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Cox vs. AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum: Speed, Price, Data & Coverage, and Reviews 2024

Cox vs. AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum: Speed, Price, Data & Coverage, and Reviews 2024

    When it comes to internet service, the three contenders below areheavyweights with a title to defend.AT&T,Cox Internet and Spectrum are three of the biggest internet providers in the US.They have a wide reach in the United States, and they both offer reliable internet packages at competitive prices.However, Cox,AT&T and Spectrum feature a few important differences that will determine which one is the better fit for an individual.What is the difference between Cox,AT&T Internet and Spectrum?Is ATT fiber faster than Cox Gigablast?How reliable is Cox?Is Cox cheaper than Spectrum?What kind of Internet connection is Cox?Cox vs. AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum:which is best for you?

    Below, we offer an in-depth review of Cox vs. AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum, analyzing the companies' strengths and weaknesses, available packages, and pricing so you can find the best fit for your needs.

Cover Photo:att.com
 

Cox Internet Review

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Source:cox.com

Cox Communications was founded more than 50 years ago and is still a family-owned company. It’s a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company that provides, among other things, high-speed internet service. Cox Communications services 6.2 million customers in the country, reaching 19 states. 

Cox Internet offers internet, cable TV, home phone, and home security plans to residential and business customers. Although its main offering is cable internet, Cox also offers fiber optic internet to customers in select areas. Currently, the internet provider has 30,000 miles of what it calls “Metro Fiber” in place.But they have a more limited coverage area compared to bigger telecom companies.

As an internet service provider, Cox offers fast speeds and good reliability. For heavy users who often do online gaming, live-streaming, and video streaming, Cox offers a gigabit plan with speeds reaching up to 1000Mbps. This can handle up to 9 devices simultaneously connected to the network without any major speed reduction. Cox is an excellent choice if you’re looking to pay less than $120 per month for 500 Mbps to 1000 Mbps of high speed internet, as these plans allow for working from home, video streaming, remote learning, and gaming.

Cox internet pros and cons

ProsCons
  • Stable internet speed.

  • Decent entry-level internet plans.

  • Budget-friendly high-speed plans.

  • Lots of bundle options.

  • Bigger discounts on bundle options.

  • Top-rated customer service.

  • An optional combo modem/Wi-Fi router rental.

  • No-contract options for all plans.

  • Over 3 million Wi-Fi hotspot locations.

  • 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Wide range of internet speeds to choose from.

  • DVR service with some plans.

  • Requires a contract to get the best deals; $10 premium increase for contract-free option.

  • 1.25 TB data cap.

  • Mediocre and expensive TV plans.

  • High-priced 25 and 50 Mbps plans.

  • Limited service availability.

  • More expensive plans compared to peers.

  • Contract plans can limit your options.

AT&T Internet Review

1648878717714961.png

Source:att.com

AT&T Internetstarted as a telephone company, but has since expanded their reach into a variety of services.,such as fiber and DSL internet, television, and digital voice. The company has a reputation for excellent pricing, especially on bundles. 

AT&T Internet offers two types of internet plans: DSL and fiber(AT&T no longer offers DSL service now).Boasting the second most wide-reaching fiber network, AT&T Fiber delivers ultra fast speeds with over 99% reliability.

According to tests, AT&T fiber internet has a latency of 11ms, which is one of the best among internet providers today. This is incredibly low and optimal for heavy online gaming.In addition to solid speeds, AT&T ranks higher in customer satisfaction than any other major cable company. If it's available in your area, AT&T Internet is a sure bet for good speeds at fair rates.

AT&T internet pros and cons

ProsCons
  • Lots of fiber-optic plans and low cost.

  • Great bundling deals.

  • No annual contracts.

  • No price increase at 12 months.

  • No equipment fees.

  • No data caps on fiber plans.

  • Wider coverage area.

  • Full fiber connections offered in some areas.

  • Ranks higher in customer satisfaction.

  • Unpredictable DSL speeds.

  • Limited fiber availability.

