It's the battle of the streaming devices, Google's Chromecast vs. Amazon's Fire TV Stick, and we're here to help you decide which one is best to pair up with your TV. Most of us use some form of streaming service to watch shows, and often it might be the main way we do so now. So naturally, a lot of the big companies have introduced dedicated streaming devices to make it easier for you to use their services.
The most notable names on the market are Google with its Chromecast and Amazon with its Fire TV Stick, both of which support 4K viewing with ease. Both devices feature voice controls and other features that make navigation much more streamlined.
Of course, there's no reason to have more than one of these devices, and with the 4K models at more or less an equivalent price to each other, there's no clear pick for sticking to a budget.
Luckily, we're here to help. We'll break down the strengths and weaknesses of both the Chromecast and the Fire TV Stick, as well as note what they're best for. After that, we'll discuss which one you should choose depending on your needs.
Chromecast
Although past Chromecast models came without remotes, you'll struggle to find one like that now, so you can be confident that any recent Chromecast will be easy to navigate with. The remote features dedicated buttons for home, YouTube, and Netflix, so you're covered for the apps you'll use most frequently. As we've mentioned earlier, the Chromecast is capable of voice control, but you're not limited to just using the remote for it: if you have other Google smart devices around your home, you can link them up and control your TV from anywhere in the house.
As far as performance goes, the Chromecast really sets a solid standard for an all-rounder. You've got tons of apps to choose from, an interface that makes sense from a first glance, and a smooth, stable picture quality. If you have a handful of streaming apps you tend to use, the Chromecast makes switching between them a breeze.
If it has any weakness, it would be its sound, and even then it's only a minor thing to note. The Chromecast does sound great, yes, but the Firestick outclasses it ever so slightly when it comes to music.
Fire TV Stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick has been a well-known name for a while now, and it absolutely deserves it. Not content to settle for a handful of buttons, the controls on the remote are plentiful, including four dedicated shortcuts for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Amazon Music. The extra settings and controls make it fantastic for anyone who wants to get a full smart home experience, especially since it can link up with a live camera feed as well, but it might be a little too much for those who prefer simpler designs.
The body of the Fire TV Stick is also worth noting, as it's similar to a USB stick and much more compact than the Chromecast.
In terms of performance, the Fire TV Stick confidently keeps pace with the competition. It looks and runs just as good visually, and it slightly outshines the Chromecast in sound quality. Its interface feels a little less natural to use, but that's something you can adjust to quickly.
Who wins?
It's a tough call, and frankly, you can't really go wrong with either of these excellent devices. We tend to prefer the feel and user experience of the Chromecast more, as it's easier to navigate. That said, if your home has other Amazon devices in it already, the Fire TV Stick easily catches up in convenience.
We suggest going for the Google Chromecast if you often browse through multiple streaming sites, have a busy household, or have other Google smart devices that are compatible.
We recommend going for the Amazon Fire TV Stick if you want the best performance, like to have extra control options, or have another Amazon smart device nearby.
While we prefer the Google Chromecast, it's only by a small margin, and can easily see the tide turning when a new model of either next releases.
Kyle Purves is a Tech Product Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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