Best Cable Internet Providers for July 2025
Cable internet is a staple for many households in the US. Check out our picks for the top cable internet providers.
Article updated on July 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM PDT
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What's the best cable internet provider?
Besidessatellite internet, cable internet offers some of the widest coverage among allinternet connection types. But what about performance, pricing and service terms? According to the latest data from theFederal Communications Commission, roughly eight in 10 US households have the option of a cable internet provider.A recent FCC report shows that as of June 2024, there are over 99 million locations in the US equipped with cable internet, which means there's a good chance your address is eligible for cable internet. After reviewing hundreds of cable ISPs across the US, only a few stand out for their wide availability, affordable pricing, straightforward terms and strong customer satisfaction.
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. The next best thing is the nation's largest cable ISP,Xfinity. If you’re looking for a wide variety ofhigh-speed options, the fastest being up to 1,300 or 2,100Mbps, Xfinity is your best option.Astound, where available, is likely to offer you the cheapest introductory rates in the first year, with service starting at $30 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 our picks for the best cable internet providers of 2025.
Locating local internet providers
Best cable internet service providers
Spectrum
Best cable internet provider overall
Our take - Spectrum may not have the cheapest internet offers, but speeds are more than enough for the average household. Plus, OpenSignal crowned Spectrum as the nation's top ISP with the fastest download speed and most reliable connection. Customers can expect download speeds starting at 500Mbps that top out at 1,000Mbps -- and all plans include unlimited data with no contract requirements.
- Straightforward pricing
- No data caps on any plans
- No contracts required for internet service
- Free access to Spectrum's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
- Competitive rates for cable, but pricier than many fiber providers
- Internet service is slightly below the industry average for customer satisfaction
The cable internet provider recently introduced a discount for customers who bundle their internet with a TV package, a bundle discount that gives you $20 off the monthly internet rate plus free Wi-Fi equipment rental -- a $10 monthly value.
- Unlimited data
- simple pricing
- no contracts
- modem included
- free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Xfinity
Fastest cable internet provider
Our take - Comcast Xfinity is not only the largest cable internet provider, it's also one of the fastest ISPs in many areas. Xfinity's Gigabit X2 advertises download speeds up to 2,000Mbps, twice the speed available from most other cable ISPs.
- Good variety of plans
- Some of the fastest residential plans available
- Above average scores in almost all customer satisfaction metrics
- Data caps for some plans
- Contracts often required to get the lowest price
- Steep jump from promo price to regular rates
If 2 gigabit speeds are faster than what your home needs, Xfinity has a variety of other cable internet plans ranging from 300 to 1,200Mbps in most locations.
Since Xfinity has such broad coverage, 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. Xfinity customers can sign up for the five-year price guarantee to avoid the price hikes after a year.
Additionally, some Xfinity service areas and plans may require a one-year contract to get the lowest pricing and a $15 equipment rental fee. After a year of service, customers may also have a monthly data cap of 1.2TB. Though you can get unlimited data if you sign up for its five-year price lock.
- Lots of plan options
- solid customer satisfaction numbers
- data caps on some plans
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. If you reside in Texas, plans typically start at $30 to $55 a month for speeds ranging from 300 to 1,500Mbps. Plans include unlimited data and, in most areas, free equipment rental. Certain markets, such as Texas, may also receive one month of free service and installation.
- Low first-year pricing
- No data caps
- No contracts
- Availability limited to metro areas
- Sharp price increase after the promotional period
- Confusing fees
Unfortunately, the low pricing doesn't last forever. Astound offers a one- to 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 second or third year.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
Mediacom
Best rural cable ISP
Our take - Providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and Optimum primarily stick to larger cities, but for those in much of America's heartland, Mediacom becomes crucial in extending broadband availability to rural areas, particularly through the Midwest and South regions.
- Provides services to over 1,500 communities in 22 states
- Great additional hardware available to rent at a fair price
- 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 two main plans to choose from, including its low-cost Xtream Connect option. Mediacom plans used to come with a data cap of 400GB, but that is no longer the case since all plans come with unlimited data. Depending on your chosen plan, you can expect standard pricing to kick in after your first or second year.
- Up to 6TB monthly data allowance
- low introductory rates
- no contracts
Cox Communications
Best prepaid internet plan
Our take - The latest announcement of Cox and Spectrum's merger deal could mean a whole new rebrand for this ISP. The deal is set to close in the next year, and how the merger will impact customers is still unclear. Until then, Cox offers it's StraightUp Internet prepaid service with speeds up to 100Mbps starting at $50 a month. Pricing is good for three years and there are no equipment fees, contracts or credit checks.
