Amazon Fire TV Stick (2021): Flexible, stable and readily available
Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon
Okay, it’s a stick, not a box and it doesn’t look like it's running Android, but underneath Amazon’s custom Fire TV interface you’ll still find Google’s operating system, and there are streaming applications such as Plex on Amazon’s app store. The same can’t be said of Kodi, but there are ways to download and install it and a range of other TV-friendly apps via sideloading or specific downloader apps.
The entry-level Fire TV stick will do a lot, but with just 1GB of RAM, a quad-core CPU and 8GB of storage, it can feel underpowered. In terms of hardware and software, the 2021 firestick is identical to its predecessor - the only difference is that the 2021 model has a slightly updated remote with a Channel Guide button and four app buttons that instantly take you to apps such as Amazon Prime or Netflix (the specific apps vary region to region). If you’re more of a Kodi enthusiast, you might want to find the extra for the 4K version, which has a faster CPU and 1.5GB of RAM – not to mention support for 4K video.
Key specs – Core spec: Quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Operating system: Fire OS 7.2.2.3; Core apps: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5, Plex; Voice-enabled remote: Yes; HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG