Amazon’s Fire TV Lite stick is an excellent budget-friendly piece of tech that can add Alexa voice control and streaming services to your older TV. Even though it is a 1080p streaming device, it is an upgrade in terms of performance compared to the previous version of the Amazon Fire TV Lite stick. It is even cheaper than the regular Firet TV stick with the same options. However, the main Amazon Fire TV stick vs Lite difference is that the remote lacks any TV controls.
If you can get past that, and don’t plan to use it as vigorously, you can do without spending a few extra bucks on this streaming TV stick. Our Amazon Fire TV Lite stick review aims to clear out any misunderstandings about the TV stick and will help you determine if it is the right option for you and your TV.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Review – First Impressions
Upon unboxing the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, we noticed that the device does not differ from the Amazon Fire TV Stick. It is a sleek and compact device, measuring a mere 3.4” x 1.2” x 0.5”. The package includes the Fire TV Stick itself, the Alexa Voice Remote, a power cable and adapter, an HDMI extender, two AAA batteries, and a Quick Start Guide.
The build quality is something that is noticeable, featuring a sturdy device. However, don’t expect any drastic design changes with this device. The base version of the Amazon Fire stick has gone for years without any changes and the same thing goes for the Lite version.
Another thing that we didn’t like was that it does not come with an Ethernet adapter. So if you don’t want to use WiFi, you need to pay extra to get the adapter and establish a wired network connection.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Alexa Voice Remote
The Alexa Voice remote is what separates it from its base version. It is also the real reason why the Lite TV stick costs less. While we can praise the design of the remote for its simplicity and functionality, we can do the opposite for its lack of TV controls.
The Amazon Fire TV stick Lite with Alexa Voice remote control features the same thin black rectangle shape with slightly rounded ends. The pinhole microphone is placed near the top, which allows you to use Alexa Amazon’s voice assistant. But the complete absence of any TV controls is a massive letdown.
Other Fire TV remotes allow you to adjust the volume on your TV without having to reach for a separate controller to do so. Having to juggle so many remote controllers at the same time can be tiring and we would very much prefer being able to do it with a single one.
Nevertheless, the Fire TV Stick Lite version remote does get some extra buttons, with four of them sitting underneath the playback controls. Also, the dedicated Amazon Prime Video and Netflix buttons are still there.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Features
The Fire TV Stick’s quad-core processor and 8 GB of internal storage enable quick app starts and seamless streaming. The supported video content formats, including HDR 10 and HLG, and its dual-band, dual-antenna WiFi make it nearly identical when comparing the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Amazon Fire TV Stick.
| Specification | Details |
| Processor | Quad-core 1.7 GHz |
| Storage | 8 GB internal |
| WiFi | Dual-band, dual-antenna wifi (MIMO) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Voice Support | Alexa Voice Remote (included) |
| Audio Support | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+ surround sound |
| Video Content Formats | HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, Vp9 |
| Output Resolution | 1080p and 720p up to 60 fps |
| Size | 3.4” x 1.2” x 0.5” |
| Weight | 1.1 oz |
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Setup and User Interface
Setting up the Fire TV Stick is straightforward. Just plug it into the HDMI port, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on-screen instructions. The user interface is intuitive, making it easy for anyone to navigate through various apps and services.
When it comes to the user interface, the main features include voice integration and the ability to customize the interface. Alexa integration simplifies searching for content, playing music, and controlling smart home devices. The interface is a bit Amazon-centric, as the app list looks a bit smaller while adding more content suggestions. It is definitely more colorful than the previous design while looking busier at the same time.
Screen mirroring is also an option here, but only through Miracast or WiDi. To activate the Alexa voice assistant you just have to press and hold the microphone button and talk into it. The advantage here is that you can not only ask Alexa for general information like weather reports and sports scores, but you can also use it for content search across most major streaming services and not just Amazon.
However, the difference between the Amazon Fire TV stick and Lite is that the Lite version can seem a bit sluggish. While it does not show in its performance, navigating the home screen and switching through Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite apps. Luckily, most other functions are responsive.
Fire TV Stick Lite Review Streaming Quality
The Amazon Fire TV Stick excels in delivering a high-quality streaming experience. Its advanced processor ensures quick app starts and a responsive interface. It’s a 1080p media streamer, supporting 720p up to 60 fps, HDR content in HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. This said it does not support 4K.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs 4K performances do show that the picture isn’t as sharp as you would get on 4K. Nevertheless, the picture is still good enough. But if 4K is something that is a must for you, skipping this one is the thing to do.
Amazon Fire Stick TV Lite Review Audio Capabilities
One of the biggest downsides and the difference between the Fire TV Stick Lite and the Fire TV Stick is that only supports Dolby-encoded audio pass-through. So no Dolby Atmos audio output. In that case, if you have a better audio system at home, or you have just upgraded it, it might be wise to spend some extra money on the regular Amazon Fire Stick, as the Lite version will not be able to match the capabilities of your sound system.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Version Gaming Experience
While the Amazon Fire TV Stick is primarily designed for streaming, its gaming capabilities, though not a primary feature, still offer some level of entertainment for casual gamers. So don’t hope that you are going to be able to run major game titles on this device.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Pros and Cons
To make our Fire Stick TV Lite review more helpful, we gathered all the pros and cons that we noticed while testing the device. Remember, this is what we think, and these are our unbiased thoughts.
