Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to decide between these two products. Keep reading to learn more!
The Fire TV Cube
- The Fire TV CubeA remoteA power cordAn ethernet adapterAn IR extender cableTwo AAA batteries for the remote
To use the Fire TV Cube, you will need to connect it to your television with an HDMI cable. This cable is not included in the box, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you don’t already have it. If price is your biggest concern, this is definitely something to keep in mind.
The remote also includes a microphone and Alexa Voice button. If you’re far away from the television or have a lot of background noise, you can also push this button to speak directly into the remote and access Alexa.
The Roku Ultra
- The Roku Ultra playerA remoteHeadphonesAn HDMI cordA power cordTwo AA batteries for your remote
All of the popular streaming platforms are available for download on the Roku store. The Roku Ultra is also compatible with Airplay, allowing you to mirror your phone to share photos, videos, music, or stream content via Bluetooth.
There are also a couple of convenience-based features included with the Roku Ultra. One of these is the “Remote Finder.” If you misplace your remote, you can press a button on your player, and the remote will play a sound until you find it. There is also a headphone jack on the remote, and you can plug in the included headphones to listen to your TV privately. Like the Fire TV Cube, the Roku Ultra streams video in 4K HDR when available.
Will a Fire TV Cube or Roku Ultra Work with Any Television?
If you have an older TV without an HDMI port, there are still ways to make these devices work on your television. If you have RCA ports (the ones with a red, yellow, and white input), you can purchase an HDMI to RCA converter to use HDMI devices.
Final Thoughts
If you want a smart TV but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new television, a Fire TV Cube or a Roku Ultra are both excellent alternatives. The devices are very similar, but some people prefer one over the other. No matter which player you choose, these products provide an inexpensive way to stream nearly anything on any kind of television.