If you have a smart TV, do you still need a Fire Stick? The answer is you don’t, but having a Fire Stick gives your smart TV access to more quality content and a better user experience, so owning one should be more than worth it.
Hands down, a Fire Stick device is not a question of need but of want — that means you can survive without it. But in a world of entertainment, who wants to stop at subpar video-on-demand when you can get the best for less?
In this post, we’ll thoroughly discuss why having an Amazon Fire Stick on your Smart TV is thinking straight. Plus, we’re presenting the pros and cons of owning one so you can make an informed decision with no regrets, so read on!
What is Fire Stick?
The Amazon Fire Stick is one of the most affordable streaming devices available today. Think of Firestick as an entertainment hub that provides unlimited access to the most popular app, shows, and movies today.
Setting up and using the Amazon Fire Stick on your TV is also very easy since it’s a plug-and-play device. In particular, the Fire Stick is a handy add-on to non-smart TVs as it equips them with the smart features you need.
Since the Amazon Fire Stick comes in various iterations, you can guarantee that there’s one that can fit your budget and needs. Check out the table below for some useful details on the different Amazon Fire Stick devices available.
| Fire TV Stick Lite | Fire TV Stick | Fire TV Stick 4K | Fire TV Stick 4K Max | |
| Notable Features | Standard streaming features | Standard streaming features and Alexa voice remote TV control | Standard streaming features and Alexa voice remote TV control; 4K Ultra HD streaming | Standard streaming features and Alexa voice remote TV control; High-performance 4K streaming with WiFi 6 compatibility |
| Image Quality | 1080p Full HD with HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, and HLG support | 1080p Full HD with HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, and HLG support | 4K Ultra HD with HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision support | 4K Ultra HD with HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision support |
| Storage and RAM | 8GB storage with 1GB RAM | 8GB storage with 1GB RAM | 8GB storage with 1.5 GB RAM | 8GB storage with 2GB RAM |
| Prices | $29.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 | $55 |
Between these iterations of Amazon Fire Sticks, the Fire TV Stick Lite is the most budget-friendly option, which gives you all the standard streaming features. The only downside to this Fire Stick version is the need for an Alexa voice remote for TV control.
Meanwhile, the high-end Fire Stick TV 4K and 4K Max variants are real head-turners among the bunch. While almost twice as expensive as the Fire TV Stick Lite, we think the extra features you get on the more expensive variants are worth it.
What does Fire Stick do for a Smart TV?
Various users ponder the question, “Do you need a Fire Stick with a Smart TV?” and it’s a valid concern to have. While Fire Stick isn’t “needed” on a Smart TV, the extra things you get from it make it worth every buck.
You can think of the Amazon Fire Stick as a key to unlocking an extra door in your house. Your house may already have enough rooms to use, but gaining access to one extra room opens up many other possibilities to explore.
However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, as there are certain pros and cons when using a Fire Stick with a Smart TV. It’s exactly why we’re laying it all on the table so you can make an intelligent decision.
Pros of Using a Fire Stick With a Smart TV
If you’re still unsure whether or not you need a Fire Stick with a Smart TV, you might be able to make up your mind once you’ve learned to pros of using it. Below are the most notable advantages waiting for you.
1. Access more content on your Smart TV with Amazon Fire Stick.
Cable TVs are still available today, but streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ are the foundations of the TV viewing experience we know today. These streaming apps already come preinstalled on most Smart TVs.
Without a doubt, this big shift to streaming platforms gives Smart TVs access to a wide range of live TV and on-demand content. While that already gives you so much content to explore, it pales in comparison to what Amazon Fire Stick offers.
With Amazon’s streaming device, you’re not limited to premium streaming platforms since you can sideload third-party applications that offer on-demand content for free. The process of sideloading lets you install various apps from other unofficial sources.
By sideloading apps on your TV using the Amazon Fire Stick, the amount of content you can get on your unit becomes truly endless. With enough time and careful research, you should be able to find the right app that will fit all of your needs.
