Google Fiber: Best internet for most people
Google Fiber pros and cons
Pros
Fastest and most reliable internet
Symmetrical upload/download speeds
No contracts or fees
Cons
Not available everywhere
Not the cheapest
Google Fiber is only available in a select few cities, and Charlotte is one of them. This is great news because Google’s internet service offers the fastest, most reliable internet around at a very reasonable price point. Plus, the company scores high for customer service and doesn’t have any annoying fees or contracts.
While Google Fiber isn’t available for every household in Charlotte, it is quickly expanding. The company has announced that it’s expanding service to nearby areas, like Huntersville, as well.
Best Google Fiber internet plan for most people: 1 Gig Internet for $70.00/mo.
Google Fiber’s lowest tier plan is more powerful than most top-shelf plans from other companies. It gives you 1,000Mbps of symmetrical download/upload speed, which is more than enough bandwidth for a medium-large household that streams, games, and works-from-home. At $70, it’s not the cheapest plan, but there are no annoying fees, and you’ll get a Nest Wi-Fi Pro modem-router for free.
AT&T Internet: Most bang for your buck
AT&T Internet pros and cons
Pros
Lots of plans to choose from
Cheaper fiber plans available in some areas
Good availability
Cons
Fiber not available in many areas
DSL plans are slow and have data caps
AT&T Internet is one of Charlotte’s biggest internet providers. It offers two different kinds of service, depending on your location: fiber or DSL. AT&T’s fiber internet service is very fast, reliable, and affordable. Meanwhile, the DSL service is rather slow and clunky.
For those who can get AT&T’s fiber internet, it’s a great deal. There are several plans to choose from that are cheaper than Google Fiber, while still offering most of the same benefits. But, AT&T’s DSL service is a little bit too slow and expensive to be worth it for most customers. (If you’re looking for an alternative, check out the T-Mobile 5G Home Internet service below.)
Best AT&T Internet plan for most people: AT&T Internet 300, 300Mbps for $55.00/mo.
Spectrum Internet: Best low-price cable internet plans
Pros
Very fast download speed
Low prices
No contracts or data caps
Cons
Not as fast or reliable as fiber internet
If you can’t get fiber internet (because of availability or price), then cable internet is probably your next best option. With Spectrum Internet in Charlotte, you can get superfast download speeds that are perfect for big households that have a lot of devices streaming at once.
Spectrum’s prices are not quite as low as we’d like, but they are still fair. If you’re interested in bundling your TV and internet services together in Charlotte, you may be able to save a few dollars a month with Spectrum.
Best Spectrum Internet plan for most people: Internet Ultra, up to 500Mbps for $69.99/mo.
Spectrum’s Internet Ultra plan is a good mix of performance and value. With 500Mbps, no data cap, and no contract, it offers plenty of power for most households. At $69.99, it’s still cheaper than some of the pricier fiber internet plans in Charlotte.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Ideal for smaller households
T-Mobile Internet pros and cons
Pros
Straight-forward prices and policies
Easy to install yourself
Low prices and no contracts
Cons
Not as fast as cable or fiber
Speed and reliability may vary
If you don’t live in an area with superfast fiber internet (or you don’t want to pay for it), then T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is a great alternative. It’s available in many more rural areas and offers a wireless connection that’s fast enough for most small apartments and households.
With T-Mobile, you get straightforward prices with no hidden fees or sneaky contracts. You can install the service yourself without shelling out for a professional. While 5G Home Internet can’t compete with wired fiber and cable connections, it is often even faster than DSL connections.
Best T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plan for most people: $50 home internet, 72–245Mbps for $50.00/mo.
T-Mobile Home Internet has just one plan for everyone. Thankfully, it’s a very solid offering. You’ll get 72 to 245Mbps speeds for just $50 a month, with no data caps or hidden fees. It’s a great option for couples or small families who just want to marathon their Netflix at night and scroll through Instagram when they should be doing their chores.