Cox Internet Review 2022

Nosotros institute that Cox Internet is a price-constructive alternative for medium- to loftier-speed internet users when compared to Spectrum and Xfinity.

Cox Internet

3 out of 5 stars

iii

Data effective 01/18/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.

* for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement

Published on Jan 18, 2022

Cox is an excellent choice if yous're looking to pay less than $120 per month for 500 Mbps to 940 Mbps of high speed net, as these plans permit for working from habitation, video streaming, remote learning, and gaming.

That said, Cox Internet's depression-speed options aren't as competitive as other ISPs like Xfinity and Spectrum, which offering faster download speeds for a lower price.

So is Cox cyberspace worth the price? Permit's dig into the details and observe out.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly high-speed plans

  • Broad range of internet speeds to choose from

  • No contract on Cox StraightUp 25 Mbps plan

Cons

  • Loftier-priced 25 and 50 Mbps plans

  • Non-and then-groovy customer service

Compare Cox internet prices in your area.

Cox internet prices and plans

Cox's high-speed packages are well-priced, but the company's slower plans come at a premium

Cox net plans start at near $29.99 a month and offer cyberspace service speeds of about 25 Mbps. That broadband speed likely works for any solo net user who emails, scrolls on social media, and doesn't heed occasionally streaming in SD.

For those who work from home or relish 4K Netflix streams and fervid Phone call of Duty matches during downtime, Cox's 150 Mbps plans (and up) are better suited. They provide enough speed to back up a household that streams, games, and works from home, and that will toll you upwards of $sixty.

Cox also sometimes offers deals on top of its promotional prices, and then be sure to cheque back for updates on its discount prices.

Nether the term understanding, your monthly rates remain fixed for the commencement year. The company includes a 30-twenty-four hour period money-back guarantee for first-time buyers.

Cox internet promotional prices

Data constructive 01/xviii/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* for 12 months with one-twelvemonth. term agreement

No term agreement. Same toll for iii yrs.

We have to mention that nosotros've institute 940 Mbps internet plans that ring up at the same price as Cox's 500 Mbps program. On the other hand, the Cox Gigablast programme isn't the nearly expensive 940 Mbps plan on the block.

Cox internet prices afterwards 12 months

At the end of your one-twelvemonth term understanding, Cox Internet'due south package prices increase past about $15 to $26, with more expensive plans having the cheapest spike in fees.

For Starter 25 customers, expect to pay $44.99 later on your ane-year term understanding ends. If you purchase the Cox Gigablast programme, yous'll likely pay $119.99 at the start of your second-yr term should you choose to stay, merely check out the table below for pricing on everything in between.

Cox internet prices after 12 months

Where is Cox cyberspace available?

Cox provides internet services to over sixty million households and businesses across 19 states in the Us, including several large cities such as Cleveland, OH, Santa Barbara, CA, and the District of Columbia. The visitor administers broadband services to rural and urban areas on the West Declension, Due east Coast, North, and parts of the Midwest and South.

A map of the United States showing Cox internet availability in the West, Central US, Northeast, and South

How exercise Cox internet prices compare to CenturyLink, Spectrum, and Xfinity?

CenturyLink plans are cheaper than Cox if you country the top-terminate download speeds (100 Mbps). While CenturyLink'southward DSL cyberspace plans didn't stack up as well as Cox in our speed exam analysis, its fiber internet plan usually zooms along just fine.

Spectrum Internet offers two competitive plans that shell similar Cox plans, Spectrum Internet® and Spectrum Internet® Ultra.

The Spectrum Net® bundle provides users with upward to 200 Mbps and unlimited data for $49.99 a month. And at download speeds of 150 Mbps, the Cox Preferred 150 program provides 1.25 TB of monthly data at a $59.99 a month promotional toll that increases to $83.99 after the one-twelvemonth term agreement ends.

The Spectrum Internet® Ultra programme supplies customers with upward to 400 Mbps and unlimited data for $69.99 a month, while the Cox Cyberspace Ultimate 500 programme offers 500 Mbps download speeds and 1.25 TB of data for $79.99 a month.

