Amazon has once again expanded its lineup of streaming devices, this time with a new entry-level option. The Fire TV Stick HD, announced alongside a slew of new Kindles, aims to simplify the company’s streaming stick offerings.

Replacing both the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, the Fire TV Stick HD is priced at $34.99. It maintains the familiar rectangular design of its predecessors, plugging directly into your TV’s HDMI port. While it still requires a micro USB power connection, Amazon includes a cable and power adapter in the box.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Fire TV Stick HD delivers a solid streaming experience. It supports 1080p HD resolution and a range of HDR formats, including HDR 10, HDR10+, and HLG. While it lacks Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, it does offer Dolby-encoded audio.

One of the most notable improvements is the inclusion of an Alexa Voice Remote. This remote allows you to control your Fire TV experience using voice commands, making it easier to find and watch your favorite content. Additionally, you can use Alexa to control your smart home devices and get answers to various questions.

The Fire TV Stick HD runs on Amazon’s Fire OS, which provides access to a wide range of streaming apps, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, Max, Paramount+, and Disney+. It also supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth LE, and Bluetooth 5.0 for easy connectivity.

Under the hood, the Fire TV Stick HD is powered by a 1.7GHz Quad-Core processor and 1GB of RAM. The device also comes with 8GB of storage, which should be sufficient for most streaming apps.

While the Fire TV Stick HD may not offer the same high-end features as its more expensive counterparts, it provides excellent value for its price. Its combination of affordability, performance, and Alexa integration makes it a compelling choice for those looking for a budget-friendly streaming device.