I’ve spent thousands of dollars testing streaming services and devices over the past decade. What’s worth it and what’s not?
In this article and the video below, I share my best and worst cord-cutting purchases of all time.
Streaming Devices
Best: Roku Ultra
My top streaming device pick after all these years is the Roku Ultra. I’ve bought two of them.
It’s Roku’s premium player, and I have it hooked up on the TV I use most often. I like the speed, the interface, and the backlit remote. My newer model replaced the first one I bought, which still works and is now at my mom’s house.
For secondary TV sets, I use more affordable Roku options like the Streaming Stick Plus to have the same user interface but keep costs down.
Also Best: Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K has been another durable, reliable device. If they weren’t so expensive, I might have gone all-in on Apple for every TV in the house. I really like that it has no ads.
Worst: Amazon Fire TV Sticks
I dusted off an old Fire TV Stick recently for a review update and was reminded why I don’t like them. Fire TV Sticks are slower, the interface is cluttered, and the remote feels cheap.
What About the TV Itself?
I don’t review TV sets, but I do want to mention my primary TV since it shows up in a lot of my YouTube videos.
It’s a low-end TCL (model 55Q550G) that cost $300 in 2024. My previous Samsung and LG TVs both died within two to three years, so I didn’t want to spend a lot.
The TCL has surpassed my expectations, especially with the picture quality.
The remote and built-in Google TV interface are both frustrating, but I’m almost always using my Roku anyway so that doesn’t bother me.
With the TV set, I’m focused more on picture and audio quality. The TCL delivers.
Streaming Services
What’s best for me may not be right for you, but people do ask about the services I actually subscribe to. So here’s where things stand.
Best (With the Right Deal): Peacock and HBO Max
Last Black Friday, I signed up for HBO Max, Peacock Premium, and the Disney Plus/Hulu bundle. Six months later, only two have been worth it.
I find myself opening Peacock most often, and I enjoy the content on HBO Max the most. Both made the best list — but the deals I got at signup made a big difference. At full price, I’m not sure either would be here.
Worst: Disney Plus / Hulu Bundle
I use Disney Plus and Hulu the least of everything I subscribe to. I know there are good shows on both services, but the ad-supported tiers I signed up for are harder to sit through than ads on other services.
The only reason I haven’t canceled is because American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers a Disney Streaming Credit that fully offsets the cost.
Best for Live TV: Sling TV
For price and flexibility, Sling is the live TV service I’d put in the best category because of its short-term Passes.
I think the content on ESPN Unlimited is solid, but it’s not something I need year-round. Sling’s Passes that let you pay for one day at a time work better for how I actually watch.
Worth Knowing: YouTube TV Bundles
I recently tested two of YouTube TV’s newer bundles: Sports and Entertainment.
The Entertainment plan hasn’t worked out for me. It’s still expensive, in part because it includes full local coverage, and a lot of the other content is available from standalone apps I already have.
Underrated: Free YouTube
In the past few years, I think I’ve gotten more entertainment value from free YouTube than from all the paid services combined — and I know I’m not the only one.
Nielsen data and feedback from my viewers back this trend up. It’s the #1 service for a lot of households.
Antenna
An antenna is probably the best cord-cutting purchase I’ve made overall, because it makes dropping an expensive live TV service much easier.
For years, I used and recommended Mohu Leaf indoor antennas.
I still like them, but last year I bought a cheap pair of Philips rabbit ears on Amazon and found they actually pick up more channels where I live.
They don’t work for everyone. It depends on several factors, including your proximity to broadcast towers.
One warning: Avoid antennas that promise unrealistic ranges or channels that aren’t even available over the air. There’s a lot of that on Amazon.
DVR: Tablo
Since we’re talking antennas, I’ll mention Tablo DVRs.
I own two of them and although I’ve had them for years, I feel pretty indifferent about these devices. I just don’t record enough broadcast TV for it to matter much to me.
That said, if you want to DVR a lot of local channels, this could easily move to the top of your list.
Internet and Phone
All of this streaming requires a solid connection. The 5G home internet services I’ve relied on in recent years have been good purchases.
My favorite of those is T-Mobile Home Internet. You can compare internet options using my free tool.
But probably just as important is a phone plan with truly unlimited data. I do a lot more streaming on the go now, which is why I’ve stuck with Visible’s unlimited plan at $25 a month.
How about you? Drop your best and worst cord-cutting purchases in the comments!