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The Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) is a 4K streamer, hands-free Alexa speaker, and smart home controller in a box about 3.4 inches wide, and it remains Amazon’s most powerful streaming device in 2026. This Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen review covers what the 2022 model still does well, how its price has swung in 2026, what Amazon’s switch to the new Vega operating system (OS) means for it, and which streaming devices on Amazon make better choices for different people.
Quick verdict: The Fire TV Cube remains Amazon’s most powerful streamer and its only one with hands-free Alexa, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input, and an Ethernet port built in. It suits Alexa homes and anyone with a cable or satellite box. Amazon hasn’t released a newer Cube, but it raised the list price to $199.99 in August 2026, so wait for a sale; it has dropped to $89.99 several times. Check the Fire TV Cube price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Amazon’s 2022 4K streaming box with hands-free Alexa, an HDMI input, built-in Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E, and still the current Cube as of November 2026.
- Who it’s for: Alexa homes, people with a cable or satellite box, and anyone who wants to sideload apps, since new Vega OS sticks block that.
- Price: It launched at $139.99, Amazon raised the list price to $199.99 in August 2026, and sales have dropped it to $89.99 several times. Prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: Ads and sponsored content crowd the home screen, and the Ethernet port tops out at 100 megabits per second (Mbps).
- Status: It still runs Android-based Fire OS while Amazon’s newest sticks run Vega OS, and Amazon hasn’t announced a successor.
Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) at a glance
| Spec | Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|
| Release | October 2022 at $139.99; still the current Cube as of November 2026 |
| Processor | Amlogic POP1-G octa-core central processing unit (CPU): four cores at 2.2 gigahertz (GHz) and four at 2.0 GHz |
| Graphics | Arm Mali-G52 MP8 graphics processing unit (GPU) |
| Memory and storage | 2 gigabytes (GB) of random-access memory (RAM); 16 GB of storage |
| Video | 4K at up to 60 frames per second; Dolby Vision, high dynamic range (HDR10 and HDR10+), and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); AOMedia Video 1 (AV1) decoding |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos passthrough; built-in speaker for Alexa responses |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1 output with audio return channel (ARC), HDMI 2.1 input, 10/100 megabits per second (Mbps) Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-A 2.0, and an infrared (IR) extender jack |
| Wireless | Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth |
| Software | Android-based Fire OS (not Vega OS) |
| Price | $199.99 list since August 2026; frequent sales from $89.99 to $109.99 |
Specs come from Amazon’s developer specifications and Sound & Vision’s review. Prices come from AFTVnews and change often.
Is there a newer Fire TV Cube?
No. As of November 2026, the third generation remains the only Cube on sale, and Amazon hasn’t announced a successor. Amazon has spent the last year moving its streaming sticks to Vega OS, a Linux-based system it built in house. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025), the Fire TV Stick HD, and the new third-generation Fire TV Stick 4K (September 2026) all run Vega. The Cube and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max still run Fire OS, which is built on Android.
That difference matters. Vega devices can’t sideload Android apps and, according to AFTVnews, offer a much smaller app catalog. The Cube still supports apps from outside the Amazon Appstore, such as Kodi, and runs the full Fire OS library. Liliputing reports that Amazon will likely keep supporting Fire OS hardware for years, though a Vega-based Cube could eventually replace this one. For power users, that makes the current Cube the last, and best, Android-based Fire TV box.
Price: why the Cube costs more in 2026
The Cube launched at $139.99. In August 2026, Amazon raised prices across its Fire TV lineup, and the Cube jumped 43% to a $199.99 list price, the biggest increase of any model. Amazon still discounts it heavily: it sold for $89.99 during Prime Day in June 2026 and again during Prime Big Deal Days in October 2026.
Rivals raised prices too. Roku lifted the Roku Ultra to $149.99 in July 2026, Google raised the Google TV Streamer to $149.99, and Nvidia raised the Shield TV Pro to $299.99 in October 2026. Apple’s new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K costs $299. On sale, the Cube now undercuts most premium streamers.
Design and ports
The Cube is a small, glossy black box with fabric-covered sides that hide its speaker and far-field microphones. Buttons on top control volume, Alexa, and a microphone mute switch that physically disconnects the microphones. A light bar glows blue when Alexa listens.
The back panel holds the features that set the Cube apart from a streaming stick. The HDMI input lets you plug in a cable box, satellite receiver, or game console and pass it through to your TV, so Alexa can switch to live TV and the remote’s channel buttons work. The built-in Ethernet port means you no longer need an adapter, as earlier Cubes required, though it tops out at 100 Mbps. That’s plenty for 4K streaming, which needs roughly 15 to 25 Mbps, but slow for moving large local files. The USB port accepts a hard drive, thumb drive, or webcam.
Wi-Fi 6E adds the 6 GHz band for a less crowded connection, but you need a Wi-Fi 6E router to use it. The Cube works fine on older Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers. If you plan to upgrade, a Wi-Fi 6E mesh router helps if your TV sits far from your current router.
Features and performance
Fast, smooth navigation
The octa-core chip makes the Cube the quickest Fire TV device Amazon sells. Sound & Vision called its navigation and voice control fast and responsive. Apps open quickly, and menus scroll without the stutter you get on cheaper sticks.
