Best Cable Internet Providers of 2024
Oct. 07, 2024
Best Cable Internet Providers of
Our picks
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Why we chose these providers
Sort by
Best cable internet provider overall
500 - 1,000 Mbps
$50 - $80 per month
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Or call to learn more:
(855) 800-
Fastest cable internet provider
150 - 6,000 Mbps
$20 - $300 per month
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Or call to learn more:
(855) 861-
Best cable ISP for cheap internet
100 - 1,500 Mbps
$20 - $80 per month
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Or call to learn more:
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Best rural cable ISP
100 - 1,000 Mbps
$25 - $80 per month
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Or call to learn more:
(888) 962-
Fastest speed test results among cable ISPs
100 - 2,000 Mbps
$50 - $110 per month
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Or call to learn more:
(877) 451-
What's the best cable internet provider?
Of the internet connection types that may bring internet to your home, cable is the most widely available. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of cable internet providers nationwide.
Among them, a few stand out for their availability, low pricing, simple service terms, high customer satisfaction and other attributes. Spectrum is CNET's pick for the best cable internet provider overall thanks to its broad coverage area, fast speeds, unlimited data and straightforward pricing.
Xfinity, the nation&#;s largest cable ISP, is another solid choice, particularly if you&#;re looking for a wide variety of high-speed options, the fastest being up to 1,200 or 2,000 megabits per second. Astound, where available, is likely to be your cheapest cable internet provider with service starting at $20 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps.
No two major cable ISPs are equal when it comes to availability, speeds, pricing and service terms. Considering these factors and others, select cable ISPs rise to the top. Here are my picks for the best cable internet providers.
Locating local internet providers
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5 Internet providers
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Connection
Cable
Speed range
500 - 1,000
Mbps
Price range
$50 - $80
per month
Spectrum
Best cable internet provider overall
Our take - Spectrum doesn't have the cheapest internet plan, but speeds are high -- download speeds start at 500Mbps in some markets -- and all plans include unlimited data with no contract requirements.
Read full review.
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Or call to learn more:
(855) 800-
Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
500 - 1,000
Mbps
Price range
$50 - $80
per month
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Straightforward pricing
- No data caps on any plans
- No contracts required for internet service
- Free access to Spectrum's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Cons
- Competitive rates for cable, but pricier than many fiber providers
- Internet service is slightly below the industry average for customer satisfaction
The high speeds and low cost per Mbps, along with unlimited data, no contracts and a low equipment fee of just $7 puts Spectrum firmly on our list of the best internet providers.
After the first year of service, Spectrum internet pricing increases to the standard rate, which could raise your monthly bill by $20 to $25. While no increase would be nice, Spectrum's is still lower than you'll get from major cable providers like Xfinity and Cox, which have increases of $30 or higher on select plans. If you find Spectrum's standard price hike too steep, you can cancel your service without penalty since Spectrum does not require a contract.
Key Info- Unlimited data
- simple pricing
- no contracts
- modem included
- free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
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Show more details
Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
150 - 6,000
Mbps
Price range
$20 - $300
per month
Xfinity
Fastest cable internet provider
Our take - Comcast Xfinity is not only the largest cable internet provider, it's also the fastest in many areas. Xfinity's Gigabit X2 advertises download speeds up to 2,000Mbps, twice the speed available from most other cable ISPs.
Read full review.
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Or call to learn more:
(855) 861-
Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
150 - 6,000
Mbps
Price range
$20 - $300
per month
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good variety of plans
- Some of the fastest residential plans available
- Above average scores in almost all customer satisfaction metrics
Cons
- Data caps for some plans
- Contracts often required to get the lowest price
- Steep jump from promo price to regular rates
If 2 gigs is faster than your home needs, Xfinity has a variety of other cable internet plans ranging from 150 to 1,200Mbps in most locations.
Since Xfinity has such a broad coverage area, pricing, speeds and service terms can vary by region. For example, those in the West may have slightly lower pricing but also slower speeds on select Xfinity plans. Additionally, some Xfinity service areas may require a one-year contract to get the lowest pricing while others do not.
Regardless of your region and the plan you choose, be sure to watch your data usage as Xfinity plans may come with a 1.2TB per month data allowance and a potentially hefty fee for going over. The good news is, that's a lot of data. The average household likely won't come close to using that much data in a month, let alone go over.
Key Info- Lots of plan options
- solid customer satisfaction numbers
- data caps on some plans
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Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
100 - 1,500
Mbps
Price range
$20 - $80
per month
Astound
Best cable ISP for cheap internet
Our take - Astound plans and pricing vary by market, but you can count on low introductory rates wherever service is available. Plans start at $20 to $55 a month for max speeds of 300 to 1,500Mbps. Plans include unlimited data and, in most areas, free equipment rental.
Read full review.
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Or call to learn more:
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Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
100 - 1,500
Mbps
Price range
$20 - $80
per month
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low first-year pricing
- No data caps
- No contracts
Cons
- Availability limited to metro areas
- Sharp price increase after the promotional period
- Confusing equipment fees
The low pricing doesn't last forever, unfortunately. Astound offers a two-year price guarantee on most plans, but once the standard pricing kicks in, monthly rates can double or triple the initial price. If you choose Astound for the low pricing, be aware that the price may increase significantly in the 25th month.
