comprehensive and includes BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video, Now, Disney+, ITV hub and more.
buy it: Fire TV Stick Lite | £12.99 (was £29.99) from Amazon
£12.99 £29.99 on amazon
It has Amazon Alexa built in, so you can search for shows, movies, and stars by voice. You can also ask Alexa for news, weather, and how much that doggie in the window is. However, this Lite device is HD only, and the remote is basic with control n TV, so only buy this version if you are going to connect it to an older HD TV or a small screen (32 inches or less) for use informal. visit.
Fire TV Stick with TV controls
It may look the same as its cheaper sibling, but this Fire TV stick adds TV control to the mix. Priced at £17.99 (was £39.99), you can use it to control the TV’s power and volume, as well as all the other stuff.
buy it: Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | £17.99 (was £39.99) from Amazon
£17.99 £39.99 on amazon
Significantly, this version also supports Dolby Atmos sound from streaming apps that support it. This makes it worth paying more if you have a Dolby Atmos soundbar. But remember, the images are still only HD.
High-end 4K Fire Stick
The flagship of the Fire TV range, the 4K Max version retails for £32.99 (was £54.99), and is the model to buy if your flat screen is a 4K UHD model. As well as unlocking the full visual potential of 4K shows and movies on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer (4K offers much more picture detail as well as HDR peak brightness), it also supports Dolby Atmos cinematic sound.
buy it: Fire TV stick 4K max. | £32.99 (was £54.99) from Amazon
£32.99 £54.99 on amazon
If your router/modem is Wi-Fi 6 enabled, you’ll also benefit from faster connection speeds and the ability to stream multiple 4k shows at the same time, without bringing your network down.
This is the Fire TV device to buy if you want to be ready for the future. Consequently, it is worth the premium price.
