Is the DIRECTV Genie right for you?
DIRECTV has two DVR/receivers: the Genie (200 hours, 5 simultaneous recordings) and the Genie 2 (450 hours, 7 simultaneous recordings). Both devices cost $15 monthly, but the Genie 2 has a $99 bridge fee (for Wi-Fi setup) due when you sign up. We recommend the standard Genie for most people, while the beefier Genie 2 is for binge-watchers who want to eliminate cable clutter.
DIRECTV pros and cons
Pros
- Up to 450 hrs. of HD storage
- Up to 7 simultaneous recordings
- No cable clutter (Genie 2 only)
- Three-year price guarantee
Cons
- $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee
- High activation fees for some equipment
- Fewer built-in streaming apps than the DISH Hopper 3
Current DIRECTV deals and promotions
DIRECTV has one promotion for new customers:
- Free premium channels for three months: Sign up for ENTERTAINMENT All Included ($69.99/mo., 160+ channels) or higher and get three free months of Max™ (formerly HBO Max), CINEMAX®, MGM+™, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, and STARZ®.
Compare top DIRECTV plans
| Package | Price* | Channels | DVR storage | Simultaneous recordings | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT All-Included | $69.99/mo. | 165+ | 200 hrs. (Genie) or 450 hrs. (Genie 2) | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) | View Plans for DIRECTV |
|
CHOICETM All-Included Best value |
$84.99/mo. | 200+ | 200 hrs. (Genie) or 450 hrs. (Genie 2) | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) | View Plans for DIRECTV |
| ULTIMATE All-Included | $114.99/mo. | 270+ | 200 hrs. (Genie) or 450 hrs. (Genie 2) | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) | View Plans for DIRECTV |
| PREMIERTM All-Included | $159.99/mo. | 340+ | 200 hrs. (Genie) or 450 hrs. (Genie 2) | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) | View Plans for DIRECTV |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*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.
New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.
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We think the best DIRECTV package is CHOICE All Included ($84.99 a month, 200+ channels) for its solid channel lineup and affordable price.
Compare DIRECTV Genie with the competition
| Device | DVR cost | HD storage | Simultaneous recordings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV Genie | $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee | 200 hrs. | 5 | View Plans for DIRECTV |
| DIRECTV Genie 2 | $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee | 450 hrs. | 7 | View Plans for DIRECTV |
| DISH Hopper 3 | $10.00/mo. | 500 hrs. | 16 |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH Hopper 3 Review |
| Cox Contour Record | $13.50–$30.00/mo. | 250–1,000 hrs. | 2, 6, or 24 |
Read Cox Contour Review |
| Xfinity X1 | $7.50–$8.50/mo.* | 150 hrs. | 6 |
View plans Read Xfinity X1 Review |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Varies by location and package. Xfinity also charges an additional $10-$20 per month for additional cloud storage.
Among the top five TV-provider DVRs, the DIRECTV Genie and Genie 2 land somewhere in the middle for price, storage, and simultaneous recordings. But we think the DISH Hopper 3 ($10 monthly, 500 hours, 16 simultaneous recordings) is the best overall DVR, with more storage, more recordings, more apps, and a lower price.
Also, DISH Network is more affordable and transparent than DIRECTV, with a three-year price guarantee (DIRECTV offers two-year price protection). That’s why DISH is our Editor’s Choice for the best overall TV provider.
DIRECTV Genie DVR options
| Device | DVR service fee | Other fees (due at signup) | HD storage | Supported TVs | Simultaneous recordings | Built-in streaming TV apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genie | $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee | N/A | 200 hrs. | 1 | 5 | Max, Netflix, Pandora, and more |
| Genie 2 (w/ included Genie Mini Wireless) | $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee | $99 bridge fee (due at signup) | 450 hrs. | Up to 8 | 7 | Max, Netflix, Pandora, and more |
| Genie Mini | $7.00/mo | $49.00 activation fee per device over 4 | N/A | Up to 6 | N/A | N/A |
| Genie Mini Wireless | $7.00/mo |
$99.00 bridge fee $49.00 activation fee per device over 4 |
N/A | Up to 8 | N/A | N/A |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
DIRECTV automatically adds the Genie to most orders. If you want the Genie 2, just order service on two or more TVs and upgrade to wireless connectivity. Your cart will then update your equipment selections for you.
