DISH Hopper 3 vs. DIRECTV Genie

We’ve tested both satellite TV providers’ DVR/receivers, and we’re still convinced that the Hopper 3 is the best DVR around.

DISH Hopper 3

Price: $84.99–$114.99/mo.
Channels: 190–290+
DVR: 500 hrs.
Simultaneous recordings: 16
DVR fee: $10.00/mo.

DISH Hopper 3

Price: $84.99–$114.99/mo.
Channels: 190–290+
DVR: 500 hrs.
Simultaneous recordings: 16
DVR fee: $10.00/mo.

DIRECTV Genie

Price: $69.99–$159.99/mo.
Channels: 75–150+
DVR: Up to 450 hrs.
Simultaneous recordings: Up to 7
DVR fee: $15.00/mo.

DIRECTV Genie

Price: $69.99–$159.99/mo.
Channels: 75–150+
DVR: Up to 450 hrs.
Simultaneous recordings: Up to 7
DVR fee: $15.00/mo.

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
* for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.

Aug 14, 2024 | Share

Jump to:

• Deals and promotions
• Head-to-head comparison
• Packages and prices
• Specs, and features

When you sign up for DISH or DIRECTV, you’re not just choosing a TV package—you’re choosing a DVR/receiver, which is your portal to all that delicious, mind-rotting TV.

Feature-rich and powerful, the DISH Hopper 3 is consistently named the best TV box in the biz. DIRECTV’s Genie is well-regarded, but not as mighty, and consistently second-banana to the Hopper 3. Keep reading to see how the two devices compare on pricing, storage, tuners, apps, and more.

DISH Hopper 3 vs. DIRECTV Genie pros and cons

DISH Hopper 3

✓ Up to 500 hrs. of HD storage
✓ 16 simultaneous recordings
✓ Built-in Amazon Prime Video and Netflix
✗ Additional monthly fee
✗ High activation fees for some equipment

DIRECTV Genie

✓ Choice of wired Genie or wireless Genie 2
✓ Up to 450 hrs. of storage
✓ Up to 7 simultaneous recordings
✓ No additional monthly fee
✗ Limited streaming TV apps
✗ $15.00/mo. DVR fee
✗ High activation fees for some equipment

DISH and DIRECTV deals and promotions

We all want to save a few bucks or get somethin’ free. Both DISH and DIRECTV have tons of deals and promotions—here are the best ones.

DISH deals

Most of these DISH deals require checking a box under the “Special Offers” section at checkout, but some are automatically applied.

DISH checkout screen with special offers expanded.

• Free premium channels: Order any DISH package and receive three free months of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, and the DISH Movie Pack.

That’s not everything—for more sweet DISH deals, including special perks for seniors, active military/veterans, health care workers, and teachers, read our guide to DISH Deals and Promotions.

DIRECTV deals

You’ll be given the option to accept or decline most of these DIRECTV deals at checkout. Some, like the autopay discount, are automatic.

• Free premium channels: Get three free months of Max™, CINEMAX®, MGM+™, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, and STARZ®. Note: Except for MGM+, these channels are already included in the Premier All-Included plan ($159.99/mo.)—but DIRECTV will give you MGM+ free for three months.

DIRECTV has more deals too—you’ll find ‘em in our guide to DIRECTV Deals.

Compare the DISH Hopper 3 and DIRECTV Genie head-to-head

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
* for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.

The DISH Hopper 3 ($10 a month, 500 hours, 16 simultaneous recordings) is more powerful and feature-rich—not to mention more affordable—than its counterpart. But the DIRECTV Genie DVRs ($15 monthly for either the Genie or Genie 2, up to 450 hours, and up to 7 simultaneous recordings) is pretty powerful, too. It’s also wireless, so you won’t have to deal with cable clutter. One drawback to the Genie 2, however, is its $99 bridge fee (for Wi-Fi setup) due at activation.

Vital info re: the Genie 2

In addition to having more storage and simultaneous recordings than the standard Genie DVR, the DIRECTV Genie 2 is also wireless. That’s why it has a $99 bridge fee due at signup.

Packages and pricing

DISH packages and pricing

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* Packages for existing customers only.
** All information contained herein is confidential and subject to change. Offer for new and qualifying customers only. Other restrictions may apply a 2-year price guarantee.

