Best FireStick Ethernet Adapter & How to Set Up (Jan 2023)

Jul 04, 2023

Last updated January 1, 2023 By Patrick

In this guide, I’ll help you pick the best Ethernet adapter for your Fire TV device, whether it's a FireStick Lite, FireStick 4K, FireStick 4K Max, or Fire TV Cube. This guide will help you to understand the basics of an Ethernet adapter, why to use one, and how to pick one. This guide includes the 5 best adapters you can buy today, along with how you can set one up and resolve compatibility issues.

FireStick devices are the most popular in the streaming space. Nothing else even comes near. They’re fast, versatile, easy to use, and, most importantly, affordable.

You can expect some serious performance from FireStick hardware. These devices can handle demanding games and apps without breaking a sweat. (That said, if your FireStick is starting to respond slowly, it could be time to do a little maintenance.)

However, even if your device is operating perfectly, video playback can stutter if your internet connection isn't up to the mark.

But you don't have to worry. As they say, there's a solution for every problem. So, sit down, take a deep breath, and allow me to introduce FireStick Ethernet adapters.

Attention, FireStick Users!

Governments and ISPs constantly monitor your online activity, and accessing copyrighted content on your Fire TV Stick could lead to serious trouble. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. I strongly recommend getting the best FireStick VPN to mask your IP address and securely stream your favorites.

I personally use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN available. Not only is it easy to install on any device, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, if you're not 100% satisfied, you can always get a refund. ExpressVPN is currently also offering a whopping 3 extra months free on their annual plan!

Here are reasons why using a VPN at all times is essential.

Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick

A FireStick device connects to your home Wi-Fi network. While the mobility of wireless connections is second to none, they can be quite unreliable. You can certainly make your Wi-Fi more reliable with a Wi-Fi extender, but high-quality Wi-Fi extenders are expensive.

That's where FireStick Ethernet adapters comes into play.

With a FireStick Ethernet adapter, you can provide internet directly from your router to your device via a cable. Just like you can connect your PC to a router with an Ethernet cable, you can do the same if you have a FireStick Ethernet adapter.

Since a FireStick Ethernet adapter is an optional hardware addition to the device, it won't be included with any model of Amazon FireStick.

Note: When you purchase a FireStick Ethernet adapter, it won't come with an Ethernet cable. If you don't already own an Ethernet cable, you’ll need to get an Ethernet cable to use any Ethernet adapter with your FireStick. But before purchasing a cable, see if you can find and use the one that originally came with your router.

Who love wires? Absolutely no one, right? After all, the concept of "wireless everything" is appreciated worldwide for a reason.

So, why would you want to connect an Ethernet adapter to your FireStick and have to plug it into your router, wherever that may be? Why not stick with Wi-Fi? Well, read on.

When it comes to raw speed results, even in the modern day, there's no comparison between wired and wireless connection. Wi-Fi is always slower than an otherwise comparable wired connection, even if you’re using the Wi-Fi near your router. Having fast internet speeds via a wired connection means you’ll be able to stream and watch content properly with minimal buffering.

Additionally, wireless connections are prone to latency and jittering due to the dynamic nature of wireless signals. A wired connection eliminates those factors and smooths out video playback.

For those of you who don't know, wireless connections are quite vulnerable to various phishing, hacking, and malware attacks. Also, with enough effort, your home router's Wi-Fi password can be hacked. The result? Data leaks, privacy invasion, activity monitoring, and more.

On the other hand, no one can intercept the wireless connection to your FireStick if it doesn't exist. Long story short, using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi makes your FireStick more secure.

Did you know routers prioritize devices that are connected by wire over the wireless ones? That means wired connections get better speed and connection quality, even without considering the hardware implications.

You’ll find tons of FireStick Ethernet adapters on the internet and local marketplaces. As you only need to pick one, you may be confused or have second thoughts, and you may even make a bad decision.

So, before you drool over the bold marketing claims of the various Ethernet adapters for FireStick, below are some deciding factors you should consider in order to pick the best adapter for your device.

Speed is one of the most important factors when buying a FireStick Ethernet adapter. Since the device is in charge of providing you with internet access, it must support high internet speeds.

The adapter needs to transfer your internet connection through the micro-USB. Therefore, if the micro-USB has a low data transfer rate, it could limit the bandwidth your FireStick receives.

You may not receive the speed indicated by the adapter depending on the inherent speed of your internet and the Ethernet cable you use.

