Best Freeview Recorder for TV in 2022 | 4K UHD & Wi-Fi. Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

Launched nearly 20 years ago, Freeview is now a popular digital terrestrial TV platform. Currently, it offers over 70 television channels, 15 HD channels, 26 radio channels, some streamed channels, and an interactive one. Recorders that feature a built-in Freeview tuner are labelled Freeview+. To watch on-demand shows, you need a Freeview Play recorder that connects to the Internet.

Indeed, having a Freeview recorder box is a great convenience. You do not have to lash out on subscription TV packages and you can enjoy watching your favourite programmes any time you like. All you need to have is a receiver and a TV aerial, be it a more reliable outdoor roof-mounted one or a more affordable indoor one. Since 2010, all TV sets made and sold in the UK have the built-in Freeview feature. However, a separate Freeview box offers advanced features and allows you to get the most out of this service.

Which Freeview Recorder Box Is Best?

Freeview recorders are produced by various manufacturers, and while the basic technology is the same, some products are better than others. The best Freeview recorder box should have a fast and stable electronic programme guide (EPG), give you excellent pictures, and even work at 4K resolutions. Freeview recorders with 3 tuners enable you to watch one channel and, at the same time, record up to 4 programmes simultaneously. When pondering on what Freeview recorder box to buy, you should also consider its storage capacity, which is important for those who record a lot of content.

You will save your time and money if you base your choice on the brand. The thing is that the market of Freeview recorders is not actually very big and there is already an established leader — Humax.

And the most recommended model is the HUMAX FVP-5000T 2 TB Freeview Play HD TV Recorder. With as much as 2TB of storage capacity, the device offers up to 1,000 hours of recordings. If you do not need that much, you may opt for the 1TB or 500GB Freeview recorder from this brand.

Crafted with 3 tuners, it enables you to record up to 4 programmes at a time while watching the 5th one. The Freeview Play recorder FVP-5000T can pause, rewind, and record live TV, while the EPG allows you to choose your favourite movies and shows, schedule recordings, and set reminders. With this recorder, you can watch over 70 channels, including 15 ones in high definition. In addition to built-in Wi-Fi, the unit has an Ethernet port ensuring a more stable Internet connection. The downloadable Humax Live TV App will allow you to stream recordings and live TV from the FVP-5000T to your smart device.

This top-notch device is virtually loaded with beneficial features. In particular, it has the series record function that lets you create series links. This means that you will not have to manually pick each episode for recording but, instead, the device will do that automatically. The Scroll Back TV feature is designed to play shows aired up to a week ago. With the powerful Smart Search function, you can find anything whatever you want, be it your recordings, live TV or on-demand programmes.

There is a more feature-rich option from this brand, though. This is the Humax Aura Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder that comes with Google Assistant and Chromecast. Although this model has a lower storage capacity, up to 1TB, it has plenty of other advantages. To begin with, the Humax Aura supports 4K Ultra HD resolution, bringing you to a whole new level of entertainment. Powered by Android TV, it gives you access to Freeview Play services as well as Google Play Store with over 5,000 games and apps. Made with built-in Chromecast, the recorder allows you to stream content from your smartphone, tablet, or another device.

With this box, you can access Google Assistant to control your smart home devices. Just press the respective button on the remote and ask Google. This product is particularly good for families with children as it brings together the most popular programmes for children on one screen. Like the FVP-5000T, this model has 3 tuners, intuitive TV guide, and can record, pause, and rewind live TV. The Humax Aura app will not only let you stream live TV and recordings but also download them to your device.

Best Budget Freeview Recorders

So how much are Freeview recorders? While high-end Humax models cost around £250, there are also middle-priced recorders for some £150. If you are looking for cheap Freeview boxes, there are models without a recording option for under £50. Now, let’s take a look at what features low-budget recorders offer. In the mid-price range, there are two good models — Manhattan T3-R Freeview Play 4K Smart Recorder and Panasonic DMR Smart Network HDD Recorder.

The major advantage of the Manhattan T3-R is that it can give you TV in 4K quality, with incredible colours and sharpness. You can also watch YouTube on your TV screen. Made with a 500GB hard drive, it can store up to 300 hours of recordings. Like the Humax models, this one can pause and rewind live TV and has a search function. Besides, you can record an entire series and plan your viewing up to a week in advance. However, the Manhattan T3-R can record fewer simultaneous programmes — just two at once.

Alternatively, you may go for the Panasonic DMR-HWT150EB with Freeview Play. This box allows for playing detailed 4K content through a USB connection and includes an easy-to-use remote control with a Freeview button. The Panasonic recorder has the same hard drive capacity as the Manhattan T3-R, 500GB, and can catch up with TV shows from the last 7 days.

For those who are not going to spend money on a Freeview recorder and just need an entry-level box, there is the Manhattan T1 Freeview HD Box available for less than £40. You will be able to watch TV and Internet channels in HD and use an 8-day TV guide. But keep in mind that it is not a recording device.

How Do Freeview Recorders Work?

When we compare free-to-view TV services Freeview Play, YouView and the Freesat, — the Freesat satellite television service has the advantage of offering more channels, including HD ones. The key difference, though, is that Freesat is delivered through satellite, not an aerial.

Whether you buy a Freeview HD or Freeview Play recorder, it is amazingly easy to use. Just plug the device in a power outlet, and everything is ready! To record a programme, you should click on the TV Guide and choose the show you need. You can even record a whole series. Additionally, the device allows for pausing and rewinding live TV in case you have missed a moment. All these benefits come at no cost after you have paid for the box. You can also catch-up shows and download on-demand programmes to watch them offline. With the help of the Freeview mobile app, select a programme, download it, and watch the show through the player.

Do Freeview recorders need the Internet? Well, it depends. You can use a Freeview recorder without an Internet connection, just skip the corresponding step when setting up your device. In this case, you will only be able to watch digital terrestrial Freeview channels. The Internet is needed to get access to on-demand and catch-up content with a Freeview Play recorder. As for the Internet connection, speeds of 2Mbps will, for the most part, be fast enough. Note that most newer Freeview recorders made by Humax, Manhattan, and Panasonic, come with Internet connectivity.

The Most Popular Freeview Recorders in the UK | Comparison Table