Slingbox Alternatives
Originally posted: 17th February 2021 Last Updated: 29th October 2022
Slingbox is one of the most popular TV streaming media devices, but it was, unfortunately, discontinued by the manufacturer in November 2020. Sling Media, the company behind Slingbox, claims that the primary reason behind this move is to create more innovative and contemporary products for their users.
If you still want to enjoy your favorite TV shows on your internet-enabled devices, continue reading as we list down some of the best Slingbox alternatives.
Slingbox is one of the most popular TV streaming media devices, but it was, unfortunately, discontinued by the manufacturer in November 2020. Sling Media, the company behind Slingbox, claims that the primary reason behind this move is to create more innovative and contemporary products for their users.
If you still want to enjoy your favorite TV shows on your internet-enabled devices, continue reading as we list down some of the best Slingbox alternatives.
Model | DVR Player | Storage | Channel Recording |
TiVo EDGE | Yes | 200GB | Up to 6 channels |
SiliconDust HDHomeRun | Yes | 1TB | Up to 4 channels |
Tablo Quad | Yes | 1TB (expandable) | Up to 4 channels |
Roku Ultra | No | 1GB | Up to 4 channels |
Best Slingbox Alternatives in 2022
Without further ado, let’s get to the alternatives.
1. TiVo Edge
TiVo EDGE for cable is probably the closest you can get to Slingbox. It has the same DVR player that lets you enjoy your favorite channels conveniently. You can even record up to 6 channels simultaneously, which is quite impressive.
Other than the DVR player, you can stream content from various popular platforms such as Netflix, HBO Go, and Prime. Additionally, you get 200GBs of built-in storage to save all of your recordings. Some may argue that 200GB of storage isn’t enough, but it should get the job done for most people.
Another feature that we really love about the TiVo EDGE is the OneSearch function, a universal search tool that makes it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Finally, the TiVo EDGE has a SkipMode feature that lets you skip ad breaks, a small but very welcome addition.
Pros
- Equipped with a DVR player
- Can skip ad breaks
- Supports streaming from Netflix and other services
- OneSearch function
Cons
- The menu is hard to navigate
2. SiliconDust HDHomeRun
One of the things that make the SiliconDust HDHomeRun stand out from the crowd is how it handles content categorization. It sorts the content into genres and categories like sports, news, and movies. This makes it much easier to navigate its user interface.
What’s more, the HDHomeRun is equipped with a good old DVR player, which, despite being obsolete, is still preferred by many people. We just love that we get the option to choose, anyway.
You can even watch live TV on up to 4 devices at the same time, which is pretty much the same as on the TiVo EDGE. We also like that you can pause the playback and continue from where you left off on another device.
Pros
- Supports DVR playback
- Excellent content categorization
- Can be used on up to 4 devices simultaneously
- Pause and play feature
Cons
- No 4K support
3. Tablo Quad
One cool feature of the Tablo Quad DVR Player is that it sends video and audio signals to your TV over the air, giving you the luxury of enjoying your favorite channels without using an HDMI cable.
And while the Tablo Quad comes with 1TB of built-in storage, it gives you the option to add up to 8TBs of external storage, which is much better than settling for limited non-expandable storage.
However, it’s worth mentioning that this device enables you to watch live TV only, but you can always pause and record your favorite shows when it’s connected to your home network.
Pros
- Supports wireless playback
- Supports DVR playback
- Can take up to 8TB of external storage
- Lets you watch live TV
Cons
- Poor Wi-Fi streaming capabilities
4. Roku Ultra
The Roku Ultra is yet another Slingbox alternative on our list that’s capable of streaming 4K content. The Roku Ultra offers the convenience of giving you access to some of the most popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu while also providing you with the option to watch live TV channels using Roku channel.
The icing on top is that this device supports Dolby Vision HDR videos, making your movies and TV shows come to life. Not to mention, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on the remote control, which is pretty cool.
It’s also worth noting that this device supports voice-activated personal assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to open channels with your voice.
Pros
- Offers both live channels and streaming access
- HDR-enabled with Dolby Vision and Atmos
- Supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Supports 4K video
- Affordable
Cons
- No DVR player
Other Alternatives
If you don’t really want to invest in a TV box, there are some other ways that can help you watch your favorite shows.
You can use a PC that runs a plex server. This way, you’ll be able to stream and record TV shows over the air. You’ll also get the chance to stream shows from various services like Netflix and YouTube.
Another alternative is to simply use the receiver offered by your TV provider. However, the choices on these are usually quite limited.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately your choice of an alternative to Slingbox choice is a matter of personal preference, but if we were to pick a favorite, it’d be the TiVo EDGE. We love that it lets you skip ad breaks, not to mention you can record up to 6 channels.
Another good option is the SiliconDust HDHomeRun, which offers more or less the same functionality as the TiVo EDGE. It also categorizes content in a very neat way.
Related Articles
Other posts and articles you may be interested in.
