Amazon's new $59.99 Fire TV Stick 4K can revive a slow smart TV

Amazon has a new streaming stick that a Tom's Guide reviewer says can bring a slow smart TV back to life. The Fire TV Stick 4K lists for $59.99. It launched with a $29.99 introductory deal during October's Prime Day sale. It is quick and easy to use, but it drops one picture format and limits where you can get apps.

What it is

Amazon announced the stick on September 30, 2026. It replaces the 4K Select and 4K Plus, which are being phased out. On price, it sits between the Fire TV Stick HD ($19.99) and the more powerful Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($84.99). It is also Amazon's first 4K device to run Vega OS, a new system for the menus and apps, instead of the older Android-based Fire OS.

What is better

The reviewer found the home screen and menus responsive, and apps launched quickly. Amazon says the stick is 20 to 40 percent faster than a similarly priced rival, but it does not say which one, so the reviewer suggests taking that with a grain of salt. The standout is the new remote.

• The remote has a metal Home button that is easy to find by touch.
• A star button opens Prime Video by default, but you can assign any app to it.
• The remote controls your TV's power and volume, so the old one can go in a drawer.
• The stick is slimmer and can run off your TV's USB port, which means fewer cables.
• Alexa+ is included free, along with Bluetooth headphone pairing for late-night viewing.

What to watch out for

This is the first 4K Fire Stick without Dolby Vision, a premium picture format. It supports HDR10+ and HDR10 instead. Owners of a high-end OLED TV who want the best picture from Netflix and Disney+ would need the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or a Fire TV Cube. The home screen also gives a big share of space to recommendations and sponsored content.

Apps are the other limit. Older Fire Sticks could install outside Android apps. This one only installs apps from Amazon's own app store. Amazon says it has added more than 2,000 apps since Vega launched, including Spotify, Xbox, VLC, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Prime Video, HBO Max and Peacock. Niche apps may be missing.

What it really costs

The box has no power adapter or HDMI extender. If your TV has no USB port, you will need to buy those separately. Dolby Atmos sound works only through HDMI pass-through, so you need a compatible soundbar or receiver to hear it.

What to do

Before buying, check that your must-have apps are in Amazon's store and that your TV has a USB port. The reviewer notes Amazon often discounts its own hardware, so Black Friday or a future Prime Day may bring the price down again.