More functionality than any other media streamer
The $139.99 Amazon Fire TV Cube is unique among media streamers thanks to its hands-free voice control. Most media hubs include some form of voice assistant or search, but the Fire TV Cube is the only one to let you use that assistant without requiring a remote. The third-generation, 2022 model of the Fire TV Cube looks a bit different and has a few internal upgrades, but ultimately delivers the same hands-free media hub experience we’ve come to expect. The only real complaint we have is that it’s nearly three times the cost of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($49.99) and the Chromecast With Google TV 4K ($49.99). But considering its unique hands-free functionality, the third-gen Fire TV Cube earns our Editors’ Choice for high-end media streamers.A Softer Cube
While it’s still a cube, the 2022 Fire TV Cube looks markedly more like a spherical Amazon Echo speaker than before. Amazon replaces the glossy black plastic sides of the outgoing model with grille fabric similar to the kind found on its Echo speakers. The fabric softens the 3.0-by-3.4-by-3.4-inch (HWD) cube’s sharp right angles and lends it a friendlier look.
The top of the cube is still covered by a matte black plastic panel that hosts four pinholes for the far-field microphone array and a set of four buttons including action, mic mute, and volume up and down. A light runs along the edge of the panel, glowing blue when Alexa is listening and pointing in the direction from which it detects your voice.
The back of the Fire TV Cube has a surprising addition. The standard power adapter port, HDMI output, USB port, Ethernet port, and 3.5mm jack (for the optional $14.99 infrared IR extender) are there—and they’re joined by an HDMI input. This input lets you connect another device, like a game console or a set-top box, to your TV through the Fire TV Cube. The Cube then provides an Alexa overlay on top of whatever is connected.
The remote is slightly more complex than those of normal Fire TV Sticks. The glossy, circular navigation pad sits near the top, with Alexa and power buttons and the pinhole microphone above it. Menu and playback buttons sit directly below the pad. Farther down you’ll find the volume rocker and mute button, which are joined by a channel rocker and then TV, settings, and recent content buttons. Finally, dedicated service buttons for Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix sit near the bottom.
