Best Cable Internet Providers of 2025: Speed and Good Prices Are the Priority

Our take: There’s a reason why the Reviews.org team rates Spectrum highest of all the cable internet providers out there. Not only does Spectrum provide strong cable internet connections and up to gigabit speeds, but it also embraces consumer-friendly practices, like contractless service and unlimited data. Spectrum's speed tests even place it among the top five fastest providers in the US.

Spectrum internet plans pack plenty of punch to keep you online. Its Internet Premier package gives you up to 500Mbps of speed—plenty to power a house with multiple devices—for just $50 per month. That’s a lot of bandwidth for not a lot of money, which is one of the reasons why Spectrum is at the top of this list. And don't miss out on extra ways to lower your Spectrum internet bill. Spectrum review

Spectrum internet plans charge between $50–$70 per month for its service, depending on the tier of service you select.

The cheapest Spectrum Internet plan starts at $50 per month—but qualifying households may be eligible for the $30 Spectrum Internet Advantage plan instead. Check out our guide to affordable Spectrum internet options to see if you qualify.

No, having Spectrum internet does not mean you get Spectrum TV for free. However, Spectrum gives you discounts when you bundle your TV and internet services.

Our take: Cox offers a number of great bundle deals for customers, you just have to find them. One example is adding Cox Mobile, a prepaid phone plan, to your service. The plan costs between $15–$45 per month, which is pretty good for a cell phone plan. When bundled with internet, the mobile plan can cut your internet bill by $15 a month. All things considered, that’s a pretty good deal. For even more ways to cut costs, read our handy guide with eight tips to lower your Cox internet bill.

Available in cities like Cleveland, New Orleans, and Phoenix across 18 states, Cox offers customers a simple, straightforward installation process that takes only a few minutes. But it does have some drawbacks—like data caps and slightly more expensive than average monthly rates. However, it's worth seeing if you qualify for one of Cox's low-income internet plans starting at $9.95 per month. Cox review

Cox internet plans start at $9.95 per month for its Connect2Compete plan, which is only available to families with K-12 students who are on government assistance. 

Cox Mobile uses the Verizon cellular network.

Yes, Cox provides a free modem and router when you sign up for its service.

Our take: Of the cable providers mentioned on this list, Xfinity offers some of the strongest download speeds, according to our Xfinity internet speed test. In select areas, Xfinity’s cable internet can reach speeds up to 2,000Mbps—a level of bandwidth more typically found with fiber internet providers. In addition to boasting some of the best cable speeds on the market, Xfinity is also one of the most prevalent cable internet providers in the country, with its service being available in 39 states.

Xfinity gives you great download speeds with a sturdy connection. Not only can it be fast, but it’s affordable, too. One of the best deals Xfinity offers is its Connect More plan, which includes up to 400Mbps for $35 per month for your first year. Xfinity does have some negatives: Plans have a monthly 1.2TB data cap, and monthly prices typically jump up after a year of service. Xfinity review

Yes, Xfinity offers internet-only plans starting at $35 month for qualifying customers. Make sure to check out Xfinity's new-customer deals and perks.

No, Xfinity does not have a specialized plan or pricing structure for seniors.

Most of Xfinity’s promotions and deals are only for new customers. However, you can always call Xfinity to negotiate a better price for your internet service.

Our take: Among cable internet providers, Optimum is another great pick, especially for people living around New York City and parts of Arizona and Texas. Optimum is available in 21 states from coast to coast, and its sturdy cable connection can keep you online around the clock. Though it’s slowly rolling out fiber service around the country, the vast majority of Optimum customers have its cable internet service.

Of the cable providers on this list, Optimum offers some of the best new Optimum customer deals out there. Streaming subscriptions, monthly discounts, free professional installation, and other perks are available on a rotating basis, so be sure to check for the latest deals if you want to sign up for Optimum. Plus, Optimum allows customers to go month-to-month, ensuring you’re not locked into a contract. To get the most affordable monthly bill, take a look at our guide to lower your Optimum internet bill. Optimum review

The cheapest Optimum plan is Optimum Advantage Internet, which gives you 50Mbps for $14.99 per month. However, you must meet eligibility requirements to get this plan. To learn more about Optimum's low-income internet packages, check out our guide.

Optimum offers promotional pricing for a new customer’s first year, but prices typically go up after a year of service. You can always call Optimum customer service and negotiate a better price.

Yes, Optimum internet plans give you a free internet gateway. Professional installation comes with a fee, but self-installation is free.