- Gigabit speeds available across entire service area
- Reasonable data usage terms, no throttling
- 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 its decent prepaid internet plan, Cox does little to impress. Monthly rates are higher than many cable ISPs. Its 300Mbps plan starts at $50 for the first two years and jumps to $70 after that. All plans also include a 1.2TB data cap and fees for exceeding the cap.
- 1.25TB monthly data allowance
- lots of plan options
- unique gaming add-on
Top cable internet providers compared
Note that the plans below show each provider's cheapest available tier. The maximum 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 toexamining the cost per Mbps.
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband 300 Read full review | $30 | 300Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Xfinity 300Mbps Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Cox Fast Internet Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 16 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Mediacom Xtream Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 16 cents | None |
| Spectrum Internet Read full review | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | $10 router (optional) |
Cable internet versus cable TV service
"Cable" has become so synonymous with "TV service" that it's easy to confuse cable internet with aTV and internet bundle. 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.
It's the most widely available internet connection outside ofsatellite internet, covering 83% of US households and 97% of urban areas. As such, there's a good chance that you have available cable internet accessin your area. It's not a bad option if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for fiber optic internet, but you want speeds consistently faster than 100Mbps.
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 telephone 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 telephone lines), but they fall short of fiber-optic cables. Most cable internet providers can offer download speeds up to 1,000Mbps or slightly higher, although 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.
Pro tips for choosing the best cable internet provider
Cable internet providers typically serve specific regions with little overlap, so finding the best one starts with checking which are available 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 to those speeds.
- 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. Understanding the fine print can help you avoid falling intointernet pricing traps.
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.
For more, check out ourinternet shopping guide for some tips and tricks to picking out a good home internet plan.
How CNET determined the best cable internet providers
Cable internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latestsmartphone,laptop,router orkitchen 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 atFCC.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 ourhow 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're also worth a look.
Optimum
Optimum is one of the largest cable ISPs in the US, covering much of the greaterNew 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 whilecustomer satisfaction andupload 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 and speeds will vary by market, but overall monthly prices are $42 for 100Mbps in the first six months and $60 for the top-end gig service plan, which is a bit higher than most ISPs. Plus, those rates are introductory, so they'll keep increasing year after year.
WideOpenWest
Another great source forcheap internet, WideOpenWest, orWow, offers internet starting at $30 for speeds up to 300Mbps. Other Wow plans, including one that offers up to gig service that starts at $60 monthly, are competitively priced as well. However, you may find a better value than its $95 1,200Mbps plan elsewhere.
Best cable ISPs recap
While satellite internet may be available to 99% of the US population, cable internet delivers much faster speeds and better connection quality, making it a top broadband choice -- especially in areas without fiber. 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: Best High-Speed Internet Providers for June 2025.
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 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 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.
To learn whichinternet connection type is better for your home, read our review oncable vs. fiber.
Which cable company has the fastest internet?
OpenSignal just recently crowned Spectrum as the nation's top ISP with the fastest download speeds and most reliable connection. However, if you want to get technical,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 1,300Mbps plan throughout much of its service area.
Astound, a cable internet provider with service areas inTexas,New York City,Chicago and other major markets across the US, has maximum download speeds of up to 1,500Mbps.
Most other cable ISPs, including Spectrum, Cox, Mediacom and Optimum, top out at max download speeds of 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, although the download speeds may be much higher.
Why is there only one cable internet provider in my area?
Operating costs are the biggest obstacle preventing multiple cable providers from offering service in the same market, leading you to bestuck choosing only one internet provider. On the bright side, more people have access to more than one provider with cable internet than any other service type (excluding satellite). According to theFCC, multiple cable internet providers are available to around 7% of US residents, compared with less than 4% with fiber and 3% with DSL service.
What cable internet deals are available to seniors?
Cable internet providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Mediacom and others, offer internet plans intended for low-income households. Specific deals for seniors are offered by ISPs like Xfinity, Astound, Optimum and more. For more information, view our picks for the best internet deals for seniors and thebest internet deals for June 2025.
Which cable internet service is available near me?
Cable internet providers operate in specific locations, so theISP near you will depend on your address. There are a few cable internet providers that are available in more areas than others. Xfinity boasts the largest availability, covering 34% of the US population. Spectrum is right behind Xfinity at 29%, followed by Cox (5%), Altice brand Optimum (5%), Mediacom (2.1%) and WideOpenWest (1.3%). There are also dozens of regional cable internet providers that operate in hyper-local markets for which your address could be serviceable.
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