logo
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review: I've tried BEST Fire TV Stick money can buy – and it has three clever Amazon tricks that could save you £100s a year

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review: I've tried BEST Fire TV Stick money can buy – and it has three clever Amazon tricks that could save you £100s a year

Scottish Sun3 days ago
WHEN it comes to telly, few gadgets are as well known as the Amazon Fire Stick.
And I've been trying out the best version of this blockbuster device: the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It's a supreme plug-in streamer that I reckon could even save you hundreds of pounds a year.
9
The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach has been trying out the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
9
It's the top-of-the-range Fire Stick
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
If you're new to the Fire Stick game, this is a small black bar that plugs into the back of your telly. It goes into the HDMI port. Your TV almost certainly several of those.
And it'll give it a brand new interface chock full of apps, games, and some clever Amazon features too.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max – £69.99
The idea is that no matter what TV you have – even if it's old and a bit rubbish – you can get a new and "smart" experience on the cheap.
And at £69.99 (or potentially less if you read on...), this device is way cheaper than upgrading to a newer TV.
Of course Amazon Fire TV Sticks can be snapped up for far less, with the HD model coming in at just £39.99. So what makes this so good? Why am I here raving about it to you?
AMAZON FIRE TV STICK 4K MAX – WHAT IS IT?
Let's start with the basics.
You plug it in, and you're pretty much good to go in a matter of seconds.
It's a fairly easy system to navigate. If you've ever used a phone or telly (and let's be honest, you probably have) then it's the same thing. You've got a list of apps that you can open, and they'll serve up content.
There's a frankly enormous selection of apps available via the Amazon Appstore.
But you get some bits pre-installed, like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and (of course) Amazon Prime Video. These are all official and legal apps – no "dodgy" Fire Sticks here.
Amazon Fire Stick trick lets you find lost remote instantly using hidden 'ringer'
There's also a Live tab packed with loads of live TV channels.
These are totally free to watch. The only catch is that you'll have to sit through ads.
But if you fancy effectively unlimited Hell's Kitchen, Mythbusters, or Baywatch, you're in luck.
The big advantage for this device over the cheapest Amazon Fire Stick is the 4K quality.
9
You control the Fire Stick with this handy Alexa-enabled voice remote (but you can use the buttons if you'd prefer not to chat with your telly)
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
You'll be able to watch Ultra HD Netflix or Amazon Prime Video content in its full native resolution. So all of that extra detail is captured and displayed (as long as you have a 4K telly too).
There is a slightly cheaper Fire Stick 4K (the one without the "Max" branding) that costs a tenner less.
There are a few minor differences, including a slightly more advanced Wi-Fi system that you don't really need to worry about, and an "Ambient Experience" that shows artwork on your telly. They're both fine to have, but they're not the big winners.
Instead, look out for the doubled storage on the Max (16GB versus 8GB) so you can download more apps.
9
The interface is easy to navigate – and guides you on how to use features as you go
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
And note that the processor is also faster on the Max, which makes it ultra-speedy. A slow telly is immensely frustrating. Don't put yourself through that.
WHAT I'M MOST IMPRESSED BY
One of the best things about the Amazon Fire TV Stick platform generally is the vast array of apps on offer. You can get pretty much everything on here.
But there are some great options that save you money.
For a start, you've got so much free telly on offer that you'd struggle to get through it all. You could quite easily watch TV forever without paying a penny.
So if you fancy binning all of your TV subscriptions, you won't have to go without telly.
That'll save you hundreds of quid right off the bat.
But earlier this week, I also revealed how you could quite easily enjoy a "virtual" Xbox on the Fire Stick – rather than paying for a £500 console.
For £14.99 a month you can get Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is basically a "Netflix for games".
9
Loads of popular apps are available on the Fire Stick
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
So instead of having a console render the gaming visuals, they're beamed to you over the internet instead.
You can play a massive library of over 350 games without owning a console. You just need a Fire Stick, decent internet, and a wireless games controller – like an Xbox or PlayStation joypad.
It's a great way to make a saving, because you don't need to fork out for a console.
But there's an even cheaper option that I'm also pretty impressed by.
AMAZON FIRE TV STICK 4K MAX – THE OFFICIAL SPECS
Here's a quick look...
Picture Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
Video Formats: Dolby Vision / HDR / HDR10 / HDR10+ / HLG
Audio: Dolby Atmos
Bundled Remote: Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced
Storage: 16GB
Memory: 2GB
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
Picture-In-Picture Live View: Yes
Ambient Experience: Yes
Picture Credit: Amazon
Amazon has its own Xbox Cloud Gaming rival called Luna.
And if you pay the £8.99-a-month Luna+ fee, you get more than 100 games to play.
It's massively cheaper than buying a console, and you can cancel at any time. That's harder to do with a console.
It works extremely well, and the visuals are stunning – because they're being rendered by powerful Amazon computers.
9
You'll be able to unlock seemingly endless live telly too
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
Better yet, if you've got Amazon Prime then you get some games for free – even if you're not paying for Luna+. That includes Fortnite, which is a smash-hit shooter game that almost needs no introduction.
So that's a third way this could slash your bills.
If you can enjoy the free games you're getting with Prime, you don't need to pay for Luna+ at all.
Are there any downsides? Honestly, it's pretty good for the price.
I think the Apple TV 4K box is still a slicker experience. It feels faster to navigate, and I think the whole interface looks better. Plus it works neatly with your other devices if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
But that magical Apple box starts at £149, so it should be better.
Not everyone needs a £149 plug-in streamer.
But I think Amazon's 4K Max device is a great middle-ground between your smart TV or a bottom-end Fire Stick and a top-end gadget like the Apple TV 4K.
9
If you have a Bluetooth controller (like this Amazon Luna joypad) then you can play top-tier video games on the Fire Stick without even owning a console
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
SHOULD YOU BUY IT?
Whether it's the gadget for you really depends on your budget – and home set up.
If you haven't got a 4K telly or you're not paying for any 4K content subscriptions (if you've got the basic Netflix plan, for instance), then buying a 4K Stick is arguably overkill – unless you're looking for future-proofing.
But 4K TVs are much cheaper to come by these days, so keep that in mind.
If you're an Apple fan that wants to splash out, the Apple TV 4K is still my top pick for a streaming gadget.
I'm impressed by it. For the price, this is good value for money – and it's got several ways to slash your entertainment bills too.
It's fairly small and doesn't need a tangle of wires. The remote is neat and easy to use, and looks good on the coffee table. It also gives you access to the Alexa voice assistant, which is handy for asking about the weather or demanding a movie. And the set-up is no-nonsense.
I'd only downgrade to the cheapest Fire Stick if I was sticking it in a spare room on a non-4K TV. Otherwise, this feels like the Fire Stick to go for.
The other thing to watch out for is pricing.
9
Amazon has a special gaming service called Luna for playing video games over the internet
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
As I mentioned, this gadget normally costs £69.99 – but it doesn't always.
Amazon often discounts its own products. Just plug the gadget into CamelCamelCamel (a tracker that monitors Amazon prices over time) to see for yourself.
There are several points where it's been on sale for as low as £50, and even £44.99. The average retail price is £58.74.
So this gadget is even better value for money if you can pick it up in a sale. There's no guarantee, but keeping your eyes peeled around Black Friday 2025 (that's November 28) could be a good idea.
The Sun says: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the perfect mid-range streaming gadget – and the best of the Amazon "sticks". It can save you money, and delivers 4K visuals across your favourite apps. 5/5
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max – £69.99
Check The Sun's guide to Fire Stick 4K vs Fire Stick 4K Max.
9
The Fire Stick takes up very little space at the back of your telly
Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Amazon's sinister new gadget makes Alexa speakers look tame
Amazon's sinister new gadget makes Alexa speakers look tame

