If you want to make an older TV smarter without adding another box to the cabinet, a streaming stick is still one of the simplest upgrades you can buy. The best choice in the UK depends less on headline 4K support and more on the platform, storage, Wi-Fi, HDR formats and how much flexibility you actually need.
ViewHarbour’s quick picks: Roku Streaming Stick Plus for simple 4K streaming; Fire TV Stick 4K Max for stronger hardware, more storage and premium Dolby features; Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) for Amazon’s current mainstream 4K option with Vega OS, Wi-Fi 6 and Direct Power; Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) for Google TV with Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision; MECOOL KD3 as another compact Google TV option with Netflix 4K certification, AV1 and Chromecast; Roku Streaming Stick 4K if Dolby Vision matters but you prefer Roku’s simpler interface. Fire TV Stick 4K Select can still be worth comparing when heavily discounted, but it is now an older Vega model rather than Amazon’s core 4K stick.
Compare current buying options: Roku Streaming Stick Plus · Fire TV Stick 4K Max · Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) · Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen). Each device page lists its current retailer options; confirm the exact model, final price and availability with the seller.
| Device | Best for | Key strengths | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roku Streaming Stick Plus | Simple 4K streaming | 4K HDR, TV-powered design, straightforward Roku interface | No Dolby Vision |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) | Power users | 16GB storage, 2GB memory, Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision | Busier Amazon-focused interface |
| Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) | Current mainstream Fire TV | 4K, HDR10+, Wi-Fi 6, Direct Power, Vega OS 2.0 | 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, no Dolby Vision and no normal Android APK sideloading |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Select | Discounted older Vega option | 4K, HDR10+, familiar Fire TV ecosystem | Older model, Wi-Fi 5, 1GB RAM, no Dolby Vision or normal APK sideloading |
| Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) | Compact Google TV | Google TV, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | 8GB storage |
| MECOOL KD3 | Compact certified Google TV | Netflix 4K, AV1, Chromecast, 2GB RAM | 8GB storage, Wi-Fi 5, no built-in Ethernet |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Roku + Dolby Vision | 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, simple platform | Older model than the new Stick Plus |
1. Roku Streaming Stick Plus: the simple all-round choice
Roku’s newer Streaming Stick Plus is aimed squarely at people who want 4K streaming without turning the TV into another complicated gadget. Roku lists support for 4K at up to 60fps plus HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. Its compact design can also be powered from a compatible TV USB port, which is useful for wall-mounted TVs or tidy installations.
The compromise is HDR format support: Roku’s own comparison places Dolby Vision on the higher-tier Streaming Stick 4K rather than the newer Stick Plus. If your television supports Dolby Vision and you actively seek out Dolby Vision content, that is worth knowing before buying. For the full current range, prices and which Roku suits which buyer, see Roku UK 2026: Best Roku Streaming Devices.
2. Fire TV Stick 4K Max: the strongest hardware-focused stick
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max remains the hardware-heavy option in this group. Amazon lists 16GB storage, 2GB memory, Wi-Fi 6E and support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. That makes it a sensible choice for households with larger app libraries or newer Wi-Fi 6E routers.
The bigger decision is software rather than specifications. Fire TV puts Amazon’s ecosystem front and centre. Some buyers like the deeper Alexa integration and broad app catalogue; others prefer a cleaner, less promotional home screen. Our Roku vs Fire TV UK comparison goes deeper into that platform choice. If you are choosing between Amazon’s established Fire OS 4K sticks, see Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs 4K Plus UK.
3. Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen): Amazon’s new mainstream 4K option
Amazon launched the Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) on 30 September 2026 as the new core 4K model in its simplified stick range. It runs Vega OS 2.0, with 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 and support for 4K at up to 60fps with HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. Direct Power lets it run from a compatible TV USB port using the included cable, which can make installations tidier.
