PVRs and set-top boxes advice guides

You’ll need to buy a set-top box or PVR that suits the platform you use. Some models are designed for pay-TV services from Sky TV, Virgin Media, BT TV or TalkTalk, others work with free-to-air services from Freesat or Freeview.

We’ve rounded up the very best PVRs from our testing, so you can pick a model that combines great picture quality with handy features.

Unique Which? reliability data can help you choose a PVR or set-top box brand that lasts. We survey owners of BT, Humax, Manhattan, Panasonic, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media  PVRs and set-top boxes to find out which develop the fewest faults over time.

Discover the differences between PVRs, DVD recorders and smart TV PVRs to help you choose the best digital TV recorder for you.

Which? puts PVRs and set-top boxes through their paces. We rigorously assess the latest models so you can find the best one for you.

If you want to watch TV without being tied into a subscription, then a free-to-air service like Freeview or Freesat could be right for you.