Streaming is undoubtedly one of the easiest and most popular ways to watch TV, as you have countless options across multiple apps right at your fingertips. However, what happens when you lack the necessary internet connection to really benefit from streaming?
That’s where a set top-box comes in. Although it might seem like an old-fashioned device, a set-top box is a reliable way to watch all of your favourite shows and films that are broadcast on TV. Set-top boxes also allow you to record shows and movies to watch at your convenience, while many now offer access to streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer too.
Although you will have to pay for any subscriptions, the beauty of a set-top box is that it’s usually just a one-off cost, which means you won’t be tied into long contracts or high monthly fees.
While set-top boxes might not be as popular as they once were, there are still plenty of options available for both Freeview and Satellite users. In case you’re not sure: the former doesn’t require you to have a satellite dish installed at your home while the latter does.
Most set-top boxes are also impressively feature-packed, with 4K support and multi-room functionality too. So, with all of this in mind, how do you even begin to choose which set-top box to go for?
We’ve reviewed many of the best set-top boxes and subjected each device to rigorous testing to determine how well it performs. We judge everything from its audio and video quality to how easy and responsive it is during use. Plus, when applicable, we test the recording features and compare connectivity ports to competitors.
Keep reading to see which set-top boxes impressed us the most. Not sure if a set-top box is right for you? Make sure you visit our list of the best streaming devices or our best Fire TV guide for an all-in-one approach to watching TV.
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How we test set-top boxes
We watch a lot of TV on these set-top boxes, paying attention to the image and sound quality. When possible, we compare that picture quality to what is expected from the television itself, to gauge what, if anything, these set-top boxes are bringing to the picture.
Interface is a big part of how we review set-top boxes. Is the remote easy to use and responsive to presses. Is the user interface intuitive? Is it easy to navigate and what forms of navigation does it support? All these things will help determine how good the user experience is.
And what about content? How much content is available, which apps are supported and is support in terms of features up to the standards we’d expect. If a set-top box says it supports apps in 4K HDR, we’ll be looking for apps that actually carry support for those features.
Other features we look out for are the number of tuners supported, connectivity and how do the catch-up features work. Smarts are to be expected, and we’ll test these to judge whether they’re implemented well and live up to expectations
Finally, every element is judged against the price. If a machine represents good value generally, we’ll be a little more lenient on a bad remote. Pricier machines, however, had better be great
Pros
- Watch practically everything anywhere
- Powerful interface
- Brilliant Netflix integration
- Lots of Ultra HD content
- HDR and Dolby Atmos
Cons
- Not cheap
- HDR support limited
- Dolby Atmos doesn’t work in apps
Pros
- Good AV performance
- Recording and Freeview Play support
- Ample amount of storage options
- Easy and straightforward to use
Cons
- Not the most capable HDR performance
- Interface can be sluggish
- Missing a few apps such as Netflix
- Expensive
Pros
- Record up to four shows
- Simple interface
- Supports HDR and Ultra HD
Cons
- Channel 4 not in HD
- No Dolby Vision
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Watch practically everything anywhere -
Powerful interface -
Brilliant Netflix integration -
Lots of Ultra HD content -
HDR and Dolby Atmos
-
Not cheap -
HDR support limited -
Dolby Atmos doesn’t work in apps
Although it’s arguably been succeeded by the likes of Sky Stream and Sky Glass, Sky Q remains a brilliant option for those who want a more back-to-basics way to watch TV.
In fact, Sky Q‘s UI is one of the best in the business, providing a convenient means of finding content whether it’s on-demand, recordings and browsing through the TV guide. It’s clean appearance loaded with images for a more visual-based means of interaction, as well as convenient text descriptions makes it easy to understand. There are dedicated sub-menus for different categories or types of programming, which comes handy for more specific searches.
Sky Q supports a multi-room configuration with additional Mini boxes. These are small devices that can be connected to other TVs to stream content from the main box. The main Q box streams in 4K but the Mini Boxes only support HD. We found that disappointing, especially when the Mini box is connected to a 4K TV.
Sky’s range of content is vast with films, US dramas, comedies, thousands of TV box-sets and sports in the form of Premier League and Formula One, however the subscriptions aren’t inexpensive. The UHD content is better than any other service we’ve reviewed, and there is paid content though the Sky Store with access to instant downloads.
Our reviewer found picture quality outstanding, with HD programming presented in sharp detail, and UHD content looking fantastic (though this depends on the TV). With HDR support, films and TV series look much better with greater contrast and a wider range of colours.
On the audio front there’s Dolby Atmos, which we found to be a step-up in quality with extra height and width to audio. Sky Q is easily one of the best set-top boxes if you can afford Sky’s subscriptions.
As mentioned, there is the option of Sky Stream which includes Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR for those who want a streaming-based solution.
It’s worth noting that ordering Sky Q isn’t quite as simple as other options on our list. While it is still available from Sky, you can’t simply order it online and instead you’ll need to call them up to purchase. The service is also being phased out by Sky, as it shifts towards streaming-first rather than satellite.
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Good AV performance -
Recording and Freeview Play support -
Ample amount of storage options -
Easy and straightforward to use
-
Not the most capable HDR performance -
Interface can be sluggish -
Missing a few apps such as Netflix -
Expensive
The Aura is Humax’s most recent set-top box, offering 4K HDR support and plenty of storage. It’s not perfect but competitive against other Freeview boxes.
