If you're looking for a 4K streaming gadget with easy access to your favourite TV apps like Netflix and Disney+ and you use Alexa at home, the Amazon Fire TV Cube will have you covered.
It's one of the best streaming devices you can buy right now and even doubles up as an Alexa speaker.
As well as giving you hands-free control over your TV, you can use it just as you would any other Alexa smart speaker. Ask questions about random topics, turn on your smart lights, set reminders and alarms or view a live feed from your video doorbell and smart security cameras.
With an RRP of £139.99, this is Amazon's priciest streaming device – but there are regular Fire TV Cube deals throughout the year, especially during sales like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.
Pros
- 4K streaming support
- Alexa built-in
- Live view from security cameras
Cons
- Expensive
- Speaker quality is underwhelming
Amazon Fire TV Cube key specs
| Dimensions | 8.6 x 8.6 x 7.7cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 513g |
| Maximum resolution | 4K |
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Design and setup
As you might have guessed from the name, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is a small streaming device in the shape of a cube that sits alongside your TV on a cabinet or shelf. It measures 8.6 x 8.6 x 7.7cm which isn't much bigger than a Rubik's Cube, so it doesn't need much space wherever you intend to put it.
You can only buy the Cube in black – it's nothing special but will blend in with any room. Mesh covers most of the device and there's a plastic control panel on top.
The control panel houses the microphones and four buttons: one to turn the volume up, another to turn it down, one to call the assistant manually and one to mute the microphone.
You'll know the microphone is muted when you press it because the button lights up red. An Alexa light frames the top panel, circling in blue when the assistant is listening.
On the back of the Cube, there's an HDMI input port, HDMI output port, power port, IR extender port, ethernet port and a USB-A port. There are plenty of connections, especially when you compare it to Amazon's Fire TV Sticks which only have a power port and an HDMI.
In the box, the Fire TV Cube comes with the Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote and power adaptor. Surprisingly, it doesn't come with an HDMI cable to connect it to your TV, so you'll either need to use one you already have lying around or buy a new one to go with it.
This version of the Alexa remote is fairly comprehensive. It has an Alexa voice button, a back button, a home button, a menu button, pause, play and skip buttons, volume controls, channel guide buttons, preset app buttons, and the list goes on. What that means is you can use this to control the whole TV, and you won't need to have two remotes on the go at once.
Setting up the Fire TV Cube is super simple. You just need to hook it up to your television set via HDMI and plug it into power. After that, it's a case of following the on-screen instructions. It only took a couple of minutes to get the device set up with my WiFi network, although it did need an update which took another few minutes.
Once you've logged in to your Amazon account, you can use this as you would any other Alexa speaker, using voice commands to control not only the TV but also your other smart home tech like your lights and coffee machine.
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Apps and software
The Fire TV user interface looks the same on the Cube as it does on all other Alexa Fire TV Sticks and Fire TV sets. There are tonnes of apps available including all of the top streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+ and NOW. You'll also get easy access to Prime Video content.
The home screen is packed with recommendations for shows and movies you might be interested in. Most of the carousels are dedicated to Prime Video (with content included in the subscription and available to rent or buy), which is fine for members but could be a nuisance if you aren't.
As well as streaming apps, you'll find a whole app library to choose from including games, VPNs, fitness apps and screen mirroring services.
Because the Fire TV Cube doubles up as an Alexa speaker, you can control the system hands-free simply by using voice commands. Admittedly, I didn't use them all that often, (the remote felt more natural), it was most useful for performing searches.
Alexa smarts mean you can ask for the weather forecast, hear the news headlines and control your smart home tech by voice as well. I have my Fire TV Cube hooked up to my video doorbell, and when it rings, a small live stream of the front door appears in the corner of the screen. You can also ask to see a live feed without it ringing first (it works with compatible smart security cameras too).
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Performance
The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's top-performing streaming device. You can stream in super clear resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD, with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Of course, to make use of that, your television set will need to support 4K. The Cube has Dolby Atmos audio as well – although again, your TV or soundbar will need to support that feature.
I tested the Fire TV Cube for over a month, and in that time I watched a lot of different TV shows and movies, like Killers of the Flower Moon on Apple TV+ and Camden on Disney+. I was pleased with how they came across on my TV – colours were rich, there was an impressive amount of contrast and the audio was as detailed as my set could possibly produce.
Powering the device is an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor with 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. The system ran quickly and smoothly during my time testing it. Unlike some of the other Fire TV devices, apps didn't crash and loading times were quick. This one also features the latest version of WiFi for the speediest connection possible, and an ethernet connection if your wireless network is a little slow.
The built-in speaker on the Fire TV Cube is less effective. It's fine for performing voice commands and hearing the answers but it won't replace a dedicated home speaker, especially in larger spaces like the living room. If you want an Alexa speaker to listen to music, I'd recommend the Amazon Echo Studio.
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Verdict
If you're looking for a way to add an intuitive smart TV interface to your 4K telly, then the Fire TV Cube is the best and fastest option Amazon has on offer. It works smoothly and has lots of cool smart features to play around with.
I didn't use the voice control all the time but when I did it was really helpful, and I loved having the Alexa smarts included. One of my favourite features is the live view from video doorbells and security cameras which no other Amazon Fire streamer currently offers.
The biggest downside of the Fire TV Cube is the price, but in saying that, it does get discounted quite regularly. The lowest I've seen the price drop is £110, which is fantastic value for money.
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Also consider
If you don't own a 4K TV then the Fire TV Cube will be overkill – you might be better off picking something more affordable like the Fire TV Stick Lite. It costs less than £35 but delivers the same interface as the Cube.
Granted, you won't be able to use it as an Alexa speaker and you won't be able to use the included remote to adjust the volume, but it's still a great choice on a budget.
Are you intending to buy a soundbar as well? Take a look at the Roku Streambar. It packs the Roku streaming interface into a soundbar to simultaneously improve your TV's audio, and it can be used as a Bluetooth speaker as well. At around £130, it costs a similar amount to the Fire TV Cube.
