Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd gen, 2019)

Swift and powerful performance ; Hands-free Alexa ; Excellent AV performance ; Addition of HDMI input ; Looks better than previous models

More expensive ; Optional Alexa Pro Remote ; Fire TV interface is too dense in current incarnation ; Super Resolution has minimal effect

A powerful media streaming device from Amazon that takes steps forward in its processing capabilities and connectivity options but a few steps back with its less than democratic and dense interface. Those without the need to integrate a streamer within...

Excellent picture and sound ; Control over a wide range of home cinema devices ; Simple set-up ; Hands-free Alexa

HDMI cable not included ; Double the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K ; Focus on Prime Video content

The Fire TV Cube remains an excellent video streamer with its HDR support, impressive picture and sound performance plus its Alexa integration. For home cinema fans this is the Fire TV model to get.

Dolby Vision and HDR+ ; Can handle most video viewing commands ; Support for all the major streaming services ; Much faster response times

Sometimes prefers some apps over others ; Can’t voice search for channels or content on YouTube TV

Unprecedented hardware control ; Lightning fast processor ; Intuitive voice recognition ; 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos ; Ethernet adapter included

No Dolby Vision

No. The Roku Ultra is also an awesome streaming set-top box, and we love some of the app integration and search function the Roku platform affords, but when it comes to hardware control and voice control, there’s nothing out there like the Fire TV Cube.

4K HDR playback TV/AV control center Includes a Voice Remote Native YouTube app

HDMI cable not included Home screen is mostly Amazon content Language recognition isn't perfect

The all-new Fire TV Cube is, by far, our favorite Amazon streaming device – better in so many ways than the Amazon Fire TV Cube that was released in 2017. The processor upgrade and inclusion of Dolby Vision are great new additions and, in spite of a...

Natural, balanced picture ; Punchy audio ; Supports all HDR formats ; Adds Alexa control to your system

Beaten for sharpness and dark detail ; Apple TV 4K sounds fuller

A good video streamer elevated by doubling up as a voice-controlled universal remote for your whole system

Hands-free Alexa voice support. Infrared blaster can control your home theater by voice. Fast performance. Supports all major HDR formats.

Expensive compared with smaller 4K media streamers.

Bottom Line: The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube improves on the the media streaming capabilities and hands-free Alexa controls from the first version with faster performance and expanded HDR support.

4K HDR playback TV/AV control center Still includes a remote

No Dolby Vision (though it's coming) Requires said remote

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is an intrepid experiment for the future of home entertainment. It makes a strong case for TV voice control, but Alexa’s limitations in natural language understanding – and sometimes basic playback controls – are enough to...

Hands-free voice control with Alexa. Lots of connected apps and services. Far-field microphone array can understand your voice over TV audio. Voice control works for home theater as well as smart home devices.

Does not support Google Play content. No Dolby Vision capability. Alexa can occasionally get confused by syntax.

Bottom Line: The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines the best features of the Fire TV with the hands-free voice control and Alexa capabilities of the Echo, in a single media streamer.

Voice control of your TV ; Works well with Sky ; Brilliant with Amazon Prime and Netflix ; Dolby Vision/HDR support

Setup woes ; Inconsistent app experience ; Far-field mics need to get better ; Not good enough to leave your remotes behind (yet)

A neat solution to voice-control your TV and Sky box, but the setup is a hit-and-miss experience and with the Fire TV Stick 4K at less than half the price, it's tough to slate or recommend the new Cube.