Do you really need a new TV? Not if you invest in a wireless TV streamer. These compact devices let you access live channels like BBC and ITV via Freely, plus premium services like Sky Atlantic, over wifi—no aerial or dish required. Our expert tested five top models to help you choose.
Best Wireless TV Streamers at a Glance
- Best Freely TV streamer: Manhattan Aero (£89.99)
- Best budget wireless TV stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (£69.99)
- Best Freely streamer for families: Netgem Pleio (£99)
- Best premium TV streamer: Sky Stream (from £15/month)
Why Trust Me?
I've reviewed home entertainment tech for decades, from Blu-ray players to big-screen TVs. I created and edited the UK's longest-running home cinema magazine, Home Cinema Choice, and now test living room gadgets for various publications.
How I Tested
Each device was assessed out of the box for installation, ease of use, and features. I watched HD Freely streams, 4K UHD content, premium pay TV, and more. The boxes were connected to an OLED TV for picture evaluation and a high-end amplifier for audio testing.
Best Freely TV Streamer: Manhattan Aero
Price: £89.99 at Argos, Currys
What we love: A hassle-free way to access Freely
What we don't love: Not ideal if you only use subscription services
The Manhattan Aero is the most affordable way to add Freely to any TV. It streams live and on-demand TV over wifi, with no aerial needed. Perfect for a bedroom or conservatory without aerial points. It has HDMI, ethernet, and Bluetooth headphone pairing. The TiVo smart TV platform includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and free ad-supported channels. Installation took just minutes. Picture quality is excellent, with 4K content from Netflix and Disney+. Dolby Atmos support enhances audio. The only downside: Freely's channel selection is slightly smaller than Freeview's, but growing.
Specs: Smart TV OS: TiVo. Connections: HDMI, ethernet, wifi. Dimensions: 96.4 x 96.4 x 26mm.
Best Budget Wireless TV Stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Price: £69.99 at Argos, Amazon
What we love: Fully featured and reliable
What we don't love: Inextricably linked to Amazon Prime
This latest-generation 4K Max stick features wifi 6E and 16GB storage (double previous models). It's fast and responsive, with access to virtually every major streaming service (Now, Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, etc.) and niche apps. Setup is simple: plug into HDMI and connect to your Amazon account. The interface is content-rich, but there's no built-in Freely—only catch-up apps. Gaming support via Xbox Game Pass cloud. 4K streaming and Atmos sound impress, with adjustable HDR and frame rate settings. The downside: heavy advertising and Amazon integration. Amazon charges £2.99/month for ad-free Prime Video with Dolby Vision and Atmos; basic plan limits Prime Video to 1080p.
Specs: Smart TV OS: Fire TV. Connections: HDMI, wifi, Bluetooth. Dimensions: 108 x 30 x 14mm.
Best Freely Streamer for Families: Netgem Pleio
Price: £99 at Amazon
What we love: A great upgrade for your TV, with access to casual gaming
What we don't love: Pointless if you already have a games console
The Pleio is a Freely streamer with a twist: it includes cloud gaming with about 250 titles and a wireless gamepad. It's a small puck with HDMI, wifi, and Bluetooth (no ethernet). In addition to Freely channels, it offers Netflix, Now, Paramount+, Discovery+, Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, and YouTube. Cloud gaming performance varies: simple puzzles work well, but action games lag. You need at least 25-35Mbps. The first year of gaming is free, then £9.99/month—arguably not worth it. Picture and sound quality are excellent, with sharp 4K and Dolby Atmos. The puck tends to be pulled by cables.
Specs: Smart TV OS: Android TV. Connections: HDMI, wifi, Bluetooth. Dimensions: 64 x 64 x 14mm.
Best Premium TV Streamer: Sky Stream
Price: From £15/month at Sky
What we love: Sky's vast library of shows, movies, and sports
What we don't love: Expensive monthly contract
Sky Stream offers premium pay TV packages via a compact box with HDMI and ethernet. No satellite dish or Sky broadband required. Content includes Sky's extensive entertainment, sports, and movie channels. Performance is top-notch with 4K pictures and Dolby Atmos (extra £6/month). Instead of a hard drive, it uses a cloud PVR: add shows to a playlist, then stream from Sky or catch-up services. The Sky Essentials package is £15/month, but Ultimate TV at £24/month (includes Disney+, Netflix, HBO Max, Hayu) offers better value. Recordings from BBC/ITV play via catch-up apps, which can be clunky.
Specs: Smart TV OS: Sky. Connections: HDMI, wifi, ethernet. Dimensions: 108 x 108 x 18mm.
Also Consider: Humax Aura EZ 4K Recorder
Price: £249 at Argos, Currys
What we love: Great alternative to Sky Q; ability to record TV
What we don't love: You need a TV aerial; no access to big-name streaming apps
This hybrid box combines Freely streaming with a 2TB hard drive for recording via an aerial. It has three Freeview tuners for up to four simultaneous recordings. Recordings from ITV/Channel 4 allow ad-skipping. Picture quality is good, but there's no Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+. It can be temperamental due to firmware updates.
Specs: Smart TV OS: Humax. Connections: HDMI, digital audio, ethernet, wifi. Dimensions: 280 x 199 x 53mm.
What You Need to Know
All these streamers deliver content via broadband, so a robust internet connection is essential. Freely offers wireless access to BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and 5 without an aerial. Not all Freely boxes are equal: some include major apps, others focus on gaming. Pay-TV options like Sky Stream and Amazon Fire TV offer premium content but require subscriptions.
What do I need to stream TV? Minimum 10Mbps for Freely, but 20-25Mbps for 4K. Consider ethernet or powerline adapters if wifi is weak.
Should you buy a wireless TV streamer? Yes, to prolong TV life, improve reception, or consolidate channels and apps. For simple upgrades, read our guide on whether you really need a new TV.
