Is the Amazon Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter Worth It?
What’s your streaming device of choice? If it’s the Fire TV Stick, you may’ve encountered buffering problems in the past. Even if your internet connection is super-fast, this can still happen.
To resolve the issue, you might consider an Ethernet Adapter for your Fire Stick. But there are some conflicting reports about their effectiveness. The adapter is easy to install, but is it really necessary?
In this article, we’ll cover what kind of performance you can expect from a Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter. And if getting one is the right choice for you.
What Is a Fire TV Ethernet Adapter?
The Ethernet adapter is a commonly used device that offers a faster, more stable internet connection. At least that’s what it’s meant to do. They’re especially useful in households where the Wi-Fi signal can’t reach every corner equally.
How to Use Ethernet Adapter with Fire TV Stick
There are several advantages and disadvantages of using the Ethernet adapter with Fire Stick. But before we cover this in more detail, let’s show you how to connect them in the first place. Here’s what you need to do:
- Plug in your Fire Stick in the HDMI input on your TV.
- Next, connect the Micro USB to the Fire Stick.
- Now, connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet adapter.
- Finally, plug in the USB into the power outlet.
- When you’ve finished setting up the Ethernet Adapter, turn on your TV. Find your TV’s Settings, and from the Fire menu select “Network”.
- After that, choose the “Wired” option and wait for the connection to follow.
On the surface, it might seem like it’s a lot of cables and therefore a complicated setup. But that’s far from that the case. In no time, you’ll have your Fire Stick connected to the Ethernet adapter.
Advantages of Using Fire TV Stick Ethernet Adapter
It can be frustrating when your favorite show starts to buffer. You might decide to pick a fight with your Wi-Fi router or start complaining about your internet service provider again.
Sure, those are all valid options. But here are a few reasons why you might consider getting a Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter.
No Signal Interference
Depending on the layout of your home, your router could be in a less than optimal position. This means that a thick wall might interfere with the Wi-Fi signal. Alternatively, a microwave oven may be causing the problem.
You could be paying for a high-speed internet but still have many connection issues in your home. This is where Ethernet Adapter comes in handy. It’s designed to eliminate all concerns about that inconvenient signal interference.
More Stable Connection
If the Fire TV Stick is your cord-cutting solution, the last thing you want is poor connection quality that results in poor image quality. And it’s not always about internet speeds. Your Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection might actually have similar speed results if you test them.
But without a doubt, the Ethernet adapter will provide a more stable and continuous connection. This might prove to be more important when it comes to streaming than how fast your internet is.
More Security
Most people are aware that the wireless connection isn’t the safest. On the other hand, a wired connection is much more reliable and more contained. This perhaps might not be your biggest concern, but it’s worth keeping it in mind.
The Disadvantage of Using Fire TV Stick Ethernet Adapter
The additional cost is one of the prominent disadvantages of an Ethernet adapter. Sure, it might not cost a fortune, but it’s still an expense.
And if it’s not going to be a significant improvement, it might not be worth the investment. Another downside is that troubleshooting can be challenging, though not impossible.
Should You Get a Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter?
If you’re on the fence over an Ethernet Adapter, there’s one important question to ask. How bad is the buffering and image quality? If you’re expecting HD performance but all you’re getting is low image quality, then perhaps it’s the right choice for you.
Similarly, if watching a movie is interrupted by buffering every five minutes, then consider it as an option. But if you’re experiencing only minor glitches and interference, chances are you’ll still have them with the adapter.
Have you ever used the Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter before? Let us know in the comments section below.
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3 thoughts on “Is the Amazon Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter Worth It?”
Another reason not to get an Ethernet Adapter is that it depends on running at least a Cat 5e Ethernet cable between your router and your Firestick Adapter, which is a fairly big deal if they are not in the same room or on the same floor… which is why you may be having buffering problems in the first place.
Fortunately, since Amazon accepts returns for any reason, you can buy one and try it out in your setup. If it does NOT improve your buffering problems in the late afternoon and evenings (when most people are using their Internet most heavily and slowing yours down significantly) then you can return what you’ve bought for a full refund.
I opt for hard-wiring (however it happens to need to get working) for stationary devices, and portable is almost always Wifi. And if you live in an apartment building with 300 other people with wifi stations, I’d go hardwired before I even consider wifi.