Optimum TV Review 2021

Optimum TV has limited availability, but this cable TV provider is a solid choice for those who live on the East Coast.

Ranging from $75–$124 per month, you’ll get one of the highest channel counts in the industry (seriously). And you’ll love its Multi-Room DVR, which can record up to 15 programs at once. Say goodbye to family conflicts!

Even though the DVR is highly capable, you only get 25–150 hours of DVR storage. And you’ll also have to watch out for Optimum’s hidden fees.

Optimum has the most coverage in New York, but it’s also available in some areas of New Jersey, Connecticut, and literally some random cities in some random states. (Get it together, Optimum).

If another cable TV provider is available in your area, like Xfinity or Cox, and you want to know more about its service, check out our best cable TV providers or best TV providers of 2021 piece.

How much does Optimum cost?

The dollar-to-channel ratio is one of the best in the industry

To give you an idea of how great Optimum’s pricing is, we’re going to compare it to Xfinity, our favorite cable TV provider.

Xfinity’s dollar-to-channel ratio is about .46 cents, while Optimum’s is about .30 cents! Optimum hands out a huge number of channels, so if you live in one of the areas it’s available, you’re one of the lucky ones.

Optimum could be our favorite cable provider if it were more widely available (just sayin’).

Does Optimum have a contract?

One of the best things about Optimum is it doesn’t have a contract! So you can cancel with no repercussions if you’re moving or want to switch to a live TV streaming service.

Does Optimum have fees?

What’s a cable TV provider without fees? Yes, it’s common for all TV providers to have fees, but we have to say we don’t like Optimum’s DVR fee.

The DVR fee is pretty pricey for the amount of (or lack thereof) storage hours you receive. An $11 per month fee for each set-top box is pretty standard, and they give you the option to rent a modem for $10 per month.

You’ll need a modem to connect your TV to Optimum’s internet (or any internet, but we recommend bundling to save the hassle of paying two separate bills. More on that below). If you don’t want to pay monthly for a modem, you could get one on Amazon.

Oh, and we almost forgot to mention–there are hidden fees.

At checkout, Optimum’s disclaimer says, “Depending on location, some or all service and equipment rates, plus certain add’l charges, are subject to state and/or local fee. A Network Enhancement Fee of $3.50, all other fees, equipment charges, surcharges, and taxes will be added to the monthly bill.” Geez, Optimum.

If you get the Select or Premier package, the installation is included. But whichever package you get, plan on spending–at the minimum–$21 in fees.

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Which Optimum bundle is the best?

• Optimum 300 and Basic TV: $55.00/mo. (for one year)
• Optimum 300 and Core TV: $65.00/mo. (for one year)
• Optimum 500 and Core TV: $90.00/mo. (for two years)
• Optimum 1 Gig and Core TV: $100/mo. (for life)

The package we most recommend is the Optimum 500 and Core TV bundle. Core TV is already $75 by itself, and for $15 more, you can get internet with 500 Mbps download speeds.

The Optimum 300 and Basic TV bundle is a great option for those looking to save money and who only need 50+ channels.

When you get a bundle, we recommend you get the “Altice One”, which combines your TV box, modem, and router into one device for just $20 per month. Now that’s a solid deal. And if your daughter wants one in her bedroom, it’s only $10 per month for the additional Altice Mini’s.

While Optimum’s prices may change over time, the good news is that you can cancel anytime you want.

Which channels does Optimum have?

Optimum has all of the channels you need

Optimum’s plans are pretty well-rounded and have all of the channels you’ll likely want. You’ll get all of the popular channels in the Core TV plan, but \when you upgrade from one plan to another, you’ll get more premium channels.

And a bonus is that about 30% of each package’s channels are in HD.

The Core TV plan includes the following channels:

Although Value TV has 35 more channels than Core TV, Optimum doesn’t list which channels those are. That makes it a little hard to want to jump on this plan. But for $15 more per month, you can get an additional 120 channels with Select TV than you would with Core TV.

The Select TV plan includes the following channels:

The Premier TV plan includes the following channels:

Scroll down a little further for the sports channels (because, if you’re like us, you think those are the most important too).

Does Optimum have premium channels and add-ons?

Optimum offers all of the premium channels, aside from EPIX.

A subscription to HBO Max through Optimum also includes a subscription to HBO channels and HBO On Demand (and we definitely recommend it).

The Select TV plan gives you eight STARZ channels, including STARZ Encore Action, STARZ Encore Classic, and STARZ Encore Family. And the Premier package includes HBO Max and seven HBO channels, eight SHOWTIME channels, and 14 STARZ channels.

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You’d only need the Sports Pack if you get the Core TV package or if you’re an NHL fan, but as NFL fans, we believe the Sports Pack is worth it from September through December.

The NFL RedZone Channel, our favorite sports channel, will show you all of the exciting moments in real-time of every Sunday morning and afternoon game during the regular season.

NFL RedZone will jump to whichever team is inside the 20-yard line with a chance to score, and it’ll also show replays of phenomenal pick-6s, tackles, one-handed catches, and Hail Marys.

Optimum says the Sports Pack has 24 sports channels, including the following:

The Optimum en Español add-on includes the following seven channels:

• Antena 3
• CNN en Español
• ESPN Deportes
• Fox Deportes
• History en Español
• Universo

Which Optimum package is best for sports?

Although the Core TV plan has a decent channel lineup for entertainment, kids, and news channels, this plan is lacking in the sports area. So if you’re a big sports fan, we highly recommend the Select or Premier plan.

You’ll get 23 sports channels and front row seats on your couch.

The Core TV plan includes the following sports channels:

The Select TV plan includes the following sports channels:

The Premier TV plan has all of the sports channels above plus the following three:

• beIN Sports
• BeIN Sports Español
• World Fishing Network

Which devices are compatible with Optimum?

You need to know if your device is compatible with Optimum because we all like to stream on the go.

You know you’ll need to watch the Hallmark Channel while you’re on the train, the Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs game while you’re at work, or the Disney Channel to distract your little one.

If you want to use the Optimum TV to GO app, Optimum lists the following streaming devices as compatible:

• iPhones, iPads
• Android smartphones and tablets
• Kindle Fire

But Optimum says you can download the app on most smart TVs and through the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon Appstore.

Optimum’s DVR storage is lacking

The DVR could use a little sprucing up

As we said above in the fees section, Optimum’s DVR storage space is not sufficient enough.

Think about it: 25 hours lets you record 10 TV show episodes and seven movies. It might sound like enough (and it may very well be for you), but if you want to save those movies to watch them at any time in the future, the hours add up.

And we have to mention how important it is for families–you can record 15 shows at once.

But if you want to refrain from any nasty family drama (because your storage space is full but you want to record the new Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode and your spouse claims you can’t delete the eight This Is Us episodes), get more storage space.

Recap: Is Optimum worth it?

It’s worth it if you live in one of the areas it’s available

There is only one obvious reason you shouldn’t get Optimum: if it’s not available in your area. And our only complaint is the low DVR storage space.

But Optimum doesn’t require a contract, each plan has lots of channels for fair pricing, it offers most of the premium channels, and you get exclusive New York programming. It’s perfect for families, sports lovers, and entertainment & movie buffs.

If Optimum isn’t available in your area or doesn’t have the channel lineup you need, check out our top cable TV providers for other options.

What do you think?

Do you have Optimum? What’s your experience with it been? Or do you like a different provider better? Drop us a comment below!