From binge-watching your favorite box sets to streaming live sports, dedicated streaming devices have become a staple in many homes. Brands like Amazon, Google, and Roku all offer their own take on smart TV streaming, and there are options for all budgets and streaming setups. One such device is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, an affordable way to upgrade to 4K streaming. And as of May 20, it's on sale for $14.99 at Amazon with the coupon code SELECT4K.
This record-low price of $14.99 represents a $25 discount off the regular $39.99 retail price, making it an exceptional deal ahead of Memorial Day. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is not just any streaming stick; it is designed specifically for 4K Ultra HD watching with HDR10+ support, ensuring that movie nights are always of great quality. With this device, users get access to a wide range of apps including Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, and many more, along with numerous ad-supported content options.
What is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a compact streaming media player that plugs directly into an HDMI port on your television. It is part of Amazon's lineup of Fire TV devices, which have become increasingly popular due to their seamless integration with Amazon's ecosystem, including Alexa voice control. The device supports 4K resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range), and Dolby Vision, delivering stunning picture quality with vibrant colors and deep contrasts. HDR10+ support ensures that content mastered in this format looks its best, adapting the brightness and color for each scene.
Unlike some older streaming sticks, the 4K Select comes with a dedicated voice remote that allows users to search for content, control playback, and even control smart home devices using Alexa. The remote also features quick-launch buttons for popular streaming services, making navigation faster and more convenient. The device itself is powered via a USB cable and a wall adapter, ensuring stable performance even during intense streaming sessions.
Performance and User Experience
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is powered by a quad-core processor and 1.5 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth navigation and quick app loading. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for stable streaming, though it lacks Wi-Fi 6 which is available in more expensive models. For most users, this is not a limitation, as 4K streaming requires only around 25 Mbps internet speed, and Wi-Fi 5 handles that easily. The interface is the familiar Fire TV home screen, which organizes content by apps and recommendations. Amazon's integration with Prime Video means that Prime members get easy access to their library, but the device is not locked to Amazon services—users can install apps from the Amazon Appstore, including all major streaming platforms.
The device also supports screen mirroring from compatible phones and tablets, making it a versatile tool for sharing photos, videos, or presentations on a big screen. One of the standout features is the ability to use Alexa voice commands to search across multiple services at once. For instance, saying "Alexa, find action movies" will show results from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and others, depending on which apps are installed. This cross-platform search saves time and reduces the frustration of manually browsing each service.
Comparison with Streaming Rivals
The streaming device market is crowded, with competitors like Roku, Google Chromecast with Google TV, and Apple TV. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select sits in the budget category, offering strong value at its regular $39.99 price, and unbeatable value at the current $14.99 deal. Roku's Streaming Stick 4K typically retails for around $49.99 and offers a more neutral platform with no ecosystem bias. However, the Fire TV Stick benefits from deep Amazon integrations, such as X-Ray for Prime Video (showing trivia and cast info) and easy purchase of digital content from Amazon. Google's Chromecast with Google TV (HD version) is similarly priced at $29.99, but the 4K version costs more. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select, at $14.99, undercuts them all significantly.
For users who already own Amazon Echo devices or subscribe to Amazon Prime, the Fire TV Stick is a natural choice. It allows for seamless multiroom audio, where you can play music from Amazon Music across multiple Echo speakers and the TV. The voice remote can also control compatible soundbars and AV receivers via HDMI-CEC, simplifying home theater setups. In contrast, Roku does not have its own voice assistant, relying on third-party integrations, while Google TV offers Google Assistant but may feel less integrated for Amazon-centric households.
Setup and Installation
Setting up the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is straightforward. Users plug the device into an available HDMI port on their TV, connect the included micro-USB cable to a power source (using the provided wall adapter or a USB port on the TV, though the latter may not provide enough power for stable performance), and turn on the TV. The on-screen prompts guide you through connecting to Wi-Fi and signing into your Amazon account. If you have an Alexa-enabled device nearby, the setup can be expedited by using voice commands. After setup, the device automatically downloads the latest software updates and you can start installing your preferred streaming apps.
