Fire TV Stick 4K Max hits $35 for Black Friday — high-end features at a bargain
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for about $35 this Black Friday — roughly 41% off its usual price. The 4K Max packs advanced features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, HDR10+, Wi‑Fi 6E connectivity and Amazon’s fastest Fire TV Stick processor, making it one of the best value 4K streamers available right now.
The device is a compact dongle that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and delivers crisp 4K playback and improved app performance. It also includes Amazon’s Ambient Experience for displaying artwork while idle and supports cloud gaming options like Xbox Cloud Gaming for casual play.
Key specs & highlights
- Video & audio: 4K, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+ support.
- Performance: Fastest Fire TV Stick processor for snappy navigation and app loading.
- Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6E for better throughput with compatible routers.
- Extras: Amazon Ambient Experience, Xbox cloud streaming support and retro emulation capability for hobbyists.
Pros & cons
- Pros: Excellent feature set for the price, strong media format support, Wi‑Fi 6E, and fast performance.
- Cons: Amazon’s UI surfaces a lot of ads and promoted content; Fire OS favors Amazon services over others. Some users may prefer a more neutral UI.
Should you buy it?
At $35, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a compelling upgrade for anyone with a 4K TV who wants Dolby Vision/Atmos playback and smoother performance. The ad‑heavy UI is a tradeoff many shoppers accept at this price, but if you want a cleaner interface or no Amazon‑centric promotions, consider alternatives (Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Google TV options).
Alternatives to consider
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K: Simple, ad‑light UI and broad app support — often discounted around similar price points during Black Friday.
- Roku Streaming Stick Plus: Budget option if you don’t need Dolby Vision — usually cheaper but with fewer features.
- Google TV streamer / Chromecast with Google TV: Clean Google‑centric interface and strong recommendations for Android/Google users.
- Fire TV Stick HD: If you only need 1080p, the HD stick can hit very low prices (e.g., $18) and is great for secondary TVs.
Where to buy
Grab the deal on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab): Fire TV Stick 4K Max on Amazon. Also check other retailers during Black Friday to compare bundles and stock.
Buying tips
- Confirm your TV supports Dolby Vision or HDR formats to take full advantage of the 4K Max.
- Use a Wi‑Fi 6E router to see the connectivity benefits; otherwise, Wi‑Fi 6 or 5 still offers solid performance.
- Consider whether the ad‑focused Fire OS is acceptable — some users prefer Roku or Google TV for a less promotional experience.
- Check for bundles that include HDMI extenders or subscriptions that may sweeten the deal.
Discussion: At $35, is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max the streamer you’d buy — or do you prefer Roku or Google TV choices? What feature matters most to you in a streaming device?