This is a comprehensive Fire TV Cube Review (2nd Generation). It was written by Troy from TROYPOINT. It’s based on several weeks of use.

The release of the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube happened in October 2019. I initially reviewed it upon its release.

Most of this review remains the same. However, I’ve updated it to reflect any improvements since the initial release.

Amazon did not provide TROYPOINT with this product. We pre-ordered it as soon as the new model was announced.

The opinions in this review are unbiased. This applies to all our reviews and product recommendations as well.

I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan of the 1st Generation Fire TV Cube. However, my opinion of the 2nd Gen has changed. Amazon significantly upgraded the power in this model.

The 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube is designed for those with specific requirements. I’ll discuss these throughout this review.

We’ve included this device in our lists of Best IPTV Boxes and Best Streaming Devices.

When considering this device, you should first ask, “Should I save money and buy the Fire TV Stick 4K?”  It’s $70 cheaper. Let’s explore the differences to help you decide.

2nd Generation Fire TV Cube vs Firestick 4K – Differences

Here’s a look at the key features that make the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube stand out. These are the features that differentiate it from the Fire TV Stick 4K.

The three biggest differences, in my view, are these: internal storage, processing power, and an integrated Echo device.

• Built-in speaker
• Far-field voice control of Fire TV
• Far-field voice control of devices
• Expandable storage
• *Hexa-core Processor
• **16 GB of storage
• ***Ethernet adapter

*The Fire TV Stick 4K has a Quad-core processor (benchmarks below)
**The Fire TV Stick 4K has 8GB of storage
***An Ethernet adapter can be purchased separately for the Fire TV Stick 4K.

When you’re comparing these two Amazon streaming devices, consider which features matter most to you.

Personally, the integrated speaker, Alexa support, and voice control aren’t major selling points for me.

I haven’t gotten into the habit of using voice control on my devices. It’s simply not something I need.

However, if you like the idea of controlling devices with your voice, you’ll probably love the new Fire TV Cube.

This device might be a great choice if you’re in the market for both a Fire TV and an Alexa device.

If that’s the case, think about where you’d place it near your TV. Ensure the location works well for Alexa’s capabilities.

We have an Echo Dot in our kitchen already. Adding another Alexa to our living room wouldn’t be practical because they’d be too close together.

The expandable storage of the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube is another advantage.

Just like the 1st Gen model, you can boost your storage. You can install applications on external storage devices, like a USB drive.

You will need an OTG cable to do this.

It’s also possible to use external storage with the Fire TV Stick 4K. You can do this with an OTG cable. However, it’s not as easy to expand the internal storage as it is on the Fire TV Cubes.

Both devices offer the same picture quality. They provide up to 4K Ultra HD, with support for HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision.

Based on this initial comparison, it’s tough to justify the extra $70 for the new Cube. Unless you really need the Alexa features, the Fire TV Stick 4K might be a better value.

Purchase the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube from Amazon

Fire TV Cube Review (2nd Gen) – Speed Tests

Download speeds are crucial when choosing a streaming device. We stream large HD files, so speed is a major factor.

I conducted these tests using my Gigabit Internet service. This provides speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.  The WiFi tests were done on the 5 GHz band of my Asus AC3100 router.

The 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube doesn’t have a built-in Ethernet port. I used the UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub Ethernet Gigabit adapter for the Ethernet tests. This adapter connected via an OTG cable.

Since many TROYPOINT followers useIPVanish VPN. I also conducted tests with the VPN turned on.

For this speed test, I used IPVanish, which is arguably the fastest VPN on the market. To perform the testing, I opted for the Analiti Speed Test tool.

Ethernet

• VPN On: Download speed of 161 Mbps and upload speed of 90 Mbps.
• VPN Off: Download speed reached 322 Mbps, while upload hit 123 Mbps.

WiFi

• VPN On: Download speed clocked in at 204 Mbps and upload at 111 Mbps.
• VPN Off: It delivered a download speed of 354 Mbps and an upload speed of 124 Mbps.

