Amazon Firestick 4K Max vs Thomson 270! Which to buy?
In this detailed comparison of the Amazon Firestick 4K Max vs Thomson 270, we break down speed, price, functionality, and features to find the ultimate 4K streaming device. Find out why the underdog wins.
For years, the answer to “What streaming device should I buy?” was simple: just get the newest Amazon Firestick 4K Max. It was cheap, powerful, and got the job done. But in 2025, the streaming landscape has changed. Users are getting tired of Fire OS’s increasingly bloated, ad-filled interface and the constant push toward Amazon Prime content.
Enter the challengers. The Android TV box market has matured significantly, offering robust alternatives that give power back to the user. One such contender is the Thomson 270 4K Streaming Box.
Today, we are putting the reigning champion, the Amazon Firestick 4K Max (2nd Gen), against the Thomson 270 in a head-to-head battle. We will compare speed, price, functionality, compatibility, and features.
While Amazon puts up a good fight on raw specs, our testing reveals that for the true streaming enthusiast who values freedom and functionality, there is a new king in town.
Speed and Performance: The Engine Room
When discussing speed in streaming devices, we are talking about two things: how fast the user interface (UI) navigates, and how quickly content loads without buffering.
Amazon Firestick 4K Max: Amazon packed an impressive 2.0 GHz quad-core processor into their latest stick, alongside fast Wi-Fi 6E support. On paper, it’s a beast. However, raw power is only half the battle. The Firestick is hindered by Fire OS, which has become incredibly heavy with autoplay ads and promotional banners. This “bloatware” can make even a powerful processor feel sluggish during navigation.
Thomson 270: The Thomson 270 utilizes a highly optimized chipset designed specifically for Android TV/Google TV. While its raw benchmark numbers might sit slightly below the Max, its real-world performance is often superior. Why? Because it isn’t bogged down by Amazon’s heavy UI overlay. Navigating menus is snappy, apps open instantly, and because it’s a larger “box” form factor rather than a small stick, it often manages heat better during long 4K HDR streaming sessions, preventing thermal throttling.
Winner: Draw (But Thomson feels snappier in daily use)
Price and Value: Bang for Your Buck
Price is always a major factor in the streaming market. Both devices target the affordable 4K segment, but “value” means what you get for that price.
Amazon Firestick 4K Max: Amazon prices the 4K Max aggressively, often creating an impulse buy. However, the stick itself is barebones. If you want a wired Ethernet connection for stable 4K streaming, you have to buy a separate adapter. If you want to expand storage via USB, you need an OTG cable setup. The hidden costs add up.
Thomson 270: The Thomson 270 offers incredible value as a complete package. It is competitively priced against the Firestick, but because it is a box, it typically includes essential ports built right into the device (more on that in the Compatibility section). You are buying a complete solution, not a starter kit that needs dongles.
Considering the overall package and the freedom it provides, the Thomson offers better long-term value.
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Winner: Thomson 270
Functionality and OS: The User Experience
This is the decisive battleground. The operating system dictates how you interact with your TV every single day.
Amazon Firestick 4K Max (Fire OS): Fire OS is a “walled garden.” It is designed to sell you Amazon products. The home screen is dominated by Prime Video recommendations and ads for things you can’t even watch on the device (like cars or insurance). While you can sideload apps, Amazon is making it increasingly difficult with every update, hiding developer options and blocking certain launchers. If you aren’t all-in on the Amazon ecosystem, Fire OS feels claustrophobic.
Thomson 270 (Google TV / Android TV): The Thomson 270 runs on a clean version of Google TV (built on Android TV). This is a massive advantage.
- The Play Store: You get access to the genuine Google Play Store for TV, which has a wider variety of apps than Amazon’s store.
- Customization: You have much more freedom to rearrange your home screen and prioritize the apps you use, not what Amazon wants you to see.
- Sideloading: Installing specialized streaming apps (APKs) that aren’t in the official store is significantly easier and more reliable on standard Android TV than on Fire OS.
Don’t Forget, Amazon are now starting to BLOCK apps on Fire TV stick in the crackdown against illegal streaming! Google are set to follow suit, but this won’t be until 2026-27!
Winner: Thomson 270 (By a landslide)
Compatibility and Ports: Connectivity Matters
This section highlights the inherent advantage of the “box” form factor over the “stick.”
Amazon Firestick 4K Max: It’s a stick. It hangs off the back of your TV. It has one Micro-USB port for power. That’s it. As mentioned in the price section, adding Ethernet or USB storage requires a messy chain of dongles and adapters dangling behind your television.
Thomson 270: The Thomson 270 is designed for power users. These boxes typically feature:
- Built-in Ethernet Port: Crucial for high-bitrate local streaming (like Plex) or ensuring buffer-free 4K streaming in areas with crowded Wi-Fi.
- USB Type-A Port: Easily plug in an external hard drive full of movies, a keyboard/mouse combo, or a webcam.
- Optical Audio (S/PDIF): Often included for older sound systems.
The ability to plug devices directly into the Thomson without buying extra accessories makes it far more versatile.
Winner: Thomson 270
Features: Video and Audio Standards
Both devices are targeted at 4K TV owners, and they both check the necessary boxes for a premium visual experience.
Both the Firestick 4K Max and the Thomson 270 support:
- 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60fps.
- Major HDR standards including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+.
- Dolby Atmos audio pass-through for immersive sound.
Whether you use Netflix, Disney+, or specialized apps like Kodi, both devices are capable of delivering stunning picture and sound quality. This category is a dead heat.
Winner: Draw
Crucial for Both: VPN Support (IPVanish)
Regardless of which device you choose, if you are serious about streaming—especially if you use sideloaded apps or want to access geo-blocked content—you need a VPN.
The good news is that both the Thomson 270 (Android TV) and the Firestick 4K Max fully support top-tier VPNs.
We highly recommend IPVanish for both devices. It has a dedicated app in both the Google Play Store and the Amazon App Store that is remote-control friendly. IPVanish provides the fast speeds necessary for 4K streaming without buffering, keeps your ISP from snooping on your activity, and prevents them from throttling your connection during movie night.
Get 83% Off IPVanish VPN today using our EXCLUSIVE offer
We have also covered a post which will help you setup a VPN if your not sure how to do it!
Amazon Firestick 4K Max vs Thomson 270! Which to buy?
The Amazon Firestick 4K Max is powerful hardware let down by oppressive software. Amazon has forgotten that a streaming device should be a neutral gateway to all your content, not just a billboard for Prime Video.
The Thomson 270 is the clear winner for anyone looking for a superior streaming experience in 2025.
It wins because it respects the user. It offers the freedom of a clean Google TV interface, the incredible functionality of built-in ports like Ethernet and USB, and an overall experience that feels less like a sales pitch and more like a premium entertainment hub.
If you want to take back control of your TV, skip the stick and get the box.
➡️ [Get the winner: Buy the Thomson 270 4K Streaming Box here]
