In the fast-moving world of streaming devices, both Amazon's Fire TV Cube ($139.99) and Google's TV Streamer 4K ($99.99) represent the latest advancements in how we consume media at home. Let's dive into what makes these devices special and help you figure out which one might work best for your setup.
Before we compare specific features, it's worth understanding what these devices do. They're both designed to make your TV smarter, giving you access to streaming services, apps, and smart home controls. However, they take quite different approaches to this task.
The Fire TV Cube launched in late 2022 as Amazon's premium streaming device, while the Google TV Streamer is set to release in September 2024, bringing Google's latest streaming technology to market. These timing differences matter because they reflect different generations of technology, particularly in areas like processing power and connectivity.
When it comes to performance, both devices pack serious power, but they use it differently:
The Fire TV Cube's octa-core processor (with four 2.2GHz cores and four 2.0GHz cores) makes everything feel snappy. In my testing, apps launch quickly and navigating menus is butter-smooth. The device includes 2GB of RAM, which is enough for streaming but can occasionally show its limits when switching between multiple apps.
Google's newer device comes with 4GB of RAM and what they claim is a 22% faster processor than previous models. This extra memory makes a noticeable difference when jumping between apps or returning to the home screen - everything just feels more responsive. Think of it like having more desk space to work with - you can keep more things readily available without having to clean up first.
This is where these devices really start to differentiate themselves:
The Cube shines in a home theater setup thanks to its variety of ports:
What makes this special is the HDMI input, which lets you connect a cable box or game console through the Cube. This means you can control everything with voice commands, even switching between streaming and cable TV.
The Google TV takes a more streamlined approach:
While simpler, this setup is perfect for those focused purely on streaming content. The inclusion of a gigabit Ethernet port is particularly nice for ensuring stable 4K streaming.
The Fire TV Cube acts as a full-fledged Alexa speaker, meaning it can hear and respond to commands even when your TV is off. This makes it incredibly versatile - you can ask about the weather, control smart home devices, or start playing music without touching a remote. The hands-free control is particularly useful when you're cooking or have your hands full.
The Google TV Streamer takes a different approach, relying on its remote for voice control. While this might seem limiting, it actually provides more privacy - the device only listens when you press the voice button. It integrates beautifully with Google Home devices and supports Matter, a new smart home standard that helps different brands work together.
Both devices support 4K HDR content (including Dolby Vision and HDR10+) and Dolby Atmos sound, making them excellent choices for home theater enthusiasts. However, they organize and present content differently:
Amazon's interface puts Prime content front and center (naturally), but still provides easy access to other services. The search function works across platforms, making it simple to find what you want to watch regardless of which service has it.
Google's approach focuses more on content discovery across services, using AI to learn your preferences and suggest shows and movies you might like. The interface feels more content-focused rather than service-focused, which many users find more intuitive.
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price difference:
The Fire TV Cube at $139.99 offers:
The Google TV Streamer at $99.99 provides:
Both devices excel at their core function of streaming media, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Fire TV Cube is a more versatile device that can serve as the hub of your entertainment system, while the Google TV Streamer is a more focused and refined pure streaming device.
For home theater enthusiasts, the Fire TV Cube's additional ports and IR control make it a more flexible choice, potentially replacing several devices in your setup. However, if you're primarily interested in streaming and are looking for the best performance per dollar, the Google TV Streamer's newer hardware and lower price make it an compelling option.
Remember that ecosystem compatibility might be the deciding factor - if you're already heavily invested in either Google's or Amazon's ecosystem, staying within that family of products usually provides the smoothest experience.
| Amazon Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen ($139.99) | Google TV Streamer 4K ($99.99) |
|---|---|
| Processing Power - Determines how smoothly apps and menus respond | |
| Octa-core (4x 2.2GHz + 4x 2.0GHz) | MediaTek MT8696 (22% faster than previous gen) |
| Memory & Storage - Affects app switching and how many apps you can install | |
| 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (adequate for basic use) | 4GB RAM, 32GB storage (noticeably better multitasking) |
| Voice Control - Important for hands-free operation | |
| Full hands-free Alexa with built-in speaker | Remote-based Google Assistant only |
| Connectivity - Determines flexibility in setup options | |
| HDMI in/out, USB-A, Ethernet, IR extender (very versatile) | HDMI out, USB-C, Ethernet (streamlined) |
| Smart Home Integration - Affects whole-home automation | |
| Full Alexa hub functionality, works even with TV off | Google Home integration, Matter support |
| Additional Features - Extra functionality beyond streaming | |
| Cable box control, IR blaster, standalone Alexa speaker | AI-powered content recommendations, Find My Remote |
| Network Support - Impacts streaming quality and stability | |
| Wi-Fi 6E (latest standard) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Audio Support - Critical for home theater setups | |
| Dolby Atmos, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus |
For pure streaming performance, the Google TV Streamer 4K ($99.99) has an edge with 4GB RAM versus the Fire TV Cube's 2GB RAM, resulting in smoother app switching and menu navigation. However, the Fire TV Cube offers more versatility with additional ports and features.
The Fire TV Cube ($139.99) justifies its higher price if you need hands-free Alexa control, want to integrate a cable box, or use it as a smart home hub. For pure streaming, the Google TV Streamer offers better value at $99.99.
The Fire TV Cube is better suited for home theater setups due to its HDMI input/output, IR blaster for device control, and support for DTS audio passthrough. These features allow better integration with existing AV equipment.
Both devices can control HDMI-CEC compatible soundbars. The Fire TV Cube offers additional control options through its IR blaster, while the Google TV Streamer relies solely on HDMI-CEC.
The Fire TV Cube offers superior voice control with hands-free Alexa built-in, functioning like a full Echo speaker. The Google TV Streamer requires using the remote for voice commands.
If you have a streaming device older than 2 years, both offer significant upgrades in processing power and features. The Google TV Streamer's 4GB RAM and the Fire TV Cube's Wi-Fi 6E support provide noticeable improvements.
Both devices support 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. The Google TV Streamer has more storage for 4K content apps, while the Fire TV Cube offers slightly better networking with Wi-Fi 6E.
Yes, both devices support HDMI-CEC for basic control with your TV remote. The Fire TV Cube offers additional IR control options, making it more flexible with older equipment.
The Google TV Streamer has an advantage with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, making it better for Android gaming apps. The Fire TV Cube focuses more on streaming and smart home features.
Both devices work best with at least 25Mbps for 4K streaming. The Fire TV Cube and Google TV Streamer both include Ethernet ports for stable connections.
The Fire TV Cube supports external storage through its USB-A port. The Google TV Streamer doesn't offer external storage expansion but comes with more internal storage (32GB vs 16GB).
Both handle multiple services well, but the Google TV Streamer offers better content organization across services. The Fire TV Cube favors Amazon content but still provides easy access to other services.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: tomsguide.com - aftvnews.com - en.community.sonos.com - pocket-lint.com - business-standard.com - androidauthority.com - bestbuy.com - bhphotovideo.com - cordbusters.co.uk - youtube.com - developer.amazon.com - soooq.com - store.google.com - bestbuy.com - verizon.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - gsmarena.com - youtube.com