These download speeds are simply amazing. They are truly impressive.

It’s a given that using a VPN will reduce your download speed. This is because of the extra processing power needed and the rerouting of traffic through an external server.

But let me tell you, this is definitely among the best devices I’ve tested when it comes to download speeds with a VPN activated. Truly remarkable!

The WiFi chip in the Amazon Fire TV Cube is a beast, as is evident from the tests above. It performs exceptionally well.

You can buy the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube from Amazon here.

Fire TV Cube Review – What I Like

The 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube’s new Hexa-core processor is a powerhouse. It truly delivers impressive performance.

Many have even said that its power is comparable to the 2019 NVIDIA Shield Pro.  To put things into perspective, the NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro boasts a Single-Core score of 1448 and a Multi-Core score of 4201.

As you can see, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is nearly as powerful, and at a fraction of the price. It offers incredible value for its performance.

I’ve definitely noticed a difference in how quickly apps load on this new Cube. Everything is super responsive, much like the NVIDIA SHIELD. It’s a joy to use.

Below, I’ve provided Geekbench benchmarks for all the Amazon Fire TV models. You can compare their performance here.

The Geekbench benchmark runs a series of tests, primarily focusing on the CPU but also assessing other system hardware like memory.

Each test is conducted on a single CPU core and then on all available CPU cores. This provides a comprehensive view of processor performance.

Of course, most of these tests are not representative of real-world usage on your device. However, the results do offer valuable insight into how each device will perform in tasks like data retrieval, app launching, web browsing, and more.

Device	Single-Core Benchmark	Multi-Core Benchmark
2nd Generation Fire TV Cube (2019)	1424	4024
Fire TV Stick 3 (2020)	706	2125
Fire TV Stick Lite (2020)	706	2125
Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)	709	2134
1st Generation Fire TV Cube (2018-2019)	637	1444
3rd Generation Fire TV Pendant (2017-2018)	661	1869
2nd Generation Fire TV Stick (2016-2020)	452	1217
2nd Generation Fire TV Box (2015-2017)	1529	2881
1st Generation Fire TV Box (2014-2015)	726	1605
1st Generation Fire TV Stick (2014-2015)	349	571

 

My personal favorite Amazon Fire TV model has always been the 2nd Generation Fire TV Box. I found it to be an excellent device.

But as you can see from the benchmark scores above, the new Fire TV Cube absolutely crushes it in terms of performance. The difference is quite significant.

Another feature I appreciate is the ability to expand internal storage on this device.  I really wish Amazon would release a software update to enable this on the Fire TV Stick 4K as well. It would be a welcome addition.

I must say, Amazon has been doing a commendable job of rolling out updates for this system. They’ve been consistent and reliable.

I’ve tested numerous sideloaded APKs, and they’ve all functioned flawlessly. The compatibility is excellent.

If you’re looking for a device that combines Alexa and Fire TV, this model ticks both boxes. It’s essentially an Echo and Fire TV device in a single package. It’s a great option for those who want both functionalities.

What I Dislike

Frankly, the price is a bit steep. It’s a bit higher than I’d like.

I’m curious to see how this unit would sell if they removed the Alexa features and priced it at $99. It might be more appealing to a wider audience.

In a way, Amazon is hindering its own success because their Fire TV Stick 4K is such a fantastic product. It’s hard to compete with.

My guess is that most people will compare the 2nd Gen Fire TV Cube to the Fire TV Stick 4K and find that the extra $70 isn’t justified for their needs.

Sure, the new Cube offers significantly more power but that might be overkill for the average user. They may not need all that extra horsepower.

The new Cube comes with 16GB of internal storage. It would’ve been great if they had included more storage space out of the box. It would have enhanced the user experience.

It’s disappointing to find only 16GB of internal storage. We would have preferred to see at least 32GB.