Our take: Mediacom is a great budget pick among cable internet customers in the South and Midwest. Mediacom is available in 22 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama. If you live in a smaller household that has minimal internet needs, Mediacom might be the perfect pick for you.

Its budget-friendly options are simple internet plans with no bells or whistles, starting at $50 per month. Its higher-end plan is a good pick for a larger home and comes with unlimited data for a good price. All Mediacom plans include unlimited data, so you won't have to worry about paying data overage fees; however, plans do come with other fees for things like activation, installation, and equipment rentals. However, despite added fees, Mediacom is still a wallet-friendly pick for prospective cable internet customers. Mediacom review

No, Xfinity and Mediacom are two separate and competing internet companies.

Yes, you can cancel at any time as long as you give Mediacom at least seven days of prior notice.

Yes, Mediacom allows customers to install their modem and internet themselves.

Customers looking for a cable internet connection have plenty of options. Because not all cable providers operate in every state, your choice largely comes down to availability. Due to its lack of fees and contracts—which is atypical among cable internet providers—Spectrum ranks highly on this list. It offers varying speed options that can keep your whole family online around the clock, all without data caps.

Other providers like Cox and Optimum are similarly good picks, as both offer great deals and discounts on internet, home phone, TV and more when you bundle services. Like Spectrum, Cox and Optimum are widely available nationwide, but they might not be available everywhere.

Cable internet customers should be aware of hidden issues that companies might not be quick to disclose to new customers. Cox and Xfinity both have data caps on their plans. Though many of the data caps are generous and most people don’t hit their monthly limits, it’s still something to be aware of when you choose a provider. Check with any prospective internet provider to be sure you know what fees you could incur for your internet usage.

Although we picked out the best internet providers above, you can likely find other great options where you live. The internet providers below are all standouts too—you’d be pleased getting home internet from any of them. We picked them because they also performed well in our reviews and stand out for awesome speed and reliability, excellent dollar value, and smooth customer experience.

If none of these best providers are available where you live, aim to sign up with a fiber or cable internet provider that gives you speeds of 300Mbps or faster for a price that fits your budget. Home internet costs about $81 a month on average, but you can get decent Wi-Fi for less in many parts of the country. In a rural area, try a fixed wireless or satellite internet provider.

You can also run a search with your zip code below to see what internet options are available in your area.

Since not every reader lives in an area with access to these providers, let’s give you some context to help understand how to pick the best cable internet provider. The main things to consider when buying internet are availability, good pricing, and reliable speeds. Let’s break down those three key elements, shall we?

A cable provider is no good to you if its cable lines aren’t in your area. Thankfully, most places in the U.S. have at least one cable provider in the area. Many providers, like Xfinity or Spectrum, are available in dozens of states across the country.

Having a cable provider that’s available around the county makes it easier to do a number of things, like transfer service if you move, for example. Folks with multiple providers in their area also have a special advantage. Here’s a dirty little secret among cable companies: if a cable provider thinks you’re going to leave for a different provider, they’re more likely to keep promotional pricing. It’s common for cable internet providers to increase monthly prices after your first year, but having other cable internet options in your area is a tool you can use. That brings us to the second item on our list.

Obviously you want to make sure your home internet plan fits within your budget, and cable internet providers can either make or break your bank. Like I said above, cable providers often increase your monthly price after a year of service, but not all of them do that. Providers like Spectrum and Xfinity are known for increasing your monthly rates, so it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into when signing up with a provider.

Another great thing about cable providers is the variety of service levels they offer. Providers like Xfinity offer faster-than-gigabit speeds, which isn’t all that common for cable internet companies. Or, consider a provider like Optimum, which offers 300Mbps of speed for just $40 a month. That’s plenty of speed for not that much money! Great offers like that are one of the many benefits of going with a cable internet provider. Finally, that brings us to our last point.

Because of its hardwired nature, cable internet is inherently one of the most reliable forms of internet, second only to fiber internet. That makes it a great option for those who are sick of their internet connection cutting in and out. Now, cable still isn’t perfect and has the capacity to fade in and out, but it’s more reliable than 5G home internet, satellite, or fixed wireless connections.

Cable providers like Spectrum or Xfinity are not only reliable, but they also carry more than enough punch to keep your whole home online with multiple devices online at once. Xfinity, for example, offers download speeds over 1,000Mbps in select areas, which is on the same level as fiber providers like Google Fiber! It shouldn’t be understated that those speeds are very hard to find, but if you need a provider that can give you seriously good performance, cable providers can fill that void.

Well! We’ve given you all the info you need to find the cable internet provider that’s best for your needs. Want to check and see which providers are available near you? Enter your zip code below to search for internet providers in your area.