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5 Best Cable Internet Providers 2023
We dug into prices, speeds, availability, and data caps and chose Comcast Xfinity as the best cable internet provider.
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May 04, 2023
11 min read
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Comcast Xfinity is our choice for the cable internet provider with the most value. But if you’re eyeing other cable providers like Spectrum or Cox, there are still deals to be had.
Many cable providers offer fast speeds that match fiber internet but at similar or lower prices. And there are far more cable internet service providers (ISPs) out there than fiber ISPs.
So, we took a look at the prices, data caps, contracts, internet speeds, and availability for a dozen or so cable internet providers across the US to determine which cable companies are the best. Let’s dig in and see what’s what when it comes to cable.
- What to look for when buying cable
- Comcast Xfinity : Best value
- Spectrum : Best for no contracts
- Cox : Best cable TV and internet bundles
- Astound Broadband, Powered by RCN : Best price for gig cable internet speeds
- Wow! Internet : Also great value
- Final thoughts
- FAQ
The best cable internet providers comparison
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*
Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
†
For the first 12 months.
‡
Prices exclude taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges, certain equipment, and other fees or charges, which are subject to change.
^
Observed speeds may vary. Exludes surcharges and fees. Equipment extra. New residential customers only.
°
With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.
Compare prices and speeds for cable internet plans near you.
Xfinity internet + streaming + mobile = big savings
Get Xfinity internet + streaming for only $30 a month when you add an Xfinity Mobile plan.
Plus, this deal comes with the internet equipment included, a 2-year price guarantee and doesn't require a contract.
What to look for when buying cable internet
Cable internet is widely available across the US, making it pretty likely that it’s one of—if not your only—internet option.
But before you sign up for service, here are a few things you should consider.
Cable internet features you should look for:
- A cable internet provider that services your address
- A price that matches your budget
- Internet speeds that meet your family’s needs
- Optional: Unlimited data and no contracts
- Optional: Internet and cable TV bundle options
First things first, you’ll want to make sure that the cable internet service provider (ISP) you’re checking out is available in your area. The easiest way to do that is with our zip code checker.
Just enter your zip code, and we’ll show you the internet providers available in your area.
Prices for cable internet depend on what speed you’re looking at, but generally run between $20 a month for slower speeds and $80 a month, with a couple of exceptions. Make sure you choose a cable internet plan that not only fits into your budget but also meets your internet speed needs.
Some nice to have options include unlimited data and no contracts, but not every ISP offers these features. Still, if you find a cable internet plan with no data cap that doesn’t make you sign a contract, it might even be worth paying a little bit extra each month to nab it up.
Similarly, you’ll pay more each month if you bundle your cable internet with TV—but many service providers discount your bill when you bundle. So, bundling could really be a deal if you plan to get internet and TV anyway.
Want to read more?
Comcast Xfinity: Best Value
Xfinity Internet
Best Value
Data effective 03/14/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Xfinity’s promotional prices and regular deals make it one of the best value internet providers out there. Plus, it’s available across most of the US, and it regularly updates its plan speeds too.
To top all that off, Xfinity ranked in the top five for fastest internet service providers in our latest report, which means it’s more likely to give you the speeds you paid for—or better.
One thing to watch out for, though, is that Xfinity’s plan names, speeds, and pricing can change depending on where you live. Here’s a quick look at how the price ranges compare in each region of the US that Xfinity services.
Xfinity internet prices by region
Data effective 05/22/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*
Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
And another thing you might notice is that Xfinity is available across almost all of the US. That’s pretty rad, because we’ve also found that Xfinity tends to offer a great value. Most of its plans come with a hefty boost of download speed for the price you pay when compared to other internet providers in the same area.
Xfinity internet prices and plans for the Western US
Data effective 05/22/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
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For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
††
For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
‡‡
For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Not available in all areas.
Speaking of value, we analyzed the price per Mbps of all Xfinity’s internet plans so you can find the absolute best deal. And hey, Xfinity also offers plenty of internet deals each month, so even if the price isn’t right today, it might be tomorrow.
Last but not least, Xfinity offers cable TV service too. If you love to channel-flip, bundling TV and internet together can save you some cash. And that’s never a bad thing. We’re also pretty smitten with the Xfinity DVR and love that you can access your Netflix library and YouTube channels from it.
Recommended Xfinity cable internet plans
Depending on where you live, these are the Xfinity internet plans we recommend.
Best Xfinity internet plan in the Northeast: Gigabit Extra
Who it’s best for: Internet speed demons, work-from-home hustlers, and large families.
