Netgem PLEIO 4K Puck Review UK (2026): Hands-On Test

The initial setup was fairly straightforward, although completing the full configuration felt more laborious than it needed to.

The usual software updates were required before the device was ready to use. Buyers should be aware that getting the full experience from the Freely TV service involves signing in and completing the relevant account setup. It isn't particularly complicated, but there are a few additional steps before everything is fully configured and ready to use.

Overall, setup was straightforward enough, but the extra sign-in and configuration steps made it feel more tedious than a simple plug-in-and-watch experience.

The device felt responsive in everyday use and apps loaded quickly, although fast scrolling introduced some noticeable lag.

The slowdown was mainly noticeable when scrolling quickly on the home screen and, occasionally, through the settings menu.

Streams started and resumed quickly enough during normal use, with no significant waiting or buffering. Playback generally began promptly and the overall streaming speed felt perfectly acceptable.

Playback stayed smooth during normal viewing, with no noticeable stuttering or visual dropouts. The main weakness was picture quality: the 4K content I tested did not always look as sharp or detailed as expected, which is why streaming performance scored 6/10 rather than higher.

No crashes or freezes were observed during the five-day test period.

The interface was generally easy to understand, with a fairly simple layout and clear menus. One issue I noticed during the initial setup was that the current selection was not always obvious on screen until I pressed a directional button on the remote, which made navigation feel slightly less intuitive at times.

The setup guidance was clear and presented in straightforward step-by-step instructions. The main annoyance was that the highlighted selection was occasionally unclear, particularly during setup, so it wasn't always immediately obvious which option was selected. Fast scrolling on the home screen could also feel slightly laggy, with similar behaviour occasionally appearing in the settings menu.

The main streaming apps I wanted were available, including Netflix, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. For normal UK streaming use, I didn't come across any major omissions among the services I personally looked for.

Installing apps was straightforward through the Google Play Store, and the apps I tried opened normally without any significant problems. The process felt familiar if you've used an Android-based device before. I wasn't able to sideload apps during testing, so buyers who rely on installing apps from outside the official store should bear that in mind.

For mainstream UK streaming use, app availability was good. More advanced users with specific sideloading requirements may find the software less flexible.

From a normal sofa viewing distance, picture quality was reasonably watchable.

The TV reported a 4K 60Hz input signal and playback remained smooth, but at roughly two feet away or closer I could see visible softness and ghosting around parts of the image. Those issues were much less obvious from a normal viewing distance.

That close-range softness was the clearest weakness in the test and is the main reason picture quality scored 5/10.

The remote is functional, but the materials feel relatively inexpensive.

The button layout and shortcut keys were sensible, and responsiveness was good during normal use.

Gaming/controller testing: The included wireless controller worked reliably during testing. It felt fairly basic, but it was responsive enough for light gaming and did the job without any obvious problems.

Wi-Fi signal strength was good in our test setup, and we did not experience any wireless dropouts.

I also tested Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity. Both worked as expected during normal use, and I didn't experience any obvious pairing or connection problems. The main connectivity omission is the lack of a built-in Ethernet port.

The available storage felt ample during the five-day test period. I installed and used the apps I needed without having to remove anything or manage space.

For the way I used it, storage was not a limitation. Buyers who install far more apps or games than I tested may have different requirements.

The main unit felt solid during normal handling, and the compact, roughly palm-sized design was easy to fit into a TV setup.

Its unusual shape gives it a little more character than a typical streaming box without taking up much space around the television.

At the £99 price checked during testing, the package offered good value overall. Strong Wi-Fi performance, good mainstream app availability, ample storage for normal use and the included controller all contributed to the 8/10 score.

The main compromises are the lack of Ethernet, the cheap-feeling remote, the sideloading limitation I encountered and picture quality that was weaker than expected at close range.

Price context: £99.00 on Amazon UK at the time of testing in September 2026. Prices and retailer availability can change, so current value may differ.