Fetch Mighty (Gen 4, 2022) Review: Between two worlds

The fourth-generation Fetch Mighty sits at a crossroads between worlds. It's the intersect between the good old days of free to air TV where you could record your favourite shows to keep them forever and the streaming revolution.

The hybrid PVR set-top box manages to simultaneously feel modern and anachronistic. Which is an odd combination, given the fourth generation Fetch Mighty is mostly about futureproofing.

When compared to the previous model, you get a faster processor, more RAM, and twice the amount of storage for installing apps. There's also support for Dolby Vision for better HDR, WiFi 6 for faster connectivity, and HDMI 2.1 for higher refresh rate video. Lastly, the new Mighty features better tuners that can support 4K free-to-air TV, if Australian networks ever get around to that.

The Fetch Mighty's PVR functionality is what sets it apart from other set-top boxes. Devices like the Apple TV, Chromecast, and even the Fetch Mini are designed to be online first experiences focused on streaming content.

As a PVR, the Mighty over-delivers on specs. Thanks to four tuners, you can record up to six channels at the same time, while watching a seventh. I can't ever remember wanting to watch seven things at once on live free-to-air TV, but hey, why not? The only catch is that the three tuners used for recording can only record from the same channel family at the same time. This means if you're recording something from Nine, the tuner would only be able to record a second show from Nine Go or Nine Gem, for example.

For comparison, the Foxtel iQ5 only lets you record one free-to-air channel at a time. Most other PVRs tend to have either two or three tuners.

Inside the Mighty, you'll find a 1TB hard drive which is pretty standard for PVRs. This is enough for up to 585 hours of standard definition recordings.

When it comes to the streaming side of the equation, Fetch has apps from most of the big players in online video, including Netflix, Stan, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, and BritBox. Apple TV+ is a key omission, as are Binge and Kayo. Telstra's recent investment in Fetch should hopefully alleviate the latter issue, given it also owns 25% of Foxtel.

On top of this, you can subscribe to Fetch Channel Packs, starting at $6 per month. Alternatively, you can get the main for $20 per month. This effectively works like a traditional channel-based pay TV subscription, where you get access to a whole host of premium linear channels as opposed to on-demand content.

The Vibe pack, for example, gets you access to Comedy Central, ESPN, E, and MTV, to name a few channels. It's not quite Foxtel - you won't find offerings like Showtime on Fetch - but there is some overlap.

Fetch also has its own store where you can rent and buy movies and TV shows from. Most Fetch subscriptions include Movie Box, which gets you 30 free movies per month with a new one added each day.

Despite the Fetch Mighty's faster processor and extra RAM, the interface can feel a little sluggish. It's not a massive issue, the Mighty just doesn't feel as snappy as competing devices.

Fetch Mighty Gen 4 - Final Thoughts

The new Fetch Mighty does an admirable job of being an all-in-one device for those looking for both a streaming set-top box and a PVR. However, at $449 outright, you really want to be making the most of the PVR functionality. $449 is a pretty reasonable price for a PVR with a 1TB HDD, but it's between two and four times more expensive than most other set-top boxes, including Fetch's own Mini option. If you don't see yourself recording TV, it's best to go for a Fetch Mini 4K or another more affordable solution. 

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio

Find a better internet plan

Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.

Powered By

Any Speed 0-25 Mbps 26-50 Mbps 51-100 Mbps 101-500 Mbps 501-750 Mbps 751-1000 Mbps 1001 Mbps+

Search 34 Providers

Checking prices and plans

Powered By Comparisons Powered By

How WhistleOut Works