The best set-top boxes of 2021 make it easy to watch a mix of live TV and your favorite streaming services in one place. Whether you're waiting for the next football game or flipping through Netflix to watch your next movie, a set-top box will provide everything you need on your TV.
Set-top boxes (also known as personal video recorders or PVRs) not only give you all the live events, movies, and TV shows you need, but most of them also allow you to record live TV to watch later with a lot Onboard storage space so you never miss your favorite shows or spend hours searching for the latest episode on an update service.
The popularity of set-top boxes has waned over the years as more people use update and streaming services like Netflix and Disney +. But one of the best set-top boxes can give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to record live TV, access the best streaming platforms, and even audio streaming platforms, like Spotify, all from within.
The design of the set-top boxes has made an enormous impression over the years. They no longer need a full shelf on your TV stand - they're smaller, smarter, and packed with more features and functionality than ever before, like HDR support and multi-room viewing if you have one. Buy several. But there are many different set-top boxes to choose from, which is why we have selected the best models you can buy in 2021.
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The best set-top boxes 2021:
1.Humax FVP-5000T
A solid decoder that will suit everyone
Reasons to buy+ Record four shows at once + Make recordings with your phone + Large storage capacity + FreeviewHD +
Reasons to avoid-A few years ago, but it's still so strong.
Humax is one of the biggest names in the PVR world and although it has been on the market for a few years now, the FVP-5000T is the best set-top box you can buy today. Place this nifty device under your television and you have one of the best centers for home entertainment.
There are three models to choose from. The entry-level model has a 500GB hard drive, but there are 1TB and 2TB versions if that's not enough for your television habit.
A multi-tuner matrix allows you to record up to four shows (or games) at once and the 5000TB Humax FVP-2T can store 500 hours of HD content. Or 1000 in SD quality.
The Humax Live TV app for iOS and Android also allows you to set up recordings using your phone and even stream TV directly to it.
Using Freeview Play, the Humax FVP-5000T gives you access to all major UK update services, as well as Netflix and YouTube.
The best premium set-top box for TV addicts
THE BEST DEALS OF THE DAY
Reasons to buy+ The most complete service + Loan for multiple reproductions + Record many programs at the same time
For the best TV recording experience, no matter the cost, check out Sky Q; once you've tried this service, it's hard to go back.
Sky Q allows you to watch TV and recordings on your phone or tablet, and stream content to other Sky boxes in the house. This is the PVR for multiple rooms.
Get the Sky Q Ultra HD 2TB high-end box and you can record six shows at once while watching a seventh. You also get a high-tech Bluetooth remote control.
Of course, there is a higher investment than with a standard set-top box, as you have to pay for a basic Sky TV subscription, as well as other optional extras like Sky Sports.
But if you want your set-top box to do more, Sky Q really is something special.
Read more: Sky Q review
3. Virgin Media TiVO
A cheaper alternative to Sky Q
Reasons to buy+ Comes free with Virgin Media TV plans + Cheaper than Sky Q + 4K compatible + Large storage capacity
Reasons to avoid-Not as polite as Sky
If Sky seems too expensive for you, Virgin Media is another subscription option to consider. All Virgin Media TV plans now come with an advanced Virgin Media TiVO V6 box.
This is significantly better than most standalone PVR decoders. First, you can record six shows at once (and it lets you watch a seventh). Play Netflix and YouTube in 4K resolution and the 1TB hard drive can store 500 hours of SD TV or 100 in HD quality.
You can also stream TV and recordings to a phone or tablet.
But is it much cheaper than Sky Q? You'll pay €22 per month for the Basic Mix TV package, which has 150 channels, including Sky One, Fox and of course the terrestrial channels we need for the World Cup. There's also a €20 'setup' fee, but that's a lot less than the €199 you'll pay for Sky's 2TB Ultra HD box.
