Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Can you imagine a life without cable television? Years ago, this would have been a preposterous thought for many. But with cable prices continuing to increase, many viewers are finding ways to watch their favorite shows and content without such a hefty bill.

The phenomenon is called cord-cutting and whether it's as simple as a Netflix account or more extreme like getting an Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV, the non-cable options run the gamut.

Are you ready to cut the cord, or should you stay connected to cable? What service is right for you, and what's the best hardware? Here's everything you need to know about cord-cutting and how to do it in New Jersey.

Don't Edit

Dreamstime

How many people are cord-cutting?

In 2008, less than one million American households were completely reliant on the internet for television viewing, according to Parks Associates. By 2017, that number leaped to 22.2 million.

Convergence Research Group's "Battle for the American Couch Potato" report stated that OTT (over-the-top, aka cord-cutting services) access revenue grew by 41 percent to $11.9 billion in 2017 and that number is projected to more than double by 2020. Meanwhile, cable, satellite and Teleco TV access (not including OTT) revenue grew just one percent in 2017 to $107.6.

Bottom line? Cord-cutting services are rapidly expanding, while cable has more or less become stagnant.

Don't Edit

via GIPHY

So, should YOU cut the cord?

After extensive research and experimentation with these services and devices, it's clear in 2019 that in almost all cases, cutting the cord is worth it. It isn't always easy or convenient and may take an adjustment period, but almost all content that you would get with a cable subscription is now available with a streaming service that will cost less. It just comes down to finding the right service and device for your tastes.

Don't Edit

Best overall device: Amazon Fire TV Stick

Likely the most versatile streaming device on the market, and you get tremendous bang for your buck with a price that ranges from $30 to $50. The Fire Stick acts as a vehicle for countless apps that will allow you to stream everything from Netflix to HBO to live television (not to mention the Amazon Prime library), with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that doesn't take long to learn. It's super easy to install as well: it simply plugs into an HDMI port (upgraded versions with additional features are also available). If you're not a tech-savvy viewer, this is a fine option.

Don't Edit

Channel surfing is back and we’ve made it easier than ever. Watch Live TV your way with The Live Guide. Learn more about our newest feature here: https://t.co/Nk8eHkfWRV pic.twitter.com/QZ6pBBecMn — hulu (@hulu) May 9, 2018

Best overall streaming service: Hulu

Similar to its more popular streaming cousin Netflix, only with a greater focus on TV shows than movies, Hulu's basic service starts at $5.99 per month (down from $7.99), and live TV service that begins at $44.99, with add-ons like premium channels and no commercials available. While its original content is not as prolific as Netflix, "The Handmaid's Tale" is one of the most critically acclaimed shows on any network. The TV service includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN among other channels.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Best streaming service for TV lovers: DIRECTV NOW

This almost feels like cheating. It's no surprise that a cable company would provide a superior cable streaming service. With options running from $40 a month for 65-plus channels like MTV, USA, NBC, TNT and Bravo to 75 bucks a month for 120-plus channels that can be streamed on all the major devices, this is pretty much the closest you can get to cable without cable. Find the full channel lineup here.

Don't Edit

Best service for movie lovers: Netflix

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Netflix is one of the original streaming services, and it's still the best for movies. With more than 5,500 titles available for instant streaming at a flat rate — though that rate just made the biggest jump in company history. The basic plan is just $9 a month, though the standard plan is $13 and premium is $16 (the higher the plan, the more screens available for one account). Either way, you're getting a ton of bang for your buck and lots and lots of movies. Netflix has also won countless awards for its original content like "Stranger Things" and "Black Mirror."

Don't Edit

Best service for sports lovers: FuboTV

Want to cut the cord but still need watch all the local sports teams? FuboTV is your move, with coverage of Yankees, Devils, Rangers, Knicks, Giants and Jets games. It's basically a live TV service on steroids. With 85 live channels like CBS, Fox, NBC, History, AMC, Bravo and E! along with an impressive network of local sports channels for $44.99 a month (you get your first month for $39.99).