Advantages:
- Affordable Price: At $21.99, it offers great value for its features and performance.
- User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive UI and Alexa Voice Remote make navigation a breeze.
- High Streaming Quality: Delivers HD content seamlessly.
- Diverse Content Access: Wide range of streaming services and live TV options.
Disadvantages:
- No 4K Support: It doesn’t support 4K streaming; users seeking this feature might prefer the Fire TV Stick 4K.
- Lacks TV controls: Does not come with volume control and basic TV control capabilities.
- Sluggish Performance: Navigating through the home screen and the apps is a bit labored.
- No Dolby Atmos audio output: Only supports Dolby-encoded audio pass-through, so it does not work well on better audio systems.
Personal Experience
After testing the Amazon Fire TV Stick out, we can attest to its remarkable capabilities. The ease of setup, coupled with the intuitive user interface, makes it a joy to use daily. The Alexa Voice remote has been a game-changer in interacting with your TV, allowing us to easily search and control playback with voice commands. Even though it lacks some basic TV controls, for the price given, you can afford to shuffle between two remotes.
The streaming quality never disappoints, consistently offering crisp and vibrant visuals. It works well on our TV and we didn’t miss the 4K capabilities at all. The sound could be better though. We have tested it in a better surround system and the absence of Dolby Atmos audio does show. Nevertheless, for the price given it is a decent streaming device.
Amazon Fire Stick Lite TV Compatibility With Other Devices
In comparison to other streaming devices like Roku and Google Chromecast, the Fire TV Stick holds its ground, especially considering its price point and feature set. In comparison with the Roky Streaming Stick, it has similar functionality but differs in the user interface and remote capabilities.
On the other hand, if we take a look at the Google Chromecast, it does come with 4K support in its higher model but lacks an included remote like the Fire TV Stick’s Alexa Voice Remote.
Tips and Tricks for Optimizing Your Fire TV Stick Experience
You can actually maximize the potential of the Amazon Fire TV Stick and enhance your streaming experience significantly by following a few practices. We found out that with just a few tweaks you can achieve so much. The things that you can do are as follows:
- Customize your home screen: Arrange your most-used apps for easy access.
- Use Alexa for more than just streaming: Control smart home devices or ask for weather updates.
- Explore hidden features: Dive into settings to discover features like parental controls or data monitoring.
User Reviews and Feedback
To understand the device better, we went and looked into a bunch of Amazon firestick lite reviews on the net. It just so seems that most of the things that we said match and that we got a similar experience using the device.
Most of the positive feedback involves the ease of use of the device. They love the intuitive interface and the simple setup process. Also, the Alexa Voice Remote is a hit for its accuracy and convenience.
On the other hand, some users miss the 4K streaming capability, available in other models, which is a significant downside of the model. Overall, the Fire TV Stick is highly praised for its affordability, functionality, and user-friendly design, making it a popular choice among a wide range of consumers.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Pricing and Value for Money
At the moment of writing the product is at a discounted price of $21.99, the Fire TV Stick offers exceptional value, especially considering its features like HD streaming, Alexa integration, and a vast selection of content.
However, for just $10 more, you can get the regular Amazon Fire TV stick and all the capabilities that the Lite version is missing. The added money does not seem that much. So while this device is worth it, users might consider paying a bit more to get some added options.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the Fire TV Stick is generally reliable, users might encounter issues like connectivity problems or remote pairing difficulties. Solutions often involve simple steps like restarting the device, checking Wi-Fi settings, or re-pairing the remote.
However, for any bigger issues, calling the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite customer care number will do the trick.
Amazon Fire TV Lite Stick Review Final Verdict
To sum things up, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is an outstanding streaming device that combines affordability with a rich feature set. It’s particularly suited for those looking for an easy-to-use, versatile streaming solution that integrates well with Alexa-enabled devices. While it lacks 4K support, its performance in HD streaming, coupled with the convenience of the Alexa Voice Remote, makes it an excellent choice for most users.
We can definitely overlook the absence of the basic TV controls, but we really can’t do without the Dolby Atmos function, which is the main difference between the Fire Stick Lite and the regular version. All in all, the streaming stick is worth the price you pay and it does come with its shortcomings. So remember them before you decide to buy it.
Purchasing Information
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is available for purchase on Amazon, and it currently comes with a 6-month subscription to MGM+. Be sure to check for any additional discounts or offers.
FAQs
Find a few more details about the Amazon Fire TV Lite stick in the questions that follow.
Does the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite support 4K streaming?
No, it supports up to 1080p. For 4K, consider the Fire TV Stick 4K model.
Can I control other devices with the Alexa Voice Remote?
Yes, it can control power and volume on a wide range of IR-enabled devices.
Is there a subscription fee for using the Fire TV Stick Lite?
The device itself does not require a subscription, but some streaming services do.
Can I play games on the Fire TV Stick?
Yes, it supports a variety of casual games available on the Amazon App Store.
How to set up Amazon Fire TV stick Lite?
Simply plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on-screen instructions.
What kind of warranty comes with the Fire TV Stick Lite?
It includes a 90-day Limited Warranty with an optional extended warranty available for purchase.