Xfinity covers much of the same service area as Cox, and its plans oftentimes come in at like speeds for a much lower promotional price. Have its Functioning Select plan, which costs $34.99 a month in the western U.S. and comes with 100 Mbps speeds. That's much cheaper than Cox's 150 Mbps programme.

Cox net medium-speed packages comparing

Data effective eleven/11/21. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to change.

Wireless speeds may vary.

Cox Gigablast plan comparison

Cox's Gigablast plan offers slightly slower internet speeds for $10 cheaper than Spectrum'due south Internet Gig programme. At 1000 Mbps, you lot'll pay $129.99 for Spectrum'due south Internet Gig plan after the Internet service provider'due south promotional pricing ends. For Cox Gigablast, you'll pay $119.99 for upwardly to 940 Mbps after the ane-year term agreement ends.

Both plans offer internet upload speeds of 35 Mbps, and accommodate large households that piece of work or learn from home, stream in Hard disk drive, and engage in multi-player gaming.

Still, Spectrum'south border is its no contract plans which means you don't have to pay an early termination fee (ETF) if you choose to switch providers at any time during your subscription. Cox users should look to pay an ETF of up to $120 if they switch ISPs after the thirty-twenty-four hours grace period ends. Just know that the installation fee for Spectrum's gig program is $199.99—a good chunk of change that's far beyond what most other ISPs charge for setup.

Xfinity'south Gigabit plan costs $84.99 a month in the western The states. You'll get faster download speeds than Spectrum and Cox Internet's premium plans and pay up to $114.99 in the second year of your subscription as the ISP's promotional prices increase past near $15–$30 after the commencement yr.

Xfinity also includes an ETF for users under contract who cull to cancel their subscription early. To calculate this cost, multiply the amount of months yous have left in your agreement by $x. If you have a 12- to 24-month agreement, await to pay anywhere between $110 and $230.

This gives Cox a competitive edge over Xfinity, as its ETF goes up to $120 nether contract, and y'all have a 30-day grace menses to cancel your subscription.

Cox internet high-speed packages comparison

Information constructive ten/04/21. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to change.

* for 12 months with i-yr. term agreement

^ Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Speeds may not exist available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of upwardly to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.

° Speed based on wired connectedness. Available Internet speeds may vary past address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.internet/modem.

** For the showtime 12 months with a 1-yr agreement. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing disbelieve.

Cox 25 Mbps internet plan comparison

Xfinity'south Functioning Starter Plus plan comes with fifty Mbps download speeds and costs about the same price as Cox's Starter 25 plan, which includes 25 Mbps download speeds for a promotional price of $29.99 and spikes upwards to $44.99 later on the first 12 months.

CenturyLink'due south Simply Unlimited Cyberspace plan could fall behind any other Internet access provider's depression speed plans, particularly Cox. It all depends on what speed you can get in your area, since CenturyLink's DSL internet speeds range from 20–100 Mbps. You'll all the same pay $20 more than per month for CenturyLinks' plan no affair what speed you become, while Cox Starter 25 program provides 25 Mbps for $29.99 a month (or $44.99 a calendar month afterward your starting time yr).

Spectrum's $49.99, 200 Mbps plan beats Cox and Xfinity's low-cost plans as you get more than bandwidth and unlimited data at about the aforementioned toll, and so nosotros charge per unit Cox tertiary later on Spectrum and Xfinity.

Cox Net low-speed packages comparison

Data effective 10/04/21. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject field to change.

* for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement

†† Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Go the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is upwardly to 100 Mbps).

Wireless speeds may vary.

** For the beginning 12 months with a 1-yr understanding. Includes $ten/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

Is Cox net cheap?

  • Compared to CenturyLink: Cox cyberspace plans are more expensive than CenturyLink, especially since CenturyLink promises unlimited data and no price hikes on its services. CenturyLink's Simply Unlimited Cyberspace plan does offer slower download speeds of 20–100 Mbps, simply the Internet service provider provides upload speeds of thirty Mbps, which makes working from habitation a viable option for a plan that costs $fifty a month.
  • Compared to Spectrum: If y'all're looking for high-speed internet, Cox is the cheaper option every bit the company's promotional price increases by about $15 to $26 after the first-year term agreement ends. While Spectrum has similar plans that offering a $20 to $thirty increase your 2d twelvemonth, its premium packs are generally more expensive. And unless you lot're a major techie, Cox's cheaper 500 Mbps pack should cover all your cyberspace needs.
  • Compared to Xfinity: Xfinity's Functioning Starter Plus programme is cheaper than Cox Internet'south Starter 25 and Essential 50 programme as Xfinity offers similar and faster download speeds at a more affordable price. Though Cox's premium packages cap out at 940 Mbps, y'all'll pay less than $100 for its high-speed plans—and upwards to $120 if y'all choose to abolish your subscription early on.

