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Most TV sets you can get today are considered “smart,” which is shorthand for having preloaded apps for popular services like Netflix and Hulu. Using those apps is convenient, but its up to those TV makers to update them, and write new ones when streaming platforms become available. Ultimately, the smart part of Smart TVs should be seen as a bonus, which is why many people plug in dedicated media streaming hardware, which have a bigger app selection that’s updated frequently, and an easier to use interface.
One of the most popular media streamers is Amazon’s Fire TV, and the e-commerce giant has teamed up with certain television makers to build that technology directly into some TV sets. Fire TV sets have the same set of features you’d get by plugging a Fire TV Stick into any television, including support for Alexa, Amazon’s smart assistant.
If you get a Fire TV set now, you won’t have to worry about plugging in a dedicated media streamer, or wonder whether you’ll be able to access your preferred streaming service in a couple of years. Fire TV sets are a great choice if you’re looking for a set it and forget it TV that’s smarter than most, and can do more than allow you to stream videos on Netflix.
What Are the Best Fire TV Sets?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best Fire TV set for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Size: Fire TV sets are available in a wide range of sizes, and our guide features sets between 50 and 55 inches, which are best suited for small to mid-sized living rooms, and home theaters. The Fire TV sets we recommend are also available in smaller sizes better suited for dorms or small bedrooms.
Resolution: The Fire TV sets in our guide have a resolution of 4K (Ultra HD). This means they display a crisp, accurate picture, for all your entertainment. Our 4K Fire TV recommendations also support HDR (high dynamic range), a video technology that makes colors look more accurate.
Inputs: A TV’s inputs (commonly called ports), are used to connect gadgets like game consoles to your set. All of the Fire TV sets in our guide have multiple HDMI ports, which is the most commonly used input available right now.
Smart Features: The biggest reason to choose a Fire TV set over a normal one is its smart features. Amazon says you can stream over 500,000 movies and TV shows via the various apps in its app store (be mindful that many of these services require a paid subscription). Amazon’s Alexa, which is built into every Fire TV set, allows you to use the TV to control smart-home accessories like light bulbs, and stream live video from certain security cameras.
You can also ask Alexa for answers to questions like “What’s the population of New York?” or “What’s the weather going to be like this week?” The answers will be displayed on your large TV, where they’ll be easy to see. A Fire TV set can be the smart-home hub for whichever room it’s in, so you can make your home more high-tech without having to get a dedicated smart speaker.
