Which One Should You Buy in 2022: Amazon Firestick or Chromecast
The world of media streaming sticks and dongles is expanding at a fast rate. Anyone can feel somewhat puzzled by the latest features and offers these devices provide. Not to worry — this Amazon Firestick or Chromecast guide should clear up some of the confusion.
The streaming world has been blooming for a long time, and it sounds good. However, it is not easy to keep up with all the new streaming devices and services. This article is all about the differences between Amazon Firestick and Chromecast. After reading this post, you can pick one from both of them more easily.
1- Pricing:
The best thing about Firestick and Chromecast is that they are reasonably priced. Both are great options if you like to experience smart TV functionality without paying smart TV prices.
Firestick provides more options than Chromecast. It has,
- Fire TV Stick Lite for $19.99,
- Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen for $24.99,
- Fire TV Stick 4k for $34.99,
- Fire TV Stick 4k Max for $44.99,
- Fire TV Stick Cube for $69.99
At present, Chromecast is selling only two devices individually,
- Chromecast 3rd Gen for $29.99,
- Chromecast with Google TV for $49.99,
You can not buy Chromecast Ultra as a single device anymore. You can only buy it in a bundled package that is Google Stadia.
2- Voice And Remote Control:
Chromecast with Google TV device is the only Chromecast model with an actual voice control remote. You can give voice commands to the Google Assistant Button. You can command it to play something or open your favorite streaming services. This remote is lightweight and sleek, and its simple and uncluttered design stands out. You can also pair the 3rd Generation Chromecast with your Google smart speaker and display.
All Firestick models come with a remote through which you can give voice commands to Alexa. The Alexa remote is easier to use as it is more traditional than the Google TV remote. If you are not much into technology, the Alexa TV remote is for you.
3- Buffering:
There is not much to differentiate between both devices in terms of buffering. The reason is pretty simple. Buffering has little to do with your streaming device but a lot with your network. Even if you have the latest Firestick, your streams freeze frequently if you do not have a good internet connection. The same is the case with Chromecast. A new software update or better wifi bandwidth can change things a little, but not that much.
4- User-Friendly Experience:
The Chromecast with Google TV setup is pretty simple. You plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, and the Google Home app on your phone gives you instructions on the TV. It guides you seamlessly through the process. There’s also an option to complete the setup on the TV, but I recommend doing it with Android or iPhone as it is much easier and quicker.
The Google TV interface is a pretty smooth and easy experience. You get personalized recommendations based on your favorite content and apps you use. You can also disable this option. You can create multiple user profiles if you share your Chromecast with family members.
The Firestick also provides a simple and painless experience. It is different from Chromecast as you can not use an app to do the setup process. You can only do it using the TV remote. Firestick’s interface is also easy enough to navigate. However, Fire TV recommends more Amazon Prime Video content for obvious reasons. These recommendations could either be convenient or irritating, depending on your preferences.
5- Audio and Video Quality:
Only two of the three Chromecast models(Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV) are HDR compatible. Also, there is only one model which has Dolby Atmos, and that is Chromecast with Google TV.
On the other hand, all the models of Fire TV Stick are packed with Dolby Atmos capability and are HDR compatible.
Which one is for you?
Both Firestick and Chromecast are great streaming devices. Streaming quality, pricing, app support, and remote controls of both the devices are mostly similar. Fire TV Stick and Chromecast with Google TV can control smart home devices. Both of them can also support gaming with Stadia and Luna, respectively.
I like that Firestick has a variety of models to offer, and they all support HDR and Dolby Atmos. They all come with a voice remote, no matter the price. However, the voice remote is slightly cluttered, and the user interface is not that neutral. But, If you are a fan of Amazon Prime Video, though, it’s a better option than Chromecast.
And if you do not use Prime Video content that much, you should consider Chromecast also. It has lesser models, but the voice remote and the interface is better than the Amazon Firestick.
