Fire TV Stick 4K Select Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this streaming stick in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of expert reviews and early owner feedback, all listed at the end of this article. Our method.
A step back from other Fire TV sticks
The 4K Select is Amazon's first stick running Vega OS, a new Linux-based system instead of Android. Reviewers call it "a work in progress" and "a step back": it has only 1 GB of memory, fewer apps, no sideloading and no Dolby Vision, and it received a wave of poor reviews at launch. It handles Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube, but for a little more, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus or 4K Max is the better buy.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- only use major apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and YouTube
- want a cheap stick for a secondary TV
- find it much cheaper than the 4K Plus
Skip it if you…
- want Dolby Vision
- install apps outside the official store (sideloading)
- use niche apps like Tablo or HDHomeRun
- care about smooth 24p playback for films
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select launched in late 2025 as Amazon's first streaming device running Vega OS. That matters: older Fire TV sticks run an Android-based system, and Vega OS doesn't run Android apps.
We looked at expert testing and owner feedback to see whether it's worth buying over Amazon's other sticks.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Operating system | Vega OS (Linux-based, not Android) |
|---|---|
| Memory / storage | 1 GB RAM, 8 GB storage |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
| HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG. No Dolby Vision. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos |
What owners like
What owners complain about
How it holds up over time
Vega OS is new, and Amazon is updating it, so some of these issues may improve. But as of our research, the 4K Select remains more limited than the Fire TV sticks that sell for only a little more. We'll revisit this verdict if updates change the picture.
What to buy instead
For most people, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus or 4K Max gives you the full app library, sideloading, Dolby Vision and more memory for a small price difference.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Handles major streaming apps
- Reliable Alexa voice remote
- Dolby Atmos support
- Low price
What owners complain about
- New Vega OS has fewer apps
- No sideloading
- No Dolby Vision
- Only 1 GB of memory
- No proper 24p output for films
Better options
These Fire TV sticks cost a little more and avoid the Select's limitations.
| Model | System | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Fire OS (Android-based) | You want the full app library and Dolby Vision | See on Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Fire OS (Android-based) | You want the fastest Fire TV stick and Wi-Fi 6E | See on Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Select (this review) | Vega OS | It's much cheaper and you only use major apps | See on Amazon |
Want a Fire TV stick? Look at the 4K Plus or 4K Max first.
Compare Fire TV models and prices on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vega OS?
Amazon's new Linux-based operating system for Fire TV. It doesn't run Android apps, unlike older Fire TV sticks.
Can I sideload apps on the 4K Select?
No. Only apps from the official store are supported.
Does it support Dolby Vision?
No. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG.
Which Fire TV stick should I buy instead?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus or 4K Max, which run the Android-based Fire OS and support Dolby Vision.
Sources we analyzed
- Lon.TV: Fire TV Stick 4K Select review — hands-on testing and app availability
- Thurrott: 4K Select getting bad reviews — early owner reaction
- ViewHarbour: 4K Select review 2026 — specs and who should buy it
Figures reflect each source as of September 29, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.