The included remote is pre-paired, so no additional synchronization is needed. Users who prefer using their own universal remote can often control the Fire TV Stick via HDMI-CEC if their TV supports it. Additionally, the Fire TV app for smartphones (available for iOS and Android) can serve as a remote and also enable private listening via headphones—a handy feature for watching TV late at night without disturbing others.
Streaming Apps and Content Library
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select gives access to thousands of channels and apps. Beyond the major subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, there are also free ad-supported streaming services like Pluto TV, Tubi, and IMDb TV (which is owned by Amazon). The device supports Apple TV+ and YouTube, though note that due to ongoing disputes, YouTube has been unavailable on Fire TV at times in the past, but currently it works normally. For live TV, users can subscribe to services like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Amazon's own Prime Video Channels.
Amazon frequently offers promotions where new Fire TV users get credits for digital purchases or free trial subscriptions to certain services. The Appstore also features games, though for serious gaming, a dedicated console or cloud gaming service like Amazon Luna might be better. The device has 8 GB of internal storage, of which around 5 GB is available for apps and games. For most users, this is sufficient, but if you install many heavy games, you may need to manage storage. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select does not have expandable storage, so keep that in mind.
Why This Memorial Day Deal Matters
Memorial Day is known for sales on electronics, home goods, and outdoor equipment. While many deals offer modest discounts, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select at $14.99 is a standout because it represents the lowest price ever for this device. At that price, it's an impulse buy that can significantly enhance your TV viewing experience. Even if you already have a smart TV with built-in apps, dedicated streaming sticks often perform better because they have more powerful processors and receive software updates longer than many TV brands provide. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is also a great gift for family members who might have older TVs without smart capabilities.
The deal is available through Amazon's website and requires the coupon code SELECT4K at checkout. This code is applied during the ordering process, reducing the price from $39.99 to $14.99. The offer is available starting May 20 and is expected to run through Memorial Day weekend or while supplies last. Given the popularity of such deals, interested buyers should act quickly to avoid missing out.
Historical Context of the Fire TV Line
Amazon first introduced the Fire TV in 2014, entering a market already dominated by Roku and Apple TV. The original Fire TV was a box-shaped device with a focus on gaming and media, but it quickly evolved into the stick form factor that is now popular. Over the years, Amazon has released multiple iterations, including the Fire TV Stick Lite, standard Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Fire TV Cube. The 'Select' variant is a slightly trimmed-down version of the regular Fire TV Stick 4K, lacking a few premium features like Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision (though it does support HDR10+). However, for most users, the differences are minimal, and the Select model offers excellent value.
Amazon's strategy has been to sell Fire TV devices at low margins to drive usage of its ecosystem, including Prime Video, Amazon Music, and digital purchases. This is why deals like the current one are common around holidays. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select, in particular, is often discounted to entice new users or to upgrade existing ones. The regular price of $39.99 is already competitive, but the $14.99 price point makes it an almost irresistible offer.
Practical Tips for New Fire TV Owners
If you purchase the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, there are several tips to maximize your experience. First, always use the included wall adapter and not a TV USB port, as the latter can cause instability and intermittent disconnections. Second, consider enabling parental controls if children will use the device. Third, explore the Alexa voice commands to control not just the TV but also smart lights, thermostats, and other compatible devices. You can create routines that turn on the TV and dim the lights when you say "Alexa, movie time".
For better performance, keep the device in a well-ventilated area as it can get warm during extended use. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select also supports 4K upscaling for non-4K content, which makes regular HD movies look sharper on high-resolution screens. To access this feature, ensure your display settings are configured for 4K output. Additionally, if you have a compatible soundbar, you can use HDMI ARC to pass through Dolby Atmos audio, though the device itself does not have a dedicated audio output—it relies on HDMI.
App management is straightforward: you can rearrange the home screen, uninstall unused apps, and clear cache to free up storage. The device also supports external storage via a USB OTG cable (sold separately) for apps that support move to USB. However, this is not officially supported by Amazon, so proceed with caution. Finally, keep the software updated to benefit from new features and security patches.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their TV streaming experience without breaking the bank. At the current deal price of $14.99, it's a no-brainer for both new and existing streaming device users. Whether you're a cord-cutter, a sports fan, or a movie enthusiast, this device brings all your favorite content together in one place with a user-friendly interface and powerful voice control.
Source: Mashable News