Cox cyberspace speed and data caps

Cox'south slow net speed doesn't quite compare to other cable cyberspace providers in the United states

From download speeds for your parents who love to keep tabs on the weather, all the manner to your daughter who has dreams of competitive esports, Cox'due south speeds take you covered and offer a wide range of internet lifestyles.

Even so, we've found ii other cablevision internet providers with prices comparable to Cox Internet'south Starter 25 programme, which has a $xv increment after your one-twelvemonth term understanding ends.

Cox internet download speeds and upload speeds

Data constructive 01/eighteen/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* for 12 months with ane-twelvemonth. term agreement

If you're looking for a long-term subscription that'due south cost effective, CenturyLink's Simply Unlimited bundle beats Cox's Internet Starter 25—if you can get CenturyLink's elevation-end speeds of 100 Mbps. With 100 Mbps, you can run an online business from your dwelling house for about $fifty a month.

As for Cox, you lot'll pay $44.99 in your second yr for net speeds that allow email, light surfing, and social media scrolling.

The Spectrum Internet plan is a viable alternative, but expect to pay about $21.00 more than after the first 12 months, every bit Spectrum offers a promotional price of $44.99 that increases to $seventy.00 in your second year.

Xfinity's Performance Starter Plus plan offers faster download speeds than Cox internet's Starter 25 plan, but we still recommend looking at CenturyLink or Spectrum for your at-home browsing needs as yous'll pay $65 after 12 months at Xfinity for 50 Mbps.

For more detailed information on which ISP might best service your household, check out our reviews on CenturyLink, Spectrum and Xfinity to see how the providers compare.

Cox Starter 25 plan comparison

Data constructive 10/04/21. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.

* for 12 months with one-year. term agreement

†† Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Become the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).

Wireless speeds may vary.

** For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

Is Cox internet fast?

We learned in our latest report on the fastest ISPs in the US that you might discover Cox internet speeds defective. It ranked 16th out of the 38 unlike internet providers nosotros analyzed. That's well below other cable ISPs like Xfinity, Borderland, and Spectrum.

  • Xfinity : 7th out of 38
  • Spectrum : 14th out of 38
  • Cox: 16th out of 38
  • CenturyLink : 28th out of 38

Looking at cable internet providers only, Cox ranked eighth out of 22. That makes cablevision alternatives like Xfinity and Spectrum a better pick for potentially faster, more reliable speeds.

Cox cyberspace speeds compared to Xfinity, Spectrum, and CenturyLink

Provider

Overall rank*

Weighted score**

Download speed range

Comcast Xfinity

seventh

46.vi

50–ii,000 Mbps

Spectrum

14th

35.6

Up to 200–Upward to 1,000 Mbps

Cox Communications

16th

33.4

25–940 Mbps

CenturyLink

28th

20.2

Up to 100–940 Mbps

*Overall rank out of 38 internet providers.
**Weighted score out of 100.

Our weighted score isn't an actual measurement of download speeds in Mbps, by the way. But it is a combo of the average download speeds, upload speeds, and latency that Cox internet customers saw when they took speed tests between January 1 and December 31, 2019.

Cox's slow Internet Starter 10 and Internet Essential 50 plans may have dropped its score. But even so, it'southward likely you won't get the speeds you pay for with Cox. So, it's faster plans are likely non worth the above-boilerplate price you'll pay.

Cox is expanding its fiber infrastructure, which means faster speeds for all

Bullhorn

In a contempo meeting with Cox, a representative mentioned the Isp is working on building out its cobweb infrastructure. This means the fiber part of its network should go closer to customers' homes, making speeds faster and more reliable.

Cox information caps

Cox updated its information cap policy in 2020, so every customer gets 1.25 TB of information per billing bike. That's up from just 1 TB of data. We can't contend with free bonus data.

