Find the best Wi-Fi plans for your home
*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. As of 03/14/25.
Cheapest home Wi-Fi provider
The cheapest home Wi-Fi provider is Xfinity, with plans that start at $19.99/mo. in select areas.
If you need free Wi-Fi, most coffee shops and libraries offer it for short-term use. If you need cheap Wi-Fi in your home, Mediacom Wi-Fi plans start at $24.99/mo. for 100 Mbps, one of the cheapest plans in the country. With a 100 Mbps plan, one or two people in a household can stream and use the internet at the same time.
- Xfinity: Starts at $19.99/mo.
- Mediacom: Starts at $24.99/mo.
- T-Mobile: Starts at $30.00/mo.
- Verizon: Starts at $34.99/mo.
Fastest home Wi-Fi plan
The fastest home Wi-Fi provider is Windstream, with plans that go up to 8,000 Mbps.
Most of the fastest Wi-Fi plans are fiber, which offers symmetrical download and upload speeds. This means your fast internet can upload images to the cloud, allow quick video editing, as well as support multiple users.
AT&T, Frontier, Xfinity, Verizon and Cox offer fast Wi-Fi plans with speeds between 2,000 and 6,000 Mbps. A 2,000 Mbps fast Wi-Fi plan can keep a smart home with three to four heavy internet users online without lag. If you handle large images, use intricate programs or do a lot of gaming or video editing, a 5,000 to 6,000 Mbps plan may be right for you.
- Xfinity: Up to 6,000 Mbps
- Frontier: Up to 5,000 Mbps
- AT&T: Up to 4,700 Mbps
- Verizon Fios: Up to 2,300 Mbps
Fast non-fiber internet
Not all fast internet is fiber, however. Cable internet can deliver speeds up to 3,000 and higher in some cases. Fast cable isn’t available everywhere because the infrastructure is expensive to build out. Most cable companies use a hybrid cable and fiber network, replacing cable wires during upgrades with fiber.
Compare home Wi-Fi network providers
Wi-Fi allows devices to connect wirelessly to the internet through a modem and router. You can rent that equipment from your provider or use your own to create a Wi-Fi network in your home.
AT&T’s fiber speeds start at 300 Mbps for $55.00/mo., while Spectrum is widely available with 100 Mbps plans starting at $30.00/mo. and no data caps. Verizon Fios is also in the same price range and offers symmetrical upload and download speeds with no equipment fees.
For cheap internet pricing and a variety of plans, Xfinity is a hard choice to beat.
| Provider | Plan price range* | Plan download speeds | Monthly Wi-Fi equipment costs | Technology type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Xfinity | $19.99 – $299.95/mo. | 150 – 6,000 Mbps | $14.00 – $25.00 | Cable, fiber, DSL |
 Cox | $50.00 – $150.00/mo. | 100 – 2,000 Mbps | $13.00 | Fiber |
 AT&T | $55.00 – $245.00/mo. | 10 – 4,700 Mbps | $0.00 | Fiber, 5G Home |
 Spectrum | $30.00 – $70.00/mo.** | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | $10.00 w/Premier | Cable/fiber hybrid |
 Verizon Fios | $34.99 – $84.99/mo.† | 300 – 2,300 Mbps | $0.00 | Fiber |
 Optimum | $40.00 – $180.00/mo. | 300 – 5,000 Mbps | $13.50 | Cable, fiber |
 CenturyLink | $50.00 – $75.00/mo. | 100 – 940 Mbps | $15.00 | DSL, fiber |
 Frontier Fiber | $22.99 – $154.99/mo. | 500 – 5,000 Mbps | $0.00 | DSL, fiber |
 Hughesnet | $49.99 – $124.99/mo. | 15 – 25 Mbps | $14.99 | Satellite |
 Mediacom | $19.99 – $84.99/mo. | 250 – 2,000 Mbps | $15.00 | Cable/fiber hybrid |
 T-Mobile | $40.00 – $60.00/mo. | Up to 245 Mbps | $0.00 | 5G Home |
 Kinetic by Windstream | $24.99– $299.99/mo. | 100 – 8,000 Mbps | $6.99 | DSL, fiber |
*Price per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. As of 03/14/25.
†Taxes & terms may apply. Verizon mobile plan, Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Add’l. cost without mobile plan. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. **w/ Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount + taxes & equip. charges.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
**Wireless speeds may vary
Allconnect’s favorite home Wi-Fi provider: Xfinity
Xfinity is our favorite home Wi-Fi provider because of its low starting prices and Wi-Fi plan variety. It has speeds up to 3,000 and 6,000 Mbps in some locations, and its cheapest plan offers 150 Mbps for $19.99/mo. Xfinity has many different plans for various internet needs and is widely available across the country.
Best types of home Wi-Fi
When choosing home Wi-Fi, consider what is important in your home Wi-Fi connection. Speed? Reliability? Affordability? Different tech types, such as fiber, cable, 5G and satellite, have different strengths and weaknesses, so exploring each one can help you choose the best one for your needs.
Fiber home Wi-Fi
Fiber internet providers offer fast symmetrical download and upload speeds, meaning transferring large files will go as fast as the download speed, something that other forms of internet service cannot do. Fiber is more expensive than other types of internet, however, starting around $40/mo. to over $300/mo., but considering the speed and reliability of the service, it offers more value than other internet types.
