The Hopper 3 and Hopper Plus are extraordinarily powerful, but you won't be able to use all the extra features if you don't have high-speed internet. If you do, and you want to catch a metric ton of games and shows on your schedule, we think the extra monthly cost is worth it.

For "power viewers" in 2026, the Dish Hopper Plus is widely considered worth it due to its seamless integration of satellite TV and the Android TV platform. Unlike the standard Hopper 3, the "Plus" allows you to access over 10,000 apps via Google Play—including Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube—directly from the main interface without switching inputs. It retains the industry-leading features of the Hopper 3, such as the ability to record up to 16 shows simultaneously and a massive 2,000-hour storage capacity. The "Auto Hop" feature, which lets you skip commercials on select primetime recordings, remains a standout favorite for users who value their time. However, it may not be "worth it" for casual viewers who only watch a few channels or those who have already transitioned entirely to streaming sticks like Apple TV or Roku. For families with "divergent tastes" who still want the reliability of satellite for sports and local news alongside a modern streaming experience, the Hopper Plus is the "gold standard" of DVR hardware currently available on the market.