For example, many Ethernet adapters market data transfer speeds of 480 Mb/s. But if you receive only 100 Mb/s from your internet service provider, you’ll still be limited to that 100 Mb/s.

Similarly, if you’re using an old Cat5 Ethernet cable with a 100 Mb/s speed limit, you’ll be limited to 100 Mb/s even if your other hardware supports higher speeds.

Between your original internet speed, your Ethernet cable speed, and the adapter speed, you’ll receive, at best, the lowest of the three.

You surely don't want a bulky, shapeless piece of hardware, right? I list the dimensions of each adapter up front so you know exactly what each one entails. The smaller the better.

Also, you should check the length of the adapter's power cable to make sure it can reach an outlet with your setup.

What's a FireStick Ethernet adapter good for if it isn't supported by your FireStick?

The Ethernet adapter you are looking to buy must be compatible with your FireStick. I note which FireStick models each adapter is compatible with, but before buying one, you should confirm that your model is listed on the manufacturer's product page.

There are many models of FireStick, so before reading about the Ethernet adapters I recommend below, you should confirm which model you own.

Most FireStick devices are compatible with most Ethernet adapters. However, there are some exceptions: 1st Generation FireSticks aren't supported by most Ethernet adapters. Additionally, the new models like the FireStick 4K Max and FireStick Lite aren't officially compatible with most adapters, though some adapters will work with these models anyway.

When picking an Ethernet adapter, being brand-conscious can turn out to be a wise decision. Here's what I mean.

The internet and your local shops will market tons of FireStick Ethernet adapters. Some throw out wild claims combined with low prices in the hope of influencing your purchase. But that doesn't mean you can trust them. So what can you do? Simply trust the brands that have been in the game for at least a few years and have gathered a proven customer base.

In this guide, I only recommend Ethernet adapters from brands you can trust.

The Ethernet adapter you are purchasing for your FireStick should be versatile, meaning it supports other streaming devices you may have.

There are many FireStick Ethernet adapters on the market that also support various other devices. When purchasing one, do check the list of all compatible gadgets. The longer the list, the better.

On the other hand, if you’re certain you’ll only be using the adapter for your FireStick, this factor isn't critical.

We’re done learning about the essentials of FireStick Ethernet adapters.

Now, I’ll review the 5 most highly rated Ethernet adapters for FireStick. I’m sure one of them is perfect for you.

Supports: Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen, Fire TV Stick 2nd Gen, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV CubeMax speed: 480 Mb/s (60 MB/s)Weight: 2.89 ouncesDimensions: 4.72 x 3.94 x 0.59 inchesBrand: Cable Matters

You may be thinking, Yeah, I know the cable matters—you just told me in the previous section. Slow down, wise guy, it's the brand of the product! The Micro USB to Ethernet Adapter by Cable Matters is one of the best adapters you can buy for your FireStick.

In addition to the FireStick models this adapter supports, it works with Chromecast 1 / 2 / Audio / Ultra, Google Mini Home, and Raspberry Pi Zero.

To avoid limitations with users’ setups, the USB cord for power and the micro-USB to connect to your FireStick are both 3 feet long.

With 1,400+ ratings on Amazon, the Cable Matters Ethernet adapter is one of the finest options to choose from.

Supports: Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 2nd Gen, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV 3rd GenMax speed: 100 Mb/s (12.5 MB/s)Weight: 1 ounceDimensions: 1.79 x 0.74 x 2 inchesBrand: Amazon

What can go wrong if Amazon creates an official Ethernet adapter for its products?

The Amazon Ethernet Adapter supports recent FireStick models as well as previous generations. Since it's made specifically for FireStick devices, you just need to plug it in and you should be good to go. The device feels and looks premium, and the hardware is made of high-quality materials.

The adapter extends 9 to 10 inches from the micro-USB connector. If that works for you, the official Amazon Ethernet adapter is a product you can trust.

Supports: Fire TV 3rd Gen, Fire TV Stick Basic Edition, Fire TV Stick 2nd Gen, Fire TV CubeMax speed: 100 Mb/s (12.5 MB/s)Weight: 1.12 ouncesDimensions: ‎3.74 x 0.83 x 0.59 inchesBrand: Smays

The Ethernet Adapter with USB Hub by Smays is more than just your ordinary adapter. With this product, you can connect up to three additional USB devices, like a mouse, a keyboard, or external storage.

Other than the Fire TV products, you can use this adapter with Chromecast Ultra / 1 / 2 / Audio, Sharp Roku TV, and Echo Show.