Read more: Virgin Media TiVO V6 review
4. Manhattan T3-R
A quick box with future-proof imaging options
Reasons to buy+ Responsive interface + 4K and HDR support + Large storage capacity + Freeview Play's user interface is excellent
Reasons to avoid-No Netflix or Amazon Prime Video apps
With its powerful boxes offering responsive interfaces where other similar competitors slow down, Manhattan has made a name for itself in the set-top box.
The Manhattan T3-R, available in 500GB and 1TB options, is the best of the brand to date and can be found at prices that don't break the bank.
It allows you to navigate the Freeview Play interface, with an easy to understand user interface, making it virtually foolproof. All the major UK catch-up TV services are counted here, along with iPlayer, All 4 and others. It also has a feature that allows you to create your own 'personal watchlist' for on-demand content, so you can follow the shows that matter to you, no matter what channel or update platform they're on.
As quiet as it is fast, the box makes 1080p content sharp, but it makes perfect sense when you have a 4K HDR TV, as both picture technologies are supported. It is limited to the YouTube app to deliver HDR content for now, but is future proof at least when terrestrial TV providers start offering the content.
Where it loses marks is in its recording orders (only two channels can be recorded at a time) and is the lack of Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription streaming apps. However, if those services aren't your thing, the well-functioning Manhattan T3-R makes it hard to ignore at its € 170 price tag.
5. Humax HDR-1100S
The best decoder for irregular signals
Reasons to buy+ Uses a satellite dish for a better signal + Built-in Wi-Fi + Good storage options
Reasons to avoid-Register only two programs at a time
Is the Freeview signal weak in your area? You need a Freesat PVR like the Humax HDR-1100S. This uses a satellite dish instead of a standard antenna to receive the TV signal, which means that it is the best decoder for irregular signals.
Built-in Wi-Fi also gives you access to update services, as well as YouTube and Netflix.
Like the Humax FVP-5000T, you can choose between 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB models. You just have to decide how much you want to store. Want to save the entire 2018 World Cup for posterity, including all the pre-game talk? Look for the 1TB version.
You can record two shows at once with the Humax HDR-1100S, view the TV guide, and set up recordings with the Freesat phone app.
6.Panasonic DMR-HWT250EB
A great set-top box for 4K TVs
Reasons to buy+ 4K support + Large storage capacity + Long-term recording mode
Reasons to avoid-You can record only two shows at a time
The Panasonic DMR-HWT250EB is a stylish alternative to the Humax FVP-5000T. But what is different with this decoder?
It's a Freeview Play and Freeview HD recorder, so you get the same channels and access to secondary services like YouTube and Netflix. It only allows you to record two shows at once instead of four, but it also has a few more tips.
The Panasonic DMR-HWT250EB can play 4K video through its USB port, a huge plus for those with 4K TVs. It also has special long-term recording modes that reduce the amount of storage used by your shows.
You can store up to 684 hours of HD content on your 1TB hard drive, instead of the 259 hours you get directly to capture the Freeview HD stream.
7.BT YouView+
An alternative to TNT
Reasons to buy+ Affordable + Wide variety of streaming platforms + Flexibility for BT TV subscribers
Reasons to avoid-Storage could be better
You can assume that you will need some kind of subscription to use a YouView + BT box, but that is not the case.
YouView is an alternative to Freeview Play, an interface that combines regular Freeview channels with streaming services. These include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.
If you want to go further, you can get this set-top box as part of a BT TV subscription, which unlocks access to additional channels like BT Sport and Comedy Central.
However, one of the main advantages of the BT YouView + box is its low price when purchased alone; Frankly, it's a bargain.
It has "only" a 500 GB hard drive, which can store 300 hours in SD quality or 125 in HD. But that just means you'll have to juggle more with your library of recordings. For the tech-savvy, this box is made by PVR master Humax.
There is also an Ultra HD version of the YouView + box, for those who have 4K TVs.
- Upgrade your TV for the best experience with our guides to the best TVs and the best 4K TVs you can buy today.
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