Comcast Xfinity is our pick for the best value cable internet provider. However, there are still offers to be available with other cable providers such as Spectrum or Cox.
Many cable carriers offer high-speed internet at similar or lower prices than fiber broadband. There are also significantly more cable internet service providers (ISPs) than fiber internet service providers.
So we compared rates, data caps, contracts, internet speeds, and availability for a dozen or so cable internet providers across the United States to see which were the best. Let’s take a look at what’s what in the world of cable.
The top 5 cable internet providers
- Comcast Xfinity: Best value
- Spectrum: Best for no contracts
- Cox: Best cable TV bundles
- RCN: Best price for gig speeds
- WOW! Internet: Also great value
| Provider | Monthly price | Download speeds | Data cap | Learn more |
| Xfinity Internet | $29.99–$84.99* | 50–1200 Mbps | 1–1.2 TB | View Plans |
| Spectrum Internet® | $49.99/mo for 12 mos.–$109.99/mo for 12 mos.† | 200–1000 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| Cox Internet | $29.99–$99.99‡ | 10–940 Mbps | View Plans | |
| RCN Internet | $19.99–$59.99† | 25–1000 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| WOW! Internet | $29.99–$99.99^ | 100–1000 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
* For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
† For the first 12 months.
‡ For the first 12 months with a 1-year term agreement.
^ For the first 24 months with a 2-year agreement.
What to look for when buying cable internet
Cable internet is widely available across the United States, so it’s likely to be one of—if not the only—internet options available to you. However, before you sign up for service, there are a few things to think about.
Cable internet features you should look for:
- A cable internet service provider that serves your location
- A price that is in line with your budget
- Internet connections that are fast enough for the entire family
- Unlimited data and no contracts are available as an option
- Internet and cable TV bundles are available as an option
First and foremost, check to see if the cable internet service provider (ISP) you’re considering is available in your area. Our zip code checker is the most convenient way to do so.
With a few exceptions, cable internet prices vary depending on the speed you want, but normally range from $20 to $80 per month for slower speeds. Make sure you pick a cable internet plan that fits both your budget and your internet speed requirements.
Unlimited data and no contracts are two desirable qualities, but these are not available from every ISP. Still, if you can locate a cable internet package that doesn’t have a data cap and doesn’t require you to sign a contract, it might be worth paying a little more each month to get it.
Comcast Xfinity: Best Value
The promotional prices and frequent offers offered by Xfinity make it one of the most cost-effective internet providers around. It’s also available in most of the United States, and its plan speeds are updated on a regular basis.
To top it off, in our most recent survey, Xfinity was named among the top five fastest internet service providers, indicating that it is more likely to deliver the speeds you paid for—or better.
One thing to keep in mind is that depending on where you reside, Xfinity’s plan names, speeds, and price can change. Here’s a short breakdown of how the price ranges compare in each of the US regions where Xfinity provides service.
See also: Everything you need to know about VoIP phone systems
Xfinity internet prices by region
| Provider | Monthly price | Download speeds | Data cap | Learn more |
| Xfinity Internet | $29.99–$79.99* | 50–1000 Mbps | View Plans | |
| Xfinity Internet | $30–$70* | 50–1200 Mbps | View Plans | |
| Xfinity Internet | $29.99–$84.99* | 50–1200 Mbps | 1–1.2 TB | View Plans |
* For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
Another thing you might notice is that Xfinity is offered practically everywhere in the United States. That’s quite cool, considering we’ve found Xfinity to be a wonderful value as well.
When compared to other internet providers in the area, most of its plans come with a significant increase in download speed for the amount you pay.
In the interest of finding the best deal, we compared the price per Mbps of all Xfinity internet plans. And, hey, each month, Xfinity offers a variety of internet discounts, so even if the price isn’t right today, it might be tomorrow.
Last but not least, Xfinity also provides cable television service. Bundling TV and internet can save you money if you enjoy channel-flipping. That can never be a bad thing. We’re also big fans of the Xfinity DVR, especially because you can use it to access your Netflix library and YouTube channels.
Spectrum: Best for no contracts
There are no data caps, no irritating overage charges, and no speed limiting with Spectrum cable internet. You have unrestricted access to the internet. Spectrum’s cable TV service is also available without a contract.
When we examined pricing, we found that Spectrum’s costs for plans with speeds of up to 100 and 400 Mbps* are a tad on the high side. However, keep in mind that the greater price includes unlimited data and no-contract benefits. So it might be worth it to pay a little more each month.
| Plan | Price | Download speed | Data cap | Details |
| Spectrum Internet® | $49.99/mo for 12 mos.† | Up to 200 Mbps†† | Unlimited | View Plan |
| Spectrum Internet® | $49.99/mo for 12 mos.† | Up to 200 Mbps†† | Unlimited | View Plan |
| Spectrum Internet® Ultra | $69.99/mo for 12 mos.† | Up to 400 Mbps†† | Unlimited | View Plan |
| Spectrum Internet® Gig | $109.99/mo for 12 mos.‡‡ | Up to 1000 Mbps‡‡ | Unlimited | View Plan |
† For the first 12 months.
†† 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.
Cox: Best cable TV and internet bundles
Cox’s cable internet is fairly dependable, ranking 16th out of 32 internet providers and 8th out of 22 cable internet providers in our fastest ISPs study. This places it in the middle of the pack.
Our TV specialists discovered that Cox’s TV costs were slightly more than those of competitors such as DISH and Xfinity. But we like that Cox Contour TV doesn’t require a commitment, and if you choose the “No Term Agreement” option for your Cox internet service, your entire bundle will be contract-free as well.
Our top five cable bundles also included Cox’s TV and internet bundles. Here’s a short rundown of some of the bundles and channel counts, as well as some of the noteworthy channels contained in each:
| Plan | Price | Internet download speed | TV channel count | Details |
| Internet Preferred 150 + Contour TV Starter | $109.99^^ | 150 Mbps | 75+ | View Plan |
| Internet Essential 50 + Contour TV Preferred | $129.99^^ | 50 Mbps | 140+ | View Plan |
| Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Ultimate | $209.99^^ | 500 Mbps | 250+ | View Plan |
| Internet Gigblast + Contour TV Ultimate | $229.99^^ | 940 Mbps | 250+ | View Plan |