Key Info- Unlimited data
- low promo prices
- no contracts
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Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
100 - 1,000
Mbps
Price range
$25 - $80
per month
Mediacom
Best rural cable ISP
Our take - Providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and Optimum primarily stick to big cities, Mediacom caters to much of America's heartland, extending broadband availability to rural areas throughout much of the Midwest and South.
Read full review.
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Or call to learn more:
(888) 962-
Compare
Connection
Cable
Speed range
100 - 1,000
Mbps
Price range
$25 - $80
per month
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides services to over 1,500 communities in 22 states
- Great additional hardware available to rent at a fair price
Cons
- Significant price jump for the gigabit plan after a year
- Data caps are too tight with the cheapest plans, and there's no limit to the number of overage charges you can rack up
- Poor value relative to other cable internet providers
Those within Mediacom service areas will likely have three to four plan options ranging from 100 to 1,000Mbps. Each plan comes with its own data cap, but only one plan comes with less than 1TB (1,000GB) of data, which is about the standard you'll find from other major cable ISPs that have a cap. Higher-tiered Mediacom plans come with up to 3,000GB data, which might as well be unlimited for the average household.
Key Info- Up to 6TB monthly data allowance
- low introductory rates
- no contracts
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Show more details
Compare
Connection
Mostly cable, some fiber
Speed range
100 - 2,000
Mbps
Price range
$50 - $110
per month
Cox Communications
Fastest speed test results among cable ISPs
Our take - In Ookla's most recent Speedtest Connectivity Report, Cox had the fastest speed test results of any other major cable internet provider. With an average download speed of 242Mbps, Cox bettered Xfinity (237Mbps) and Spectrum (228Mbps).
Read full review.
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Or call to learn more:
(877) 451-
Compare
Connection
Mostly cable, some fiber
Speed range
100 - 2,000
Mbps
Price range
$50 - $110
per month
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Gigabit speeds available across entire service area
- Reasonable data usage terms, no throttling
Cons
- Plans are pricier than other cable internet providers
- Steep price increases after first year
- Cox gateway device doubles as a public hotspot by default
- Unlimited data bundles are a bad value
Other than fast speed test results and a decent prepaid internet plan, Cox does little to impress. Monthly rates are higher than many cable ISPs, and all plans come with a 1.2TB data cap and fees for going over.
Key Info- 1.25TB monthly data allowance
- lots of plan options
- unique gaming add-on
Compare
Show more details
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Top cable internet providers compared
Please note that the plans below show each provider's cheapest available tier. The max speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area.
Overall, the best selection for you -- and the most cost-effective plan -- might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
PlanStarting priceMax download speedCost per MbpsEquipment feeAstound Broadband 300
Mediacom Xtream Connect
Spectrum Internet
Xfinity Connect
Show more (0 item)
Cable internet versus cable TV service
"Cable" has become so synonymous with "TV service" that it's easy to confuse cable internet with a TV and internet bundle. However, cable internet is broadband through and through. It just uses a coaxial cable -- yes, the same one as for your cable TV -- to deliver service.
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In fact, it's the most widely available internet connection outside of satellite internet, covering 83% of US households and 97% of urban areas. As such, there's a good chance that you have available cable internet access in your area. And it's not a bad option, if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for fiber optic internet.
What is a coaxial cable?
A coaxial cable is a copper line surrounded by an insulated shield and protective plastic sheath (usually black) used to transmit television, internet and signals. The cables can also be used to carry weak electrical currents, like those to power a satellite dish.
If you have cable TV or a satellite TV service with an HD or DVR box, the line that connects to the back of your box is likely a coaxial cable. With cable internet service, that same cable type plugs into your modem and sends internet data instead of TV signals.
Coaxial cables are capable of supporting higher bandwidth than DSL (which uses lines), but they fall short of fiber-optic cables. Most cable internet providers can offer download speeds up to 1,000Mbps or slightly higher, though upload speeds are significantly slower, often 10 to 50Mbps. Fiber internet, on the other hand, can deliver multigigabit download and upload speeds of 10,000Mbps and higher.
How to choose the best cable internet provider
Cable internet providers operate in specific areas, often with little overlap of other cable internet providers, so choosing the best cable ISP starts with identifying the available providers in your area.
If you have the choice of two or more cable internet providers, you&#;ll want to compare those options the same as you would any other available ISPs. Here&#;s how to choose the best cable internet provider for your home:
- Know what speeds you need. Identify the providers that offer those speeds or close.
- Compare pricing. Be sure to take into account promotional rates, how long they last and how much your rate will increase after the promotional period ends.
- Consider any bundle offers. Cable internet providers are often the best source for TV and internet bundles. If you&#;re interested in getting the two together, compare available speeds and channel packages to find the one that best fits your household&#;s speed and entertainment demands.
- Understand the fine print. Whether it&#;s with standalone internet service or an internet and TV bundle, it&#;s important to be aware of any added fees, such as equipment rental fees, data caps and contract requirements.
