Sky Q Explained: Hub, Box and Q Experience Options
Sky Q combines Sky TV channels and packages with streaming TV content from companies like Netflix into one product that can be conveniently connected to your TV. However this comes at a price, and Sky Q is very much a flagship product and the pricing reflects that on a monthly basis. Read on to see if Sky Q fits the bill for your home TV viewing and streaming needs.
What is Sky Q?
Sky Q is both a hardware product, in the form of a Sky Q Box or Hub, and a range of Sky TV package and streaming options chosen by Sky customers. Sky Q is a direct competitor to streaming TV hardware like Apple TV, Netgem TV and Amazon Fire Stick.
With the rise in popularity of streaming TV services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Sky TV responded with Sky Q which lets you access your favourite streaming services as well as having access to the Sky TV channels you know and love, from Sky Sports to Sky Cinema. Instead of needing several streaming boxes, Sky Q combines both worlds into one experience.
Sky Q vs Sky Box The Sky Q Box replaces the traditional Sky Box that customers familiar with Sky might remember. The new Sky Q Experience is more user friendly and much more powerful than the Sky box of old.
Sky Q Experience
The Sky Q experience sums up the convenience of being able to enjoy TV content from both your Sky TV package and streaming services like Disney+ all from one remote.
Once you've linked your streaming subscriptions with your Sky Q box, you'll be able to seamlessly search and watch your favourite shows without the fuss.
Another strength of the Sky Q experience is being able to seamlessly watch content across various screens in your home via Sky Multiscreen. This is great for families or households with lots of different people watching different things. But does come at a cost of £15 a month.
Here are the key features of the Sky Q Experience.
- Watch everything included in your package around your home.
- Pause in one room and resume in another.
- Sky Q can also provide WiFi hotspots for improved signal in each room.
If you were crying out for an end to the war over the remote for the big telly, the Sky Q experience is here to end your woes. For the extra money you can banish series binge-watchers to another room when live sport is on without a family fallout over it.
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Sky Q Hub and Sky Q Box
Sky Q needs both a Sky Q Hub and a Sky Q Box to function as intended and provide both Sky TV and streaming services like Disney+ throughout your home. To get a Sky Q Box and Hub, you need to sign up for a Sky TV package, which will set you back at least £26 a month.
Sky Q hub
Since launching in 2016, the Sky Q Hub has been offered to all Sky broadband customers. Without it, you will not be able to use your Sky Q Box. Let's take a look at the three main features of the Sky Q Hub.
- Smart WiFi technology, which Sky claims offers 3x faster speeds than its previous generation of router.
- Smart signal technology, which optimises your WiFi so you always have the best connection.
- Better coverage for Sky Q experience customers, whose Mini boxes act as WiFi boosters throughout the home.
All new Sky Broadband customers will receive the Sky Q Hub. If you’re a Sky customer and don’t have it yet you can upgrade.
This upgrade may not be worth your while if you’re a broadband-only customer - some reviewers on the independent review site Trustpilot have complained of the router’s “extremely poor quality in terms of the WiFi range.” If you’re a TV customer, this shouldn’t be an issue, but otherwise it looks like Sky has done little outside of its TV offer to improve its service.
Sky Q Box
The Sky Q Box is the hardware that uses the broadband connection from the Sky Hub to provide Sky TV and streaming content to your TV. The Sky Q Box has HDMI and audio connections so you can enjoy your series, shows and sports on your TV in glorious HD or UHD - however you will need to purchase the Sky HD or Ultra HD add on to enjoy this feature.
Sky HD Add-on | Sky UltraHD Add-on |
---|---|
£8 a month | £12 a month |
UltraHD also includes HD
It's worth noting that the range of Sky Q boxes has been simplified. This means that only the Sky Q 1TB Box will be offered to new customers. However, we are listing the full range of boxes so you can compare all the Sky Q features. Additionally, you’ll have to pay an extra £15 a month to get multi-room viewing and other features associated with the Sky Q experience.
So, how much does a Sky Q Box cost? It's actually free, though you will need to pay the set up fee which includes the postage and packing. At the time of writing the set up fee varies from £20 to £49, though this can and does change from time-to-time.
Sky Q 1TB box | Sky Q 2TB box |
---|---|
Record 3 shows Store up to 150hrs HD £20-£49 setup |
Record 6 shows Store up to 350hrs HD or 4K UHD £20-£49 setup |
As stated above, the 2TB versions of the Sky Q boxes are no longer available due to lower demand for the higher end models. All the Sky Q app, HD and UHD features have been enabled in the Sky Q 1TB model for simplicity and convenience moving forward.
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Sky Q Mini Box
Apart from the main Sky Q boxes, you might also hear Sky Q used to reference the Sky Q Mini boxes which come exclusively with the Q experience. These are the boxes that extend your WiFi connection to create a 'WiFi mesh'. This Sky Q booster is great for large homes or if you find you have a weak signal in some parts of your home. The Sky Mini Box connects to your main box to let you watch in more rooms without constant buffering. You can connect up to four of them and watch on different TVs at the same time.
Each of these Mini boxes is wireless, so they won’t cause any mess or fuss in terms of installation - but each, as we’ve mentioned, will cost you. If you’re with Sky Broadband as well as TV, you’ll be drawn in by the Mini boxes’ function as WiFi boosters around your home to improve your internet coverage.