Yes, we can use an Ethernet adapter on this device. But why isn’t it just built into the box? The same holds true for USB storage. Yes, we can plug a USB thumb drive into this by way of OTG cable, but it only supports USB 2.0 instead of the modern USB 3.0.

We find these inexpensive Android TV Boxes sporting three to four USB ports, along with an Ethernet port, for half the price!

2nd Gen Fire TV Cube – Worth the Higher Price?

I really appreciate the power that I see with this new Fire TV Cube!

Consumers must determine if the additional processing power, internal storage, and Alexa features are worth the extra $70. This is in comparison to the Fire TV Stick 4K.

I think the additional storage and ability to expand internal storage are the big selling points of the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube. Users of the Fire TV Stick frequently run out of storage.

Would I personally pay an additional $70 for this device? No, but I don’t run out of storage because I only use a handful of applications. For those who need the additional storage for apps, movies, TV shows, games, and more, this may be worth the extra money.

Gamers may find the new Fire TV Cube a great system for emulators that don’t run well on the Fire TV Stick 4K. The extra CPU boost may improve performance. However, it’s still important to recognize that this system won’t run emulators or any app that requires a 64-bit OS.

Unfortunately, Amazon is following the same path as other tech companies, including Apple. They refresh their products regularly, but with minimal improvements. It would be great to see bigger updates when new devices are released.

In this case, improvements could have included the addition of USB ports. A built-in Ethernet adapter and 64-bit OS. Also, an increase in internal storage would have been nice.

What’s In The Box?

• 2nd Gen Fire TV Cube
• 2nd Gen Alexa Voice Remote
• Power adapter
• 2 AAA batteries
• Infrared extender cable
• Amazon Ethernet adapter 10/100
• Quick start guide
• marketing guide

*HDMI cable is not included.

2nd Generation Fire TV Cube – Specs

• Size:  86.1 mm x 86.1 mm x 76.9 mm
• Weight: 465 g
• Processor: Hexa-core (Quad-core at up to 2.2GHz + Dual-core at up to 1.9GHz)
• GPU: ARM Mali G52-MP2 (3EE), 800MHz
• Storage: 16 GB internal
• Memory RAM: 2 GB
• Wi-Fi Connectivity:  Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO). This ensures faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi. Supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 + LE. Pair with compatible Bluetooth speakers, headphones, video game controllers, and more.
• Fire OS 7 with Android 9 (32-bit OS)
• Voice Support: Far-field and near-field voice support
• Voice control compatibility: Fire TV Cube can control a wide range of IR-enabled devices. These include TVs, soundbars, cable and satellite boxes, and A/V receivers.
• Cloud Storage: Free cloud storage for digital content purchased from Amazon
• Ports: HDMI, power, micro-USB, wired infrared support
• Audio: Built-in 1.6″ (40 mm) speaker. This allows you to interact with Alexa, even when the TV is off. Fire TV Cube uses your entertainment system speakers for entertainment experiences. It will also turn on your TV, soundbar, or A/V receiver to play these.
• Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, 7.1 surround sound, 2ch stereo, and HDMI audio pass through up to 5.1.
• Content Formats: Video: Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9 Audio: AAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/Wave, Vorbis, Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC), Photo: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP
• Output Resolution Supported: 2160p, 1080p and 720p up to 60 fps
• System Requirements: High-definition television with available high-speed HDMI input. High-speed internet connection via Wi-Fi or inbox Ethernet accessory. Power outlet. (compatible TV/sound/cable equipment for control by infrared or voice). High-speed HDMI cable and 4K TV with high-speed HDMI connector required for 4K viewing and more reliable device control.
• TV Compatibility: TV must support minimum HDCP requirements for protected content playback. This includes 1) 4K ultra high-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 2160p at 24/25/30/50/60 Hz and HDCP 2.2. Also, 2) high-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 1080p or 720p at 50/60 Hz.
• Warranty Service: 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year and 3-year extended warranty available for U.S. customers, sold separately.

Purchase the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube from Amazon

 

I would rate the 2nd Generation Fire TV Cube 4.5 stars out of 5.