Cox Internet Review 2023

Cox's internet prices are just a little above average and don't have unlimited data caps compared to Xfinity, Spectrum, and AT&T.

But Cox Internet is a good option for two reasons:

1. You only need 100 Mbps (Comcast Xfinity is the only other service to offer this low download speed for those who want to save money)
2. You want one bill for bundling internet, TV, home security, and mobile services

Cox high-speed internet plans range from $50 to $100 per month with download speeds of 100 Mbps to a full Gig.

The 100 Mbps broadband speed likely works for any solo internet user who emails, scrolls on social media, and doesn't mind occasionally streaming in SD.

For those who work from home or enjoy 4K Netflix streams and fervid Call of Duty matches during downtime, Cox's 250 Mbps plans (and up) are better suited. They provide enough speed to support a household that streams, games, and works from home.

With the 1-year agreement, your monthly rates remain fixed for the first year. The company includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time buyers.

At the end of your 1-year contract, Cox Internet’s package prices increase by about $20 to $24. (They’re not the only internet provider that has second-year price hikes. Sigh.)

But hey, if you only need 100 Mbps download speeds, you’re in luck. There are zero price hikes with that plan. Oh, and there’s no contract to sign, either.

Internet is essential for most households, so we suggest planning and budgeting for this much-needed service. Because how else are we going to stream Disney+ movies or watch cute animal videos?

Cox provides internet services to over 60 million households and businesses across 19 states in the US, including several large cities such as Cleveland, OH; Santa Barbara, CA; and the District of Columbia.

The company administers broadband services to rural and urban areas on the West Coast, East Coast, North, and parts of the Midwest and South.

Find out if you live in an area that Cox services.

View Plans | Read Cox TV Review | See Cox TV + Internet Bundles

By glancing at the comparison table below, you can probably notice that Cox Internet is slightly pricier than the others.

CenturyLink’s fiber internet plans are cheaper than Cox, and fiber is known for its speediness and reliability.

Xfinity covers much of the same service area as Cox (and more), and its plans often come at similar speeds for a much lower promotional price. For example, its Superfast plan comes with 600 Mbps download speeds and costs $20 less in the western US than Cox’s 500 Mbps plan.

Spectrum Internet offers three competitive plans that beat similar Cox plans. The Spectrum Internet® package gives you up to 300 Mbps and unlimited data for $50 per month. And at download speeds of 250 Mbps, the Cox Preferred 250 plan provides 1.25 TB of monthly data at $60 per month.

Our favorite fiber internet provider, AT&T Fiber, offers plans at $10–$20 cheaper than Cox Internet.

View Cox Plans | Read Cox TV Review | See Cox TV + Internet Bundles

Cox offers download and upload speeds you’d find with other internet providers.

Cox has download speeds for your parents who love to keep tabs on the weather and for your kids who have dreams of competitive esports. Cox’s speeds offer a wide range for different internet lifestyles.

Cox Internet does come with a data cap of 1.25 TB each new billing cycle, which is an average amount if an internet provider has data caps (more on that below). But some internet providers have unlimited data caps like CenturyLink and Spectrum.

It's likely you won't go over your 1.25 TB data cap. One terabyte of data equals about 400 hours of HD video streaming. To put that in perspective, watching all nine seasons of The Office (because you can) would take you about 76 hours.

So unless you're training for a streaming marathon, Cox's 1.25 TB of data is probably more than enough to keep you going.

But we all know there are times when you're not putting that couch to work, and that data cap becomes worrisome. Maybe you're working from home and need that data to send a critical report to your boss before a deadline.

If you’re not entirely sure if 250 Mbps will cut it for you, you can keep an eye on your usage with the Cox Connect app and upgrade your internet plan later if needed.

Cox Internet requires its customers to sign a 1-year term agreement. For you, this ensures that your price will stay fixed during that year, but it does mean that your monthly cost will bump up $20–$24 afterward.

It’s also important to remember that Cox includes up to a $120 early termination fee (ETF) should you switch ISPs after your 30-day grace period ends.

Cox lets you rent its Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway modem and internet booster for $13 per month, and it comes with a few perks.

• Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway modem/router rental fee: $13.00/month
• Elite Gamer software: Included with Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway, $4.99/month extra for additional connections
• Advanced security: Delivers personalized protection for all of your connected devices
• Free upgraded equipment every three years
• Automatic software updates

But if you’d like to dodge that modem rental fee, you should check the list of Cox-compatible modems before you buy. And if you need a recommendation, we give a big thumbs up to the ARRIS Surfboard SB8200. The ARRIS Surfboard is compatible with every Cox plan, even its ultra-fast Gigabit package.

As for the Elite Gamer software, a Cox representative said it should reduce game lag by bypassing unnecessary points in your data's journey.

Less lag is a big deal for gamers, but we're not sure it's worth the additional cost. Instead, we recommend setting up Quality of Service (QoS) and prioritization features on your router so your computer or specific games take priority when it comes to doling out bandwidth.

Cox charges $100 for professional installation and up to $120 in early termination fees. But you also get 30 days to try out your Cox Internet without risking a large-and-in-charge early termination fee. And if you opt to self-install your internet, your Cox Easy Connect kit costs nothing.

• Professional installation: $100
• Easy Connect self-installation kit: Free
• Early termination fees: Up to $120

We’re ecstatic about Cox’s free self-installation kit. Usually, ISPs charge you for shipping and handling. But not Cox.

Contact Cox Internet customer service at 1-504-304-8444.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) collects feedback from thousands of customers, and we’ll start by saying that the average ACSI score among all internet providers was 64 out of 100.

No, it doesn’t sound like the best, but unfortunately, this is normal for internet and TV providers.

Sadly, Cox is no different. With a rating of 61, we have to admit that Cox’s score declined by 2 points.

For tips on how to best deal with lousy internet customer service, check out our guide to calling your ISP's customer service, which has helpful information on finding what you need before getting on the phone. You can also read about how best to engage with internet customer service specialists. The contact information for some of the most common ISPs is included.

Another way to contact Cox Internet customer service is by heading to the Cox Communications customer service portal, which includes live chat, telephone, or in-store service options to answer any questions about your plan. You can reach support 24/7 at 1-504-304-8444.

How can I contact Cox Internet customer service?

• Phone: 1-504-304-8444 or text 54512
• Online chat
• Twitter: @CoxHelp
• Facebook: @CoxCommunications

Cox Internet is good but not great. It could bring its prices down a smidge, and it would be nice not to have second-year price hikes (although Xfinity is guilty of that too).

But this cable internet provider offers excellent internet speeds if you live in an area Cox is serviced, and you can bundle it with Cox TV.

• Prices and plans: Cox’s internet prices are slightly above average for the download speeds you receive ($50–$100 for 100–1000 Mbps). But Cox is an excellent option for those who only need 100 Mbps or like the simplicity of one bill with your internet, TV, home security, and mobile services.
• Speed: Cox offers download speeds of 100, 250, 500, and 1000. So, in a nutshell, these plans allow for working from home, video streaming, remote learning, and gaming.
• Data caps: Some internet providers offer unlimited data, and some offer around 1.25 TB. Cox falls into the latter category. To put that data cap into perspective, you can stream 12 hours a day until you reach the limit. But if you and your spouse work from home daily, you might run into trouble.
• Contracts, equipment, and fees: Cox requires you to sign a 1-year agreement, and keep in mind that your monthly price will go up by $20–$24 in year two and onward. Cox has the Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway modem to rent for $13 per month, or you can opt to get your own so you can save money each month. Other than the modem fee, expect to pay a $100 installation fee.
• Customer service: Cox’s ACSI score went down by 2, but that’s not a lot (especially considering that the average ACSI score is only three points above Cox’s score). Check out our guide to calling your ISP's customer service for help on how to best communicate with customer service specialists.

For our standalone internet reviews, we analyze each internet company by these factors:

1. Price
2. Download speeds
3. Data caps
4. Equipment
5. Contract and fees

We rank our internet providers based on how they compare to the rest of the industry. For example, we look at fair pricing for the download speeds received and consider customer reviews.

We want to ensure you're given all the information before you purchase, so we compare data caps, equipment prices, contract lengths, unnecessary fees, and the like.

Additional contributors: Catherine McNally and Jerusha Kamoji