Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K has been the go-to streaming device for ages, but this Plus version promises to fix the one thing that's always bugged us about streaming sticks — buffering when everyone else in the house is hogging the Wi-Fi. With Wi-Fi 6 support and some clever new tricks up its sleeve, Amazon reckons this £59.99 device is worth the upgrade from their standard 4K stick. We've been testing it for the past month to see if they're right. The short answer? If you're still using an older streaming device or dealing with constant buffering, this little black stick might just be the solution you've been waiting for. But there are a few things you should know before hitting that buy button.
The big headline feature is Wi-Fi 6 support, which sounds techy but basically means this stick can handle your internet connection much better when your house is full of devices all fighting for bandwidth. We tested this during peak evening hours when our editor's teenagers were gaming, streaming TikTok, and video calling mates simultaneously. The difference was genuinely noticeable — 4K content loaded faster and didn't stutter nearly as much as our old Fire TV Stick 4K.
The other major addition is Xbox Game Pass integration. Yes, you read that right — you can now stream proper Xbox games directly through this tiny stick without owning a console. We tried Forza Motorsport and were honestly impressed by how smooth it ran, though you'll need a decent controller and a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Amazon's been banging on about Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support for years, but this time they've got the processing power to back it up. We watched everything from Netflix's latest blockbusters to Prime Video's award-winners, and the picture quality genuinely impressed us. Colours pop without looking oversaturated, and dark scenes actually show detail instead of turning into murky messes.
The Dolby Atmos audio support is a nice touch too, though you'll obviously need a compatible soundbar or system to benefit. Through our regular TV speakers, everything sounded perfectly fine but nothing revolutionary.
The Alexa Voice Remote remains one of the best bits about Fire TV devices. Press the microphone button and ask for "comedy films from the 90s" and it'll actually find them across multiple streaming services. The preset buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Music save proper time too — no more scrolling through endless app lists.
What's clever is how it controls your TV's power and volume. Setup took about two minutes, and now we've got one remote doing everything instead of juggling the TV remote and streaming remote like some sort of entertainment plate-spinner.
Here's where the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus really shines. Apps launch quickly, switching between services feels snappy, and we didn't experience those annoying moments where the interface freezes for ten seconds. The improved processor clearly makes a difference, especially when you're jumping between heavy apps like Netflix and Disney+.
The interface itself hasn't changed much — it's still very Amazon-focused, which some people love and others find a bit pushy. The home screen prominently features Prime Video content and Amazon's free ad-supported options, but you can customise it somewhat.
This is perfect for households where streaming quality matters and multiple people are using the internet simultaneously. If you're constantly battling buffering or your current streaming device feels sluggish, the Wi-Fi 6 support alone justifies the upgrade. Gaming enthusiasts will love the Xbox integration — it's genuinely impressive for casual gaming sessions. Finally, if you're deep in the Amazon ecosystem already (Prime member, use Alexa devices), this slots in beautifully and gives you proper smart home control from your sofa.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus delivers where it matters most — reliable 4K streaming even when your household internet is under strain. The Xbox gaming integration is a brilliant bonus that works better than expected. If you value consistent performance and don't mind Amazon's content-forward approach, this is easily the streaming stick to beat.
As an Amazon Associate, Smart Trends earns from qualifying purchases.
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