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Amazon's sinister new gadget makes Alexa speakers look tame

Amazon is buying AI bracelet maker Bee in a major move to dominate the next wave of personal tech. The wristbands — which cost $50 — record everything you say, even when you're talking to yourself, and sync with your phone via Bluetooth. Powered by AI models from Anthropic, Google and Meta, Bee turns your day into a searchable database, creating personalized to-do lists and even tracking how many times you swear. Unlike Amazon's Alexa devices — which are meant to listen only after a 'wake word' — Bee's bracelets are always on unless switched off, giving them access to far more user data to train AI models. Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said she was 'excited' to be joining Amazon and to bring 'truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers.' 'When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you,' she wrote on LinkedIn. The deal, still pending closure, comes as wearable AI gadgets flood the market. Meta is pushing its Ray-Ban AI glasses and Google has launched Gemini-powered earbuds. Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said she was 'excited' to be joining Amazon Amazon's latest acquisition marks a shift forward from its Echo and Alexa products Because Bee is always listening, it can collect far more data per user — feeding the constant stream of information needed to train large language models. A spokesperson for Amazon told the Daily Mail that a deal had been signed with Bee but that the agreement is yet to close. Alongside the proliferation of new gadgets the rise of AI has already led to increased automation and consequent layoffs. Microsoft will eliminate thousand of positions this month as it makes deeper investments in the tech. Amazon and Ford's CEOs have also said they're planning on slashing staff to use more generative models. Once-dominant Intel also announced plans to cut around 2,400 jobs.