The design of the Aura mimics Sky Q in its looks: a black, sleek, and curvier effort than the older FVP-5000T. We do find that the glossy sheen picks up dust and requires a wipe every so often. We’re not fond of the remote packaged with the Aura though. It’s large, stuffed with buttons and feedback is stiff.
The Android interface does look dated after a few years and we’re hoping the next generation of set-top boxes evolves to having Google TV. For now though, the home screen can be customised and there are lots of shelves to scroll through. Traversing the interface isn’t the speediest experience with a little lag. It’s the one area where we feel the Aura should be better.
In terms of apps there is plenty to choose from with Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, ITVX, Paramount+, TikTok, Mubi, Deezer, Roxi, Discovery+, and more. It’s not as many as Fire TV, Google TV, or Roku, but it’s a strong enough roster of apps. If you’re looking to record and store content for later, there 1TB and 2TB versions available.
With its AV performance, there are positive gains in overall sharpness, clarity, and detail with HD broadcasts; with noise pretty much removed. It’s with HDR content where the Humax Aura struggles as it only supports HDR10 and not Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Playback of HDR streams has a dimmer appeareance with less contrast than Dolby Vision streams.
With music the Aura delivers a dynamic and snappy performance streaming from Spotify. It sounds clean and neutral in tone, showing plenty of skill in navigating the differences between quiet and loud, with a performance that’s spacious, clear, and well defined. This is a solid if expensive Freeview set-top box. Manhattan has launched the T4R and T4 recording/streaming boxes and we’ll be looking to review those models.
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Record up to four shows -
Simple interface -
Supports HDR and Ultra HD
-
Channel 4 not in HD -
No Dolby Vision
If Sky Q is too expensive, the Freesat 4K TV Recorder is a more affordable satellite alternative. It is a neat looking box, with almost everything you’d want in terms of connections with an HDMI port, Ethernet, a digital audio port for audio, and a pair of satellite inputs.
How these satellite inputs are used depends on the type of LNB (Low Noise Block) the satellite dish has. A standard LNB allows for two channels to be watched simultaneously, while wideband offers up to four. There’s also Wi-Fi for streaming over the Internet.
During testing we found the interface responsive and intuitive, with the minimally designed menus that featured convenient access to on-demand apps, live programming and saved recordings. We also found a good selection of live channels with 180 available although only 24 are broadcast in HD.
On-demand content constitutes of BBC iPlayer, My5, STV Player and UKTV Play, giving access to most of the main free-to-air channels. There’s further convenience with a mobile app that allows for recording shows when you’re outside the house, although it’s worth noting it takes up to 30 minutes for recordings to appear on the box itself.
When it comes to visual quality, we found the Freesat conveyed HD channels in a detailed and sharp with no artefacts. With SD content, there is the typical softness around the edges of people and objects, although the Freesat box does a decent job of reducing artefacts where possible.
Unlike Sky Q, 4K Ultra HD isn’t available on Freesat platform, and only Netflix and YouTube support 4K HDR. Watching Netflix in 4K HDR and our reviewer noted more impact in terms of detail and colours with more subtleties in tone. A solid box at a more affordable price than Sky, although without as much content.
Test Data
| Sky Q | Humax Aura | Freesat 4K TV Recorder |
|---|
Full Specs
| Sky Q Review | Humax Aura Review | Freesat 4K TV Recorder Review | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK RRP | £33 | £249 | £199 |
| USA RRP | – | Unavailable | – |
| EU RRP | – | Unavailable | – |
| CA RRP | – | Unavailable | – |
| AUD RRP | – | Unavailable | – |
| Manufacturer | Sky | Humax | Freesat |
| Storage Capacity | 2TB | 2TB | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Size (Dimensions) | 345 x 210 x 43 MM | 258 x 200 x 43 MM | 250 x 150 x 35 MM |
| Weight | 1.47 KG | 764 G | 1.34 KG |
| ASIN | B07RHC2955 | B08LFGYT1F | B07XRQ9JS6 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2020 | 2020 |
| First Reviewed Date | 18/09/2020 | – | 12/03/2020 |
| Model Number | – | FVP-4KGTR /GB/2TB | UHD-4X-500 |
| Model Variants | 2TB Ultra HD box | Humax Aura 1TB | 1TB, 2TB, Non-recordable version |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| HDR | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tuners | 12 | 3 | 4 |
| Ports | HDMI, Satellite, USB, Optical S/PIDF, LAN | Ethernet, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, optical | HDMI, Digital Optical Audio, LAN |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, AirPlay | Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Colours | Blacl | Black | Anthracite |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+ (Atmos) | – | Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos |
| Remote Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apps | BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney Plus, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Discovery+, Vevo, Roxi, XITE, FiiT, YouTube, YouTube Kids, Roku, Red Bull TV, BBC Sounds, Play.works, Beehive Bedlam, Highbrow, Tastemade | Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+. Lionsgate+ ITVX, Paramount+, TikTok, Mubi, Deezer, Roxi, Discovery+, BT Sport, Steam Link, Spotify, Vevo, Tidal, UFC, Peloton, BBC Sounds and DAZN | BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, STV Player, BritBox, Netflix, Eros Now, CBS Catchup, UKTV Play, BBC Sounds, YouTube, YouTube Kids, Pop Player, France 24, Horror Bites, Amazon Prime Video |