That means one thing. Amazon Fire Stick can cover more genres, more VODs and more channels than what a smart TV can offer.
2. Improve overall experience when using Fire Stick on your Smart TV.
Most TV manufacturers are focused on the hardware aspect of their products, which is why it’s common for Smart TV users to experience various software-related issues.
On the other hand, the Amazon Fire Stick has well-developed software that’s easy to use. It’s a big plus.
The simplicity of the Amazon Fire Stick’s user interface is a big contributing factor to its ease of use. Indeed, the overall design of the Amazon Fire Stick is simple, making it cleaner to look at in comparison to the standard smart TV interface.
With the Amazon Fire Stick, navigating the menu and finding your favorite apps is a breeze. That’s just for starters.
You can also manage and organize your apps by storing them in specific sections and changing their icons. Or. you can also customize the Fire Stick home screen with wallpaper.
3. Get a better control option with the Amazon Fire Stick remote control.
While an Amazon Fire Stick isn’t necessary on Smart TVs, it’s worth having for the better control option. The Fire TV Stick Lite aside, other Fire Stick devices have a built-in Alexa voice remote that you can use to operate and control your TV.
Since Amazon develops the Alexa assistant, you also get the guarantee that it’s better optimized on a Fire Stick device. The Fire Stick remote control also has a simple layout, consistent with Amazon’s design choices on their streaming devices.
Of course, there’s an argument to be made for premium Smart TVs also having simple and intuitive control options. Most Smart TVs also have access to voice control options and AI assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Bixby, and Siri.
However, you need to own a premium Smart TV to experience this quality of control options, which doesn’t fit most people’s budgets. With the Amazon Fire Stick, you can already enjoy these quality control options on a cheap Smart or non-Smart TV.
4. Get increased speed and performance on your Smart TV with Fire Stick.
This one might not be significant for Smart TV users that own high-end models, so it may not be enough to make you think you need a Fire Stick with a Smart TV.
But having a streaming device with its storage capacity and RAM is a big thing.
Not only are smart TVs equipped with limited storage space, but they also come with preinstalled apps and bloatware that reduces it much further. Plus, the processors installed on Smart TVs aren’t strong enough to process many things at once.
With a separate streaming device like the Amazon Fire Stick, you get extra storage space and RAM. Plus, being a streaming device itself is good for the Fire Stick, which makes it optimized for streaming on-demand content and live TV.
As such, getting an Amazon Fire Stick for your Smart TV is an excellent way to boost its speed and performance. It’s definitely a big boost if the Smart TV you own isn’t pricey and doesn’t have the best processor and storage capacity to begin with.
5. Get less bloatware with the Amazon Fire Stick.
As mentioned earlier, most Smart TVs have many preinstalled apps and bloatware that further reduce storage capacities. What’s even worse is that you’re not allowed to uninstall the bloatware on your TV, even with a factory reset.
This further limits the number of apps you can install on your Smart TV, which isn’t a big problem with the Amazon Fire Stick. Aside from providing extra storage space, Fire Stick devices can uninstall any apps you’re not using to help free up space.
You wouldn’t feel pressured by the low storage space since you have more control over your apps using the Amazon Fire Stick. After all, you can just uninstall and reinstall any apps on the Amazon Fire Stick whenever you want to.
6. Receive better support with the Amazon Fire Stick.
This final advantage is a good thing to consider, especially if you’re still sitting on the fence. Believe it or not, most Smart TV manufacturers will only provide software support for your unit for at least 2 years.
It means that you’ll only receive software updates for your Smart TV in this very short time frame. After that, your Smart TV may stop receiving software updates aside from some occasional fixes for recurring issues.
Simply put, your Smart TV will no longer get additional features unless you purchase an add-on device such as the evolution kit for Samsung Smart TVs. It looks bad, especially if you’ve spent an arm and leg to buy an expensive Smart TV model.
With the Fire Stick, this isn’t the case since Amazon promises to continue sending updates to your device for up to four years after it’s no longer sold on their platform. It means that as long as they keep selling the Fire Stick, updates ran for keeps.