Hands-free Alexa
You can say “Alexa, play Stranger Things on Netflix” from across the room, and the Cube turns on your TV, switches inputs, and starts the show, with no remote required. It also controls compatible smart home devices, shows live feeds from Ring and other cameras, and can control your soundbar and TV through HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC) and IR. Amazon announced in late 2025 that its newer Alexa+ assistant would come to the whole Fire TV range, with conversational search and answers about cast and filming locations, according to Tom’s Guide.
Super Resolution upscaling
The Cube can upscale high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) video to 4K, including video from the HDMI input. Sound & Vision found satellite TV and compressed Plex files looked noticeably better with it on, though an Apple TV 4K still produced a more detailed picture. Most modern 4K TVs upscale well too, so try both and keep whichever looks better.
Content, search, and ads
Fire OS gives you every major streaming app, plus cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming, which need a fast, stable connection. Universal search covers many services but tends to favor Prime Video. The biggest complaint remains the home screen: sponsored rows, autoplaying ads, and Amazon content push your own apps down. Sound & Vision listed this as the Cube’s main drawback, and owners echo it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fastest Fire TV device, with smooth navigation
- Hands-free Alexa and smart home control
- HDMI input for cable boxes and consoles
- Built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E
- Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and AV1
- Still runs Android-based Fire OS, with full app support and sideloading
Cons
- Ads and sponsored content crowd the home screen
- List price rose to $199.99 in 2026
- Ethernet port limited to 100 Mbps
- Interface favors Amazon content in search and recommendations
Fire TV Cube vs. other streaming devices
Earlier coverage often called the Cube the most expensive streamer on the market, but the Nvidia Shield TV Pro has always cost more, and in 2026 the Apple TV 4K does too. Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries all the major streaming devices worth considering:
Compare similar streaming devices on Amazon
| Streaming device | HDR and audio | Platform | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos | Fire OS | Alexa homes and cable box users | Check price |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos | Fire OS | Fire TV speed in a stick | Check price |
| Roku Ultra | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos | Roku OS | Simple navigation and a remote finder | Check price |
| Apple TV 4K | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos | tvOS | iPhone owners and the best picture processing | Check price |
| Google TV Streamer | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos | Google TV | Android apps and Matter smart homes | Check price |
| Nvidia Shield TV Pro | Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos | Android TV | Local media servers and artificial intelligence (AI) upscaling | Check price |
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: It shares Fire OS and Wi-Fi 6E but lacks hands-free Alexa, the HDMI input, and Ethernet. Its list price rose to $84.99 in 2026. See the Fire TV Stick 4K Max on Amazon.
- Roku Ultra: Roku’s flagship has a cleaner, more neutral interface, an Ethernet port, and a rechargeable remote with a lost-remote finder. See the Roku Ultra on Amazon.
- Apple TV 4K: Apple’s October 2026 model uses the A19 chip and adds far-field microphones, but it costs $299, according to MacRumors. It has no ads on the home screen.
- Google TV Streamer: It offers the Google Play Store, an Ethernet port, and a Thread border router for smart home gear. See the Google TV Streamer on Amazon.
- Nvidia Shield TV Pro: Still a favorite for Plex servers and AI upscaling, but 9to5Google reports its price rose to $299.99 and the base Shield TV was discontinued.
Choosing between a streaming box and a TV with apps built in? Our smart TV vs. Roku TV guide explains the trade-offs. And skip uncertified Android boxes: our G96 TV stick review explains the security risks.
Who should buy the Fire TV Cube?
Buy the Cube if you already use Alexa, Echo speakers, or Ring cameras, if you want to control your TV and cable box by voice without a remote, or if you need wired Ethernet without an adapter. It also suits people who want to sideload apps, since new Vega OS sticks block that.
Skip it if you don’t care about voice control: the Fire TV Stick 4K Max covers the basics for less. If ads bother you, a Roku Ultra or Apple TV 4K offers a cleaner experience. For better voice remote features, the Alexa Voice Remote Pro adds backlit buttons and a remote finder.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen still the latest model?
Yes, the Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen is still the latest model. As of November 2026, Amazon hasn’t released a fourth-generation Cube. The 2022 model remains the current version and still runs Android-based Fire OS.
Will the Fire TV Cube get Vega OS?
Amazon hasn’t said the Fire TV Cube will get Vega OS. New streaming sticks ship with Vega, while the Cube continues on Fire OS, and reports suggest Amazon will keep supporting it for years.
Does the Fire TV Cube need a cable box to use the HDMI input?
No, the Fire TV Cube doesn’t need a cable box to use the HDMI input. The HDMI input is optional. You can connect a cable box, satellite receiver, or game console, or leave it empty and use the Cube as a regular streamer.
What’s a good price for the Fire TV Cube?
A good price for the Fire TV Cube is $89.99 to $109.99. Amazon regularly discounts the Cube to that range during Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days, and Black Friday, well below its $199.99 list price.
Final verdict
The Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) is still the best Fire TV device you can buy. It’s fast, it supports every major HDR and audio format, and its HDMI input, Ethernet port, and hands-free Alexa make it far more flexible than a stick. Ads and the higher 2026 list price hold it back, so buy it on sale. Check the current Fire TV Cube price on Amazon, or compare the Fire TV Stick 4K Max if you don’t need hands-free Alexa.