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Fancy switching to Freely?
For those who don't know, Freely launched in the first half of 2024. Built by the same team as Freeview and Freesat, it ditches the traditional TV aerial socket, bringing the most popular free-to-air channels via a Wi-Fi or wired internet connection. At launch, you had to switch to a new Smart TV built from the ground up to support Freely, but in recent months, there has been a slew of new set-top boxes that bring the platform to any flatscreen.
The first Freely boxes — Manhattan Aero 4K TV streamer, Netgem Pleio, and Humax Aura EZ 4K TV recorder.
Each of these streaming boxes will plug into the back of any TV via an HDMI port, including TVs from Samsung or LG that would otherwise miss out. Since Freely runs over Wi-Fi, as long as you have a plug socket and a good connection, you can enjoy all the same features the service has to offer.
That means you can place your television anywhere in the house as long as it has a minimum 10Mbps connection, and that bad weather can't disrupt your latest boxset obsession, sports fixture, or movie night.
They're ideal if you're not ready to upgrade your telly but still want to take advantage of all of Freely's latest offerings. Plus, new research suggests aerials could be retired in 2034. If you're considering adding one to the back of your telly, we've measured up how each of their unique features may suit your streaming needs.
Manhattan Aero 4K streamer
Upgrade your telly with the Manhattan Aero 4K TV streamer from Currys
The Aero 4K TV Streamer runs the award-winning TiVo OS – so on top of Freely, there’s also access to apps for Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, as well as YouTube, and much more. Streaming in stunning 4K picture quality is supported. You'll also get support for voice search, so finding your next binge-watch won't require any fiddly typing using the directional keypad on the remote.
Key takeaways:
- Best for simple streaming
- Live TV over broadband
- No internal storage
- No aerial recording available
The Aero 4K TV streamer allows you to stream the biggest free-to-air channels, including GB News, ITV, BBC, Channel 4, and more.
There's also an on-demand catalogue brimming with over 75,000 hours of on-demand content (believe it or not, that's more than Netflix).
You can also restart a show that's already started with a single button press — saving you the hassle of jumping to a catch-up service to watch the beginning.
Previously aired episodes can also be seen in the same series directly from the TV Guide, bringing together on-demand catalogues available to stream and live terrestrial television in a way previously only seen from the likes of Sky Stream, Virgin TV Stream, and EE TV.
Netgem Pleio
Upgrade your telly with the Netgem Pleio from Amazon
French entertainment brand Netgem is the first brand to launch a plug-and-play box that brings Freely to any television. Connect via HDMI, and you'll be able to stream the most popular free-to-air channels, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U, and, of course, GB News. Freely arrives packed with several features previously only found on paid-for options like Sky Stream and EE TV
Key takeaways:
- Best for app flexibility
- Live TV over broadband
- Features optional gameplay
- No internal storage
- No aerial recording available
The Pleio box includes a set-top box, remote, game controller, a 12-month subscription to premium channels, and cloud gaming.
You'll get access to a library of rotating games in addition to the thousands of shows and movies you'd also find on the Aero 4K TV Streamer. In the set-top box's recent update, you're being treated to four new games.
It's worth remembering that ownership of the hardware is deferred until the 12-month subscription period ends, which means you’re essentially leasing or financing it as part of the subscription. You can't sell the Pleio box after six months as a second-hand item, since you don't technically own it at that point.
Unlike the Aero 4K TV Streamer — with video and streaming apps pre-installed — you'll get access to the Google Play Store with access to a wide variety of entertainment, sports, and streaming apps.
Humax Aura EZ 4K TV recorder
Upgrade to the Humax Aura EZ 4K TV recorder with Freely from Currys
Humax has become the third manufacturer to launch its own Freely-powered set-top box, with access to the biggest free-to-air channels, including GB News, ITV, BBC, and Channel 4. There's also an on-demand catalogue brimming with over 75,000 hours of on-demand content and support for next-generation features like the ability to pause and rewind live television
Key takeaways:
- Best for replacing Sky/Virgin features
- Live TV over broadband
- Internal storage of 2TB HDD (up to 1,000 hours)
- Record up to four channels simultaneously
While this is the priciest of the three models, it's ideal if you value the ability to record live content you can watch later.
Freely doesn't support recordings, so you'll need to plug in an aerial into the back of the box to unlock this functionality – adding even more flexibility to your set-up.