We run through the differences between the three models of Sky's next-generation box.
Jun 10, 2020 Sky Q is essentially a high-end subscription service and is a one-stop shop for all the TV apps customers might ever need, including Sky TV, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All4 and many more. Sky Q is a satellite service, meaning it requires a satellite dish. All customers begin with Sky TV + Netflix, and then choose add-ons. The Sky statement continued: 'On Sky Q, for example, they will not allow us to promote their shows on our home page. And on the SkyGo and Sky Q mobile app, the BBC has refused to grant Sky the rights to show any content whatsoever. Sky Go on offers you with 70+ live TV channels including Sky Atlantic, Sky 1, Sky Arts1, Sky News, and more on your FireStick. The service offers a wide range of entertainment channels including ITV, Comedy Central, Fox, 5USA, TLC, and more with the Sky Go on FireStick. You can also connect to your Sky Q box and watch your recordings later on.
Whether you take the basic Sky Signature package or bundle Sky Cinema, Sky Sports and everything else together, the brilliant Sky Q box is automatically included with all of the provider’s TV options.
Customers can choose from three different types of Sky box each of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, we’ll explore what these are and compare the boxes side-by-side so you can decide which is the best for you.
Sky Q Box
Get Sky originals and Netflix side-by-side for a vast selection of unmissable entertainment.
- Over 2,000 box sets plus Netflix's acclaimed library of originals
- A huge selection of live TV channels including Sky Atlantic
- Watch your favourite films and TV series anywhere with Sky Go
What is a Sky Q box?
The Sky Q box gives you access to Sky’s premium TV service of the same name. As well as the ability to pause, rewind and record live TV, Sky Q boasts a whole load of features designed to enhance your viewing.
Sky Q 1TB box
With the Sky Q 1TB box you can:
- Record up to 3 shows whilst watching a fourth live
- Access apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Spotify
- Store up to 500 hours of SD recordings
- Enjoy HD films and TV shows
- Watch live TV and your recordings on one Sky Q Mini box
With the Sky Q 2TB box you can:
- Record 6 shows whilst watching a 7th live
- Access apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Spotify
- Store up to 1000 hours of SD recordings
- Enjoy 4K Ultra HD films and TV shows
- Watch live TV and your recordings on two Sky Q Mini boxes simultaneously
Sky Q 1TB UHD box
The Sky Q 1TB UHD box does everything that the standard model can do with one key difference, it allows you to enjoy a great variety of films, sport, series and documentaries in beautifully glossy UHD.
In addition to the box, customers will need a 4K compatible TV, the Sky HD and Ultra HD add ons plus a broadband speed of at least 25Mbps. If you want to watch films and sports in UHD, you'll need the Sky Cinema and Sky Sports add ons too.
Sky Q 1TB vs 2TB
The 2TB box allows you to do more than either version of the 1TB box but depending on your viewing habits it may not always be the best option for you.
If you don’t need lots of recording space for example, then the 1TB box will be perfect for you. Those who live in a large household where the ability to stream to multiple mini boxes is important however, will want to opt for the 2TB box.
There’s also the idea of budget to consider. New customers will have to pay more to get the 2TB box installed on top of purchasing the base Sky Signature package and any extras like HD or Kids.
What is the Sky Q Mini box?
- Watch live TV and recordings
- Stream content to different rooms by adding Sky Q Multiscreen
- Up to four Sky Q Mini boxes can be chained together at one time
The Sky Q Mini box is a smaller version of the main Sky Q box that you can use to watch TV all around your house by purchasing Sky Q Multiscreen. You can watch live TV plus all of your recordings and can download content from on demand.
With the Sky 1TB box you can only stream to one additional Sky Q Mini box at a time. The Sky 2TB box allows you to stream to two Sky Q Mini boxes at once.
Do Sky Q Mini boxes support UHD viewing?
Even if you’ve got the 1TB UHD or 2TB Sky Q box, the Mini box unfortunately doesn’t support 4K Ultra HD viewing.
Sky Q Mini
How much is Sky Q?
- £20 installation fee for the Sky 1TB box
- £25 a month for Sky Signature
- £14 a month for Sky Q Multiscreen
- A free Sky Q Mini box with Sky Q Multiscreen
A Sky Q box is offered as standard with every Sky TV package but you'll need to pay an installation fee.
Sky Go Vs Sky Quest
The base Sky Signature package costs £25 a month while Sky Multiscreen costs £14 a month. You get one free Mini box with Sky Multiscreen but you'll be charged for any additional ones.
If you’d like to watch HD content you’ll need to take out the relevant add on at £6 a month. If you already have Sky HD taking out Sky UHD costs only £4 a month.
Can I transfer my Sky+ recordings to Sky Q?
No, unfortunately there’s no way to transfer any recordings you’ve made on your Sky+ box to your new Sky Q box.
Sky TV + Netflix + HD + Sky Cinema + Sky Sports
£56.00 a month (down from £91.00)
There's something for everyone in this package which brings you the very best from the worlds of entertainment and sports.
- Must-watch series from Sky and Netflix all in one place
- Choose from over 1,000 brilliant HD films on demand
- Get closer to the action with beautifully glossy HD
or call 020 3974 9020