About 69% of Americans say their cable and satellite TV service bills are too high. That explains why there’s been a 20% increase in cord-cutters over the last six years.
You must get a streaming device if you’re looking to cut the cord or supplement your cable subscription with more content.
The top two on the market are Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. Which one is worth the investment?
Read this guide that gives you an in-depth Chromecast vs. Firestick comparison.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Devices
You’ll find several options if you’re shopping for an Amazon Firestick. Let’s begin with a look at each device and the differences between the two.
The most basic Amazon Firestick is the Firestick Lite. You get 1080p HD streaming and a slower processor with less memory.
The Firestick gives you better remote and sound support than the Firestick Lite.
Taking another step up gives you the Firestick 4K, which supports 1080p, 4k, and Dolby Vision streaming. It has a slightly better processor and a little more memory than the Firestick and Firestick Lite.
At the high end is the Firestick 4K Max. You get the same features as the Firestick 4K, with picture-in-picture support, WiFi 6, and more processing power and memory.
The cost of the devices also weighs into the differences. The regular price for a Firestick Lite device is $29.99, and Firestick 4K Max device is $54.99.
Google Chromecast Devices
Google’s device offerings are much more simplified. You can get Google Chromecast or Google Chromecast with Google TV.
Chromecast is known as a mirroring device instead of a fully-fledged streaming device. The initial devices work by streaming content on a laptop or phone and casting that to your TV through the Chromecast.
In 2020, Google released Chromecast with Google TV. This functions like a Firestick because you have an interface, operating system, and the ability to install apps.
You no longer have to rely on another device to stream your favorite content.
Chromecast vs. Firestick: How They Compare
We will compare Google Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon Firestick to get the most accurate comparison. These devices are incredibly similar when you compare them.
The only big difference is in the design. The Firestick and Chromecast devices have completely different designs.
The Firestick is shaped like a rectangular bar or stick. It’s about 4 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. The Chromecast device is a round disc that measures approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. It weighs about 2 ounces.
It does make you wonder if the weight of the Chromecast pulls down enough to damage the HDMI port or get dislodged easily. Aside from those concerns, you may have an aesthetic problem with a brightly colored disc hanging from your television.
The Firestick does stick out of your TV’s HDMI port, but it doesn’t seem obvious.
Of course, this will depend on where your HDMI ports are located on your TV. If they’re located on the sides, you may have an issue. If they’re lower and behind the TV, you should be fine.
Tech Specs
The Firestick has 8GB of storage, 2GB of memory, and a 1.8GHz quad-core processor. That gives your device plenty of room for apps.
It uses Dolby Atmos, a surround sound technology that gives each sound its own channel for clear, crisp sound.
Chromecast with Google TV also offers 2GB of memory, 8GB of storage, and Dolby Atmos support. The processor is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55.
Cost
Cost-wise, the two devices line up very evenly. The regular price of Google Chromecast with Google TV is $49.99.
You Can bundle three months of HBO Max for $64.99. If you prefer to bundle Netflix, you can do so for six months at a price of $84.99.
As we mentioned earlier, prepare to spend $54.99 on the Firestick.
Of course, you can always find these devices on sale at retailers and their own online stores. You should be able to find good bargains that take $20 or more off of the regular price.
Apps
Both devices offer a broad range of apps to view content. YouTube, Disney+, Paramount +, HBO Max, and Netflix.
The biggest app that’s missing from Chromecast is Apple TV+. That’s due to the never-ending war between Apple and Google.
The quick way around this issue is to stream the content on another device and cast it onto Chromecast.
Choosing and Setting Up Your Streaming Device
In the Firestick vs. Chromecast comparison, they’re awfully similar. They match up very evenly. You can’t go wrong with either device.
How can you decide which one is right for you? Look at the devices that you already have in your home.
Both devices let you create a smart home network. You can add Google Chromecast to your device if you already have Google Home. That allows you to bring up apps and use both Chromecast devices using voice commands.
You can do the same thing with the Firestick if you already have an Alexa-enabled device.
There are slight differences between how to use Chromecast and Firestick.
Set up Chromecast by plugging the device into your TV’s HDMI port. You’ll plug it in and connect it to your network. Sign in to your Google account for personalized recommendations.
You go through a similar procedure to set up the Firestick. You just sign in to your Amazon account.
Firestick vs. Chromecast Showdown
If you’re thinking about cutting the cord, you have a big decision to make. Should you get a Chromecast or Firestick? It’s a tough call when you compare Chromecast vs. Firestick.
Now that Google has Chromecast with Google TV, both devices are very close in performance, apps, and cost. It comes down to your personal preference.
Want to know more about the latest tech gadgets? Check out the other tech articles on the blog today!