It&#;s possible only one cable internet provider will be available at your address. In that case, you&#;ll want to compare speeds, pricing and service terms such as equipment fees and data caps to ISPs of other connection types like fiber or fixed wireless.
How CNET determined the best cable internet providers
Cable internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it&#;s impractical to personally test every cable ISP. To evaluate the top providers, we start by researching the availability, pricing and speed information of the top providers, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
We also input addresses on provider websites to find and compare specific options. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how content customers are with an ISP&#;s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Best cable ISPs honorable mentions
These cable internet providers also offer decent pricing and speeds. If any are available in your area, they are also worth a look.
Optimum
Optimum is one of the largest cable ISPs in the US, covering much of the greater New York City area along with smaller markets in 21 states since parent company Altice rebranded Suddenlink under the Optimum brand. Pricing and service terms are comparable to most major cable internet providers, but pricing has gone up while customer satisfaction and upload speeds have gone down in recent years.
Sparklight
Formerly known as Cable One, Sparklight is another cable provider that largely serves rural and suburban areas. Plans range from $39 for up to 100Mbps to $125 per month for gig service, which is a bit higher than most ISPs.
WideOpenWest
Another great source for cheap internet, WideOpenWest, or WOW, offers internet starting at $30 for speeds up to 300Mbps. Other WOW plans, up to gig service starting at $60 monthly, are competitively priced as well, but you may find a better value than its $95, 1,200Mbps plan elsewhere.
Best cable ISPs recap
Cable internet boasts almost the same availability as DSL but can deliver much faster speeds and better connection quality, making it a top choice for broadband, especially in markets where fiber is unavailable. For the most part, cable ISPs have similar speeds and pricing, but those featured in our list of the best -- Xfinity, Spectrum, Mediacom, Cox and WOW -- stand out for their exceptional speeds, customer-friendly service terms and/or unique services.
Read more: The best high-speed ISPs for gigabit internet
Locating local internet providers
Cable internet FAQs
What is the best coaxial cable for high-speed internet?
Your cable internet provider should provide you with any coaxial cables needed for home internet service. If, however, you need additional cables, RG6 coaxial cables are best suited for home broadband due to their flexibility, reliability and ability to carry large amounts of data.
Fiber vs. cable internet: what&#;s the difference and which is better?
Cable internet is available to nearly twice the number of households as fiber optic and can support similar download speeds, but its advantages over fiber largely end there. Fiber internet has with faster upload speeds and better speed reliability than cable, often for a price lower than or equal to what you would pay for cable internet, depending on the available providers in your area.
Show moreWhich cable company has the fastest internet?
Xfinity offers the fastest cable internet plan of any major internet provider with download speeds up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas. Xfinity also offers a 1,200Mbps plan throughout much of its service area, as does WideOpenWest.
Astound, a cable internet provider with service areas in New York City, Chicago and other major markets across the US, has max download speeds up to 1,500Mbps.
Most other cable ISPs, including Spectrum, Cox, Mediacom and Optimum, top out at max download speeds around 1,000Mbps.
How does cable and DSL internet compare?
Cable internet is preferable to DSL in the same way fiber internet is more desirable than cable service. Cable internet has a faster max speed potential -- up to 1,000Mbps or higher -- than DSL service, which tops out at around 100Mbps. Cable internet also provides a more reliable connection than DSL, especially over long distances. Given the choice of cable or DSL internet service, cable is almost always the better option.
What is a coaxial cable splitter and do I need one?
A coaxial cable splitter allows you to connect multiple devices, such as a cable TV box and an internet modem, to the same line. If one is needed for your home networking, your cable ISP should provide one at the time of installation.
Why are cable internet upload speeds so slow?
Cable internet providers use coaxial cables, the same ones used for cable TV, to run internet service the last mile or so to your home. These cables do not have the same bandwidth capacity as fiber-optic cables and therefore cannot support symmetrical download and upload speeds. As a result, cable internet upload speeds often range from 1 to 50Mbps, though the download speeds may be much higher.
Show moreWhy do I only have one cable internet provider?
Operating costs are the biggest obstacle preventing multiple cable providers from offering service in the same market. However, more people have access to more than one provider with cable internet than any other service type (excluding satellite). According to the FCC, multiple cable internet providers are available to around 7% of US residents, compared with less than 4% with fiber and 3% with DSL service.
Show moreWhat cable internet deals are available to seniors?
Cable internet providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Mediacom and others, offer internet plans intended for low-income households. Additionally, the Affordable Connectivity Program grants qualifying households up to $30 per month to use toward the cost of home internet. View our guides to internet deals and how to apply for the ACP credit for more information.
Which cable internet service is available near me?
Cable internet providers operate in specific locations, so the ISP near you will depend on your address. That said, there are a few cable internet providers that are available in more areas than others. Xfinity boasts the largest availability, covering 36% of the US population. Spectrum is right behind Xfinity at 33%, followed by Cox (7%), Altice brands Optimum and Suddenlink (5.6% total), RCN (2.6%), WideOpenWest (2.3%) and Mediacom (2%). There are also dozens of regional cable internet providers that operate in hyper-local markets that your address could be serviceable for.
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