Is Sling TV the Best Cable Alternative Streaming Service?

A reports on Tom's Guide recently asked -- and answered -- the question about which cable alternative live streaming service is the best.

The service they picked is the service that is my go-to service. But here's the thing: I think we're both wrong.

Okay, that doesn't make sense, right? But let me tell you why I think I'm wrong. Well, not wrong, because I know what works for me. I just think others would prefer something else. My choice is for my circumstances, and I think my circumstances are not that common.

Tom's Guide picks Sling TV as the best service.

1. Sling TV

Best cable replacement service overall

Starting Price (per month): $40 | Channels (in entry-level package): 31 | DVR: 50 hours (200 hours for $5 per month) | On-Demand: Yes | Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs, Computers, iOS, Roku | Simultaneous Streams: 1 ($40 per month); 3 ($40 per month); 4 ($60 per month)

+ Wide variety of channel packages
+ Available on large number of devices
+ Comparably inexpensive
- Missing multiple user profiles

Sling TV is the best cable TV alternative for a simple reason: its lower price and customizable nature feel truly in line with the idea of cutting the cord. So much so that TG's streaming team (Henry T. Casey and Kelly Woo) chose it to replace cable. Admittedly, Henry's switched his service to our next pick, because of the below regional sports price increases.

Sling TV, also on our best streaming services list, is the cheapest service with either ESPN or FOX and NBC ($40 per month, following a recent price hike) — and its first month is half-off right now. The service offers two basic packages of channels (Orange and Blue), then lets viewers pick and choose smaller extras, which usually cost $5 per month.

Orange has ESPN (which it lost for two days) and Blue has Fox and NBC, and you can see more differences in our Sling Orange vs Blue guide. A weird new twist, though, has been added for Sling Blue and Sling Orange & blue. Those in Fresno, Houston and Raleigh will get ABC on Sling TV for free, while those in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and the San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose region will be spending $5 more. That means Sling Orange & Blue will cost up to $60.

From sports to comedy to kids' programming to foreign language channels, Sling TV has a little something for everyone. We just wish its cloud DVR would go unlimited like YouTube and Hulu. For more details, including lineups and pricing and more, check out our What Is Sling TV? and Sling TV promo codes pages. Even Sling's Orange+Blue package is still more affordable than most of its competitors' base packages.

Everything they wrote is true. Sling TV has what I want, but I don't really want a lot. In fact, I don't want it often. For me, Sling TV is the cheapest way to get ESPN during college football season. I don't want the service any other time. My reason is not the same as their reason, but for different reasons, we reached the same conclusion. If I wanted a regular service year round, I'd probably pick YouTube TV. Probably. But I would start with Sling TV and see if it was good enough. If not, I'd switch to YouTube TV.

My Streaming Life doesn't need a year-round cable alternative. Sling TV is the cheapest way to get ESPN during football season, so it's my choice. Maybe it would be yours as well.