Pro tip: If the DIRECTV Genie or Genie 2 don’t interest you, you might find something you like in our Best DVRs guide.
DIRECTV Genie specs and features
Let’s run down the main features of the Genie and Genie 2: storage, tuners, whole-home TV, the DIRECTV app, and more.
Storage
The DIRECTV Genie DVR/receiver has 200 hours of HD storage (on a 1 TB drive). If you get the Genie 2, it stores 450 HD hours on a 2 TB drive. Again, 200 hours is enough for most people—so 450 hours will be plenty of storage for anyone. For instance, I have a DISH Hopper 3 DVR and I’ve used only 17% of its 500-hour storage capacity.
Tuners (simultaneous recordings)
The Genie has five tuners, which means it can record five TV shows at once. That’s a good amount because finding five programming conflicts in the same time slot should be a rare occurrence.
TBH, we’ve never used more than three tuners at a time. But if you’d like a couple extra simultaneous recordings, the Genie 2 can suck down seven programs at once.
Cool features
We really wish that the DIRECTV Genies had built-in streaming apps like the Hopper 3, but they don’t. They do, however, have a couple of cool little features that you won’t find on the Hopper 3.
- 72-hour Rewind: If you forget to record a show, you can jump back up to 72 hours.
- Mix channels: This feature allows you to watch up to six kids, news, and sports channels at once.
Multiroom viewing
Unlike the standard Genie, the Genie 2 doesn’t connect to your TV. It’s a wireless access point that beams a signal to a Genie Mini Wireless that’s connected to each TV. You get the first Mini Wireless free when you sign up, but extras cost $7 a month. So a three-TV setup with the Genie 2 would require three Mini Wireless boxes—but you’d pay rental fees for only two ($14 a month total). This is in addition to the $15 monthly Advanced Receiver Service Fee.
DIRECTV whole-home TV options
| Device | Price | Other fees | Supported TVs | Simultaneous recordings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genie Mini | $7.00/mo | $49.00 activation fee per device after 4 | Up to 6 | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) |
| Genie Mini Wireless | $7.00/mo |
$99.00 bridge fee $49.00 activation fee per device over 4 |
Up to 8 | 5 (Genie) or 7 (Genie 2) |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Unlike the standard Genie, the Genie 2 doesn’t connect to your TV. It doesn’t look like a traditional DVR/receiver—it’s a tall, slender tower instead of a flat, wide box—and it doesn’t work like one, either.
The Genie 2 is a wireless access point that beams a signal to a Genie Mini Wireless connected to each TV. You get the first Mini Wireless free when you sign up, but extras cost $7 a month. So a three-TV setup with the Genie 2 would require three Mini Wireless boxes—but you’d pay rental fees for only two ($14 a month total).
You can use either the wired Genie Mini or Genie Mini Wireless with the standard Genie. If you choose the Genie 2, the first Mini Wireless is free.
The Genie Minis’ $49 activation fees look pretty scary, but they kick in only when you get DIRECTV service on more than four TVs. (That applies to both the Genie and Genie 2.)
Parental controls
The Genie and Genie 2 have parental controls to help you maintain control over what your children watch when you’re not home. Check out all the ways you can exercise this control:
- Block content based on ratings or your preferences
- View more detailed ratings and content information so you can decide what to block
- Limit watch time
- Set spending limits for purchases (including pay-per-view)
DIRECTV Genie remote
While we’re talking about control, the DIRECTV Genie remote controls up to four devices and has simple, intuitive controls. It doesn’t have native voice control, but there’s a loophole if you have an Alexa device: the DIRECTV Alexa skill, which enables voice control of your Genie. It’s not perfect—especially if you have to buy an Alexa device only for this feature—but it works.
Pro tip: If you need to re-pair your DIRECTV remote with your TV, everything you need to know is in our How to Program Your DIRECTV Remote guide.
DIRECTV app
When you’re not home, you can use the mobile DIRECTV app (Android, iOS) to watch your Genie DVR recordings on your mobile device. Here’s the full list of features:
- Stream live TV, on-demand content, and DVR recordings
- Download movies and shows to watch offline
- Set and manage DVR recordings
- Set and manage parental controls
- Stream on up to five devices at once
- Use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control (requires Genie model HR20 or higher)
Final take
The DIRECTV Genie and Genie 2 DVR/receivers have enough storage and simultaneous recordings to satisfy everyone from casual users to power users. But we wish the Genies had more built-in streaming apps, native voice control, and cheaper fees.
