Amazon Firestick Review – Is It Worth Buying?

So, Amazon has launched their flagship (is it really?) product in India – the Amazon Fire Stick! Will it work in India? Is it worth the money? We’ll find out in this Amazon Firestick Review.

Let me take a step back. First off, if you are interested in Amazon Fire Stick, I’m assuming that you are a movie buff! Or, you love watching TV. I’m one – partly. I rarely watch TV. Most of the time, I’m watching YouTube on my TV or Netflix. I use a Chromecast for streaming content on my smart TV.

Amazon Firestick is late to the party in my opinion. When I first used Chromecast, I was ecstatic! The reason is – I want to be able to choose my own shows and I always watched stuff on the internet. And with Chromecast, I could now “cast them” over to the TV. Neat, is it not?

So my relationship with TV is either via Chromecast or Netflix. So Amazon Firestick is kind of this new person I’m dating.

What is Amazon Firestick

The Amazon Fire Stick is a streaming device that allows you to access a wide range of content on your TV. This includes popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. The Fire Stick also gives you access to a variety of other content, including games, music, and photos.

One of the main advantages of the Amazon Fire Stick is its portability. You can take it with you when you travel and use it in any country where an Internet connection is available. The Fire Stick is also very easy to set up and use. It comes with a simple remote control that makes it easy to navigate the various menus and options.

Another advantage of the Amazon Fire Stick is its affordability. It is one of the most affordable streaming devices on the market and it offers a great value for the price.

Overall, the Amazon Fire Stick is a great streaming device that offers a lot of value for the price. It is easy to use, portable, and affordable.

Amazon Firestick Review (Chromecast is Better?)

Amazon Firestick and Chromecast are both streaming devices that allow users to watch content from various online sources. However, there are some key differences between the two devices.

One of the biggest differences is that Amazon Firestick comes with remote control, while Chromecast does not. This means that users must use their smartphone or tablet to control Chromecast.

Another difference is that Amazon Firestick offers access to Amazon’s Prime Video service, while Chromecast does not. Amazon Firestick also offers access to a wider range of apps and games than Chromecast.

Finally, Amazon Firestick is more expensive than Chromecast.

Big contrast. Chromecast just lets you connect to YouTube (via its app on the TV) and lets you cast anything from your browser to the TV.

Amazon Firestick is an ecosystem on its own. It has its own apps and streaming channels you can watch – provided you have subscriptions to them.

So, for example, if you have a Netflix subscription, you can cast it to your TV via Chromecast. With Amazon Firestick, you have to log in via their app and stream from there. Two different ways.

Which one do I like? Chromecast. Because it’s like the classical Android v/s Apple debate. Apple has a closed system for which you will have to pay for everything you watch. Every app has a subscription.

With Chromecast, I have my own choices. I might pay for one service (like Netflix) but I might not want to pay for everything else. That’s too much for me. I feel like you’re pushing me too hard to eat what I don’t like.

So, I personally would choose Chromecast any day. My TV has its own Hulu and Amazon video apps, so I don’t really need the Firestick. But if you want to make your TV smart, then the Firestick is for you.

Also read: Best Smart TVs to Buy

Do you really need an Amazon Firestick?

Now, that’s a better question to ask. In order to answer it, I have to ask you a few questions.

• Is you TV smart already?
• Do you consume a lot of streamed content?
• Do you subscribe to more than one streaming content?

If your answer to all three was “Yes”, you are probably better off not buying the Firestick. As your smart TV would already have the apps you need. Then all you need is subscriptions to the streaming services you like.

But if your TV is not smart (and has a USB stick port), then you might need an Amazon Firestick. Because, then it will make your TV smart, and give you access to some good streaming apps. Note that just access doesn’t get you anything. You need subscriptions to these streaming services for them to work. You are looking at another cool Rs.1000 on them extra per month.

If you are like me and would like to do the occasional TV debates, watch a lot of YouTube, and a little bit of Netflix, then Chromecast is the way to go. Currently, Chromecast is not available in India, but you can get a cheap imitation for under Rs.1000 (like AnyCast). The Firestick costs about Rs. 3,999 (as of April 2017) and quite honestly in my opinion is a flop device.

Amazon Firestick v/s Apple TV v/s Chromecast

Chromecast
– Pros: Inexpensive, easy to set up and use, can be used with Android and iOS devices
– Cons: Limited app selection, no remote control

Amazon Firestick
– Pros: More expensive than Chromecast, but includes a remote control, larger app selection
– Cons: Requires Amazon Prime membership to use many features

Apple TV
– Pros: More expensive than Chromecast and Amazon Firestick, includes a remote control, largest app selection, can be used with Apple devices
– Cons: Requires an Apple device to set up and use

Should you buy Amazon Firestick?

Some alternatives to Amazon Firestick are Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV.

The Amazon firestick is a great way to watch your favorite shows and movies. However, it is important to note that there are some drawbacks. One of the biggest drawbacks is that the device does not have a lot of storage. This means that you will need to delete files often to make room for new ones. Additionally, the firestick is not compatible with all TVs. Some people have also reported issues with the remote control. Overall, the Amazon firestick is a great way to watch your favorite shows and movies, but there are some things to keep in mind before purchasing.

Like I said, if you are genuinely doing a lot of streaming, then you could be doing things “aaram se” with an AnyCast just for Rs.1,000. You definitely don’t need an Amazon Firestick. But if you are not bothered about cost savings, and don’t mind paying extra for all those streaming apps (plus the device cost), then go for the Firestick! Hey, you’ll get a fancy voice-activated remote control. 😀

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