  • 1-year contract required.

Spectrum Internet Review

Source:spectrum.com

Spectrum is an American trade name of Charter Communications, used to market consumer and commercial cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services provided by the company. The brand was first introduced in 2014.

Spectrum is one of the leading internet service providers across the nation. Its internet has fast become one of the most commonly utilized services in the majority of American households. The credit goes to the provider's aggressive approach to network expansion, and upgrading of infrastructure.

Spectrum Internet services over 28 million customers in 41 states, so there's a good chance it's available in your area or somewhere nearby. Spectrum's hybrid fiber-coaxial network benefits from the DOCSIS 3.1 technology. Which increases network capacity by 50% with a reduction in latency. And, makes it possible to serve subscribers with super-fast internet speeds. With Spectrum’s continuous effort, speeds up to 200 Mbps are now widely available even with the cheapest internet plan.

Spectrum internet pros and cons

ProsCons
  • Good performance.

  • No data caps.

  • Reliable Home Internet.

  • No contracts required.

  • No modem rental fee.

  • Simplified list of plans.

  • Available in most locations.

  • Fast setup period.

  • 10,000 On Demand choices.

  • Decent prices.

  • Avaliable in in 41 states.

  • Limited plan choices.

  • No fiber availability.

  • Gigabit setup is expensive.

  • WiFi is an extra fee.

  • Expensive standard rates once promo cycles have ended.

  • Previous customer support complaints.

Cox vs. AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum: Comparison Side by Side

1. Internet Packages and Pricing

  • Cox internet plans and pricing

Cox offers a variety of plans with a variety of speeds at a variety of prices.But the company’s slower plans come at a premium price.Cox also sometimes offers deals on top of its promotional prices, so be sure to check back for updates on its discount prices.

PlanMax
download
speeds
Max
upload speeds
ConnectionData
cap
Starting
price
Contract
Starter 2525 Mbps3 MbpsFiber/Cable1.25 TB$29.99/mo
1-yr. 
StraightUp Prepaid Internet50 Mbps3 MbpsFiber/Cable1.25 TB$50/moNo
Essential 5050 Mbps3 MbpsFiber/Cable1.25 TB$39.99/mo1-yr. 
Preferred 250250 Mbps10 MbpsFiber/Cable1.25 TB$59.99/mo1-yr. 
Ultimate 500500 Mbps10 MbpsFiber/Cable1.25 TB$79.99/mo1-yr. 
Gigablast1 Gbps35 MbpsFiber1.25 TB$99.99/mo1-yr. 

For those who work from home or enjoy 4K Netflix streams and fervid Call of Duty matches during downtime, Cox's 250 Mbps plans (and up) are better suited. They provide enough speed to support a household that streams, games, and works from home, and that will cost you upwards of $60.

>>Click here to view plan details

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  • AT&T internet plans and pricing

AT&T has a bunch of fiber internet plans, with speeds going up to a startling 5 Gbps—that’s the fastest possible speed you can get from any major internet provider anywhere in the United States. What plans you can choose from depends on where you live—AT&T Fiber is available mainly in large cities.

PlanMax download speedsMax upload speedsConnectionData capStarting priceContract
Fiber Internet 300300 Mbps300 MbpsFiberNo$55/moNo
Fiber Internet 500500 Mbps500 MbpsFiberNo$65/moNo
1 GIG internet1,000 Mbps1,000 MbpsFiberNo$80/moNo
2 GIG internet2,000 Mbps2,000 MbpsFiberNo$110/moNo
5 GIG internet5,000 Mbps5,000 MbpsFiberNo$180/moNo

In cities with AT&T Fiber coverage, we’d recommend AT&T Internet 300. At $55 per month for 300 Mbps maximum download and upload speeds, the mid-range plan has enough bandwidth for most households.Plus, you can always cancel your plan without facing early termination fees (ETFs).

