As an Amazon Associate, TrueNorth Tech X earns from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Want to make an older TV smarter, or replace a sluggish built-in interface? The three big choices in the UK are Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and the Google TV Streamer. Here’s how they compare on price, picture, sound and smart home features, using each maker’s official UK specs.
Quick answer
- Roku Streaming Stick Plus: the cheapest way to get 4K HDR, and it can run from your TV’s USB port. No Dolby Vision.
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: the best all-rounder if you use Alexa or Prime Video, with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi 6.
- Google TV Streamer: the premium pick, with built-in Ethernet, 32GB of storage and a Thread border router for smart homes.
At a glance
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Roku Streaming Stick Plus | Google TV Streamer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK price (checked 31 Oct 2026) | £79.99 at Amazon | £39.99 at Roku UK | £149 at Google Store |
| Form | HDMI stick | HDMI stick | Set-top box |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Pass-through of Dolby-encoded audio | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, dual-band | Dual-band | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band |
| Ethernet | No | No | Yes, built in |
| Storage | 8GB for apps and games | Not listed | 32GB |
| Power | Mains adaptor (micro USB) | Can power from TV’s USB port | Mains adaptor |
| Smart home | Alexa built in | Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and AirPlay | Matter, Thread border router |
| Buy | Check price | View in our shop | Google Store |
Prices change often. Tap Check price on Amazon for today’s price.
Picture and sound
All three stream in 4K with HDR. Amazon’s listing says the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, plus Dolby Atmos. Google’s spec page lists the same four HDR formats and Dolby Atmos for the Google TV Streamer.
Roku’s UK page lists HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG for the Streaming Stick Plus, but not Dolby Vision; Roku reserves that for its pricier Streaming Stick 4K. For sound, Roku says it passes Dolby-encoded audio through over HDMI. If your TV supports Dolby Vision, that’s the key difference. For more on TV picture tech, see our OLED vs Mini LED guide.
Wi-Fi, Ethernet and setup
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus supports Wi-Fi 6, though Amazon notes you need a Wi-Fi 6 router to benefit. The Roku is dual-band Wi-Fi, and the Google TV Streamer uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) but adds a built-in Ethernet port, which is the most reliable option if your router is near the TV. If your Wi-Fi struggles in the living room, our mesh Wi-Fi guide and Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7 explainer can help.
The two sticks plug straight into an HDMI port. Roku says its stick can draw power from your TV’s USB port, so there’s no plug to find, while the Fire TV Stick uses a mains adaptor. The Google TV Streamer is a small box that sits beside your TV, and Google says you need a certified HDMI 2.1 cable, sold separately.
Smart home and voice
The Fire TV Stick is built around Alexa: you press the remote’s voice button to search across apps or control compatible smart home devices, and Amazon says you can view compatible camera feeds on screen. Amazon’s listing also says it can run the Xbox app for cloud gaming with Game Pass Ultimate.
The Google TV Streamer is the most capable smart home hub here: Google lists Matter support and a Thread border router. Roku takes a neutral approach, saying its stick works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and AirPlay, which suits mixed households, including those with iPhones.
Storage and updates
Amazon lists 8GB of storage for apps and games on the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, and Google lists 32GB on the Streamer, which matters if you install lots of apps. Google says the Streamer gets at least five years of security updates from when it went on sale on the US Google Store, while Amazon says the Fire TV Stick gets security updates until at least four years after it was last sold new on its websites.
Verdict
If you just want 4K HDR on a budget, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is hard to argue with at £39.99. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus costs more but adds Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi 6, and it’s the natural choice for Alexa homes. The Google TV Streamer is the premium option for anyone who wants Ethernet, more storage and a smart home hub in one box. Prices often drop around Black Friday, so check our Black Friday 2026 UK preview too. We haven’t tested these devices ourselves; this comparison uses the makers’ official UK specs. See how we test and choose products.
You can also browse all streaming devices in our shop.
FAQ
Does the Roku Streaming Stick Plus support Dolby Vision?
No. Roku’s UK page lists HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG for the Streaming Stick Plus. Dolby Vision is on Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K.
Does the Google TV Streamer come with an HDMI cable?
No. Google says a certified HDMI 2.1 cable is required and sold separately.
Which streaming stick has Ethernet?
Of these three, only the Google TV Streamer has a built-in Ethernet port.
Can I power a Roku stick from my TV?
Roku says the Streaming Stick Plus can be powered from your TV’s USB port, with no wall socket needed.
Featured image: Amazon Fire TV Stick and remote, photo by TaurusEmerald via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.