Cellphone and internet bundles

Pros

• No data caps: Spectrum won’t cap your data, but you’ll see reduced speeds after 20 GB of use per phone line. If you’re someone who doesn’t use a lot of data, this shouldn’t be an issue for you.

• Readily available: Though Spectrum and this bundle aren’t available everywhere, the availability is quite vast, so most likely, you’ll be able to take advantage of this bundle.

Cons

• The price will go up: Though you’ll get the first year for $49.99/mo., the price will increase after that. Right now, Spectrum lists the full price as $84.98/mo., but you’ll be subject to paying whatever the current rate is when your 12 months are up.

• Below average customer satisfaction: Spectrum’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 63/100, which places it below several of its competitors in this space and below the industry average of 64 in 2022.

Pros

• Easy to switch: T-Mobile goes above and beyond to encourage customers to ditch their old providers and come over, including offering gift cards and compensation to break old contracts.

• Above average customer satisfaction: T-Mobile’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 73/100, which places it above several of its competitors in this space and above the industry average of 66 in 2023.

Cons

• Service isn’t everywhere yet: T-Mobile is still growing its internet coverage area, which means it’s not super available yet.

• You must have a family plan for the discount: You’ll only get a discount on your bundle if you have a Magenta Max family plan with at least two lines, making this not as attractive of a deal for single people.

Pros

• Widely available: Verizon is available nearly everywhere, and while Verizon 5G Home Internet and Fios isn’t, you’ll still largely have access to Verizon’s mobile service.

• Above average customer satisfaction: Verizon’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 75/100, which places it above all of its competitors in this space and at the industry average of 75 in 2023.

Cons

• Fios isn’t everywhere: Though Verizon is working hard to roll out Fios around the country, it’s still not available everywhere.

• Can get pricey: Though Verizon will offer some deals when you bundle, as well as perks like a Disney+ subscription, the prices can be steep for some people. 

Pros

• Above average customer satisfaction: AT&T’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 75/100, which places it above several of its competitors in this space and above the industry average of 75 in 2023.

• AT&T offers fiber internet: Fiber internet is often faster and more reliable than cable internet. While AT&T doesn’t yet offer it everywhere in the country, it is available in many places.

Cons

• Can get pricey: While AT&T does offer a discount for bundling, not all of its services are available everywhere, so in some states, it can get pricey to have cable internet from another provider and AT&T’s mobile service. 

• Slow speeds: If AT&T’s fiber internet is available in your area, this won’t be an issue, but if it’s not, AT&T’s DSL internet tops out around 100 Mbps, which is enough for a small household that doesn’t access the internet for work, gaming or school.

• Reasonably priced: Optimum’s Unlimited mobile plans start at $45/mo. for one line but drops down to $15/mo. for more lines. Plus, you can save up to $15/mo. by bundling.

• Plenty of plans: Optimum makes it easy to design a plan that suits you by offering four different mobile plans and five different internet plans.

• Not widely available: Optimum is one of the more limited service providers, only available in a select number of states, including New York, Texas, New Jersey and North Carolina.

• Below average customer satisfaction: Optimum’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 59/100, which places it below all of its competitors in this space and below the industry average of 64 in 2022.

• Above average customer satisfaction: Xfinity’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index is 73/100, which places it above some of its competitors in this space and above the industry average of 75 in 2023.

• Plenty of plans: Xfinity offers several internet and mobile phone plans to choose from, so you can get a cheap service if you don’t need a ton of data or speed.

• Contracts: When you sign up for the budget-friendly Xfinity plans, you’re entering into a 12-month contract, which can be pricey to get out of if you want to bail early. 

• Some features come at a premium cost: While Xfinity does offer a lot of plans to choose from, getting a plan with unlimited data, equipment, features and no contract will add up. Though those plans will save you money on mobile (while the cheaper plans won’t), it still can get pricey.