Best PVRs and set-top boxes: Which? reviews and expert buying advice

Whether you're looking to record TV onto a PVR, or you just want to access more channels through an aerial or satellite with a set-top box, there are plenty of options.

In this guide, we explain the differences between the two types of devices, highlight the most important features and reveal our recommendations (as well as those to avoid).

Best TVs: see the models that have aced our lab tests

Best PVRs and set-top boxes

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below and read our full reviews. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

 August DVB400

Type: Set-top box
Requires: TV aerial
Number of tuners: 1
Hard drive: n/a

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 August DVB482

Type: Set top box
Requires: TV aerial
Number of tuners: 2
Hard drive: n/a

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 Humax Aura 1TB

Type: PVR
Requires: TV aerial
Number of tuners: 3
Hard drive: 1TB

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 Freesat UHD-4X 4K PVR - 1TB

Type: PVR
Requires: Satellite dish
Number of tuners: 2 (4 with wideband LNB satellite dish)
Hard drive: 1TB

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 Freesat UHD-X 4K TV Box

Type: Set-top box
Requires: Satellite dish
Number of tuners: 2
Hard drive: n/a

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 Manhattan SX

Type: Set-top box
Requires: Satellite dish
Number of tuners: 1
Hard drive: n/a

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 Panasonic DMR-EX97EB-K

Type: PVR
Requires: TV aerial
Number of tuners: 2
Hard drive: 500GB (plus DVD recorder)

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PVR vs set-top box: what's the difference?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically speaking PVRs have the ability to record live television, saving it to their built-in hard drive. Set-top boxes, meanwhile, merely allow you to watch live or catch-up TV via services such as Freeview or Freesat; they can't record.

Some set-top boxes have the ability to be paired with an external hard drive, which will grant them PVR-like capabilities. However, recording TV to an external storage device often isn't as seamless as on PVRs with built-in storage.

How much should I spend on a set-top box or PVR?

PVR prices tend to range between £100 and £300, but cheaper models are available. The price is often dictated by two key features:

• The size of the hard drive – typically between 500GB and 2TB (2,000GB) – which affects how much you can record. 
• The number of tuners. The more tuners a PVR has, the more channels you can record at once. If your device doesn't have enough tuners, you might not be able to watch live TV while recording another channel too, so check before you buy.

Set-top boxes are usually much cheaper, since they lack the ability to record. More expensive set-top boxes are often smart, which means they have catch-up and streaming apps, such as BBC iPlayer and YouTube. However, as our reviews show, some models only support a selection of apps, so be sure to find this out before you buy. There are also 4K models on the market, which can up the price still further.

Best PVR and set-top box features to look out for

• Freeview or Freesat? A Freeview device uses an aerial to access channels, while a Freesat one uses a satellite. If you have a rooftop or indoor aerial, go for a Freeview box. If you've got a satellite dish, choose Freesat.
• Is it smart? Not all PVRs and set-top boxes are internet-enabled, so if you want to access catch-up and streaming apps then choose one that is.
• Hard drive size A 500GB hard drive can store around 125 hours of HD TV. If that's not enough then choose a bigger model.
• 4K All PVRs and set-top boxes can access HD channels, but some also support the higher-quality 4K. Although 4K content at the moment is limited, it offers a level of future proofing.

When is the best time to buy a PVR or set-top box?

Both types of devices can stay on sale for many years. Prices aren't that high to start with, and get even lower the longer a model is on the market.

Unsurprisingly, the best time to buy is usually during a sale, such as Black Friday or the January sales (but check our reviews first to make sure you aren't being sold a dud).

Set-top box and PVR accessibility features

Many PVRs and set-top boxes offer additional functionality for those with sight or hearing impairments. We've highlighted some of the most common, below.

Audio description

Audio description (AD) is an additional narrative audio track for visually impaired people. It describes what is happening on the screen, from changes of location and actions to facial expressions and gestures in order to give context and set the scene. Descriptions are fitted between dialogue or commentary to avoid interrupting the flow of the programme.

Audio description can be found on many free-to-air programmes and most new digital TVs can decode the signal. 

There are two methods of receiving audio descriptions. The description can be carried on the same channel as the original programme, or it can be broadcast on a second sound channel which contains the audio description.

The latter system allows more flexibility, as one person can listen on headphones while others watch the programme without audio description. It is also possible to change the volume of the original programme and the audio description soundtrack independently.

Subtitles

Subtitles, often referred to as Closed Captions (or CC) are transmitted on some digital TV shows and a PVR will automatically record them. They can be switched on or off while watching either a live or recorded program using the remote control. Legislation requires that 90% of ITV and Channel 4 programmes must be subtitled; the BBC has been subtitling 100% of its programmes since April 2008.

Subtitling obligations have been extended to many other channels, whether they are broadcast by digital terrestrial or digital satellite signals. They are not mandatory across all streaming services, but they are common on most services.

Sign language

The Communications Act 2003 requires broadcasters to meet the legal requirements either by programmes being translated into sign language or programmes being made by or for deaf people and presented in sign language.

How Which? testing is different

Rather than relying on free samples from manufacturers, we bought every PVR and set-top box reviewed in this guide. Our tests cover everything from overall quality and the level of features through to the usability of the menus and quality of the remote.

We don't only tell you about the Best Buy PVRs and set-top boxes that we recommend, we also tell you which Don't Buy models to avoid. If a PVR or set-top box has an issue we feel is so bad it must be a fault, then we will buy a new version and retest it.

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