Streaming devices have become essential for modern home entertainment, transforming any TV into a smart entertainment hub. Whether you're looking to upgrade an older TV or enhance your smart TV's capabilities, choosing between the budget-friendly Roku Express 4K+ ($39.99) and premium Amazon Fire TV Cube ($139.99) requires understanding what each device brings to your living room.
The Fire TV Cube's octa-core processor (that's eight processing cores working together) delivers notably faster performance than the Roku's more modest chip. In real-world use, this means apps launch faster and menus feel more responsive. If you've ever felt frustrated waiting for Netflix to load or experienced lag while browsing content, the Cube's extra horsepower makes a noticeable difference.
Both devices support 4K resolution (four times sharper than standard HD) and HDR (High Dynamic Range, which improves contrast and color). However, the Fire TV Cube adds Dolby Vision support – an advanced form of HDR that can make compatible content look even better. In my experience testing both devices on a high-end TV, the Dolby Vision difference is subtle but noticeable, especially in darker scenes.
The Cube's Wi-Fi 6E support provides faster, more stable connections when used with compatible routers. The Roku Express 4K+ uses Wi-Fi 5, which is still perfectly capable but might not perform as well in homes with many connected devices.
Roku's interface feels like a digital library – clean, organized, and platform-agnostic. It doesn't push any particular streaming service, instead presenting all options equally. The search function works across all services, showing you where to watch content and comparing prices.
The Fire TV interface prominently features Amazon content, which can be either a benefit or annoyance depending on your viewing habits. If you're a Prime subscriber, this integration feels natural and helpful. If not, you might find yourself navigating around Amazon's recommendations more often.
At $39.99, the Roku Express 4K+ delivers impressive value. You get:
The Fire TV Cube justifies its $139.99 price tag with:
The Fire TV Cube functions as a full-fledged Alexa speaker, controlling smart home devices even when the TV is off. It can manage lights, thermostats, and security cameras through voice commands. The Roku works with both Alexa and Google Assistant but requires a separate smart speaker.
For home theater enthusiasts, the Cube's Dolby Atmos support and superior audio processing make it the better choice. It can control AV receivers and soundbars through HDMI-CEC, creating a more integrated setup. The Express 4K+ handles basic audio well but lacks advanced features for serious audio setups.
While neither device matches dedicated gaming consoles, the Cube's extra processing power makes it better for casual gaming. Cloud gaming services run more smoothly, and games load faster compared to the Roku.
The current Express 4K+ represents Roku's refined approach to affordable 4K streaming, replacing earlier models like the Premiere. Since its release, software updates have improved performance and added features like AirPlay 2 support.
The third-generation Fire TV Cube, released in 2022, brought significant improvements over its predecessor, including:
Both devices excel at their core function – streaming 4K content to your TV. The Roku Express 4K+ stands out as an exceptional value, delivering everything most users need at an attractive price point. The Fire TV Cube costs more but justifies its premium price through additional features and superior performance.
For most users, the Roku's value proposition makes it the smarter choice. However, if you're looking for the absolute best streaming experience and will use the additional features, the Fire TV Cube's premium capabilities make it worth the investment. Consider your specific needs, budget, and how the device will fit into your existing entertainment setup when making your choice.
| Roku Express 4K+ - $39.99 | Amazon Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen - $139.99 |
|---|---|
| Processor - Determines how fast apps load and menus respond | |
| Basic processor (adequate for streaming) | Octa-core processor (noticeably faster performance) |
| HDR Support - Affects color and contrast quality | |
| HDR10, HDR10+ | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (better for premium TVs) |
| Wi-Fi - Impacts streaming stability and speed | |
| Wi-Fi 5 (good for most homes) | Wi-Fi 6E (better for crowded networks) |
| Voice Control - Enables hands-free operation | |
| Basic voice remote (requires button press) | Full Alexa integration (true hands-free) |
| Audio Support - Critical for home theater setups | |
| Basic audio (stereo, digital) | Advanced (Dolby Atmos, better sound processing) |
| Interface Focus - Affects content discovery | |
| Neutral interface (equal treatment of services) | Amazon-centric (favors Prime content) |
| Additional Features - Expands usefulness | |
| Basic streaming only | Smart home hub, HDMI input, speaker functionality |
| Storage - Affects app loading and caching | |
| 4GB (sufficient for streaming) | 16GB (better for apps and games) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts energy bills | |
| Low power draw (< 3.5W typical) | Higher power draw (~12W typical) |
The Amazon Fire TV Cube is superior for home theater setups due to Dolby Atmos support, HDMI input for cable integration, and better audio processing. The Roku Express 4K+ lacks these advanced audio features.
For basic streaming, the Roku Express 4K+ at $39.99 offers excellent value. The Fire TV Cube at $139.99 justifies its price if you'll use its advanced features like hands-free Alexa, smart home control, and superior audio capabilities.
Both support HDR10 and HDR10+, but the Fire TV Cube adds Dolby Vision support, making it better for premium TVs. The Roku Express 4K+ still provides good HDR performance for most users.
The Fire TV Cube offers comprehensive control of AV receivers through HDMI-CEC and IR blasting. The Roku Express 4K+ has basic HDMI-CEC control but lacks advanced AV integration.
Both handle 4K content well, but the Fire TV Cube loads content faster and navigates more smoothly thanks to its octa-core processor. The Roku Express 4K+ is still capable but not as quick.
The Fire TV Cube supports Wi-Fi 6E, which requires a compatible router for maximum performance. The Roku Express 4K+ uses Wi-Fi 5, which works well with most existing routers.
The Fire TV Cube offers hands-free Alexa control and works as a smart speaker. The Roku Express 4K+ includes a voice remote but requires pressing a button to activate.
Only the Fire TV Cube has HDMI input for cable box integration. The Roku Express 4K+ doesn't offer this feature.
The Roku Express 4K+ offers a simpler, more neutral interface that treats all streaming services equally. The Fire TV Cube interface prioritizes Amazon content, which some users find cluttered.
The Fire TV Cube performs better for casual gaming due to more processing power and storage. The Roku Express 4K+ supports basic games but isn't optimal for gaming.
Both devices receive regular updates, but the Roku Express 4K+ has a longer track record of supporting older devices. The Fire TV Cube typically gets new features faster.
Both work with soundbars, but the Fire TV Cube offers better integration and Dolby Atmos support. The Roku Express 4K+ provides basic audio passthrough capabilities.
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: bestbuy.com - odpbusiness.com - androidpolice.com - cnet.com - community.roku.com - roku.com - staples.com - community.roku.com - dell.com - tomsguide.com - 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
