Hey There! Here‘s the Scoop on Whether Walmart Sells Fire Sticks in 2022
I‘m sure you‘ve heard about Fire Sticks and all the buzz around streaming gadgets. You probably want to know: can you walk right into your local Walmart and pick one up? The short answer is no—Walmart doesn‘t sell Fire Sticks in 2022.
But don‘t worry! In this guide, I‘ll give you the lowdown on why Walmart doesn‘t sell Fire Sticks, the streaming devices they do offer, how their Vudu service works, and where you can get a Fire Stick if you really want one. Let‘s dive in!
Why There‘s No Fire Sticks at Walmart
Walmart and Amazon are top competitors when it comes to online retail. So back in 2017, Walmart stopped stocking Amazon products like the Kindle and Fire TV lineup, including the popular Fire Sticks.
It just didn‘t align with Walmart‘s business interests to actively promote a rival‘s gadgets in their stores and on their site. Around that same time, rumors were swirling that Walmart was prepping their own streaming service and devices to compete with Amazon Prime Video and Fire TV. Carrying Fire Sticks would‘ve undermined that strategic move.
What Streaming Devices You Can Buy at Walmart
Don‘t stress about the lack of Fire Sticks! Walmart has a ton of great streaming devices from other major brands:
Roku – Walmart offers several Roku models at different price points. There‘s the basic Express ($29), the handy Streaming Stick ($49), the powerful Ultra ($99) and more. Over 5,000 streaming channels!
Google Chromecast – Just $30 gets you the Chromecast that plugs into your TV‘s HDMI port for streaming from phones, laptops and tablets. Easy!
Apple TV – Access Apple‘s huge library of content through the Apple TV HD ($149) or Apple TV 4K ($169) models sold at Walmart.
NVIDIA Shield – For top-of-the-line streaming and gaming, NVIDIA Shield TV is a powerhouse performer. Not cheap at $199, but stacked with features.
| Device | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Roku Express | $29 | 1080p streaming, remote control |
| Chromecast | $30 | Streams from mobile devices, HD video |
| Apple TV 4K | $169 | 4K HDR streaming, App Store apps, Siri voice assistant |
| NVIDIA Shield TV | $199 | 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, gaming, Chromecast built-in |
With so many options, you can definitely find a streaming stick that fits your needs and budget!
Can You Get Vudu on Walmart‘s Devices?
In addition to all the popular services like Netflix and Hulu, Walmart has its own streaming platform called Vudu. Let me tell you a bit about it!
Vudu started in 2004 as a way to digitally rent movies on-demand. Then in 2010 Walmart bought Vudu to compete with iTunes and Amazon Video. In 2016, Vudu rolled out an ad-supported free tier of movies and shows in addition to rentals and purchases.
While Vudu originally had its own streaming box, now you can access the Vudu app on Roku, Smart TVs, game consoles and more. So if you buy a Roku, Chromecast or Apple TV from Walmart, you can download Vudu right on those devices!
With Vudu, you get:
- Over 150,000 movies and shows available instantly
- Latest new release movies before any other service
- Rentals, purchases or free movies with ads
- Curated channels and original content
It may not be a Netflix killer, but Vudu is a nice extra streaming option!
The Story Behind Walmart Selling Vudu
In April 2020, Walmart made the big decision to sell off Vudu to a company called Fandango. You probably know Fandango best for its movie and TV ticketing apps and services.
Here‘s the inside scoop on why Walmart likely parted ways with Vudu:
- Competition in streaming video exploded, with tons of new services vying for subscribers.
- Compared to Netflix and Hulu, Vudu struggled to grow its user base.
- Walmart wanted to focus more energy on improving its retail business.
- Selling Vudu brought in quick revenue versus continued investment.
So while Walmart no longer owns Vudu, it still operates independently and is available on the streaming gadgets Walmart sells.
Can Walmart Price Match Streaming Devices?
I have a hot tip if you want to save even more money on streaming devices at Walmart – price match with competitors like Amazon!
As long as it‘s the identical product, simply show proof of the lower competitor pricing and ask Walmart to match it at checkout. This allows you to get Amazon‘s rock-bottom prices while shopping in the convenience of your neighborhood Walmart store or at Walmart.com.
According to Walmart‘s current policy, price matches apply to identical items sold and shipped by major retailers including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Staples and more. It‘s definitely worth checking into!
Where You Can Still Buy Fire Sticks
Okay, so Walmart doesn‘t sell Fire Sticks. But if you have your heart set on an Amazon Fire Stick, no need to despair! There are plenty of other major retailers still offering them:
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Amazon – Obviously Amazon has the full selection of Fire TV streamers available 24/7 at usually the lowest prices.
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Best Buy – Both online and in most Best Buy stores, you‘ll find Fire tablets, Fire TV Cube, Fire Sticks and more.
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Target – Target stocks the Fire Stick Lite, Fire Stick 4K and Fire Stick 4K Max models on their site and in stores.
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Kohl‘s – Kohl‘s sells the compact Fire Stick Lite and powerful Fire Stick 4K Max online with free in-store returns.
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Staples – The office supply chain stocks the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K on Staples.com right now.
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eBay – Check eBay for new and used Fire Stick models sold directly by Amazon or reputable third-party sellers.
I don‘t think getting your hands on a Fire TV streamer will be a problem at all!
Can You Buy Fire Sticks at Costco?
Lots of folks like to shop at Costco for discounted tech gadgets, electronics, and more. But unfortunately, Costco does not sell Fire Sticks or any Amazon Fire TV products.
As of 2022, you won‘t find Fire Sticks in Costco warehouses or on Costco.com. Your only path to savings on a Fire Stick through Costco is if you can find discounted gift cards to Amazon or other retailers.
Costco does offer similar streaming devices like Roku sticks and Smart TVs with Roku‘s software built-in. But no special member-only deals on Fire Sticks! Costco likely doesn‘t have a reseller agreement in place with Amazon.
What About Using Amazon Gift Cards at Walmart?
It‘s easy to assume gift cards work universally, but Walmart and Amazon gift cards can only be used at their respective stores.
If you have an Amazon gift card, you‘ll need to redeem it for Amazon devices or services, or sell/trade it for a Walmart gift card if you prefer to shop at Walmart. Some popular sites for exchanging gift cards include CardCash, Raise, and GiftCardSpread.
Alternatively, you could use the Amazon gift card balance to cover a Prime or Prime Video membership since everyone can enjoy the shows, movies, free delivery, and more. Or pass the Amazon gift card along to a frequent Amazon shopper in your life who could put it to good use!
The Takeaway: No Fire Sticks at Walmart But Plenty of Great Alternatives
While Fire Sticks used to be on shelves at Walmart, they stopped selling them due to increasing competition with Amazon. But never fear – Walmart has amazing streaming devices like Roku, Chromecast and Apple TV available.
Plus you can access Walmart‘s own Vudu streaming service with over 150,000 titles on their gadgets. And Walmart may even price match devices with Amazon to get the lowest price guaranteed.
If you must have a Fire Stick, just order one from Amazon, Target, Best Buy or other major retailers still partnering with Amazon. Either way, you have tons of options for affordably streaming all your favorite movies and shows!
I hope this breakdown helps explain the deal with getting streaming devices and Fire Sticks at Walmart. Let me know if you have any other questions!
