Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen, 2021)

The Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd generation) launched in September 2021 as the middle tier of Amazon's streaming stick lineup, sitting between the budget Fire TV Stick Lite and the 4K-capable Fire TV Stick 4K. At $39.99, it added Dolby Atmos audio passthrough and a more capable 1.5GB processor over the Lite while keeping the 1080p price point that the majority of households needed at the time. The Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) runs Fire OS on a MediaTek quad-core processor with 1.5GB of RAM, enabling smooth 1080p HDR10+ streaming from all major services. The full Alexa Voice Remote includes dedicated TV power, volume, and mute buttons so users can control their television without a second remote. Alexa handles voice search, Prime Video recommendations, and smart home control for Ring cameras and Echo devices from the TV interface. The device draws power from the included wall adapter rather than the TV USB port. The Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) is best suited for Amazon Prime households who watch on 1080p screens, want Dolby Atmos for a soundbar setup, and prefer the full Alexa Voice Remote layout over the stripped-down Lite remote. It was discontinued in October 2024 and replaced by the Fire TV Stick HD, which adds a faster processor and higher efficiency at a similar price. The 3rd Gen remains available through secondary retailers and represents solid value for existing Fire TV users looking for a backup device.