>>Click here to view plan details

  • Spectrum internet plans and pricing 

Spectrum is one of the few ISPs that won’t tie you to a long-term service contract. While Spectrum still has promo price shenanigans with low introductory prices that increase after a year, its no-contracts setup means that you change providers at any time without paying an early termination fee (ETF).

Spectrum keeps the choices simple, and that’s what we like. There’s no confusion about various plans at different prices, all offering the same maximum speed. 

PlanMax download speedsMax upload speedsConnectionData capStarting priceContract
Spectrum Internet200 Mbps10 MbpsCableNo$49.99/moNo
Spectrum Internet Ultra400 Mbps20 MbpsCableNo$69.99/moNo
Spectrum Internet Gig1000 Mbps35 MbpsCableNo$89.99/moNo

Spectrum Internet Ultra will be the best option for most customers, because the package offers better home internet speeds for the price. With maximum download speeds of 400 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), more people at your house can download files or watch Netflix without a hiccup.

Spectrum Internet Gig can be a fit if your house has multiple heavy internet users, and it’s priced the same as Verizon Fios’s gigabit plan (though Spectrum doesn’t have the same fast upload speeds).

>>Click here to vie plan details

2. Extra Fees


Equipment FeeInstallation Fee
Cox$12/mo
$25 for pro install
$20 for self-install
AT&T$10/mo$99 for pro install
$35 for self-install
Spectrum$5/mo. for WiFi (no charge with Gigabit plan)$49.99 for pro install
$19.99 for self-install

3. Coverage Area

Cox Communications services 6.2 million customers in the country, reaching 19 states. You can get AT&T internet in 21 different states, but its fiber internet plans tend to service only large cities and suburbs in those states.Spectrum is mostly available in urban and suburban areas, including widespread coverage in major metro areas on the East and West coasts such as New York and Los Angeles. Their coverage area increased dramatically after their merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Network in 2016, making them one of the top three largest Internet providers in the U.S.

CoxAT&TSpectrum
  • Arkansas

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Connecticut

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Iowa

  • Idaho

  • Kansas

  • Louisiana

  • Massachusetts

  • Missouri

  • North Carolina

  • Nebraska

  • Nevada

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Rhode Island

  • Virginia

  • Alabama

  • Arkansas

  • California

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Louisiana

  • Michigan

  • Missouri

  • Mississippi

  • North Carolina

  • Nevada

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Wisconsin


  • Athens

  • Alabama

  • Anaheim

  • California

  • Clearwater

  • Florida

  • Columbia

  • Missouri

  • Great Falls

  • Montana

  • Springfield

  • Ohio

  • Easley

  • South Carolina

  • Orange

  • Texas

  • Appleton

  • Wisconsin

The Spectrum service area covers 44 states—that means the number of cities where it is available is many. Here’s just a handful.

Comparison Table


CoxAT&TSpectrum
Tech PlatformCable/FiberFiberCable
Download Speed25 Mbps - 1000 Mbps300 Mbps - 5000 Mbps200 Mbps - 1000 Mbps
Upload Speed3 Mbps - 35 Mbps300 Mbps - 5000 Mbps10 Mbps - 35 Mbps
Data Cap1.25 TBNoNo
Internet Plan Costs$29.99 - $99.99/mo$55 - $180/mo$49.99 - $89.99/mo
Contracts1 YearNoNo
Customer Service24/724/724/7

The Verdict: Which is Best for You?

If AT&T Fiber is available at your address, consider it your top option. With excellent value, fast speeds and strong customer satisfaction scores, those fiber plans are some of the best in the industry, and you won't need to sign a contract or worry about a data cap.

If you need basic internet and TV on a budget,then you should go with Cox or Spectrum.Cox definitely offers more data flexibility.The internet speed is similar to AT&T's, and the baseline packages are cheaper.

Spectrum doesn’t have a great low-budget internet plan, but its mid-tier Spectrum Internet Ultra plan offers excellent 400 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) maximum download speeds at only $69.99 per month for the first year. For most households with average internet needs, Spectrum strikes the perfect balance between cost and performance.

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