  • Cox data cap: one.25 TB of data per billing cycle

It's likely you lot won't get over your Cox data cap. Ane terabyte of information equals nigh 400 hours of HD video streaming. To put that in perspective, watching all 9 seasons of The Office (because yous can) would take you about 76 hours.

So unless you're grooming for a streaming marathon, Cox'due south ane.25 TB of data is probably more than enough to keep you going.

Only nosotros all know there are times when you're not putting that couch to piece of work, and that information cap becomes worrisome. Maybe you're working from home and need that data to send a critical report to your dominate earlier a deadline.

Thankfully, you do have options. Yous can continue an eye on your usage with the Cox Connect app. Cox also allows all but its Connect2Compete plans to purchase an boosted 50 GB of data for $x, only your data won't roll over if you don't use it.

Cox contracts, equipment, and fees

Users tin can opt out of Cox internet contracts and pay $10 more for each plan

Cox internet offers contract-free options for all its plans, but you should expect to pay $10 more per calendar month than you would under the company's one-year term agreement. Yous'll pay $15 to $26 more after your first year, regardless of whether you subscribe to the 1-yr term agreement or not.

Nosotros vote to include that 1-year term understanding in your packet plan to save that extra $120 over a year, every bit the company regularly offers a $10 monthly discount on all its plans under the first-yr contract (unless yous really can't bother with signing up for a subscription).

Merely if you do opt for the contract, it'due south important to recollect Cox includes upwardly to a $120 early termination fee (ETF) should you decide to switch ISPs afterward your 30-solar day grace menstruum ends.

Equipment

Cox lets you lot hire its Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway modem for $12 a calendar month, although you may be able to observe promotions that permit you rent it for complimentary over a certain menstruum of time.

  • Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway modem/router rental fee: $12.00/month
  • Aristocracy Gamer software: $six.99/month for kickoff connection, $4.99/month extra for additional connections

The gateway doubles equally a router, so you tin can avert that actress cost if you adopt.

Simply if you'd like to contrivance that modem rental fee, y'all should check the list of Cox uniform modems before you buy. And if you demand a recommendation, we give a big thumbs upward to the ARRIS Surfboard SB8200.* The ARRIS Surfboard is uniform with every Cox plan, even its ultra-fast Gigabit package.

Cox Elite Gamer

Cox now offers an Aristocracy Gamer feature, which is essentially software that you download to your computer to detect the fastest route for your data to speed back and forth betwixt your computer and game servers.

Nosotros've heard it called Waze for gamers, and that makes sense. A Cox representative nosotros spoke to said it should reduce game lag by bypassing unnecessary points in your data'south journeying.

Less lag is a big bargain for gamers, just we're not sure if it's worth the boosted toll of Elite Gamer. Instead, we recommend setting up Quality of Service (QoS) and prioritization features on your router so your calculator or specific games have priority when it comes to doling out bandwidth.

Service fees

Cox charges $100 for professional person installation and up to $120 in early termination fees. But you also get thirty days to effort out your Cox cyberspace without risking a large-and-in-accuse early termination fee. And if y'all opt to self-install your cyberspace, your Cox Easy Connect kit costs cipher.

  • Professional installation: $100
  • Like shooting fish in a barrel Connect self-installation kit: Free
  • Early termination fees: Up to $120

Nosotros're ecstatic most Cox's free self-installation kit. Usually, ISPs charge yous for shipping and handling. But not Cox.

Cox client service

Contact Cox customer service at 1-504-304-8444

Cox internet ACSI 2020–2021 customer service rating

Rating

Score

ACSI 2020–2021

63 out of 100

It'due south no surprise that most ISPs don't get great reviews for customer service. The cyberspace industry every bit a whole has a bad rep for not taking care of their customers.

Sadly, Cox is no unlike. Though it did improve its customer service over the past year.

We checked the American Customer Satisfaction Index'southward (ACSI's) latest study, which collects input from thousands of customers, and plant Cox bounced up from a score of 61 to 63 out of 100.one

For tips on how to all-time bargain with lousy customer service, bank check out our guide to calling your Internet service provider's customer service, which has helpful information on how to find what you lot need before getting on the telephone. You tin also read about how all-time to engage with customer service specialists. The contact data for some of the well-nigh common ISP's is included, and Cox is fourth on the list.

