Let’s see how they stack up:
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Specs
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Price and value
Winner: Draw (depends on the day)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Audio and video
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire Stick 4K are exactly identical when it comes to the sound and picture of the shows and movies you’ll watch. And because of that we expect many to just pick the cheaper option. Both sticks stream at 4K UHD at 60 fps, and both support the high-end video quality Dolby Vision, HDR 10 and HDR10+ formats, which should ensure stronger and bolder colors. The story stays the same on audio output. Both 4K Fire TV sticks support the Dolby Atmos sound standard, which looks to give you a spatial audio experience where the sounds of the shows you listen to are supposed to surround you. To that end, both Fire TV Sticks support 7.1 surround sound speaker setups, 2-channel stereo and 5.1 channel-audio via HDMI audio pass through. Winner: Tie
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Performance
To try and test them in similar situations, I tried loadings apps from a fresh, restarted state. Disney Plus loaded in 8.87 seconds on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, shedding 34% of the Fire TV Stick 4K’s 13.47-second load time. My stopwatch wasn’t exactly necessary for this test, as the animated “Disney+” logo stuttered on the Fire TV Stick 4K, and not on Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Similarly, Netflix loaded in 1.38 seconds on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and 20 seconds to load on the Fire TV Stick 4K. The YouTube app was a different story. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max loaded the program in 5.64 seconds, only a little more than a second faster than the 6.91 time from the normal 4K stick. Actually watching content is a dead-heat, as I saw when I timed how long it took to start the Black Widow movie on the Disney Plus app. The retro comics of the Marvel Studios logo appeared 8.89 seconds in on the 4K Max, and at 8.41 seconds on the Fire TV 4K, and since those times are so especially close, I’m willing to chalk this one up to a difference in how fast my fingers can tap my stopwatch.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Apps and software
That means both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K have the same 12,700+ apps. That includes the best streaming services, such as HBO Max, Netflix and Hulu, as well as Disney Plus, Plex, Paramount Plus and more. Both devices also have the same version of the Fire TV OS. Winner: Draw
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Design
In a week’s time, after I’ve not seen these Fire Sticks in my hand, when the Max is still tucked away behind my TV, I don’t know if I’d be able to tell you which Stick is which. As you can see above, they are rectangular dongles of the exact same shape and size (4.25 x 1.18 x 0.55 inches), with HDMI ports. Winner: Tie
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Features
One new feature stands between the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and its slightly more affordable sibling — and it’s not a boon to the ‘streaming’ that we think about when we’re talking about the best streaming devices. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max lets you check your connected home security camera feeds around your home with Live View Picture-in-Picture feature (formerly exclusive to the Fire TV Cube). Winner: Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Remotes
Cord cutters will likely love the Live TV button (right under the Fast Forward), which jumps you to the Live TV Guide (which you can connect to your live TV service of choice under Settings > Live TV > Sync Sources > select your source). Oh, and they changed the Alexa button from a black button with a microphone logo to a blue button with the Alexa logo. This isn’t a huge change, but it does help that button stand out visually.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K: Scorecard and verdict
This scorecard shows that the difference between the Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Fire TV Stick 4K is, in academic terms, an A- vs an A+. The original Fire TV Stick 4K is still pretty damn good, but the 4K Max is just a bit better in a few ways. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has the speed advantage (though it’s not as grand as we’d hoped), a few extra buttons on its remote and a couple of new special features for the smart home. And if the price difference between the two is only $5, we’d say go with the Fire TV Stick. And for those who are debating upgrading? Well, we’re not sure if smart home camera and speaker support, a bit more speed and that new remote seem like they’re worth $55, when you already have a good streaming stick. The choice is yours.
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