That spells a lot of convenience for you. The longevity you can get with the Amazon Fire Stick is a big reason why we think you should buy it for your Smart TV.
Cons of Using a Fire Stick with a Smart TV
Using the Amazon Fire Stick on a Smart TV also has some disadvantages to consider to bring light to the question “Do you need a Fire Stick with a Smart TV?”
Below is a rundown of cons you can expect when buying a Fire Stick for a Smart TV.
1. Getting a Fire Stick for your smart TV costs extra money.
If you’re still in the market for a Smart TV, buying a separate streaming device like the Fire Stick may be an extra cost. This is especially true when you consider that there are Smart TV models with built-in Fire TV functionality.
In some cases, buying a Smart TV with built-in Fire TV might be more cost-effective than getting two separate devices. We recommend considering this so you can decide if you need a Fire Stick with a Smart TV or not.
2. You limit the smart features of your TV.
Believe it or not, some people don’t use the smart features on their TVs and only use them like a traditional television. If you fit this criterion and only use your smart TV to watch local channels from your cable subscription, the Fire Stick isn’t for you.
As such, you do not need to invest in a streaming device with features you don’t even use. In this case, getting a Fire Stick would waste your hard-earned money.
3. Your gaming consoles already cover your streaming needs.
PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles can install streaming apps and should already cover your streaming needs. Getting a streaming device on your gaming console would be redundant and unnecessary.
How to Use a Fire Stick on a Smart TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Times to Perform Fix | 10 seconds |
| Things Needed | An Amazon Fire TV StickFire Stick remote controlSmart TV |
Using and setting up the Amazon Fire Stick on your Smart TV is easy to do. Since the Amazon Fire Stick is a plug-and-play device, you can use it once it’s connected to your Smart TV and you’ve completed its initial setup process.
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to set up and use the Amazon Fire Stick on your Smart TV. The process is the same whether you bought the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Step 1: Plug the Amazon Fire TV Stick into the HDMI port of your Smart TV. Note: You can use the HDMI extender that came with your Fire TV Stick if it’s difficult to plug into the port. |
Step 2: Connect the power cable on the USB port of your Fire TV Stick and plug it into a power outlet. |
Step 3: Install the AA batteries on the Fire Stick remote control. |
Step 4: Turn on your Smart TV and set the HDMI port you’ve connected your Fire TV Stick to as the input source. |
Step 5: Press the play/pause button on the Fire Stick remote to start the setup process. |
Step 6: Set the language you want to use on your Fire Stick. |
Step 7: Wait as the Fire Stick downloads and installs the latest software. |
Step 8: Sign in or create a new Amazon account. |
| Step 9: Follow the on-screen instructions that follow to complete the setup process. |
FAQs about Fire Stick on Smart TVs
Is Fire Stick usable on non-smart TVs?
Using Fire Stick on a non-Smart TV will equip the device with smart features to allow it to connect to the internet and stream on-demand content. Fire Stick is a boon for non-smart TVs; these users are the main target of streaming devices.
Can you use a Fire Stick on smart TVs?
You can use a Fire Stick on Smart TVs without any issues since this device is compatible with most HDMI devices. Doing so might seem unnecessary to some, but you get more benefits when using Fire Stick on Smart TVs.
What features do Smart TVs offer without a Fire Stick?
Smart TVs have various features such as connecting to the internet, installing apps, streaming on-demand content, listening to music, and casting other devices. Smart TVs also have the features of a traditional television.
Are there any compatibility issues between Fire Stick and smart TVs?
There aren’t any compatibility issues between Fire Stick devices and Smart TVs. You can connect a Fire Stick device to a Smart TV like a non-Smart TV.
Are there any subscription fees or additional costs when using Fire Stick on a Smart TV?
There are no additional fees when using a Fire Stick device on a Smart TV. Once you’ve bought the Amazon Fire Stick, you can use all its features without paying a subscription fee.
Do note that premium streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ still require a subscription plan if you want to access their content through the Fire Stick.
