Premium Freesat recorder with great features, but the price is hard to ignore

The Humax HDR-1100S 2TB Freesat with Freetime HD TV Recorder is really only worth it if you’re after a high-capacity Freesat recorder and don’t mind paying a hefty premium. At £439.99, it’s way pricier than most rival boxes, and with a 3.8/5 rating from 25 reviews, it seems useful for the right person but definitely not everyone’s favorite.

First impressions

Humax has a reputation for making easy-to-use TV recorders, and this one sticks to that formula. The big selling point is the 2TB hard drive, so it’s clearly for people who record a lot—not just the odd show here and there.

You also get a twin tuner, which means you can record two shows at once while watching something else. That’s the kind of thing that actually makes a recorder feel essential in a busy home.

What does it actually offer?

On paper, the feature list looks solid. You can pause, rewind, and record live TV, and the box supports series link, so you don’t have to mess around setting up every single episode.

Humax claims access to 200+ TV and radio channels, including 15 in HD, which is a pretty decent Freesat lineup if you’re sticking to free-to-air.

The Showcase section is another nice touch. It gives you on-screen recommendations for what to watch tonight, which is helpful if you’d rather not just scroll through a grid.

There’s also built-in Wi‑Fi, so hooking it up to your home network shouldn’t be a hassle.

How does it perform in real use?

Reliability and flexibility really stand out here. The twin tuner is a lifesaver for families or anyone who records loads of TV, cutting down on clashes and making the box way less restrictive than single-tuner options.

The 2TB storage is great if you’re the kind of person who saves up tons of recordings, whether that’s whole series, movies, or sports.

But honestly, the value doesn’t quite add up compared to what else is out there. At £439.99, this is definitely a premium recorder, but the market’s full of cheaper choices with strong ratings.

The Freesat Recordable 4K TV Box 1TB runs £329.99 and gets a 4.3/5 rating. The Manhattan T4-R 2TB Freeview Play 4K TV Recorder is just £229.00 and also scores 4.3/5.

Even the Manhattan SX Freesat HD Box is only £64.99 with a 4.4/5 rating, though it doesn’t record. So unless you’re set on this specific Freesat recorder setup, the Humax feels expensive.

Build quality and setup

You get a solid bundle in the box: personal video recorder, external power adaptor, original remote control, HDMI lead, 2 x AAA batteries, operation manual and quick setup guide. That’s everything you’d expect for a proper out-of-the-box experience, not some stripped-down budget kit.

Humax seems to want this to feel simple and familiar, especially if you prefer a traditional recorder over something streaming-focused.

Is it good value for money?

Here’s where things get tricky. The current price of £439.99 is actually the all-time lowest, so if you’ve already decided on this model, now’s the time to grab it.

But just because it’s the “best time to buy” doesn’t mean it’s “good value.” The average price holds steady at £439.99 with no real discounts, so you’re looking at a fixed premium product.

Most UK cord-cutters can get by with much cheaper Freeview or Freesat options. The Humax only really makes sense if you absolutely need 2TB storage, dual recording, and specifically want a Freesat recorder—and you’re willing to pay for those perks.

How does it compare to alternatives?

Put it next to the Manhattan T4-R 2TB Freeview Play 4K TV Recorder at £229.00, and the Humax is almost double the price. The Manhattan even has a better star rating at 4.3/5, so it’s tough to justify the Humax on value alone.

Compared to the Freesat Recordable 4K TV Box 1TB at £329.99, the Humax still costs more while only offering a bigger hard drive. There’s not enough here to say it really beats the cheaper options.

The strongest reason to go for the Humax is if you want a familiar Freesat recorder from a brand you trust, and you care more about storage and recording flexibility than about getting the lowest price.

Verdict on the review data

The review score sits at 3.8/5 from 25 reviews, which, well, kind of says it all. Some buyers seem to really appreciate the recording features.

But then, there are enough folks who aren't impressed, so the average never quite climbs to match those stronger rival boxes. It gets the job done, just not at a price that makes everyone happy.