Sky Q Remote
Sky Q boxes, you may not be surprised to learn, don’t just come with the same old remotes. They’ve had an upgrade. The new remotes are called Sky Q Touch remotes and have touch-screen capability. They also come with a Bluetooth feature which allows you to control your TV when the remote is shut away in a drawer somewhere. Sky has also added a built-in microphone allowing for a voice search function - simply tell your remote what show you want to watch and it will find it for you.
Most importantly, Sky has answered a more basic need with these new remotes. If you lose it, you can press a button on your Sky Q box and an alarm in your remote will sound letting you know exactly where it is.
But if you lose your remote, you’ll have to fork out another £39.99 to get a replacement. Though you might be able to pick one up cheaper by shopping around, or by using a compatible 'universal' remote.
Sky Q App Update
The Sky Q app is soon to be no more! Sky have announced that a new and improved version of the Sky Go app which will incorporate features of the existing Sky Q app instead. The app was (and still is for now) a way for Sky Q Multiscreen users to access their shows and recordings from their devices.
The Sky Q app allows you to pause whatever you’re watching on your TV and resume watching on any Android or iOS device in another (or on the go). You can also set your Sky Q box at home to record something on your phone via the app. These features will be carried over to the new Sky Go app, about which you can find out more in our My Sky page.
In addition, you don't have to wait until your Sky Q box arrives, by installing the Sky Q app you can instantly access your Sky subscription from the moment you finish placing your order.
Sky Q Deals
Sky often has special offers to encourage new customers to join Sky, sometimes these are exlusive deals available only online or through a representative that signs you up on the high street or at the mall. At the time of writing, we couldn't find any special Sky Q deals for new customers.
However, when you subscribe to Sky Q, you have several options to choose from depending on what you want. The cheapest Sky Q deal available is the Sky Q, Sky TV & Netflix which is £26 a month with a £20 set up fee. If you want to include options such as Sky Movies or Sky Sports, there are options for this or you can choose to build your own package.
Sky Q Set Up Fee Depending on the option you choose will determine your set up fee. Selecting one of the standard Sky Q packages means you will pay £20 for set up. If you want to customise your package you will be charged £49 for set up. Futhermore, if you want broadband and TV from Sky, the set up fee varies from £29.99 to £49, whilst just broadband is a flat £19.95 for set up.
Sky Q Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that isn't answered here, you can ask Sky yourself. The one number that Sky states is dedicated to Sky Q for existing Sky customers is 0800 7591 263. To be sure of the best way to contact Sky, check our Sky contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up my Sky Q Mini box?
Sky do offer some advice on setting up your Sky Mini box for the best signal quality. We recommend you follow its advice to avoid any issues in getting signal. Here’s what Sky suggests:
- Ensure your box is at least one metre from the ground and not too close to the ceiling.
- Ensure your box is easily seen so you don’t knock it over and break it!
- Ensure there’s a good distance between your box and other electrical devices.
Are Sky Q prices fixed?
Unfortunately not, whilst you may start paying a cheap rate, Sky does hold the right to increase its prices at any time during your contract. This increase is often in line with the CBI price fluctuations.
Can I get Sky Q installed without any drilling?
You may need to get some installation work done, which you won’t have if you’re not already a Sky customer, so there may be some drilling required. Sky’s engineers, it says, can advise you on your options on the day of installation.
I already have Sky, will I still need an engineer visit?
Yes. To make sure you get set up without a hitch, Sky always sends an engineer to come with the new equipment and get it set up for you.
What Sky Q content is available in Ultra HD?
What content you receive is also dependent on your package. You won’t get any Sky Ultra HD channels that aren’t included in your deal just because you have access to UHD. Here’s a guide to what you’ll see in Sky UHD according to each package:
- Within Sky Entertainment: Documentaries on Nat Geo and the Discovery channel, live music events, plus catch up drama and comedy.
- Within Ultimate On Demand: a selection of UHD box sets and Netflix Ultra HD shows.
- Within Sky Cinema: 200 films in UHD, with new ones every week.
- Within Sky Sports: live sports events, including Premier League, F1, darts, rugby and boxing.
What apps are compatible with Sky Q?
There are 32 apps compatible with Sky Q, we've broken them down into six categories:
Sky Apps
- Sky News
- Sky Sports
- Sky Weather
Entertainment Apps
- All 4
- Apple TV+
- BBC iPlayer
- BBC Red Button
- discovery+
- Disney+
- ITV Hub
- Netflix
- Peacock
- Prime Video
- Red Bull TV
- Roku
- STV Player
- Tastemade
- YouTube
- YouTube Kids
Music Apps
- BBC Sounds
- Global Player
- Radioplayer
- ROXi
- Spotify
- Vevo
- XITE
Gaming Apps
- Beehive Bedlam
- Play.works
Educational Apps
- highbrow
- Fiit
- GolfPass
- Peloton
Sports and Fitness Apps
How to Reset Sky Q Remote
If you've found that your remote isn't responding, you can try these tips so you can get back to watching your favourite shows. First of all, try to reboot your Sky Q Box:
- Power off your Sky Q Box and unplug from the mains
- Wait at least 30 seconds
- Plug your Sky Q Box back in and turn it on
- Wait until you see the on-screen instructions to disappear
- When the standby light on your Sky Q box turns amber, wait 30 seconds
- Press the Home button on your Sky Q remote
If that doesn't work, you can try to re-pair your Sky Q remote by following these steps:
- Point your Sky Q remote at the Sky Q Box
- Press one and three at the same time
- Hold down those buttons until the control tip starts to flash
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Sky Q remote
Finally, if none of the above work then you may have a faulty remote and will need to order a replacement.