If you’re budget-conscious, America’s Top 120 is the cheapest DISH plan. Sports fans might want to go with America’s Top 120+, which costs an additional $5.00 a month for the same number of channels—except more of them have the sportsball you crave.

Heads-up: After a three-year absence, HBO and CINEMAX® are back at DISH.

America’s Top 250 ($117.99 per month, 290+ channels) includes free premium channels like MoviePlex, STARZ®, and THE MOVIE CHANNEL TM . It’s the beefiest—but not the best—DISH package.

We think America’s Top 200 ($107.99 a month, 240+ channels) is better because it has all the popular channels you need for $10.00 less per month. Then you can put the savings toward Max ($15.99 per month) and get live HBO channels, on-demand streaming, and better content. Your total payment will be $123.98 a month, but Top 200 plus Max is better value than America’s Top 250 alone.

Finally, DISH guarantees that its package prices won’t change for 3 years—but DIRECTV guarantees its pricing for only 2 years.

DIRECTV packages and pricing

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡ Not included in packages. Requires additional free of $15/mo.

DIRECTV’s pricing is much more transparent now that it has a two-year price guarantee—but it’s still too high, especially with the new $15-a-month Advanced Receiver Service Fee for the Genie. If you’re a sports fan, you might be okay with the pricing because DIRECTV is the best TV provider for sports. Otherwise, we think most people will prefer DISH’s transparency, including the longer price guarantee.

Specs and features

Storage

The DISH Hopper 3 has a 2 TB hard drive that can store up to 500 hours of HD movies and shows, which is a lot. If you’re a real TV lover who’s worn off the numbers on your current remote control, you want the Hopper 3.

If you’re one of those “everything in moderation” folks, you’d probably prefer the DIRECTV Genie. The standard Genie has a 1 TB hard drive stores 200 HD hours, which is enough storage for most people. If you watch a lot of TV series, you can always get the Genie 2, which stores 450 HD hours.

Simultaneous recordings

The DISH Hopper 3 destroys DIRECTV’s Genie in this category, recording up to 16 movies or shows at a time, whereas the Genie and Genie 2 record only 5 or 7 programs, respectively. Where’s your magic now, Genie?

Then again, who can find 16 things to watch in the same time slot, even with hundreds of channels? If you can, please teach us your ways. But if you’re in the moderation crowd and think that the Genie’s 5–7 simultaneous recordings are just right—way to be practical, Goldilocks.

Multiroom viewing

Both the DISH Hopper 3 and DIRECTV Genie are “whole-home DVRs,” meaning they can connect with additional receivers so you can watch your TV service on multiple TVs in your house. It’s a great option, for sure, but it can get expensive—especially at signup.

DISH Joey receiver fees

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

When you sign up for DISH TV service with the Hopper 3 and add Joeys to your service, you’ll pay a monthly rental fee plus hefty, one-time, up-front “leased receiver fees (LRFs)” depending on how many—and which kind—of Joeys you add.

For standard Joeys, you’ll pay a $50 fee to hook up four TVs (one Hopper 3 plus three standard Joeys). But the fees for the wireless Joey ($25) and 4K Joey ($50) apply to each device you get. So a four-TV home with wireless or 4K Joeys will cost you $100–$200 in leased receiver fees due at signup, then $15 a month in rental fees. Yikes.

DIRECTV Genie Mini receiver fees

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

For both the standard and wireless Genie Minis, you’ll pay a $49 activation fee per device after the fourth . So a six-TV home would require six devices: one main Genie (included in your package) and five Genie Minis. That means you’ll pay $98 in cash-grab activation fees, then $7 per month for five Genie Minis (totalling $35 a month).

And, you guessed it: the Genie Mini Wireless has an additional $99 bridge fee due at signup.

Good grief, DISH and DIRECTV.

Built-in streaming TV apps

Oddly, the DISH Hopper 3 comes with built-in streaming TV apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, and YouTube Kids.

The DIRECTV Genie has Max, iHeartRadio, Netflix, Pandora, and more. But sports fans will really dig Score Guide, which provides scores, standings, and game schedules for all major sports, including college sports.

So, in this category, we think the Hopper 3 is best if you use Amazon Prime Video. The Genie is best if you prefer Max and want access to the Genie’s sportsball-enhancing Score Guide app (which is so on-brand for DIRECTV, the best TV provider for sports).