Sky Stream or Sky Glass? Which Sky TV hardware to upgrade to

TechTvsSky Stream or Sky Glass? Which Sky TV hardware to upgrade toWhich of these Sky TV services is right for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Which of these Sky TV services is right for you?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Sky)

Sky TV hardware Sky Glass and Sky Stream on blue background

(Image credit: Sky)

T3 is a huge fan of Sky TV, with us recommending itsSky Qset-top box as well as new, streaming-basedSky GlassandSky Streamhardware as delivering the best all-in-one TV experience available today in the UK.

However, with the introduction of the Sky Stream, many people who are considering a Sky TV upgrade will be wondering which Sky hardware is right for them, and with Sky looking to faze out satellite dishes, its two streaming options will be where most people will be looking.

As such, here we briefly outline what both Sky Stream and Sky Glass offer, and then make a recommendation on who we think they’ll be best for.

(Image credit: Future)

Sky Glass television

(Image credit: Future)

Why to upgrade to Sky Glass

What makes Sky Glass more unique, though, is that it is bought as part of a monthly Sky subscription service, so you pick your TV size (there are three sizes available) and then the cost of it is then added to the Sky TV plan you build. This means that you pay for the Sky Glass on a monthly basis along with your content plan, instead of paying for the hardware all in one fee upfront.

Sky Glass does not require a satellite dish and serves all of its content, both live and on-demand, via a broadband connection.

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Who we think it is for

As to who we think Sky Glass will be a good fit for, the obvious answer is anyone who has a good internet connection who is also looking to upgrade their TV as well as join Sky or upgrade their package. That’s a lot of people in our opinion.

It’s also for anyone who wants a no-fuss, streamlined, all-in-one TV solution. It’s plug-and-play easy to use, and installation is actually included in the purchase fee, too, so you don’t even have to do the initial setup.

The ability to spread the cost also cannot be overlooked. If you don’t have the capital to drop going on a grand on one of thebest 4K TVs, then this is a good way to get a great - if not truly top tier - 4K HDR TV and soundbar and spread the cost out over a couple of years interest-free.

Who we don’t think it is for

The obvious answer here is those people who already have an equal quality if not better home cinema setup. For example, if you have anLG C1 OLED TVpartnered with one of thebest soundbars. In that case, chances are the Sky Glass panel and soundbarwon’tbeat what you already have, so there’s no reason to upgrade to Sky Glass. For those people, Sky has another product that will be better suited…

(Image credit: Sky)

Sky Stream on white background

(Image credit: Sky)

Why to upgrade to Sky Stream

Sky Stream is the brand new piece of hardware from Sky. And, simply put, it delivers the Sky Glass experience butwithoutthe TV and soundbar connected – you’re getting the Sky Glass user interface. It is essentially a media streamer, and one that can be plugged into any display with a HDMI port, meaning basically all TVs and monitors.

The Sky Stream resembles a palm-sized puck and delivers access to any subscribed Sky TV channels and content as well as access to all of today’s most popular streaming apps, such asNetflix,Disney Plusand Prime Video. If you’ve got subscriptions to any of these services then you can sign in and enjoy them all through the connected Sky TV user interface.

As with Sky Glass, Sky Stream is bought on a plan, with 18 months as the standard. A 31-day rolling plan is also available for those who want to go contract-free.

Who we think it is for

It’s also a better option, probably, for many students, as its footprint is minimal and it will be easier to transport during moves. Did we say it is cheaper, too?

Again, as with Sky Glass, we feel this is a product that people with good broadband speeds should buy, as the whole experience is delivered via that connection, with no satellite dish involved.

Who we don’t think it is for

Most people who, right now, already have a Sky Q set-top box and satellite dish system installed. There’s basically no reason to switch to Sky Stream if you already have the hardware in and on your home, with the older system offering a hybrid between digitally delivered on-demand content streamed over the internet, and live TV beamed via satellite into the set-top box.

If you need a new 4K HDR TV and sound system, too, then really we think you should consider Sky Glass over Sky Stream, as while the former does cost more per month, you’re getting a great all-round package that will work for years to come and almost certainly will cost less than buying a separate 4K HDR TV and soundbar of equal or better quality.

Sky TV streaming hardware verdict

Hopefully we’ve summated what both Sky Glass and Sky Stream offer for you here. Much of which piece of hardware you choose will rest on various other factors, such as budget and current A/V home entertainment setup, but there is one common between the two – buy if you have a good internet connection, as if you don’t you won’t get the best experience either system can offer.

If you live in the sticks and don’t have good internet, though, then we think Sky Q remains your better choice right now, as it has the fall-back safety net of satellite TV, as well as a few other benefits, such as on-device storage and locally-stored recordings, both of which are super useful during internet blackouts.

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CategoryBack to TV Subscription Services