Fire TV Stick 4K Max Not Only Streams 4K, But Plays Xbox Game Pass on the Same Couch

Amazon still markets this little black dongle as a way to watch movies. That pitch misses half the point. Second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a $49.99 (was $85) HDMI stick that also runs Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, and GeForce NOW, so a living room TV becomes a cloud console after you pair a Bluetooth controller.

Plug the HDMI end into your television, and if the port is slightly recessed, use the provided extension to ensure it is firmly positioned. In addition, you’ll need to power it with the micro-USB charger included in the box. Setup normally takes a few minutes, providing you’re already an Amazon client and have your login information handy. On that topic, Fire OS 8 begins with a tile-heavy home screen that clearly promotes Prime Video, but you’ll also see Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Hulu, Max, and nearly every other big streaming service available.

Menus open and apps load quickly thanks to the four ‘Cortex-A55’ cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, backed up by an 850 MHz GPU that keeps everything feeling quite fast. You can easily switch between services, and it feels more like a mid-range streaming box than the low-cost Fire TV sticks available. Oh, and 16 GB of storage is a pleasant addition, twice as much as the ordinary 4K model, which is useful if you end up storing games and extra programs rather than just video clients.


Video playback tops out at 4K at 60 frames per second, and with all of the fancy features available, such as Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, it will all play smoothly on your LG or Samsung TV. Audio gets a boost with Dolby Atmos support if the show you’re watching and your soundbar can both do it. Wi-Fi 6E is one of those sensible upgrades that really makes a difference, especially if your router supports the 6 GHz band, which is quieter and less congested than the other alternatives. Get 5-6 Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the same house (e.g., phones, game consoles, and a 4K stream) and you might notice the difference.


The included Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced includes additional functions such as power, volume, mute, and even a channel rocker, allowing you to connect a compatible TV or soundbar without the need for another remote. Long-press the Alexa button and you may simply talk to it, asking it for something, and it will begin refining your search results without requiring you to start again. Recent software updates have also made Alexa+ search available on Fire TV in the United States at no additional cost, which is a nice bonus because you can just ask for “thriller with a female lead from last year” and continuing narrowing the search without having to start from scratch.


Gaming is one aspect that many people overlook when browsing a listing, only to realize after dinner. The official Xbox app on this small device transmits Game Pass titles directly to your television. Amazon’s own product page presently lists Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Fortnite, which is free through that app. Remember that you’ll need an Xbox Game Pass subscription and a controller to use any of this. They also got an official Xbox Wireless Controller that is easy to set up using Bluetooth 5.2. You can also use a DualSense controller or any other third-party controller you like, but if you want the whole experience, you’re best off with a true Xbox controller. HDMI 2.1 TVs can also assist with lag; utilizing Auto Low Latency Mode makes it much smoother on those.


Cloud gaming still relies on an internet connection, and Microsoft advises that you have at least 20 megabits per second on your 5GHz Wi-Fi. If you can manage 35-50 megabits and your internet connection isn’t too congested, 1080p or 1440p streaming look much better. Luna is also an option if you’re a top member who wants a rotating selection of games without having to add another subscription to your monthly expenditures. Party games can even use your phone as an additional controller, and if you already have a Steam or Epic library and want to play them on the same TV, GeForce NOW is also an option.