Is the Sky Glass Gen 2 worth the money? I've used it at home for more than a year here are my thoughts on it compared to rivals from LG, Samsung and Sony

Date:
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Sky Glass TVs stand as a unusual proposition in a highly competitive market but is it worth snapping one up still today?

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Ive had the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV setup in my living room since April of last year. To begin with, I wasnt
quite sure whether I was going to get on with Skys flagship TV. It was quite different from a lot of TVs in its price range, boasting a relatively chunky build, a unique OS, and I'd be swapping my trusty soundbar for its built-in Dolby Atmos sound system.

For the uninitiated, Sky Glass models provide a captivating proposition for Sky customers. It acts as an all-in-one TV hub, with access to live channels over your network connection (rather than a satellite or aerial), various streaming and smart apps, and more. So would I recommend buying the Sky Glass Gen 2 instead of one of the best OLED TVs or best mini LED TVs in its price range? Ill take you through my experience as a user, break down its picture and audio performance, and tell you whether I think it's truly worth the asking price. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Today's
best Sky Glass deals Sky Glass Streaming TV - Small 43" 156 /year View Deal
at Sky Sky Glass Streaming TV - Medium 55" 204 /year View Deal at Sky Sky Glass Streaming TV - Large 65" 252 /year View Deal at Sky The user
experience: how does the Sky Glass Gen 2 stack up after a year? (Image
credit: Future) Lets start by talking about the user experience you get with the Sky Glass Gen 2.

As I said, it aims to serve as an all-in-one hub for Sky customers, and in my view, it pulls this off with ease. The user interface is laid out in a simple and practical way, making it seamless to scroll through each channel, access
a comprehensive TV guide, tap into apps like Netflix and HBO Max, and switch between various sources. You may like Samsung S99H review: top-tier performance, divisive design Ive chosen the best TVs you can buy to suit
every budget, after hundreds of hours of real-world testing I compared LG's latest OLED TVs side-by-side and I know which one I'd buy with my own money

The crowning achievement of the Sky Glass Gen 2s experience, though, is its voice control. Im not usually a big fan of these Ive never really got on
with Alexa for controlling devices, or Bixby on Samsung phones, for instance.

But Sky nails it on its Glass TVs. You can either say hello Sky or press the mic button on the remote control, and ask for specific apps or channels, or even issue a more general command such as show me movies with cats. I always find that I get accurate, helpful results, and I rarely experience accidental triggers of voice controls or irrelevant answers. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The interface also looks really clean, and accessing settings is quick and seamless. Just press the button, and you can swiftly alter picture mode, sound settings, toggle speech enhancement, and more.

More generally, I just find Sky's OS to be a lot more user-friendly than a
lot of its rivals, such as VIDAA OS on my Hisense TV or even Google TV on TCL models I've tested. Sky's OS just feels sleeker, more organised, and its pin-point voice controls make everyday viewing feel much more seamless.

Other than the occasional plug for a Sky exclusive, there's also little in
the way of ads something the aforementioned rivals push onto the home screen more than I'd like. What to read next Is Samsung S95H/S99H or the LG G6
better for bright rooms? I tested both OLED TVs side by side LG C6 vs Sony Bravia 7 II: I tested these TVs side by side, and OLED had better watch its back The best TVs for sound: from Sony, Panasonic, Hisense and more Did you know TechRadar now has membership? (Image credit: Future) Become a TechRadar Insider by simply clicking 'Join Now' at the top of this page. Have a question? Please email membership@techradar.com One issue Id previously had was that advanced settings were buried deep within the main menu, but Sky has updated this, making them accessible via the button as well. This means I
can easily change network settings, alter viewing preferences, and make advanced picture adjustments (such as changing Dolby Vision or HDR picture modes).

Ive also found that having TV channels available through my home network is a big plus. The quality of broadcasts is excellent (more on that later), and
Ive experienced very few network issues during my time with the TV you need 25Mbps download speeds to get 4K streaming, which is no problem in a city.
But if you ever do encounter issues, theres an option to fall back on an aerial connection, which is always handy.

This isnt to say Ive experienced no hiccups whatsoever. On occasion, some channels have failed to load, and apps havent displayed on the main menu. But this has been a very rare thing, and has always been fixable by unplugging
the TV to restart it.

Something else that I love about the Sky Glass Gen 2, is that you get bundled subscriptions to select streaming apps, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+,
and Hayu so long as you have a Sky Ultimate TV subscription, which is 24 per month.

Thats an exceptional deal, and has opened up a lot of shows and movies that
Id previously missed out on. Sure, it's the standard (with ads) subscription for these services, but as someone who typically buys 4K Blu-ray if I want
the best viewing experiences for things I really cherish, thats fine by me
for everything else.

