8 Ways To Lower Your Cox Internet Bill

The easiest and fastest way to shave down your internet bill is to ditch equipment rental fees. There’s no need to fatten your bill by $13 every month when you could buy your own modem or router for one upfront fee and then never pay Cox again.

Cox offers fantastic deals when you bundle with some of its other services. We highly recommend combining a Cox mobile and internet plan to access the unlimited data feature (normally an extra $50 per month).

There are many ways to get your internet bill down. Here’s a quick look at our recommendations:

• Look up current Cox promos and deals
• Buy your own modem and router
• Bundle with Cox Mobile for free access to unlimited data
• Consider the StraightUp Internet plan for a flat fee of $50 per month
• Do the 40% trick: Call customer service and schedule a disconnect, then call back to reconnect service and request 40% off your internet bill
• Get a subsidized plan like ConnectAssist or Connect2Compete (only $9.95/mo.) if you qualify
• Refer a friend to get up to $600 per year
• Switch to a new internet provider (use our free tool to find one!)

Cox is a cable internet provider that offers some extra deals and promos on top of its internet plans. Don’t miss out on them! Here’s a list of current perks and deals that might make your Cox bill just a little smaller (every dollar counts!). Take a look:

• Unlimited data when you bundle Cox mobile and internet
• Unlimited data feature add-on for $29.99 for new customers (typically $49.99)
• Panoramic Wi-Fi equipment with all internet plans for 24 months
• Add Max to any internet plan for an extra $10

While Cox includes its Panoramic Wi-Fi equipment with all internet plans ($360 value), this free rental lasts only 24 months. And while Cox does offer the option for a free equipment upgrade every three years, it may not be worth it. After the two-year period runs out, expect an increase of $13 a month on your bill—ouch. But renting the equipment isn’t mandatory. You can buy your own modem and your own router instead.

The modem needs to be compatible with Cox’s network, but buying your own equipment gives you a lot more options and lets you be more selective about finding something that fits your needs. It costs you more up front, but if you plan on being a Cox customer for a while, you end up saving money because you don’t have to keep forking over rental fees.

Enjoy the rental grace period while it lasts. But consider buying your own equipment when that time is almost up.

It’s simple: You get unlimited data when you bundle both Cox internet and Cox Mobile services. If you choose not to bundle, you have to pay an additional $49.99 per month to access unlimited data (standard Cox internet plans have a 1.25TB data limit and will charge overage fees if you go over). If you’re someone who wants unlimited data, then combining Cox mobile and internet services adds up to $600 in yearly savings. That’s more than just a buck or two for sure.

Why Cox Mobile? It relies on Verizon’s excellent 4G LTE and 5G networks. When you pay for a Cox Mobile line, you pay less than a Verizon mobile line while enjoying the perks of a big network. Plus, you only pay for the data you want to use with Cox, unlike other big mobile providers (for Cox Mobile, you pay per gig). Cox’s unlimited data plan is even cheaper than Verizon Mobile’s cheapest plan.

Though Cox offers standalone internet plans without contracts, these plans do have data limits and can increase in price after 24 months. However, Cox has another unique plan that’s actually much cheaper than its cheapest standard internet plan (its cheapest plan is the Fast plan for $50 per month for 300Mbps).

Say hello to Cox’s pay-as-you-go StraightUp Internet plan.

Here’s what you get with Cox’s StraightUp Internet plan:

• $50 per month flat fee for 30 days of service
• Download speeds up to 100Mbps
• No overage fees
• Autopay option available
• Free Wi-Fi modem
• Easy and free self-installation
• No credit checks or deposit

With this plan, you can switch your internet on and off in 30-day installments whenever you need. This plan is perfect for anyone who has short-term Wi-Fi needs, travels often, or simply isn’t interested in long-term commitments.

Along with Cox's StraightUp Internet plan, you can also find other low-income Cox internet options that include discounted monthly rates and no annual contracts. Check out our guide on how you could qualify.

