Fire Stick vs Roku 3 – which media streamer is better?

Apart from streaming content from the internet to your television, media streamers only have two other functions which are to stream content from your local network or to install channels that you will have downloaded from the respective applications.

From stone tipped arrows to drone swarms, humanity is obsessed with creations and innovations that will impact the human life, and one of the most significant technological advancements in the 21^st century are the media streamers. The above entertainment devices are slowly phasing out cable subscriptions given that they come equipped with free channels, movies and shows among others.

Media streamers are a cheaper option when compared to the monthly cable subscriptions, so as you prepare to make the major transition, the Amazon Fire Stick and Roku 3 are great units that you might want to consider.

What are the differences between Fire Stick and Roku 3

Model	Fire Stick	Roku 3
RAM	1GB	512mb
Storage	8GB Internal	USB slot/Micro SD slot
Processor	1.7GHZ Quad Core	dual-core BCM11130 clocking at 900MHz
Throughput Speed	3mbps for SD content 5-10mbps for HD	25mbps around 4K 6mbps HD
Ports	USB	USB port, Memory card slot
Availability	Check Price Here	Check Price Here

Fire Stick vs Roku 3 – How do they compare?

Speed and Performance

As you search for the best media streaming device, speed and performance are primary to settling with one, the above two factors revolve around storage, processor capacity and the throughput speeds. A good streaming device should therefore, be able to provide a minimum download speed of 3 megabits per second and that is if you are to watch a single video stream in Standard Definition.

For streaming in HD the best internet speeds are 5mbps and if you want to stream in 4K or the Ultra HD then your bandwidth should begin from 25mbps. For the gaming enthusiasts, the recommended speeds are 6mbps and if you have other gadgets connected to your network that are engaging the bandwidth intensive applications then internet speeds of up to 15mbps should suffice.

So in consideration of the throughput speeds both the Fire Stick and Roku 3 will suffice; however, if we consider performance by looking at the processor, which is the brain of the unit then the Fire stick is the better option because its performance doubles that of Roku 3.

Connectivity options

Ports in a media streaming hardware are necessary to enable connectivity and to provide electrical power to the device. The Fire Stick therefore, comes with one USB port, with which you will plug the USB cable while the other end plugs into your Televisions USB port. Now the Fire Tv does not give you room to expand storage meaning you will have to make do with the 8GB internal storage.

Roku 3 on the other hand, comes incorporated with both the USB and a micro sd port, the latter is indicative that you have the option of expanding your internal memory, and is therefore, the best for installing channels and games, which you can easily access from the Roku Channel Store. Additionally, the incorporated USB port in Roku 3 allows users to play video files from an external USB drive and that is inclusive of a portable hard drive.

Roku 3 is therefore, the better option because it has incorporated extra ports which enable users to expand their storage space.

Build and Design

When compared to the Fire Stick, the build and design of Roku 3 is edgy, the unit is bigger physically but also quite attractive, and does not shy from informing you that it is Roku 3 thanks to the embedded 3 numeral at the top of the unit. At the back and on the side you have been provided with the necessary ports, which make connecting the wires easy and ensures that they are neatly placed at the back during use.

Fire Stick on the other hand is a simple as it appears to be and you only get one port at the back of the unit with which you will connect a USB cable, the unit is compact in size thus portable and given that it comes with a separate remote, means you can carry it with you whenever you travel. So as regards the aesthetics Roku 3 is the best but when it comes to functionality and portability then the build and design of the Fire Stick takes the win.

Fire Stick vs Roku 3 – A Comparison Overview

Fire Stick

The compact design of the Fire stick should not deceive you to thinking that it is not functional, on the contrary you will find that its app selection is the best at least when compared to some of the media streaming devices in the market. The unit also offers the best video quality, and responds fast when used with the remote.

Even better is that the incorporated remote is versatile in that you can use it to control other devices in your home apart from the Fire stick. You can therefore, use it to control your TV’s volume, you can also use it to power on your TV, sound bar or AV receiver. And if we are to look at the entertainment aspect of the media streamer, you can expect good picture quality and loads of movies and TV episodes.

Pros

• Has incorporated a large storage space
• Can control other relevant devices apart from the media streamer
• Offers good picture quality
• Set up and use is pretty easy

Cons

• It’s not the best for YouTube watching
• The Alexa Feature is not consistent

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Roku 3

The one major advantage of using Roku 3 is that it provides content from different service providers without favoritism. Additionally, Roku 3 boasts of offering a wide variety of applications when compared to other media streamers, users will also benefit from constant updates and the updated remote with voice search.

Roku 3 also allows users to use the personal mobile application to cast personal media to their TV. What’s more is that the incorporated application can be used in areas where users might need to log into WIFI, there is also the option of screen mirroring but only for the compatible android and windows devices.

Pros

• Allows for private listening
• Set up and use is pretty easy
• Offers Stunning HD video quality
• Comes incorporated with up to 2,000+ entertainment channels

Cons

• Roku 3 remote is not responsive
• The unit is buggy

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Conclusion

If you are looking for a media streamer that you can play and download with games then the Fire Stick should be enough, but if you are looking to stream a wide variety of content and applications then Roku 3 is your unit.

Final Verdict – so which is better? Fire Stick or Roku 3

The Fire Stick is therefore, the best unit because it has high processing capabilities, comes incorporated with a large storage space and offers high performance.

FAQ’S

1. Must I use my Fire Stick with a smart TV ?

Fire stick can work with any ordinary TV but you must ensure that the TV set has an HDMI port and you have internet connection.

2. Is Roku Premiere better than Roku 3?

Both Roku 3 and Roku premiere can stream the 4K UHD videos, but Roku 3 turns out to be more effective because it can use the voice search feature.