Best cable internet providers in 2025
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Last updated: May 6, 2025
Our broadband experts break down the best cable providers to help you find the right internet connection for your home.
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Cable internet providers in your area
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. Updated as of 05/06/25.
Compare the best cable service
Compare top cable providers by price and speed. Mediacom, Breezeline and Buckeye Broadband have some of the lowest starting prices, but Cox, Xfinity and Optimum offer some of the fastest speeds.
| Provider | Download speed range | Starting price* | Monthly data cap |
|---|---|---|---|
 Breezeline | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | $19.99 – $59.99/mo. | None |
 Buckeye Broadband | 200 – 1,000 Mbps | $39.99 – $159.99/mo. | None |
 Cox | 300 – 2,000 Mbps | $50.00 – $150.00/mo. | 1 TB |
 Mediacom | 250 – 2,000 Mbps | $19.99 – $84.99/mo. | 400 GB – Unlimited |
 Optimum | 300 – 1,000 Mbps | $40.00 – $60.00/mo. | None |
 Shentel | 300 – 2,000 Mbps | $55.00 – $290.00/mo. | 500 GB – 3 TB |
 Sparklight | 200 – 1,000 Mbps | $50.00 – $110.00/mo. | 700 GB – Unlimited |
 Spectrum | 100 – 1,000 Mbps** | $30.00 – $70.00/mo. | None |
 Xfinity | 150 – 6,000 Mbps | $19.99 – $299.95/mo. | 1.2 TB |
*Pricing 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. May or may not be available based on service address. Updated as of 05/06/25.
**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.
Cable internet pros and cons
What we like
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Competitive pricing
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Wide range of speed tiers
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Wide availability
Things to consider
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Slow upload speeds
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Inferior to fiber technology
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More susceptible to slowed speeds during peak usage
What is cable internet?
Cable internet is a widely available internet technology that uses coaxial cables to deliver an internet connection.
Cable internet, much like cable TV service, uses coaxial cables that connect from your home through a modem receiver to a nearby node, and then to your internet service provider. The modem receives electrical signals, which then convert into internet service, similar to how a cable TV box receives a signal and displays an image.
Cable internet vs. other connection types
Cable is much more widely available than fiber internet, but fiber provides a faster and more reliable connection, with speeds up to 8 gigs. Cable reaches about 3 gigs.
Satellite is available nationwide but provides much slower internet speeds, rarely over 150 Mbps.
5G home internet is a newer addition to the broadband playing field and provides an affordable alternative to cable and fiber connections. However, the speeds don’t yet top 300 Mbps, so consider that if you have a large online home.
Find cable providers near you
Cable is the most widely available internet connection type behind satellite internet. You can find cable providers in your area by inputting your address with Allconnect. Spectrum is the largest cable provider, serving more than 30 million U.S. addresses, with Xfinity following. Spectrum serves about 30% of the country, mostly in Midwest and East Coast states, but with some coverage in the West and South.
Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you
Cable internet customer satisfaction ratings
While many cable internet providers increased their satisfaction scores in the past year, none received anything above what could be considered a “passing grade” in customer satisfaction.
This isn’t uncommon, as internet providers are notorious for poor customer satisfaction in general, but the year-over-year increases from many providers indicate a continued effort to improve customer satisfaction in the industry. Compare customer satisfaction scores from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for top cable internet providers below.
| Provider | 2024 ACSI score | 2023 ACSI score | 2022 ACSI score | 2021 ACSI score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 67/100 | 68/100 | 66/100 | 67/100 |
| Optimum | 63 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| Spectrum | 68 | 64 | 63 | 63 |
| Cox | 68 | 64 | 61 | 63 |
| Mediacom | 61 | 65 | 60 | 60 |
Source: ACSI
Allconnect methodology
We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.
For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 500 Mbps plan got a 4.16.
We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.
Cable internet FAQs
What kind of cable is used for internet?
Cable internet uses a coaxial cable, the same as cable TV service. Within the coaxial cable is a copper or copper-plated steel line, which carries internet signals from a provider to a residence. Other cables used for internet include telephone lines and fiber cables.
Can you get internet without a cable or phone line?
No. Cable internet uses a coaxial cable. Home phone services are available from most cable internet providers, but one is not required for internet service.
What is a good cable internet speed?
Cable internet is capable of delivering a wide speed spectrum. A good cable internet speed for most homes is 100 Mbps or higher, but a “good” internet speed depends on your needs.
Does cable internet still use Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can use Wi-Fi to connect your devices to the internet with your cable connection.
How is cable internet installed?
Cable internet infrastructure is centered around a coaxial cable, the same technology your cable TV service uses. The coaxial cable connects to your modem, which communicates with your router to allow your devices to connect wirelessly to the internet.
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