Would you like to wake up to a lower internet bill? (The answer is always yes.)

Usually, the best way to lower your monthly payment is to call your internet service provider’s retention department. But think again! The Reddit community has discovered a better trick.

The gist of the trick (confirmed by a multitude of Reddit users with a date time stamp if you look up “40% trick cox internet” on reddit) is that you do the following steps:

1. Call Cox
2. Schedule a disconnect a couple weeks out (make up an excuse)
3. Get an email confirmation about the disconnect
4. Call back in two days (or before Cox actually disconnects)
5. Mention that you were told you could reconnect service for 40% off
6. That’s it!

Here are a couple screenshots from Reddit detailing what a few Cox customers did to get the 40% off their internet bill:

Another Reddit user said to use this script after calling the 678-608-4070 number:

“Hi, I had a prior discount on my bill that expired, and the new cost is causing me to think about cancelling. I was told to call this number to inquire about a 40% off discount if I stayed.”

Keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t give up calling if you keep getting disconnected (some users seem to have gotten through on the fifth call, one user says they got through on the tenth call).
• Don’t be worried if it sounds like an overseas call center (it’s standard for many internet providers to outsource their call centers)
• Some users recommend using a VoIP number to get through successfully

You may not even need to disconnect to get this 40% discount. One Reddit user, posting in December 2024, simply mentioned the 40% discount and got it applied:

So try this trick and see if it works to lower your Cox internet bill.

You’ll never know if you never try.

Cox offers a program called ConnectAssist for certain customers who are already participating in at least one government assistance program (this is the only requirement).

You may have to provide additional documentation for the eligibility process. But as long as you are participating in one of these federal assistance programs, you probably qualify:

• SNAP
• WIC
• Certain public housing
• Pell Grant
• Veterans Pension
• Certain Tribal Programs
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Here’s what you get with Cox’s low-cost internet program:

• $30 per month
• Up to 100Mbps download speeds
• Easy and free self-installation
• Free Wi-Fi modem rental
• 25TB monthly data (no overage charges)
• Connect up to five devices

Is this you? A $30 monthly bill for internet sounds mighty nice. The next step is to enter your address to check your eligibility.

Have a student in K-12?

Does your family participate in at least one government assistance program (such as SNAP or National School Lunch, or WIC)?

Then your family could qualify for a different low-cost internet plan called Cox’s Connect2Compete internet.

Here’s what you get with Connect2Compete internet:

• $9.95/mo.
• Up to 100Mbps download speeds
• Free Wi-Fi modem rental
• Easy and free self-installation
• No credit checks or deposit
• Access to Cox Digital Academy for educational resources

There’s no term agreement and no overage charges (though the plan does come with a monthly data cap of 1.25TB).

Nothing much beats the price of $9.95 per month for internet, so enter your address to check eligibility.

With Cox’s internet referral program, you could get up to $600 per year.

Let’s break it down: For each person you refer to a Cox service (TV, internet, phone, mobile, or home security services), you get $25 each in a prepaid digital Mastercard.

All you have to do is sign into your account and share out your personal referral link.

Not sure where to share? You could share with:

• Your coworkers
• Local Reddit forums
• Facebook groups
• Your neighbors
• Your friends

There’s no catch!

Cox doesn’t punish you with early termination fees. If you’re not liking your service or feel like you’re paying too much, it might be time to see what else is out there (no hard feelings, Cox).

You might be surprised what else has become available on your block in recent months … and how much more affordable it is compared to your current Cox plan.

If you’re desperate not to switch internet providers (we get it, it can be a hassle), then looking into your options is still a smart idea.

If you decide to call Cox to discuss your high internet bill, you can tell them that you’re eyeing a competitor that has better deals (a little bluffing never hurt anyone). Sometimes, that’s all it takes for an internet provider rep to realize they might lose a customer. And probably after a few upsells, they might just land on shaving a few dollars off your current bill. Check mate!

Type in your zip code below to see all the options in your area (it’s free to look, no obligation).