Should you pick up a Fire TV Stick before October Prime Day, or wait for the sale to start?
Good question, because Amazon has already discounted its own streaming hardware ahead of the official event. According to Lifehacker, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is down to $37.99, a 45% discount off the $69.99 list price. The plug-and-play device slots into any HDMI port, supports 4K streaming, and ships with Wi-Fi 6 plus Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for sharper picture quality.
You can stream thousands of movies and TV shows across the major services, hook up a Bluetooth controller, and use Alexa to launch apps, control playback, or manage your smart home from the couch.
What happened
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus at $37.99, down from $69.99.
- Supports 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Wi-Fi 6 compatible.
- Voice remote with Alexa built in.
- Works with Luna and Xbox Game Pass for cloud gaming.
- HDMI plug-in, no installation hassle.
Background: Where the Fire TV Stick line sits
Amazon's Fire TV Stick family has been the default budget streaming stick for years, and most cheap sticks still ship at 1080p with no Wi-Fi 6 and slower processors. The 4K Plus sits in the middle of the current lineup, sitting above the HD and 4K Select but below the 4K Max. For most people with a 4K TV, the Plus hits the sweet spot. It costs less than the Max, yet still handles the premium video formats your TV probably supports. If you're upgrading from an older stick that feels sluggish or tops out at HD, the jump to Wi-Fi 6 alone is worth it.
Our analysis
For our readers, the real question is whether to grab the Plus or stretch to the Max. Mashable's pricing shows the 4K Max at $49.99, just $12 more, and that model adds Wi-Fi 6E and 16GB of storage versus 8GB. The Max also has a faster processor, which shows up when apps launch and menus scroll.
But here's the trade-off: at $37.99, the Plus is a value pick. If your TV is a few years old and you don't have a massive app library, 8GB is plenty. The 4K Select at $19.99 is tempting if you just want 4K on the cheap, but it lacks Dolby Vision. Skip it. According to Mashable, all four Fire TV Stick models are on sale right now, including the HD at $17.99, the 4K Select at $19.99, the 4K Plus at $39.99 (mashable listed it at $39.99, while lifehacker showed $37.99), and the 4K Max at $49.99. Prices can shift between sources and over time, so double-check before you buy.
Who should care
- 4K TV owners who want Dolby Vision and HDR10+ without paying Max prices.
- Alexa households who want voice control and smart home management from the couch.
- Cord-cutters who stream across Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and the rest.
- Cloud gamers with a Game Pass or Luna subscription who don't want a console.
- Anyone still using an old 1080p stick who's noticed the lag.
Say you just bought a new 4K TV
You've got the display, but the built-in smart platform feels slow. Plug the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus into the HDMI port, power it via the included adapter, and sign in with your Amazon account. Connect to Wi-Fi 6, log into your streaming services, and you're streaming in 4K with Dolby Vision in under 10 minutes. Cost: $37.99, and you've side-stepped the clunky TV menu for good.
Comparison: Fire TV Stick tiers at Prime Day
| Model | Sale price | Best for | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick HD | $17.99 | 1080p TVs, tight budgets | No 4K support |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Select | $19.99 | First-time 4K buyers | No Dolby Vision |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | $37.99 | Most 4K TVs, Alexa users | 8GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | $49.99 | Power users, cloud gamers | Higher price for 16GB and Wi-Fi 6E |
What to watch next
Prime Big Deal Days runs from Tuesday, Oct. 6 through Wednesday, Oct. 7, per Mashable, which is shorter than the summer event. The 4K Plus at $37.99 is the right balance of price and features. If the Max drops further during the event, it's worth another look. For now, the Plus is the smart grab.
Key takeaways
- The 4K Plus at $37.99 hits the sweet spot for most 4K TVs.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision make it a meaningful upgrade from older sticks.
- Skip the 4K Select if you care about Dolby Vision, and skip the Max unless you need 16GB storage.
- Prices vary by source, so check before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus support Dolby Vision?
Yes, it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio, according to Lifehacker.
Can I use a Fire TV Stick without an Amazon Prime subscription?
You can use the device without Prime, but Prime Day deals are exclusive to Prime members.
Is the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus better than a Roku or Apple TV?
For Alexa users and Amazon content, the Plus is a strong pick. Roku and Apple TV have their own ecosystems, so it depends on which services and voice assistants you already use.
Does it work with Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, you can hook up a Bluetooth controller and stream games through Xbox Game Pass or Amazon Luna, as noted by Lifehacker.
How long is the October Prime Day event?
According to Mashable, Prime Big Deal Days runs from Tuesday, Oct. 6 through Wednesday, Oct. 7, a 48-hour window.