There are so many great shows and series on television these days, it's hard to keep up with our favourites!
With so much on offer, how do you stay on top of it all? Getting a TV recorder puts you in control - you never need to miss your top programmes again, and you can keep them stored to watch again and again as they won't disappear from your library as they might from BBC iPlayer or Netflix. You can also store momentous TV moments on your box, from special occasions such as a Royal Wedding to global events like the Olympics.
We've found the best TV recording boxes so you can watch your favourite shows on-demand.
Got a smart TV? Scroll to the end for an even more cost-efficient solution.
Do I need a TV recorder?
Taking a leaf from the books of the streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and NOW TV, our standard TV networks are vying for our attention to keep us hooked with a whole catalogue of amazing shows.
We love Call The Midwife, Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake Off, and Taskmaster, but we're also excited for shows such as The Weakest Link and Stars in Their Eyes to be making a comeback later this year.
With a TV recorder, you can have your cake and eat it, too! Watch all your favourite shows back, even if they clash on your TV guide, and you no longer need to rely on a rocky internet connection to watch missed programmes on streaming services or on-demand players.
You don't need to keep your evenings free of plans in order to catch your shows, and you can keep your favourite shows and episodes on tap to rewatch whenever you fancy. Never miss a TV moment again. Plus, recording is free!
Key features to look for in your TV recorder
When looking for the best TV recorder, you're going to need to look at the tech specs to make sure you're getting exactly what you need. Key features include:
HDD capacity
HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive and refers to the amount of memory your TV recorder has built-in. This can vary across different TV recorders, but the starting capacity is 500GB - enough to store around 200-250 hours of recording.
Definition and resolution
TV recorders are available in 1080p (Full-HD) and 4K variations, with higher definitions requiring more memory. The choice is completely up to you based on your current setup and any plans for future upgrades. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality will be.
Tuners
Digital terrestrial tuners deliver your live programming to your TV and if you're looking to record one programme while watching another, you'll need two tuners to make this possible. If you're looking to record multiple channels at once (amazing, we know!) consider a TV recorder with four tuners to allow you to watch and record without restriction.
App connectivity
Some TV recorders come with companion apps which you can download on your smartphone or tablet. While the app functionality can vary across different recorders, they're a super useful extra that can make recording even easier. With some, you can arrange recordings on the go, great if you forgot to schedule a recording for your favourite programme before leaving the house. With others, you can even stream recorded programmes via the app so you can watch them whilst away from your usual TV setup.
All-in-one service
Some TV recorders have added extras including Freesat and Freeview Play, and access to streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix. This means that your TV recorder could become your primary entertainment hub, replacing your old box and limiting the number of add-on devices collecting dust on the TV shelf.
The best TV recorders
We've rounded up the best TV recorders available to buy, but we haven't limited our options to just recorders.
Many of these options include Freeview or Freesat programming guides, on-demand services, and access to streaming apps so your TV can truly have limitless options for viewing. Some can even be connected to your phone via an app, but all our picks are user-friendly, reliable, and affordable so you can record multiple channels at once, store hundreds of hours of content, and get the best for your money.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections. Find out more.
Top Choice
The Manhattan TV Recorder is a fantastic all-rounder, packed with everything you need to record your favourite programmes and replace or upgrade your current entertainment setup. With the recorder you can store a whopping 600 hours of recordings, all neatly organised for you to easily navigate into categories and series. You can record two programmes at once, and even an entire series at the touch of a button. Need to record more? The Manhattan will suggest alternative broadcasts to make it work.
This nifty box also upgrades your TV experience so you can enjoy ultimate subscription-free TV - pause and rewind Freeview live TV and enjoy the best of the UK on-demand. It's bundled in access to the likes of Netflix, YouTube, YouTube Kids, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, and more. Perfect for keeping you, and the grandkids, entertained.
The Manhattan is packed with the latest tech and can even support HDR and Ultra HD TVs. We love that it's always ready to wake up, all while maintaining ultra-low power consumption, so you don't need to wait an age for your kit to get up and running. Plus, you can catch up with the last 7 days of programmes directly from the TV guide, so you'll never miss a moment of top-notch telly.