The adapter is powered by a USB that needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. Despite this fact, the Smays Ethernet Adapter with USB Hub is one of the most versatile adapters you can purchase for your FireStick.

Supports: Fire TV 3rd Gen, Fire TV Stick Basic Edition, and Fire TV Stick 2nd GenMax speed: 100 Mb/s (12.5 MB/s)Weight: 1.41 ouncesDimensions: 2.42 x 1.02 x 0.71 inchesBrand: UGREEN

UGREEN makes cables, power banks, networking products, and more without compromising on quality. The UGREEN Ethernet Adapter is no exception. Users have tried this adapter with other FireStick models and discovered that most are compatible.

The UGREEN Ethernet Adapter features 3.3-foot power and micro-USB cables that let you set it up just about anywhere you want. The design is a sleek, all-black rectangle.

With 6,400+ ratings on Amazon, this adapter is one of the most reliable ones in the list.

Supports:Fire TV Stick 2nd Gen, Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen, Fire TV Stick 4KMax speed: 100 Mb/s (12.5 MB/s)Weight: 1.06 ouncesDimensions: 6 x 1 x 1 inchesBrand: TV xStream

Want to save a few bucks but don't want to compromise on quality? Although the TV xStream Ethernet Adapter may not look shiny and premium like other options, it gets the job done pretty well.

In addition to the officially supported models, users have reported that it's compatible with most of the other FireStick models. Apart from that, this adapter works flawlessly with Chromecast Ultra / 1 / 2 / Audio, Google Home Mini, Raspberry Pi Zero, and Roku Express.

The setup of this adapter is a bit different. Along with the adapter itself, you get a female USB connected to a male micro-USB and a female micro-USB. The adapter connects to the female USB port, the female micro-USB connects to your FireStick power, and the male micro-USB connects to the FireStick.

Have you made your purchase? You may want to bookmark this guide so you can refer to this section when your adapter is delivered.

If your adapter has already been delivered, it's time to set it up with your FireStick. Most Ethernet adapters are set up the same way, so the following steps apply to most cases. However, I also cover some exceptions.

Unwrap your Ethernet adapter and any accessories that came with it. Unplug your FireStick from your TV. Remember which HDMI port it was in so you can plug it back into the same one later.

Now, take the male micro-USB on your Ethernet adapter and connect it to the micro-USB port on your FireStick.

Note: If your Ethernet adapter has a separate accessory with a male micro-USB (like the TV xStream adapter), simply connect the accessory's male micro-USB to your FireStick instead. Then, connect the accessory's female USB to the male USB on the adapter itself.

Now, it's time to provide a wired internet connection to your FireStick.

Plug one end of your Ethernet cable into your router and the other end into the adapter's Ethernet port. Make sure both ends are tightly connected, as loose fitting can result in compatibility and identification problems.

You shouldn't need to install any drivers, as most Ethernet adapters provide plug-and-play technology.

You have connected your router to the Ethernet adapter and the adapter to your FireStick. Now, it's time to connect your FireStick to your TV.

Carefully pick up your FireStick and make sure the connections are intact. Then, plug it into the same HDMI port on your TV that it was originally plugged into.

We need a power source! Plug the male USB of the Ethernet adapter into a wall charger. If possible, use the wall charger that originally came with your FireStick.

Then, plug the wall charger into a nearby power outlet.

Note: If the Ethernet adapter comes with an accessory (like the TV xStream adapter), you’ll need the male USB to male micro-USB cable that came with your FireStick. Connect the male USB to the wall charger and the male micro-USB to the female micro-USB on the accessory.

Once you’re done with the steps above, turn on your TV and, if necessary, switch to the HDMI input for your FireStick.

Press the home button on your FireStick remote to make sure your TV recognizes your FireStick.

Your FireStick will start up and automatically connect to the internet. It should detect your Ethernet connection and should not connect to Wi-Fi.

If you want to make sure your FireStick won't accidentally switch to Wi-Fi, you can go to Settings > Network > scroll to your Wi-Fi network > press the options button (three horizontal lines) on your FireStick remote to forget the network.

In this guide, I explained why you should use a FireStick Ethernet adapter, showed you how to choose the one that's right for you, and reviewed the best adapters money can buy.

So, which Ethernet adapter did you buy for your FireStick? How is it working for you? Let me and other readers know in the comments section. If you have any questions or suggestions about FireStick Ethernet adapters, please share those as well.

Till then, happy cord-cutting—or should I say happy cord-plugging?

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Filed Under: Fire Stick, How to, Troubleshooting