This AI wristband will listen to everything you say
This AI wristband will listen to everything you say

The Independent

time10 hours ago

  • The Independent

This AI wristband will listen to everything you say

Amazon is in the process of acquiring Bee, a San Francisco-based startup that developed a wearable AI assistant bracelet. The Bee device, launched last year, provides users with personalised summaries of their day, reminders, and suggestions by analysing conversations. Maria de Lourdes Zollo, Bee's CEO, confirmed the acquisition, expressing that it would help bring their 'truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers'. Early reviews of the product have highlighted concerns about its ability to differentiate real-life conversations from online content, alongside potential data privacy issues due to its inbuilt microphones. While Bee states it processes audio in real-time and immediately deletes it without storing or selling data, it is uncertain whether Amazon will maintain these privacy policies given its past actions.

Amazon's 'time saver' robot vacuum with hailed a 'game changer' and now 63% off
Amazon's 'time saver' robot vacuum with hailed a 'game changer' and now 63% off

Daily Record

time12 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Amazon's 'time saver' robot vacuum with hailed a 'game changer' and now 63% off

The Lefant M210P Robot Vacuum Cleaner has been reduced by £150, with shoppers saying it 'far exceeded' their expectations Amazon has restocked one of its top-selling robot vacuum cleaners and slashed the price by more than 60%. The Lefant M210P Robot Vacuum Cleaner has been reduced from £239.99 to £89.98 – a discount of £150.01. The device sold out earlier this month and frequently appears on Amazon's best-seller list, currently ranking fifth behind rivals such as the number one eufy G50 Robot Vacuum Cleaner (£149.99). However, those opting for the Lefant brand can now enjoy a 63% discount on this vacuum. Designed to automatically collect dust and debris from both carpeted and hard floors. The gadget offers four cleaning modes and can detect when it's cleaning carpet, increasing its suction power for optimal performance. It can also be programmed to clean at specific times via a smartphone app or using Alexa voice control. Its compact design – measuring 28cm in diameter and 7.8cm tall – allows it to clean under furniture, while its anti-collision sensors help it avoid obstacles. The Lefant also has a long-lasting battery that can run for 120 minutes on a single charge and will automatically return to its charging point when it needs to recharge. Additionally, its 500ml dust bin capacity means it can hold more waste, reducing its cleaning time. However, unlike competitor models like the Shark Matrix Plus (£399.99) or Hoover HG4 Robot Vacuum Cleaner (£249), the Lefant does not offer the ability to map areas for cleaning on the app, reports the Express. For those content to manage without this function, the Lefant M210P Robot Vacuum Cleaner has secured a 4.2-star rating from more than 6,000 reviews. Customers have praised the 'dust gobbler' as a brilliant time saver, with many saying they wish they had 'got one sooner'. One satisfied shopper said: "Seriously impressed. I thought this was some sort of gimmick, but I was wrong. This little dust gobbler does an outstandingly good job, the entire downstairs area was cleaned, even reaching areas I thought it wouldn't. "It was super easy to set up and start up. This has far exceeded what I thought it was capable of, I would rate it 10/10. Wish I'd got one sooner, it's a game changer." Another said: "Amazing for hard floors. I was a bit worried that I expected too much from this little guy, but I was wrong. Battery life is approximately one hour 30 minutes. "Docks itself when it needs charging. Easy to schedule through the app. It has found so much dust from under the sofas I didn't know was there. Not mega loud when in operation. Really recommend for hard floors." This more mixed three-star review said: "Ideal for small jobs. If you want a simple to operate low cost cleaner this could be a good choice. Struggles a bit on deep pile but ideal for hardwood or similar floors." While another glowing review said: "Great machine. It has been a year since I purchased this. It is great value for money. Cleans well, doesn't need a lot of time to charge, it's not too loud and does the job. It is a time saver and my little helper. Lefant's customer service is great. They helped me immediately when I had a problem."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store