HDD: 1TB
Service: Freeview
Resolution: Up to 4K UHD
On-demand and streaming: Yes
Reliable with a great companion app
The HUMAX has picked up numerous awards in recent years for best PVR, and we can see why.
Available in three sizes, the 500GB stores up to 250 hours of recordings, and is the only Freeview recorder to let you record four programmes at once, all whilst you watch a fifth.
Unlocking the full potential of the 5000T once connected to the internet, the Humax Freeview Play gives you the best in TV for free, with access to 100+ digital channels, including 15 TV channels in stunning HD. Catch up on shows you've missed thanks to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5, and UKTV Play, and enjoy access to Netflix on the big-screen to stream new original movies or watch favourites like The Crown.
From the 7 days on-screen TV guide, you can set reminders, recordings, and find out programme information from an intuitive timeline. We love that this recorder comes with a smartphone and tablet app too, a great feature that allows you to set new recordings for upcoming shows or stream previously recorded content right to your device.
HDD: 500GB
Service: Freeview
Resolution: Up to Full-HD/1080p
On-demand and streaming: Yes
Best for Freestat
If you use Freesat, this is the only set-top box you'll need. Never miss a thing with the ability to record four programmes at once, and you can even restart, pause or rewind live TV programmes so missing the start doesn't set you back on the plot.
With 1TB of storage, you can keep up to 500 hours of SD entertainment and this box gives you access to 170+ channels with over 20 in crystal-clear HD. Connected to the internet, you can unlock the box’s on-demand and streaming services, including the likes of BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, YouTube, and 4OD, and Netflix via subscription.
Setting up is easy; simply connect to your TV and satellite dish, and the user interface is a pleasure to use too, being clear and intuitive.
HDD: 1TB
Service: Freesat
Resolution: Up to 4K UHD
On-demand and streaming: Yes
Recording on a Smart TV
Can you record on a smart TV?
Yes - if the smart TV has a recording function built-in. This is often referred to as DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and allows you to record, pause, and rewind live TV.
Whilst it's likely most smart TVs have this capability, they don't always ship with an internal HDD and so this feature appears unavailable to use. The DVR/PVR process can take up a considerable chunk of memory, so it may not be capable until an external storage device is added, like a USB stick or portable HDD.
For this, you won't need to add a TV recorder, just an external drive - we've listed our top picks below.
As they don't come with a user interface or smart feature, you'll get a lot more memory capacity for your money, and when it is ready to go, you should be able to record with the touch of a single button.
External drives for smart TV recording
Please note: Some drives may need formatting before your TV recognises them. If in doubt about your TV's compatibility, please check with manufacturer.
Best HDD for TV
This external hard drive boasts plenty of memory with options for 1TB to 5TB of storage. It connects via a USB 3.0 connection, so if your TV has the corresponding port, the read/write speeds are good enough for recording and playback.
Connection: USB 3.0
Read speed: 130 MB/s
Best SSD for TV
This nicely compact drive will tuck away neatly behind your TV but still provide mega storage and oomph! Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, it can push a read speed of over 500 MB/s so you'll be able to have your HD and 4K content delivered quickly (it may not reach these speeds with a smart TV, but it'll still be able to double the performance of a standard HDD). It can connect via your USB 3.1 or USB-C ports, making it a great choice for versatility and performance.
Connection: USB 3.1 and USB-C
Read speed: 540 MB/s
Best USB for TV
Available from 32GB to 256GB, this tiny USB storage solution is great as a secondary storage device, or if you only record movies or TV programmes a little and often. While the read speed attainable depends on the TV, Samsung reports that the 128GB and 256GB capacity Fit Plus drives can reach read speeds of 400MB/s. It's mega portable, convenient, tough, and minimal so you don't need to worry about accidental bumps, damage, or removal.
Connection: USB 3.1
Read speed: 400 MB/s (128GB and 256GB)