I've tested every streaming stick out there — and Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K is a steal at $29

Grab a 30-day free Amazon Prime trial to unlock this $29 deal! (Image credit: Amazon)Sign up for Amazon Prime to unlock member-only prices, fast and free shipping, unlimited photo storage, and endless streaming across Prime Video and Music. Best of all, you can cancel straight away and still keep your trial benefits for the full 30 days.Sign up for Amazon PrimeOver the years, I’ve had pretty much every major streaming device plugged into the back of my TV. I’ve gone through phases with Roku, relied on Google's TV Streamer, and tried out Apple TV.Yet whenever anyone asks me what they should actually buy for their living room, I always find myself pointing them toward the Amazon Fire TV Stick. They're cheap, remarkably reliable, and they just work.So when Amazon announced a hardware refresh and immediately knocked 50% off the Fire TV Stick 4K for Prime Day, it jumped straight to the top of my wishlist.While under $30 streaming sticks are common, the new Fire TV Stick 4K brings substantial performance changes under the hood and fixes long-standing issues with the remote.In practical use, menus load faster, and it runs directly off a television USB port without requiring an extra wall plug. The included remote also gets a practical redesign: it is noticeably more ergonomic, adds tactile button indentations for easier navigation in the dark, and includes a customizable shortcut button. (Image credit: Amazon)Deciding between Amazon’s streaming devices can be tricky, so check out my Fire TV explainer for a full breakdown. Snagging the latest model for just $29, though, is easily the best value. It costs barely more than the standard HD version while adding Wi-Fi 6, HDR10+, and significantly faster performance.Amazon is also rolling out upgraded Alexa+ search capabilities, allowing you to ask for specific recommendations right from the home screen.At $29 down from its usual $59 retail price, this discount applies to a brand-new, overhauled device rather than old stock. If your streaming setup feels slow or outdated, this upgrade is worth making. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!More from Tom's Guide My favorite streaming stick just hit $15 for Prime Day — plus 4 more Amazon device deals worth grabbingHow to set up and use your Amazon Fire TV stickAmazon Fire TV devices explained: Which streaming stick (or Cube) is right for you? Sign up to the weekly Tom's Streaming Guide to stay in the loop with the latest releases and top recommendations across your favorite streaming services. We’ve got you covered with a complete guide on what’s worth watching.