Another way to contact Cox customer service is by heading to the Cox Communications customer service portal, which includes alive chat, phone, or in-store service options to answer any questions most your plan. You tin can reach support 24 hours a 24-hour interval, 7 days a calendar week at i-504-304-8444.

Yous can contact Cox customer service here:

  • Phone: i-504-304-8444 or text 54512
  • Online conversation
  • Twitter: @CoxHelp
  • Facebook: @CoxCommunications

Recap: Is Cox internet good?

Cox is a good alternative if you're looking to pay less than $120 per month (afterward the promotion ends) for 500 Mbps to 940 Mbps of higher speed internet, equally these plans allow for working from home, video streaming, remote learning, and gaming.

Withal, its lower speeds are less competitive with other ISPs that offer faster download speeds at a lower toll. Take Xfinity'southward Performance Starter Plus plan, which provides 50 Mbps for $30.00 a month, while Cox's Starter 25 plan costs $29.99 for 25 Mbps. Even subsequently the promotional pricing ends, yous'll still pay less at Xfinity for double the upload speed.

Otherwise, this Internet service provider looks like the others: it comes with the usual basket of service and equipment fees, and its customer service isn't groovy.

  • Prices and plans: Pricing on high-speed plans is not bad but you could go better deals for low speed plans at Xfinity or Spectrum.
  • Speed: If you lot're looking for loftier-speed internet, Cox works. For low-speed net attempt Xfinity or Spectrum—they offering faster speeds for many of the same prices as Cox.
  • Data caps: At 1.25 TB, Cox information caps are comparable to Xfinity. Just CenturyLink and Spectrum offer unlimited data.
  • Contracts, equipment, and fees: Cox promotional prices increase by about $fifteen to $26 after your 1-year term agreement ends. We suggest looking at ISPs with similar pricing and faster download speeds earlier settling on Cox.
  • Client service: At 63 out of 100, we're hoping Cox customer service will continue to improve.

Cox internet plans recap

  • Net Starter 25 : $29.99/mo.*, 25 Mbps download speeds, one.25 TB information cap
  • Internet Essential l : $39.99/mo.*, l Mbps download speeds, one.25 TB data cap
  • Internet Preferred 150 : $59.99/mo.*, 150 Mbps download speeds, one.25 TB data cap
  • Internet Ultimate : $79.99/mo.*, 500 Mbps download speeds, 1.25 TB data cap
  • Gigablast : $99.99/mo.*, 940 Mbps download speeds, ane.25 TB information cap

Data effective seven/14/2021. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to change. * for 12 months with one-yr. term understanding

FAQ

Q: Can I buy my own modem for Cox?

It'south possible to buy your ain modem for Cox. However, information technology needs to be uniform with the Cox internet service, which the company can confirm before you purchase. Be certain to go along the contact information for your modem provider. All troubleshooting for device-related problems is washed through the third-party provider, not Cox.

Q: How much is Cox net past itself?

Cox internet plans range from $29.99 a month to $99.99 a month, and users who purchase Cox'southward 1-year term agreement with their packet have a $10 monthly discount, regardless of their plan. Under the term understanding, your monthly price will increment by $15 to $26 at the end of your first twelvemonth.

If y'all choose to purchase Cox internet contract-free, each plan volition toll about $ten more, and you won't get the $10 get-go-year monthly discount. After your beginning yr, expect to pay about $15 to $26 more per month, with the exact cost depending on the plan you lot purchased.

Q: What can I bundle with Cox internet?

Yous can bundle TV and telephone services with Cox internet. It'll probably relieve y'all some coin, so it's worth looking into.

Cox's own streaming service, Contour Television receiver, offers alive channels, on-demand channels, and optional add-ons for premium channels.

Sources

*Reviews.org uses Amazon chapter links.

Additional contributors: Jerusha Kamoji

Catherine McNally

Written by

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last ten+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She'south been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. Yous can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

Related Articles

Family watching cox tv on the living room couch

Cox Cable Television Review 2022

Cox Communications has a loftier cost for average channel selection, but isn't without features. Run into...