Why we picked it: Xfinity recently bumped up the speed of its Gigabit plan in the Northeast, and now its top download speed of 1,200 Mbps cracks the gig ceiling. Your price per Mbps with this plan is under 10 cents and that price lasts for three years, making it the most value-packed internet plans Xfinity offers.
Best Xfinity internet plan in the Central US: Superfast
Data effective 05/22/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Who it’s best for: Smaller families or households who just use the internet to stream TV and game a little.
Why we picked it: The Xfinity Superfast plan comes with reasonable speeds at a reasonable price. This plan isn’t the best bang for your buck (that title belongs to the Gigabit Extra plan), but we realize that not everyone needs gig speeds. With that in mind, Superfast should keep both your household netizens and wallet watchers happy.
Best Xfinity internet plan in the West: Fast
Data effective 05/22/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Who it’s best for: Is there something streaming on a TV, phone, or tablet in every room of our house? (Yup, even the bathroom!) Then Fast is right up your family’s alley.
Why we picked it: The up to 400 Mbps download speeds that come with the Fast plan are solid enough to keep multiple devices connected around your home. At the same time, no less. And that’s perfect for anyone with a bunch of kiddos and teens under their roof who also needs a little guilty pleasure time with Marriage or Mortgage.
Look for Xfinity internet plans available near you.
Spectrum: Best for no contracts
Spectrum Internet®
Best for no contracts
Data effective 03/10/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Spectrum cable internet is all about the word “no”: no data caps, no annoying overage charges, and no speed throttling. You can use your internet freely.
And Spectrum’s cable TV service comes without a contract too.
When we compared prices, Spectrum’s prices for its up to 500 and 1000 Mbps plans* are a little on the high end. But remember, that higher price comes with unlimited data and no-contract perks. So paying a little extra each month might be worth it.
Spectrum cable internet plans
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
^^
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
°°
Wireless speeds may vary.
***
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
†††
Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
Recommended Spectrum cable internet plan
Based on price and advertised speed, here’s the Spectrum cable internet package we recommend the most.
Best for a large family of streamers: Spectrum Internet Ultra
Who it’s best for: Are you a cinephile? Are your roommates or family members cinephiles too? The Spectrum Internet Ultra plan gives you all the freedom to stream in HD (or even 4K).
Why we picked it: While Spectrum’s price is a tad high for the speed you get, this plan also comes with unlimited data and no contract. That’s perfect for downloading every award-winning title out there and not worrying about going over your data cap. Or paying an extreme early termination fee if you end up moving to a new locale thanks to Out of Africa or Amélie.
Search for Spectrum cable internet plans in your area.
Cox: Best cable TV and internet bundles
Cox Bundles
Best cable TV and internet bundles
Data effective 01/18/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Cox’s cable internet is fairly reliable—it ranked 16th out of 32 internet providers in our fastest ISPs report and 8th out of 22 cable internet providers. That puts it squarely in the middle of the pack.
Our TV experts found Cox’s TV prices to be a tad higher than competitors like DISH and Xfinity. But we love that Cox Contour TV doesn’t come with a contract—and if you also select the “No Term Agreement” option for your Cox internet service, your bundle becomes contract-free too.
Cox’s TV and internet bundles also made our list of the top five cable bundles. Here’s a quick look at some of those bundles and channel counts, plus a few of the notable channels included in each one:
Cox cable internet and TV bundles
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
‡‡‡
for 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agrmt.
^^^
No contracts or cancellation fees.
- Contour Starter (75+ channels): Notable channels include CBS, FOX, PBS, The CW, NBC, and ABC.
- Contour Preferred (140+ channels): Notable channels include ESPN, TBS, HGTV, USA, Food Network, and Nick.
- Contour Ultimate (250+ channels): Notable channels include MLB Extra Innings, CINEMAX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, MGM+, and MAX.
Cox also offers a few bundles that pair your internet with its Contour TV Streamer. You won’t get a cable TV subscription with these combos, but the Contour TV Streamer lets you set up your favorite streaming service fairly easily.
When we tried to grab one of these bundles, we noticed that it’s a little confusing to figure out how to get the Contour TV Streamer as an option to rent. The trick is to select just an internet plan, and then the Contour TV Streamer appears as an equipment option.
What does Cox home phone service include?
Your Cox home phone service comes with unlimited domestic long-distance calls to the US and Canada, and to landline phones in Mexico. (If you’re calling a cell phone in Mexico, you’ll pay 10 cents per minute.)