Ultimately, our recommendation comes down to pricing and fees. DIRECTV, even with a two-year price guarantee, is too expensive. Instead, we recommend DISH Network for its more affordable and powerful Hopper 3 DVR/receiver—not to mention DISH’s lower prices, which it guarantees for three years.
DIRECTV Genie DVR FAQ
What is DIRECTV Genie?
The DIRECTV Genie is a DVR/receiver that stores 200 hours of HD movies and shows and records up to five programs at once. DIRECTV also offers the Genie 2 (450 hours, seven simultaneous recordings). Both cost $15 a month, but the Genie 2 has a $99 bridge fee (due when you sign up) for Wi-Fi setup.
What is a Genie Mini?
The DIRECTV Genie Mini is a device that allows you to extend your DIRECTV service to the other TVs in your home.
What is DIRECTV’s best deal or promotion?
New customers signing up for ENTERTAINMENT All Included ($69.99/mo., 160+ channels) or higher will receive three free months of Max, CINEMAX, MGM+, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
How much does a DIRECTV wireless Genie cost?
DIRECTV’s Genie Mini Wireless ($7 a month per device) allows you to watch DIRECTV on additional TVs in your home. But look out for the $49 activation fee (due at signup) for each Mini Wireless after the fourth.
Is there a fee for DIRECTV equipment?
There is no monthly fee for your DIRECTV satellite dish, but DIRECTV charges a monthly $15 Advanced Receiver Service Fee for the Genie and Genie 2 DVR/receivers. The Genie 2 has a one-time $99 bridge fee (for wireless service) due at signup, with your first Genie Mini Wireless (regularly $7 per month) included.
If you get Genie Minis or Genie Wireless Minis for the other TVs in your house, there is a one-time activation fee for each Mini after the fourth. Read more about DIRECTV fees in our guide to the Hidden Costs of DIRECTV.
Does DIRECTV have wireless receivers?
Yes, DIRECTV’s Genie 2 is a wireless DVR/receiver ($15 monthly, $99 bridge fee, 450 hours of HD storage, 7 simultaneous recordings). To get the Genie 2, order DIRECTV service for two or more TVs and select the option to upgrade to wireless connectivity. Note: the Genie 2 doesn’t connect to your TV—it sends a wireless signal to a Genie Mini Wireless device connected to your TV. The first Mini Wireless is also included (additional units are $7 a month).
How much does the DIRECTV Genie cost?
As of January 2023, DIRECTV charges a $15 monthly Advanced Receiver Service Fee for its Genie or Genie 2 DVR/receivers. There’s also a $99 bridge fee (due at activation) with the Genie 2 for Wi-Fi setup.
Can I watch Disney Plus on the DIRECTV Genie?
No, the DIRECTV Genie DVR/receiver doesn’t support Disney+—but don’t let that stop you from signing up for Disney’s popular streaming app.
What is the difference between the DIRECTV Genie and the DISH Hopper 3?
The main differences between the DIRECTV Genie and the DISH Hopper 3 are price and power. DIRECTV charges a $15-a-month Advanced Receiver Service Fee for the Genie (200 hours, 5 simultaneous recordings) and wireless Genie 2 (450 hours, 7 recordings)—and the Genie 2 has a $99 bridge (for Wi-Fi setup) due at activation. DISH charges $10 a month for the Hopper 3 (500 hours, 16 simultaneous recordings). The Hopper 3 also has more built-in streaming TV apps than the Genie. For more information, read “DISH Hopper 3 vs. DIRECTV Genie.”
| Price | HD storage | Simultaneous recordings | 4K support | Built-in apps | Supported TVs | Bluetooth | Internal Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV Genie/Genie 2 | Included | Up to 450 hrs. | 5 | Yes | No | Up to 8 | Yes | Yes |
| DISH Hopper 3 | $10.00/mo. | 500 hrs. | 16 | Yes | Netflix, Amazon and Prime Video | Up to 7 | Yes | Yes |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary with location and are subject to change.
Methodology
In order to help you make informed buying decisions, our TV experts spent dozens of hours researching and testing DIRECTV satellite TV service and equipment. To learn more about our research and testing practices, see our How We Rank page.
