Should you opt for Sky Glass or Sky Stream? Here's how the two satellite-free options compare
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Maybe you’re considering ditching Sky Q for one of Sky’s other offerings that notably don’t require a satellite dish? Or perhaps you are looking to switch from another provider? Either way, figuring out the differences between Sky Glass and Sky Stream will help you pick the best Sky service for you.
Simply put, Sky Glass – whether you’re looking at the first-gen models, or Sky Glass 2, which launched in February 2025 – is a Smart TV offered by Sky that runs on Sky’s Entertainment OS and has Sky built in. Sky Stream meanwhile, is a small streaming box that also runs on the Entertainment OS, but plugs into the back of your existing TV.
Here’s how Sky Glass and Sky Stream compare to help you work out which is the best option for your home.
Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Price
Sky Glass is more expensive than Sky Stream, but that’s because you’re not only paying for Sky’s services, but the TV itself too.
A 43-inch Sky Glass starts at £14 a month in the UK for 48 months, and you will also pay a £20 upfront fee. You can choose to buy it upfront for £699, if you’d rather.
As we mentioned, Sky Glass features Sky inside so there’s no need for an additional puck or anything, but you will still need to pay for the Sky packages you want on top. These start from £19 a month, which is for Sky Essential and Netflix (with ads).
For Sky Stream, that same Essential and ad-fuelled Netflix package is £15 a month for a 24 month contract; that’s the cheapest option.
For both Sky Glass and Sky Stream, you will pay extra for Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky Kids and TNT Sports. If you opt for Sky Glass and you want Sky in additional rooms, it’s the Sky Stream puck that will allow for this. You’ll have to pay a monthly fee for multi-room but you don’t pay for two Sky subscriptions.
Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Design
Sky Glass and Sky Stream differ quite considerably when it comes to design. The first reason for that is the fact that Sky Glass, whether that’s first-gen or 2nd-gen, is an actual 4K Smart TV; while Sky Stream is a small, puck-like device like the Apple TV 4K, which as we mentioned, plugs into your current TV.
The original Sky Glass came in a choice of five colours – Ceramic White, Anthracite Black, Dusky Pink, Racing Green and Ocean Blue – but the new version is limited to just three choices for now: Arctic Silver, Volcanic Grey and Atlantic Blue.
Both generations come in three size options of 43-inches, 55-inches and 65-inches.
The latest 2nd-gen model features a brighter 4K Quantum Dot display, along with advanced HDR and precision contrast enhancement technology designed to make blacks blacker and whites whiter. There’s a wider viewing angle too, and Sky has said the Gen 2 model also offers a more accurate display than the first-gen model.
Sound quality has also been improved on the Sky Glass Gen 2, with a seven-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system built-in, said to offer richer bass and improved vocal clarity. Like the original Sky Glass, the Gen 2 model will offer some software enhancements for sound too, with Night Mode for dampening loud sounds at night time and Speech Enhancement to help make dialogue clearer.
All three sizes also have three HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC and CEC supported.
The Sky Stream box only comes in one colour option of black, though it has the same remote as Sky Glass. It’s a plug and play device that literally just requires you to plug it in, plug the HDMI cable into your current TV and you will be able to start watching Sky’s content over Wi-Fi immediately.
Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Features
Sky Glass and Sky Stream run the same operating software, so the overall experience between the two devices is similar. You get the same interface and both run off Wi-Fi, streaming all of Sky’s content over the internet without the need for a satellite dish, as well as allowing you to stream popular streaming apps too.
You get a couple of extra features on Sky Glass in that the Smart TV offers extra accessories like Sky Live, which is a camera that magnetically attaches to the top of Sky Glass, and there is also built in microphones in the TV itself. Sky Stream still offers voice control through the Sky remote, but you can’t ask the Sky Stream box where your remote is like you can on Sky Glass.
With Sky Glass, you also get additional features like the ability to use the Night Mode function and Speech Enhancement features when using the built in soundbar rather than an external soundbar like a Sonos Arc or Arc Ultra, and you can also benefit from the various viewing modes too with Sky Glass changing the picture settings depending on what you are watching.
We’ve got a separate feature on the tips and tricks for Sky Glass and Sky Stream, where you’ll find that both offer features like Playlist, voice search and easy navigation, along with the ability to access popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
You can’t record on either Sky Glass or Sky Stream like you can on Sky Q, but the Playlist feature offers a similar function in that you can add shows and films you want to watch to Playlist and they are then there ready for you to start watching as soon as you want to.
Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Performance
It’s a little unfair to compare the performance of Sky Glass and Sky Stream like for like because they are different propositions and they will appeal to different users.
The picture quality of the original Sky Glass wasn’t the best on the 4K TV market, with options from the likes of LG and Samsung brighter with more punch.
We’re yet to fully review the 2nd-gen model but, although improvements have been made, it’s still likely to be a mid-range TV at best. If you want the ultimate picture quality then pair Sky Stream to a high-end TV, it’s that simple/
Sky Glass is great for those replacing an older TV, however, and as long as you have a decent internet connection, it offers fluid performance and quick and easy access to Sky’s plethora of content.
Depending on the TV you have and you have plug Sky Stream into, you might find the Entertainment OS interface looks better than it does if you opt for Sky Glass.
Again though, you get a smooth and consistent performance, as long as you have a good internet connection. If your Wi-Fi goes down, both Sky Glass and Sky Stream won’t work so keep that in mind.
Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Which one is right for you?
The decision between Sky Glass and Sky Stream really comes down to what you need in your home.
If you need to replace an older TV and you want to do it on a monthly contract, Sky Glass is a great solution, offering a 4K Smart TV in good colour options and access to Sky’s content as well as streaming apps without a satellite. The interface is easy to use, it’s quick to set up and it will look better than an older TV.
If you already have a perfectly good TV in your home, you’re better to opt for Sky Stream. It will give you the same interface and operating system, as well as access to Sky’s content and popular streaming apps, but on a TV you already know and love.
If you buy Sky Glass and you have other TVs in your home that you want Sky on, the Sky Stream pucks is what you’ll need for multi-room as we mentioned, so there’s a chance you’ll end up with both Sky Glass and Sky Stream in your home.
FAQs
No, neither Sky Glass or Sky Stream offer the ability to record shows or films like Sky Q. They do both have the Playlist feature however, which allows you to add shows and films to your list so you can find them easily when you want to watch them. There is no need for recordings as all content is available to watch and stream immediately.
Yes, both Sky Glass and Sky Stream offer access to the same extensive range of TV shows, movies, and sports channels. You can enjoy live TV, on-demand content, and catch-up services on both devices.