Don't Edit

OTHER STREAMING SERVICES

Don't Edit

Amazon Prime Video

If you're an Amazon Prime member, on top of free two-day shipping you also get a massive streaming library of movies and TV shows, pairing perfectly with the Amazon Fire Stick. An Amazon Prime membership is $119 a year or $12.99 a month, but you can get just the streaming service for $8.99 a month.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

iTunes

Known for its music (it's the largest music vendor in the world), iTunes also offers more than 25,000 TV shows and 65,000 films. TV episodes can be bought, movies can be purchased or rented. Not a subscription service, giving you the opportunity to better pick your spots and be more selective. TV shows cost $1.99 to $2.99 per episode, while movies range from $2.99 to 19.99 to rent or purchase.

Don't Edit

Sling TV

A live TV service with multiple plans. The Orange and Blue packages are both $25 and have different channel offerings, while you can combine the two for $40. Can be used on many devices in addition to tablets, phones and computers. ESPN, AMC, CNN and HGTV are all in the base plan, but you can see the whole channel offering here.

Don't Edit

YouTube TV

For $40 a month, everyone's favorite video site will give you more than 50 live TV channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and AMC, with six accounts per household and cloud DVR with no storage limits. Find the full channel lineup here.

Don't Edit

Philo

One of the cheaper options at just $16 a month for 37 channels like A&E, AMC, Food Network and MTV, or 20 bucks a month for 46 channels. However, the only device you can watch the service on for your television is Roku (more on what Roku is below).

Don't Edit

HBO Now

For $15 a month, you get access to every film, special and series from HBO — including smashes "Game Of Thrones," "Westworld" and "Big Little Lies," all of which are only available on HBO — and can stream it on countless devices.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

OTHER DEVICES

Don't Edit

Chromecast

Essentially Google's version of the Fire Stick. The biggest difference? Instead of using a remote, you download the Google Home app and control the device with your phone or computer, the contents of which will be mirrored onto your TV screen. It doesn't have the same interface and apps as other devices, as it streams exactly what you have on your phone or computer onto the TV screen. But it is cheaper at just $35.

Don't Edit

Roku

One of the original streaming devices, the company now makes several different products with different levels of features, from the Roku Express, Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Ultra (with voice commands and 4K streaming) — all of which plug into your TV's HDMI port — to the Roku TV which is, you guessed it, an actual TV. An array of apps and thousands of streaming live TV options and prices ranging from $30 for the Express to TVs that cost hundreds mean that Roku is a great option no matter how much you stream.

Don't Edit

Would you go to #Westworld to live out your wildest dreams?

Watch the new season on @HBO NOW with the Apple TV App.

cc @WestworldHBOhttps://t.co/FxPsfj4wUQ pic.twitter.com/p8PuTXSQ01 — Apple TV (@AppleTV) April 30, 2018

Apple TV

If you're an Apple fanatic, this is the streaming device for you. You can stream directly from your iPhone or iPad, or use the device's interface for countless apps and services. With HDR 10 and Dolby Vision HDR capability, it has some of the best video quality of anything on this list. The catch? A hefty price tag of $150.

Don't Edit

Video game consoles

If you're a video game nut, you might not even need to buy a new device. The leading systems, XBox One and Playstation 4, both have serious streaming options. From classics like Netflix and Hulu to live-streaming TV like Sling, gaming devices make for easy cord-cutting. Both platforms start at $250.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Smart TV

You can skip the middleman all together and get a TV that has many services and features like YouTube, Netflix and Hulu built in. There are countless options, with prices ranging from low hundreds to thousands if you want to go big.

Don't Edit

How does all of this compare to cable prices?

There are lots of bundle options for cable providers in New Jersey, but you can get just TV (with no internet access) if that's all you're looking for. Verizon Fios TV packages start at $40 a month, Xfinity starts at $30 a month, DirecTV begins at $35 a month and Optimum starts at $20 per month. Keep in mind that that is bare bones, with minimal premium channels — though some offer trial periods.

Don't Edit

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com's newsletters.