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.