Is Amazon Prime Video worth it?
Prime Video is the best perk of being an Amazon Prime member. We see you, AmazonFresh and two-day shipping, but access to 25,000 movies and TV shows is just tastier for that $14.99 a month. You can even get access to its entire catalog for a smaller bill of $8.99 a month, although you won’t get any of those other Prime perks.
We call good on Prime Video, to the point where we named it our favorite on-demand streaming service going into 2024.
Prime Video also offers live sports programming (like NFL, NBA, and WNBA coverage), and it has a growing slate of in-house original TV shows and movies (like award winners The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the mega-budget The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power).
No streamer is perfect. Prime Video’s small-but-growing stable of original content can’t compete with Netflix’s sheer quantity of shows and movies. It also doesn’t have the immediacy of Hulu, which streams many TV shows the day after they’re broadcast elsewhere. And at as of January 29, 2024, you’ll have to shell out an extra $2.99/mo. to get rid of ads on all (previously ad-free) Prime content, which we don’t love.
Still, there’s plenty to love about Prime Video, especially if you’re a movie buff who’s a sucker for ’80s marathons (aren’t we all?).
- Included with Amazon Prime membership
- Over 25,000 movies and TV shows
- Limited original content
- Less essential as a standalone service
Amazon Prime Video free trials and deals
Amazon Prime gives you a 30-day free membership trial, which means you also have a month to try out Prime Video. If you’re interested in only Prime Video, the same 30-day trial also applies.
Amazon Prime Video plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Video | Streams | Ad-free? | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video w/ Amazon Prime membership | $14.99/mo. or $139.00/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | — | View plan |
| Prime Video | $8.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | — | View plan |
| Ad-free Prime Video w/ Amazon Prime membership* | $17.98/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | ✔ | View plan |
| Ad-free Prime Video* | $11.98/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | ✔ | View plan |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* beginning January 29, 2024.
Even though the price recently went up, we still prefer our Prime Video included with an Amazon Prime membership. The standalone Prime Video subscription does give you access to plenty of entertainment, but the extra perks of the Amazon Prime membership are worth the price in our estimation. Basically, we’re suckers for late-night shopping and free shipping—we’ll admit it.
Amazon Prime Video vs. the competition
| Service | Price | Video | Streams | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | $8.99–$14.99/mo. or $139.00/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | View plans |
| Netflix | $6.99–$22.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 2–4 | View plans |
| Hulu | $7.99–$17.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 2 | View plans |
| Disney+ | $7.99–$13.99/mo. or $139.99/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 4 | View plans |
| Max | $9.99–$19.99/mo. or $99.99–$199.99/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 2–4 | View plans |
| Apple TV+ | $9.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 6 | View plans |
| Paramount+ | $5.99–$11.99/mo. or $59.99–$119.99/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | View plans |
| Peacock | $5.99–$11.99/mo. or $59.99–$119.99/yr. | 1080p, 4K | 3 | View plans |
| Discovery+ | $4.99–$8.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 4 | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Prime Video falls somewhere in the middle of the competition in price and content—it doesn’t have the largest collection of originals, but it’s not the most expensive service either. But can any of the others also deliver a Ninja air fryer to your door within 48 hours? Amazon Prime membership combined with Prime Video is an all-inclusive entertainment package that’s tough to beat.
Amazon Prime Video TV shows and movies
TV shows and movies
Prime Video carries three kinds of content: free with ads, included with Prime, and video on demand (VOD, or titles you can rent/purchase). We have a few recommendations in our What to Watch on Prime Video guide.
Free titles are technically available through Prime’s sister service, Freevee. Freevee has its own app for non-subscribers, but also lives in Prime Video’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, Prime’s interface blends all three types of content together so it can be hard for newcomers to tell whether they’re getting something with ads, without ads, or for an additional fee.
Of all Prime Video’s categories, the most popular is “included with Prime.” This means you won’t have to pay extra to watch a TV series or movie (it’s also indicated by a blue “Prime” tab on the preview image).
Additional charge shows and movies from the Prime Video rental store are labeled with a yellow “$” tab and can range from $2 to $20 per TV episode or full movie. Most newly released videos on demand fall under this category, with Amazon-owned movies (like Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse) excluded.
Original TV shows and movies
Prime Video’s original lineup of TV series and movies isn’t quite as fat as Netflix’s or Hulu’s, but it’s growing steadily in quantity and critical acclaim. Shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, and Good Omens, and movies like Sound of Metal, I’m Your Woman, and Coming 2 America prove Prime Video can go toe-to-toe creatively with the other services.
Channel add-ons
There are over 100 channel add-ons available through Prime Video, ranging from familiar premiums like SHOWTIME, STARZ, and EPIX to niche channels like BBC Select, PBS Masterpiece, and Hallmark Movies Now.
Some add-on channels, such as the martial-arts centric Hi-Yah!, go for as little as $2.99 a month, while SHOWTIME costs the same $10.99 a month as it does on cable or satellite. Read about all the options in our Amazon Prime Video Add-Ons guide.