Finally, I have to say that the Sky Glass Gen 2 is extremely easy to set up and get started with. It comes with plastic feet that slot into the TV
without needing to mess around with screws or fiddly stands. Picture & audio quality: a solid all-round performer (Image credit: Future) Right, so the
user experience is great on the Sky Glass Gen 2, but how does it perform when it comes to picture and audio?

First things first, it's important to understand the tech inside this model. It's a QLED TV that harnesses the power of local dimming to create a vibrant picture with solid black levels to match. The Glass Gen 2 added more dimming zones, greatly boosts brightness, and provides wider viewing angles than its predecessor, and the results are pretty good overall.

Are you going to get the inky blacks and eye-popping colors that a TV like
the LG B6 can deliver? No, but as a QLED model, the Sky Glass Gen 2 still really impressed me, and it's brighter than LG 's model, making it good for well-lit living rooms.

I'd consider its picture to be competitive against similarly priced mini-LED options from the likes of Hisense and TCL most of the year around though in the sales or on Black Friday , you might be able to get a more premium TV
from those models for a similar price, which might edge the Glass 2 out.

The Glass Gen 2 supplies good contrast and color accuracy, decent black levels, and impressive motion-handling, making it a versatile option for all kinds of content. Whether Im watching a blockbuster Premier League match, indulging in the quality of the best 4K Blu-ray players , or just watching a YouTube video, the Sky Glass Gen 2 is able to give me the vibrant colors and detailed picture that I need.

You get Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG support, meaning you can enjoy most
video content at its best, although it's worth noting that theres no HDR10+.

My main gripe with the Sky Glass Gen 2, performance wise, is its restrictive 60Hz refresh rate. As a keen gamer, this means Im unable to play titles that offer 120fps gameplay at the peak of their powers.

Dont get me wrong, 4K 60fps is good enough for the vast majority of my favorite PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 titles, but if you want advanced gaming settings and buttery 120Hz refresh rates, you may want to look elsewhere.

On the audio side, things get really interesting, though. The TV has a Dolby Atmos soundbar system built-in, which uses a 3.1.2 channel configuration.
This means you get: three outward-firing speakers; a pair of woofers for bass output; and a pair of upward-firing speakers for more vertical, immersive sound.

If youve not got room for a standalone soundbar, or you dont want to spend more on one, then its a practical solution without question. It offers much deeper bass and clearer dialogue than youd expect from most TVs' built-in speakers. The system also whips up relatively expansive sound, ideal for movies with striking Dolby Atmos effects.

But in honesty, the built-in sound system cant compete with a top-class soundbar. If you want rippling bass, crystal clear mids, and expressive highs
and if you want fantastic music playback to boot Id still recommend investing in one of the best soundbars , such as the Samsung HW-Q800F , or a larger surround sound option like the JBL Bar 1300MK2 .

One unintentional benefit of the built-in system is that it provides some height below the screen to easily slot in your own soundbar, if you do want
an upgrade. For example, I have the spectacular Marshall Heston 120 sitting
in front of it, with plenty of space between the bottom of the screen and the soundbar. Wrapping up: is the Glass worth the cash? (Image credit: Future)
So, is the Sky Glass Gen 2 worth picking over rivals from the likes of LG, Samsung, and Sony ? For me, the answer is yes it offers reliable
performance, intuitive functionality, and serves as a great hub for Sky TV
and streaming services.

OK, if your number one concern is getting the best picture quality possible, and youre happy with a Sky box (including the Sky Stream , which has the same core software as the Glass 2, though isn't quite as snappy), then there are some cheaper OLEDs and mini-LED TVs that outperform the Glass Gen 2.

But if you want an accomplished entertainment hub that still performs well across the board, and even comes with a built-in sound system, then the Sky Glass Gen 2 is well worth the outlay. Sky's trick here is that it says this
is an all-in-one system, needing just one cable to get started, and I think
it achieves that.

The Sky Glass Gen 2 costs 699 for the 43-inch version, 949 for the 55-inch, and 1,199 for the 65-inch model. For reference, I own the latter, and I think it certainly earns its price, all things considered.

It's also worth noting that the Sky TVs have flexible purchase structures
you can buy them outright or pay for them via monthly installments, which in itself can be a big plus.

However, one thing to consider is that purchasing the TV on its own will result in a fairly restrictive user experience. Youll have to pay a subscription fee for a number of Sky TV products such as Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, UHD & Dolby Atmos, and Ad Skipping to get the best out of your Sky Glass, and these costs can really add up.

But if youre all in on the Sky experience, or if youre an existing customer,
I think the Glass Gen 2 is a great TV all things considered, and after more than a year with it, I have no intention of substituting it out. Today's best Sky Glass deals Sky Glass Streaming TV - Small 43" 156 /year View Deal at Sky Sky Glass Streaming TV - Medium 55" 204 /year View Deal at Sky Sky Glass Streaming TV - Large 65" 252 /year View Deal at Sky Follow TechRadar on
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