Recommended Cox cable TV + internet bundle
Choosing a Cox cable bundle comes down to your preferences, but we think the Internet Preferred + Contour Starter is a good balance between price, channels, and internet speed.
Best Cox TV + internet bundle: Internet Preferred + Contour Starter
Internet download speed
Up to 250 Mbps
TV channel count
75+
$105.99
/mo
Data effective 03/28/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Who it’s best for: Families whose downtime after working from home includes gaming and TV nights on the couch.
Why we picked it: This bundle comes with a well-rounded internet speed and selection of channels. You’ll get CBS, FOX, ION, and Telemundo, to name a few, which means there’s something on the tube for everyone. (Except ESPN. Ouch.)
View Bundles | Read Full Cox Internet Review | Read Full Cox TV Review
Find the best Cox cable TV and internet bundles in your area.
Astound Broadband, Powered by RCN: Best price for gig cable internet speeds
Astound Broadband Powered by RCN
Best price for gig speeds
Data effective 03/13/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Last Updated: several months ago
RCN now goes by the name Astound Broadband, powered by RCN. You'll also see other brands, like Grande Communications and Wave Broadband, using the new Astound Broadband name.
This might make things a little confusing, so we'll try to keep it as clear as possible and update this review if any more changes roll down the line.
If you live in a big city like Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, or Chicago, Astound Broadband, powered by RCN’s low priced, no-contract cable internet plans rival even our Best Value pick, Xfinity.
On top of great prices for the speeds you get, Astound Broadband, powered by RCN comes with no data caps. This is another area where Astound Broadband (formerly RCN) tops Xfinity—and data caps are becoming more and more critical as we spend more time online.
Also of note is Astound Broadband, powered by RCN’s speed performance. It zoomed into 6th place out of 32 ISPs we analyzed in our fastest internet providers report, and it was the number one fastest cable provider. Not too shabby.
But just like Xfinity, Astound Broadband, powered by RCN’s available speeds and prices change depending on which city you live in. Generally, the cost is between $20 and $70 a month, though. Here’s a quick look at the plans and prices available in Chicago, Illinois, to give you an idea.
Astound Broadband, Powered by RCN cable internet plans for Chicago
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
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No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
****
No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
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No contract required. 12 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
Recommended Astound Broadband (formerly RCN) cable internet plan
We said it’s got one of the lowest prices for gig speeds around, so our recommended Astound Broadband, powered by RCN plan should be no surprise.
Best for home offices: Gig Internet
Data effective 03/13/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Who it’s best for: Anyone running a home office—or working from home with others in the same house.
Why we picked it: First off: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a gig plan at a price lower than this one. Second: Astound Broadband, powered by RCN’s gig speeds ensure that your household has enough bandwidth to support your home office hustle, your online learning classroom, and any fun activities like gaming or streaming. At the same time.
So no more waiting until after your partner’s Zoom call to catch the next episode of WandaVision. The whole internet is at your fingertips.
View Plans | Read Full Astound Broadband, powered by RCN Internet Review
Check if Astound Broadband (formerly RCN) cable internet is available in your area.
WOW! Internet: Also great value
WOW! Internet
Also great value
Download speeds
100–1200 Mbps
Data cap
1 TB–Unlimited
Starting from
$19.99
/mo
Data effective 03/14/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
We’re really holding ourselves back from tossing around the WOW! puns right now. (You can thank us later.) But what isn’t a laughing matter is WOW!’s low price for the speed you get—plus its super-high data caps.
You’ll find more value in WOW!’s lower-tier packages, since its 1,000 Mbps plan is outshone by Xfinity’s lower prices for the same speed. Of course, WOW!’s price lasts for two years while most of Xfinity’s prices last for only one year.
The only thing is, unless you call the glacier-sculpted plains of the Midwest or sunny farmland and coasts of the South home, you likely won’t find a WOW! plan in your town.
WOW! cable internet plans
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
°
With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.
WOW! Internet offers no-contract plans
If you're worried about getting stuck in a contract, WOW! recently dropped their contract requirements.
Recommended WOW! cable internet plan
Here’s our pick for a well-priced WOW! Internet plan with plenty of speed.
Best for most families: Internet 500
Who it’s best for: We normally recommend 100 Mbps as a baseline internet speed, but if you’ve got a larger family or a house full of internet power users, the WOW! Internet 500 plan is a better fit.
