What Is a Firestick? The Short Answer
A Firestick — properly known as the Amazon Fire TV Stick — is a compact streaming device made by Amazon. It plugs into the HDMI port on your television and gives you access to thousands of apps, live TV channels, on-demand films, and streaming services. It is not a TV channel package in itself, but rather a piece of hardware that connects to the internet and lets you stream whatever content you subscribe to or install.
A Firestick is about the size of a USB drive. It slots into the back or side of your TV and is powered by a small USB adapter. That is all the hardware involved.
What Is a Firestick Used For?
People use a Fire TV Stick for a wide variety of purposes:
- Watching subscription streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video
- Streaming live TV through IPTV services without a satellite dish or aerial
- Watching on-demand films and TV series from a large VOD library
- Playing casual games from the Fire TV app store
- Listening to music via Spotify, Amazon Music, or similar apps
- Browsing the internet via the Silk browser
- Using Amazon Alexa for voice control of your TV and smart home
- Turning a basic non-smart television into a fully capable streaming device
If you are interested in watching live TV and on-demand content, a Firestick with an IPTV subscription is one of the most cost-effective ways to do it.
How Does a Firestick Connect to the TV?
A Fire TV Stick connects to your television via an HDMI port — the same type of rectangular socket used for HDMI cables. Almost all televisions sold in the past fifteen years include at least one HDMI input. The Firestick plugs directly into that port.
For power, the Firestick uses a small USB adapter that plugs into a mains socket nearby. Without power, the device cannot operate. Once plugged in and powered, you switch your TV to the correct HDMI input and the Fire TV interface will appear on screen.
If you want to understand the full connection process, read our detailed guide on how to connect a Firestick to a TV.
Does a Firestick Need the Internet?
Yes. A Fire TV Stick requires an internet connection to function. All content is streamed over your broadband connection — nothing is stored locally on the device. Without an active Wi-Fi connection (or, for some models, an ethernet adapter), the Firestick cannot load apps or play content.
For a full breakdown of internet requirements, read our guide on whether a Firestick needs Wi-Fi.
Does a Firestick Need a Smart TV?
No. One of the most common misconceptions about the Fire TV Stick is that it only works with smart TVs. In fact, it works with any television that has an available HDMI port, regardless of whether the TV is smart or not. The Firestick effectively replaces the smart TV functionality — it runs its own operating system, connects to the internet independently, and provides all the apps and streaming capability you need.
If your older television has HDMI but is not a smart TV, a Firestick can transform it into a capable streaming device at a fraction of the cost of a new smart TV. For full details, read our guide on Firestick TV compatibility.
What Firestick Models Are Available?
Amazon currently produces several Fire TV Stick models at different price points and capability levels:
Fire TV Stick HD (2026 Model)
The entry-level option. Streams at up to Full HD (1080p). Suitable for standard HD televisions and secondary screens such as bedrooms or kitchens. Connects via Wi-Fi 5. At FirestickHub, this comes with a 1-Year IPTV subscription included at £99.99.
Fire TV Stick HD (Newest Generation)
The latest Full HD model with Wi-Fi 6 for faster, more reliable streaming. Better suited for busy home networks. Available with 1-Year IPTV subscription included at £120.00.
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Streams at up to 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Requires a 4K TV to display 4K content. Wi-Fi 6. Our most popular model for main living room TVs. Available with 1-Year IPTV subscription at £139.99.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
The most powerful streaming stick. Wi-Fi 6E, 16 GB storage, and the fastest Fire TV Stick processor available. Ideal for demanding streaming setups. Available with 1-Year IPTV subscription at £159.99.
Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)
A premium hands-free streaming device with far-field Alexa voice control, HDMI input passthrough, and ethernet support. The most capable Fire TV device. Available with 1-Year IPTV subscription at £259.99.
For a full comparison, see our Firestick buying guide or our HD vs 4K comparison.
What Comes with a Firestick?
- The Fire TV Stick device itself
- Alexa Voice Remote with batteries included
- USB power cable and mains adapter
- HDMI extender cable (for TVs where the HDMI port is difficult to access)
When you buy through FirestickHub, your package also includes a full 1-Year IPTV subscription at no additional charge — giving you access to 25,000+ live TV channels and 140,000+ on-demand films and series from day one.
How Do You Set Up a Firestick?
Setting up a Firestick for the first time is straightforward. In brief:
Plug into HDMI
Insert the Fire TV Stick into an available HDMI port on your television.
Connect power
Plug the USB cable into the Firestick and connect the adapter to a mains socket.
Switch TV input
Change your TV's input/source to the correct HDMI channel.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Follow the on-screen setup wizard to connect to your home Wi-Fi network.
Sign in to Amazon
Sign into or create your Amazon account. If you already have a device-registered Amazon account, the setup may be pre-configured.
Install apps and stream
Install apps from the Fire TV app store, or enter your IPTV credentials if you have a subscription.
For the complete step-by-step walkthrough, read our Firestick setup guide.
What Can You Watch on a Firestick?
The short answer is: almost anything available via an internet streaming service. This includes free services, subscription services, and IPTV. A full breakdown is available in our guide on what you can watch on a Firestick.
Looking for the best Fire TV Stick 4K Max for sale? Our UK packages combine a Fire TV Stick device with a 1-Year IPTV subscription at one bundled price.
Ready to Buy a Firestick?
Every FirestickHub package includes the Fire TV device plus a full 1-Year IPTV subscription — 25,000+ live channels and 140,000+ VOD titles. One price, everything included.
View Firestick PackagesFrequently Asked Questions
A Firestick (Amazon Fire TV Stick) is a small streaming device made by Amazon that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and lets you stream apps, live TV, and on-demand content via the internet.
It turns any TV with an HDMI port into a smart streaming device. You can install apps, stream live TV, watch films and series, use Alexa voice control, and more.
No. A Firestick works with any TV that has an HDMI input — smart or not.
Yes. All content is streamed over your broadband connection. A Wi-Fi connection is required.
A smart TV has built-in streaming apps. A Firestick is an external device that adds the same (and often more) functionality to any TV with HDMI — usually with more app support and regular software updates.
Amazon Fire TV Stick prices vary by model. At FirestickHub, packages including a 1-Year IPTV subscription start from £99.99. See our Firestick cost guide for full details.