Jody Serrano
Editor in chiefEditor in Chief at Xataka On. Before joining Webedia, I was a tech reporter at Gizmodo and The Messenger. While I've covered all sorts of things related to technology, I'm specialized in writing about social media, Internet culture, Twitch, and streamers.
There are endless ways to stream content online to your TV. In fact, there are so many that if your go-to device breaks or gets discontinued, like Google’s Chromecast, you might be at a loss over what to buy next.
Two popular options in the market are the Roku Ultra and the Amazon Fire TV Cube. Both are good choices but deciding which one you decide to take home will ultimately depend on one thing: how much you want your device to do.
Roku Ultra
Ever since it came onto the market, Roku has set itself apart by offering devices that are fast, sleek, and easy-to-use. The Roku Ultra is no different. It’s the company’s fastest and most powerful streaming device, offering 4K picture, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. If you’re an Apple user, the Roku Ultra also supports AirPlay 2, allowing you to mirror content from your iPhone or Mac.
Like other Roku devices, one of the Roku Ultra’s main selling points is its simplicity. It’s small and compact, and using the interface and switching between streaming services is easy. You don’t have to search through complicated menus or try to figure out if what you want to watch is included in your subscription.
Roku has also delivered when it comes to the remote. This version includes backlit buttons, voice controls, and a find-my-remote feature. Considering how small the Roku remote is, this can be pretty handy. The remote has a built-in battery that can be recharged via a micro-USB.
Perhaps one of my favorite features is the Roku Ultra’s Bluetooth headphones mode. This allows you to pair your headphones to the Roku Ultra so that you can turn the volume up without walking up your neighbors, which is a frequent problem for those of us with bad hearing and thin walls.
- Price: $99.99
Fire TV Cube
First things first: Yes, the Fire TV Cube is literally shaped like a cube. It’s sleek, though, and can add a modern touch to your space. Like the Roku Ultra, the Fire TV Cube is Amazon’s fastest device and is twice as powerful as the Fire TV Stick 4K. It has a built-in mic and speakers and can be connected to your cable box and game console. As far as picture support goes, the Fire TV Cube supports 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio.
Another thing you’ll notice about the Amazon Fire TV Cube is that it’s more expensive than the Roku Ultra, and there’s a good reason why. Besides being a streaming device, the fire TV Cube is also a smart speaker. This means that it works the same as any of Amazon’s Echo line of devices and is integrated with Alexa.
Furthermore, given that it uses Fire OS, an Android-based system, you can even use it to play games if you connect it to a controller. The Fire TV Cube is also compatible with Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service, though you’ll have to pay extra for access.
For some people, the Fire TV Cube’s interface can feel a bit overwhelming and cluttered. Some complaints include frustrations that it has a lot of ads and sponsored content, which makes it hard to actually find what you want to watch. However, it might just be a matter of getting used to the interface.
- Price: $139.99
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a simple device with top performance that will let you quickly watch what you want, it’s probably a good idea to go with the Roku Ultra. However, if you want something that works as a streaming device and also a bit more, go with the Fire TV Cube. Considering everything it’s giving you—a gaming experience, a smart speaker—it offers a good bang for your buck.
Image | Xataka On | Roku | Amazon
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