Why we picked it: These speeds should support a larger family with lots of devices, and the price you pay per month isn’t going to leave your wallet high and dry. It also comes with unlimited data, so you won’t need to throttle back on your kiddo’s mobile game downloads over Wi-Fi—or downloading that important PowerPoint your boss just sent over.
Check WOW! Internet prices in your area.
Recap: Best cable internet providers
- Xfinity: Best Value. You’ll find it hard to get a cable internet plan with cheaper prices than Xfinity. We also like that the ISP scores well for internet speed and regularly offers deals.
- Spectrum: Best for no contracts. Spectrum offers fairly well-priced cable internet, but the real gem is its unlimited data and no contracts.
- Cox: Best cable TV bundles. Cox offers pretty reliable cable internet and a slew of cable TV packages that you can bundle together in multiple ways. And you can make your bundles contract-free too.
- Astound Broadband, powered by RCN: Best in the Northeast. Astound Broadband, powered by RCN may be limited to cities in the Northeast and Chicago, but its budget-friendly prices, fast speeds, and lack of data caps make it a fierce contender even against Xfinity.
- WOW! Internet: Also great value. WOW!’s promotional prices are a great deal—and they last for two years. Plus, it comes with a ton of data for residents of the Midwest and South.
Cable internet tends to be a great pick when it comes to internet service. We think Comcast Xfinity’s promo pricing, fast speeds, and wide availability make it the value pick of the pack, but you’ll also find great features and deals on cable internet with Spectrum, Cox, RCN, and WOW!.
Best cable internet plans and bundle
Here’s a quick recap of all the cable internet plans we recommended:
Top cable internet plans
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
‡‡‡‡
For 24 months. No term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included.
^^^^
For 12 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
‡‡
For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Not available in all areas.
^^
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
°°
Wireless speeds may vary.
††††
No contract required. 12 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
°
With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.
And we can’t forget Cox, our pick for the cable company with the best bundles. If you’re pairing your Cox cable TV with internet, here’s our pick:
Internet download speed
Up to 250 Mbps
TV channel count
75+
$105.99
/mo
Data effective 03/28/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Methodology
To narrow down the best cable internet providers, we looked at and compared the following features:
- Price
- Download speeds
- Data caps
- Contracts and promotional pricing periods
- Availability
We also wanted to highlight some of the ISPs that offered excellent prices and features but weren’t necessarily available across most of the US. That’s why Astound Broadband, powered by RCN and WOW! Internet are featured on our list.
We also considered Astound Broadband, powered by Grande Communications, but even though it advertises excellent prices, no data caps, and no contracts, we felt that its availability in only parts of Texas was too limiting. The same approach applied to Optimum, which is available mainly in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Availability was also the biggest reason we didn’t analyze smaller, more local cable ISPs. Even so, we recommend checking out what internet providers are available in your area, since many smaller providers also offer excellent speeds and prices, among other perks.
Check to see if any small cable internet providers offer service near you.
FAQ
Still have questions about the best cable internet providers? We’ve got answers.
Which cable company has the best Wi-Fi and internet?
We chose Comcast Xfinity as our top cable company. Along with serving a large portion of the US, Xfinity regularly offers competitive promotional prices and deals on its cable internet and TV service.
As for Wi-Fi hotspots, Xfinity gives free hotspot access to its Xfinity Mobile and internet customers with a Performance plan or faster.
Which cable company has the fastest internet?
Comcast Xfinity has the fastest cable internet plan: Its Gigabit Pro plan comes with 2,000 Mbps download speeds. The bad news? The plan is extremely limited as to who can get it, and it costs a whopping $299.95 a month. Yikes.
Who has the cheapest internet and cable package?
Of the largest ISPs in the US, Xfinity and Astound Broadband, powered by RCN both offer some of the cheapest internet and cable TV packages. Of course, the cheapest internet and TV bundles in your area depend on which providers serve your location.
If you live in an area where you can get Astound Broadband, powered by Grande, RCN, Optimum (formerly Suddenlink), or Xfinity, you might be able to score one of these cheap cable internet and TV packages:
The cheapest TV and internet bundles in the US
Data effective 04/05/23. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
°°°°
Internet: For 12 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. TV: No term contract. Broadcast TV fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
†
For the first 12 months.
Internet: For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. TV: No term contract. Broadcast TV fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
Internet w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas. TV: Offer for new residential customers. Plus taxes, fees and other charges. Includes Auto Pay and Paperless Billing.
Sources
*Wireless speeds may vary.
°Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
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