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Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Consider8.0/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you want to control the TV and streaming by voice. Why: fast streaming box with hands-free Alexa and HDMI input. The catch: heavy Amazon promotion.

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Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)

Our verdict on the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)

Buy it if
you want to control the TV and streaming by voice.
Skip it if
you dislike ads and Amazon promotions.
Best for
Alexa hands-free
Key feature
Fast streaming box with hands-free Alexa and HDMI input
Typical price
$99–$139
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Resolution4K
Dolby VisionYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E
Ads in menuYes

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want to control the TV and streaming by voice
  • value fast
  • can spend around $99–$139

Skip it if you

  • you dislike ads and Amazon promotions
  • mind this: heavy Amazon promotion
  • mind this: pricey

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast
  • Hands-free Alexa
  • HDMI in
  • Wi-Fi 6E

Cons

  • Heavy Amazon promotion
  • Pricey

The verdict in one breath

The Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) is a good streaming device for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: fast streaming box with hands-free Alexa and HDMI input. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

  • Fast
  • Hands-free Alexa
  • HDMI in
  • Wi-Fi 6E

Reasons to skip

  • Heavy Amazon promotion
  • Pricey

The specs that matter

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Dolby Vision: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
  • Ads in menu: Yes

Worth knowing

The built-in speaker lets you say “Alexa, play” from across the room.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you want to control the TV and streaming by voice. Skip it if you dislike ads and Amazon promotions; the Roku Ultra (2024) is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best streaming devices.

Alternatives worth considering

Roku Ultra (2024)

Roku · Streaming Devices

Roku Ultra (2024)

Buy it if you want the best Roku with every format.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best Roku
Typical price
$99

Pros

  • Fast
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+

Cons

  • Ads in menu
Google TV Streamer

Google · Streaming Devices

Google TV Streamer

Buy it if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Android homes
Typical price
$89–$99

Pros

  • Fast
  • Matter and Thread hub

Cons

  • Recommendations include ads

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)?

Consider it, if you want to control the TV and streaming by voice. Why: fast streaming box with hands-free Alexa and HDMI input. The catch: heavy Amazon promotion.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you dislike ads and Amazon promotions. The Roku Ultra (2024) is the better buy then.

What does the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) cost?

Usually $99–$139 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you want to control the TV and streaming by voice. This review explains what this Amazon model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which streaming device to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) does well

The headline: fast streaming box with hands-free Alexa and HDMI input. Key specs: Resolution: 4K; Dolby Vision: Yes; Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E; Ads in menu: Yes. In our list it is the pick for: alexa hands-free. It usually sells for $99–$139.

The built-in speaker lets you say "Alexa, play" from across the room.

The trade-offs

Good: fast, hands-free Alexa, HDMI in, wi-Fi 6E. Not so good: heavy Amazon promotion, pricey. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you dislike ads and Amazon promotions.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Roku Ultra (2024) ($99): fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. Better if you want the best Roku with every format.

Instead, consider the Google TV Streamer ($89–$99): fast Google TV box with great recommendations and a smart home hub. Better if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Instead, consider the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ($119–$149): the fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus. Better if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone.

Before you buy

Ecosystem: Apple TV suits iPhone homes; Google TV and Roku suit everyone; Fire TV suits Alexa homes. Speed: a faster box makes menus and apps much nicer to use, especially on older TVs. Formats: look for 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos if your TV supports them.

US buyer tip

Fire TV and Roku sticks drop to very low prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, so time the purchase if you can.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.