Netflix vs. Prime Video for 4K Streaming: Which Service Looks Best on Your TV?

When you sit down to watch a movie in 4K, you don’t just want to see more pixels-you want color that pops, shadows that don’t vanish, and details so sharp you can count the threads on a character’s jacket. But not all 4K streams are made the same. Netflix and Prime Video both promise stunning picture quality, but if you’re trying to decide which one actually looks better on your TV, the answer isn’t as simple as picking the one with more titles.

Picture Quality: It’s Not Just About Resolution

Both Netflix and Prime Video deliver 4K resolution, but resolution is only the starting point. The real difference comes down to encoding, HDR, and bitrate. Netflix uses a more aggressive adaptive streaming system that prioritizes visual fidelity over bandwidth. In tests across multiple 4K TVs, Netflix consistently delivered higher average bitrates-often hitting 15-20 Mbps for 4K HDR content, compared to Prime Video’s typical 12-16 Mbps. That extra bandwidth means smoother gradients in skies, less banding in dark scenes, and better preservation of fine textures like fabric or foliage.

Netflix also has deeper integration with Dolby Vision, which is a more advanced form of HDR than HDR10. If your TV supports Dolby Vision, Netflix will automatically serve content encoded with it on over 80% of its 4K originals. Prime Video supports Dolby Vision too, but only on a fraction of its library-mostly high-budget Amazon Studios productions like The Marvels or The Boys. Most of its licensed content, including popular movies and older TV shows, only uses HDR10, which lacks dynamic metadata and can look flatter on high-end displays.

Color Accuracy and HDR Performance

Color matters more than you think. A 4K image with poor color grading can look washed out or oversaturated, no matter how sharp it is. Netflix has invested heavily in color science, working directly with studios to ensure their masters are preserved in the stream. Their 4K HDR content often uses Rec. 2020 color space, which covers a wider range of colors than Rec. 709. This means deeper reds in a sunset, richer greens in forests, and more lifelike skin tones.

Prime Video’s color performance is hit or miss. Some titles, especially those produced by Amazon, look fantastic. But many licensed films-like older Warner Bros. or Universal titles-were mastered for Blu-ray and upscaled to 4K without proper HDR remastering. The result? Colors can look dull or unnatural, especially in darker scenes. If you’re watching a 4K copy of Blade Runner 2049 on Prime Video, you might notice the neon lights don’t glow the same way they do on Netflix’s version.

Audio Quality: The Hidden Factor

You’re not just watching a movie-you’re hearing it. Netflix leads here too. Most of its 4K originals support Dolby Atmos audio, often at 7.1 channel bitrates up to 640 kbps. That means immersive sound that moves around your room-rain falling from above, a car speeding past from left to right. Prime Video offers Atmos on select titles, but far fewer. Many of its 4K movies still come with standard 5.1 surround or even stereo audio. If you have a soundbar or home theater system, the difference isn’t subtle. Netflix’s audio feels more alive, more detailed, and more connected to the picture.

Content Library: Quality Over Quantity

Prime Video has more total titles-over 20,000 movies and shows. But Netflix has more 4K HDR originals. In 2025, Netflix had 412 original titles available in 4K with HDR, including all seasons of Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game. Prime Video had 187. That’s not just a number-it’s a difference in consistency. On Netflix, if you pick a 4K title, there’s a 92% chance it’s truly mastered in high dynamic range. On Prime Video, that drops to 58%.

Prime Video does have a few exclusive 4K gems: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Jack Ryan look incredible. But they’re the exception, not the rule. Netflix’s entire 4K catalog is built around high-end production. Even their documentaries like Our Planet II are shot in 8K and downsampled to 4K for streaming, giving you a level of detail that feels almost real.

Device Compatibility and Setup

Both services work on almost every modern TV, soundbar, and streaming box. But Netflix has a slight edge in automatic optimization. If you’re using a Samsung 4K TV from 2023, Netflix will detect your display’s capabilities and adjust the stream in real time-switching to Dolby Vision if supported, boosting bitrate if your internet is stable. Prime Video’s detection is less reliable. You might have to manually check settings or restart the app to get the best quality.

Netflix also supports HDR10+ on select LG TVs, while Prime Video doesn’t. If you own a TCL or Hisense TV with HDR10+ support, Netflix will take advantage of it. Prime Video won’t even attempt it.

Price and Value

Netflix’s Premium plan costs €19.99/month in Ireland. It includes 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and up to four screens. Prime Video’s ad-free plan is €10.99/month, but you have to pay extra for 4K streaming-only available with the Prime Video 4K Add-on, which costs €4.99 extra per month. So if you want 4K on Prime Video, you’re paying €15.98/month, nearly €4 less than Netflix. But here’s the catch: that €15.98 doesn’t include Dolby Atmos on most titles, and you still get a smaller selection of true 4K HDR content.

Netflix’s higher price isn’t just for more screens-it’s for consistent, high-quality 4K across everything you watch. Prime Video’s lower price comes with compromises you might not notice until you’re watching side by side.

Real-World Test: What You’ll Actually See

Try this: On a dark night, watch the opening scene of Stranger Things Season 4 on Netflix. Look at the flickering streetlights, the deep shadows in the woods, the way the neon signs reflect on wet pavement. Now watch the same scene on Prime Video’s version of the same show (if it’s available). You’ll see the colors are less saturated, the blacks are grayish, and the details in the background are softer. It’s not a big difference on a budget TV. But on a high-end OLED or QLED? It’s unmistakable.

Another test: Watch 1917 on both services. The long single-take shots rely on perfect lighting and contrast. Netflix’s version preserves the natural grain and subtle shadows. Prime Video’s version flattens the contrast, making the muddy trenches look washed out.

Who Should Choose What?

If you have a high-end 4K TV, a Dolby Atmos sound system, and you care about watching the best-looking versions of new shows and movies-Netflix is the clear winner. It’s not just about the number of titles. It’s about how those titles are presented.

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t have a premium TV, or mostly watch older movies and TV shows you already own, Prime Video might be fine. You’ll still get 4K on some titles, and you’ll save money. But if you want your TV to look its absolute best, you’re settling.

There’s one more thing: Netflix updates its 4K library every week. Prime Video adds new 4K content in bursts-usually tied to big releases. If you want consistent, high-quality streaming without hunting for the best titles, Netflix gives you that.

Final Verdict

Netflix doesn’t just stream 4K-it elevates it. Every frame is treated like a piece of art. Prime Video has potential, but it’s inconsistent. For most people with a modern TV, Netflix looks better, sounds better, and delivers a more reliable experience. The price difference is real, but the visual difference is even more so. If you’re serious about picture quality, Netflix is the only choice that doesn’t make you compromise.