5G home Wi-Fi
A fixed wireless home Wi-Fi internet connection delivers up to 1,000 Mbps, which can power a large smart home with several devices simultaneously online. However, most plans hit below 300 Mbps, which is good for a smaller family to game and work from home. Most 5G home internet providers have no contracts or data caps. However, you must be within a certain distance of a 5G tower to get service.
Cable home Wi-Fi
Cable is one of the most available types of internet across the country, next to satellite. With speeds ranging from 25 to 3,000 Mbps, a cable connection can handle all your online needs. Depending on your speed choice, cable prices start at around $25/mo. up to $200/mo.
Satellite home Wi-Fi
Rural areas without cable or fiber infrastructure or many cell towers often rely on satellite internet connections. Typically, the service doesn’t exceed about 150 Mbps, so gaming and streaming can be difficult.
Source: FCC National Broadband Map
Equipment needed to set up Wi-Fi
As magical as a Wi-Fi home connection may seem, it doesn’t just happen on its own. In addition to your internet connection, you’ll need at the very least a modem and router to enjoy your internet Wi-Fi.
Modem
This device receives the internet connection from your provider and uses Ethernet cables to connect with other devices.
Gateway
A gateway is a single device that is both a modem and a router; it does everything an individual modem or router does but with less equipment.
Router
Along with your modem, this is the most important Wi-Fi device as it’s the one that turns your internet into wireless signals. There are many different router options and ways to set it up. Look to our list of best Wi-Fi routers for everything you need to know.
Wireless network adapter
This device connects your desktop PC to a Wi-Fi network. This is not required for newer PCs, laptops and smart devices as they have built-in Wi-Fi receivers.
Wi-Fi extenders (optional)
Wi-Fi extenders help boost your Wi-Fi signal so you get a stronger signal throughout your home.
Everything you need is likely available from your provider
Like the cable boxes from your TV provider, modems and routers are commonly available from the provider and are specific to their service. Many providers offer a “gateway” device, which serves as the modem and router in a single unit. Wi-Fi equipment fees, functionality and add-ons such as Wi-Fi extenders will vary by provider.
Is it better to buy your own Wi-Fi equipment?
Some wireless internet providers, including CenturyLink, Verizon and Xfinity, give you the option to use your products and save the monthly equipment fees. Buying your equipment not only saves you money, but it can also get you access to the highest quality Wi-Fi equipment on the market.
The only downside to buying instead of renting your equipment is that you will not have access to the same quality tech support as you would when renting your router with your Wi-Fi company. If you would rather use your own equipment, click on your provider below to view a list of compatible modems and routers.
How to set up your wireless internet connection
Your internet provider should give you instructions to follow on setup, but you can also follow these steps to set up any wireless network:
- Find a good location for your router
- Connect the router to the modem with an Ethernet cable
- Configure your Wi-Fi router
- Set up your username and password
- Connect devices
Tips for improving your Wi-Fi signal
There are many things that can slow your Wi-Fi speeds, such as connecting multiple devices or even running the microwave, which means there are many things you can do to help improve your connection.
- Place your router in a central location
- Disconnect devices not in use
- Reboot the router
- Try a mesh network
- Use a Wi-Fi extender
For more tips and tricks to get faster Wi-Fi, check out our guide on how to boost your Wi-Fi.
If you don’t see an improvement in your internet speed after trying these tips, consider contacting your ISP’s customer service.
Wi-Fi will be slower than your internet plan’s advertised speeds
One thing to note about Wi-Fi home connection is that it is inherently slower, unless you’re connected through an Ethernet cord, by up to 50% or more. So if your wireless internet provider advertises speeds up to 100 Mbps, you can expect at best speeds of 50 Mbps or lower when using a wireless internet connection.
Home Wi-Fi FAQs
What is a Wi-Fi data cap?
A data cap is a restriction placed on an internet user by an internet service provider that limits the amount of data they can use over their internet connection during one billing cycle. You could be hit with overage fees if you go over your limit, depending on your ISP.
Is Wi-Fi the same as the internet?
Wi-Fi and internet are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Internet is the global network linking all devices and databases around the world — it’s made up of all the content we access from our computers, smartphones, etc. Wi-Fi is the wireless network that allows you to connect all of your own devices to the internet without a wired connection.
How can I extend my Wi-Fi?
You can add a Wi-Fi extender to your home Wi-Fi network to extend your Wi-Fi coverage. This won’t increase your speed, but it can extend coverage to dead zones in your home. You could also upgrade your home network to a mesh Wi-Fi system, which is composed of multiple router nodes spread throughout your home to offer increased coverage.
Are Wi-Fi speeds slower than a wired connection?
It is common for wireless internet service to be slower than a wired, or LAN, connection. There are many factors that can affect Wi-Fi speeds, such as proximity to the router, the number of connected devices and the quality of the router itself. Even running your microwave can affect Wi-Fi speeds. If your home Wi-Fi internet speeds are slower than you’d like, here are a few tips for boosting your Wi-Fi connection.
Can I get Wi-Fi without an internet provider?
Wi-Fi is not a service by itself, but rather a feature of your internet service. You need an internet service provider to get internet to your home via a modem and a router to transmit that signal throughout your home. Some ISPs include Wi-Fi service and necessary equipment at no extra charge.
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Written by:
Robin LaytonSenior Editor, Broadband Content
Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing on the site since January 2020, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMO…
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Edited by:
Anine SusEditor I
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