Live sports
Prime Video is now the streaming home to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football, which is included in the basic subscription—again, always look for the blue Prime tab. Off the gridiron and into the sand, AVP pro beach volleyball games are also included with Prime Video.
You can also watch live MLB baseball (MLB.TV), NBA basketball (NBA TV, NBA League Pass), CBS Sports (Paramount+), and Spanish-language soccer coverage (ViX Premium) through Prime Video Channels for additional monthly fees.
"Amazon Prime Video is my favorite streaming service. I could not be more happy with their selection of shows."
Amazon Prime Video specs and features
Prime Video’s on-screen guide is comparable to other on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, but one of our favorite Prime Video features is its exclusive X-Ray function, which displays information about the movie or TV show you’re currently watching. It identifies actors in any given scene, provides trivia and soundtrack information, and more with a single remote click. It’s handy for those “I know that guy—what’s he been in?” moments.
Amazon Prime Video simultaneous streams
| Plan | Streams |
|---|---|
| Prime Video | 3 |
Data effective as of post date.
Prime Video allows up to three simultaneous streams, which is pretty standard with most streaming services. It also offers offline downloads for unconnected viewing, allowing up to 25 downloads per Prime Video account with 30 days to watch.
You can also create up to five user profiles within Prime Video and set up parental controls based on content ratings with a PIN number. Even though it’s a cartoon, you probably don’t want the kiddies watching Prime Video’s ultra-violent superhero original Invincible.
Amazon Prime Video compatible devices
| Device | Prime Video |
|---|---|
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, TV | ✔ |
| Android phones, tablets | ✔ |
| Android TV | ✔ |
| Apple TV (4th gen.) | ✔ |
| Apple TV 4K | ✔ |
| Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV | ✔ |
| Echo Show | ✔ |
| iPhone, iPad | ✔ |
| LG TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| Nintendo Switch | — |
| NVIDIA SHIELD Pro TV | ✔ |
| PC, Mac web browsers | ✔ |
| PlayStation 3, 4, 5 | ✔ |
| Roku Ultra, Express, Premiere, Stick, TV | ✔ |
| Samsung TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| TiVo Stream | ✔ |
| Wii | — |
| Xbox One | ✔ |
Data effective as of post date.
With the exception of Nintendo devices, your streaming gadget of choice is likely compatible with Prime Video. Amazon’s Fire TV devices work exceptionally well with Prime Video, as it’s literally what they were created to stream. Looks like corporate synergy pays off.
Amazon Prime Video video and audio quality
Prime Video streams at 1080p HD, with some original TV shows and movies in 4K, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. It’s not consistent from show to show, though: Prime Video’s hit Bosch is available in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, while Carnival Row is available in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos.
As long as your internet connection is solid and fast, Amazon Prime Video’s picture quality is reliably pristine. Prime Video recommends at least 5 Mbps to get that quality; we recommend 25 Mbps at minimum for buffer-free streaming.
Audio-wise, Prime Video supports Dolby 5.1 digital surround sound for most of its original movies and TV shows, and Dolby Atmos on a small portion of content. For the majority of programming on Prime Video, however, sound output is the standard 2.0 stereo offered by all other streaming services.
Is Amazon Prime Video worth it?
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, Prime Video is an excellent streaming addition to your app lineup—if you aren’t already using it, why not? That’s like passing on a free dessert with your entrée, or at least those “extra” fries in the bottom of the takeout bag.
For non-Prime members, the standalone $8.99 a month service might not be quite as essential as a Netflix or Hulu subscription. Prime Video’s original series and movies are high quality but few, and you can get its premium channels and rental movies for the same prices elsewhere.
But, now that Prime Video is the exclusive streaming home to NFL Thursday Night Football and the epic Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power original series, we think the streamer has become more essential than it was previously.
Amazon Prime Video FAQ
Is Prime Video included with Amazon Prime membership?
Access to Prime Video is included at no extra charge with an Amazon Prime membership.
How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?
Access to Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99 a month or $139.00 a year. For non-Prime members, Prime Video is available as a standalone streaming service for $8.99 a month.
Starting January 24, 2024, both groups of subscribers can pay an extra $2.99/mo. to get rid of ads. The service was previously ad-free.
How much do Amazon Prime Video movie rentals cost?
Movie rentals through Prime Video can range from as low as $2.99 for older releases to as much as $19.99 for recent theatrical releases.
What is the difference between Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime membership?
Amazon Prime membership is a service provided by Amazon.com. With it, subscribers receive free, standard, or two-day delivery of items purchased on Amazon.com, as well as full access to Prime Video’s thousands of TV shows and movies.
What is included with Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video features over 25,000 movies and TV shows, including exclusive originals, live sports, and film premieres for $8.99 a month, or $14.99 included with an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video streams in 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and allows mobile downloads for offline viewing of some content.
Where is Amazon Prime Video available?
Amazon Prime Video is available to most of the world, with the exceptions of Mainland China, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
Methodology
Our experts employed 1000s of hours of hands-on testing with Prime Video, rating the streaming service on bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction. Then we matched up Prime Video with other on-demand streaming services head to head to give a clearer picture of its strengths and weaknesses. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