The important trade-off is software and premium AV support. Vega OS does not restore the traditional Android APK sideloading workflow, and this model does not support Dolby Vision. Amazon continues to position the 4K Max above it for buyers who want more storage, higher-end performance and premium Dolby features. Read our Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) UK guide for the full specification and software breakdown.
4. Fire TV Stick 4K Select: older, but still relevant when discounted
Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now an older Vega-based 4K option that may remain attractive while discounted stock is available. It runs Vega OS 1.1 with 1GB RAM, 8GB storage and Wi-Fi 5. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG but not Dolby Vision.
The biggest limitation is app flexibility: normal Android APK sideloading does not apply to Vega OS. If you only use mainstream services and the Select is substantially cheaper than the new 4K (3rd Gen), it can still make sense. If prices are close, compare the newer model’s Wi-Fi 6 and Direct Power before buying. Read the Fire TV Stick 4K Select review UK, compare 4K Select vs 4K Plus, or see 4K Select vs 4K Max.
5. Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen): Google TV in stick form
Xiaomi’s second-generation 4K stick is one of the most interesting compact Google TV choices. Xiaomi lists a quad-core Cortex-A55 processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Google TV. It is a good fit if you want Google’s content discovery and casting features without moving to a full-size box.
The limitation is storage. Eight gigabytes is workable for a modest app library, but it gives you less headroom than devices with 16GB or 32GB. Read our 8GB vs 16GB vs 32GB streaming storage guide if that specification is unfamiliar.
6. MECOOL KD3: another compact Google TV option
The MECOOL KD3 is worth putting beside Xiaomi if you specifically want a small Google TV stick. MECOOL documents 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, AV1 decoding, Chromecast, Google Assistant and Netflix-certified 4K streaming. It supports HDR10 and HLG rather than Dolby Vision.
Its main limitations are the same ones that affect several compact sticks: 8GB storage and no built-in Ethernet. Xiaomi has the stronger wireless and HDR specification on paper, while the KD3 remains a useful alternative when its retailer availability or overall package suits you better. Use ViewHarbour Compare to put the two side by side.
7. Roku Streaming Stick 4K: still relevant if Dolby Vision matters
The older Roku Streaming Stick 4K remains relevant because it combines Roku’s simpler software with Dolby Vision support. That can make more sense than automatically buying the newest Roku stick if your TV supports Dolby Vision and picture-format compatibility is a priority.
We have a separate Roku Streaming Stick 4K UK review covering its strengths and limitations in more detail.
Which streaming stick is best for UK apps?
Platform support changes over time, so no responsible guide should promise that every app will remain available forever. For mainstream UK use, the sensible approach is to check the services you personally care about before buying, especially BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, NOW and any niche sports or regional apps.
If broad app flexibility and Google services matter most, Xiaomi and the MECOOL KD3 are the Google TV stick options in this shortlist. If simplicity matters most, Roku is difficult to beat. If Alexa, Amazon integration and stronger hardware matter more, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max remains the premium shortlist candidate. The new Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) is Amazon’s current mainstream Vega option; the older 4K Select is better treated as a discounted alternative when its price is meaningfully lower. With any Vega device, check that the apps you rely on are available before buying.
Stick or box?
A stick is ideal when you want a device hidden behind the TV. A box is usually the better format when you want more storage, built-in Ethernet, extra ports or premium hardware. If you are not sure which form factor fits your setup, read our Streaming Device Finder or use Compare to put two devices side by side.
Our take
There is no single best stick for every UK buyer. Roku Streaming Stick Plus remains a straightforward choice for simple 4K streaming; Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the higher-spec Amazon option; the new Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) is Amazon’s current mainstream 4K Vega model; Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is the stronger-spec compact Google TV choice, while MECOOL KD3 is another certified Google TV option with Netflix 4K and AV1; Roku Streaming Stick 4K remains worth considering for Roku users who specifically want Dolby Vision; and Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now mainly worth watching when discounted below the newer Amazon model.
