If you cut the cord to cable, be aware you may need to buy some new equipment before watching the latest season of your favorite show. It’s true that you can log in to a streaming site or app from a laptop or tablet, which for some viewers might be sufficient. However, if you want a more sophisticated viewing experience in your family room, you will want to invest in a smart TV or a streaming device, which come with a huge catalog of built-in apps.
Streaming devices, such as Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and Amazon Fire, plug into your TV’s HDMI port and give you access to every streaming service you can think of. Prices for these devices can run the gamut from only $30 all the way up to $200, depending on the brand and where you buy. Typically, however, this is a one-time cost – once you own the device, you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to use it.
