An Honest Optimum Internet Review: Speeds, Plans, Hidden Fees, and Sweet Perks
Optimum has a generous entry-level speeds, no contracts, and no data caps—but low customer satisfaction.
Don’t settle for the price on the tag—check out our Optimum deals page to see what discounts they’re offering this month.
Optimum internet plans are fast and decently priced
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Optimum 300 Best for value (cable) |
$40.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| Optimum 500 | $60.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
|
Optimum 1 Gig Internet Best for speed (cable) |
$80.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
|
Fiber Internet 300 Best for value (fiber) |
$40.00/mo.** | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 500 | $60.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
|
Fiber Internet 1 Gig Best for speed (fiber) |
$80.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 2 Gig | $100.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 5 Gig | $180.00/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.
** w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/mobile plans. ($40/mo. without mobile plans.) Terms apply.
Optimum has several standalone internet plans—four cable, four fiber-optic—priced $40.00–$180.00 a month with maximum download speeds from 100–5,000 Mbps. Both networks offer plans with the same download speeds, but Optimum’s cable internet plans have slower upload speeds, plus higher pricing than fiber in some areas.
Optimum’s base cable plan, Optimum 300, is the best value. It offers high speeds for a low price—300 Mbps will handle a ton of HD streaming and gaming. And you’ll have a tough time finding a better value from another provider.
Power users will want the competitively-priced Optimum 1 Gig Internet. This plan comes with up to 1,000 Mbps download speeds at an affordable price.
If you’re in an Optimum fiber area, like some customers in New Jersey, you’ll have upload speeds that match your download speeds. For example, the fiber version of Optimum 300—Fiber Internet 300—comes with 300 Mbps download speeds and 300 Mbps upload speeds. That will really improve the quality of your video calls.
Because Optimum plans and prices vary by area, the easiest way to know which ones you have access to is to check Optimum’s website.
We’d recommend Optimum 300 (or Fiber Internet 300) for most folks. It’s still a cheap internet package, but the higher speeds make it a good fit for families and folks who like smart home devices.
If you find Optimum 300’s speeds aren’t fast enough for your needs, go ahead and upgrade to Optimum 500 or Optimum 1 Gig. All of the plans are super affordable—and it’s in particularly fierce competition with Verizon Fios.
Optimum bundles add TV to your plan, but it’ll cost you
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Channel count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 and Core TV | $115.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | 220+ | View Plan |
| Optimum 500 and Select TV | $155.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 340+ | View Plan |
| Optimum 1 Gig and Premier TV | $195.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 420+ | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 300 and Core TV | $115.00/mo.** | 100 Mbps | 220+ | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 500 and Select TV | $155.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 340+ | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig and Premier TV | $195.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 420+ | View Plan |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.
** Internet: w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/mobile plans. ($40/mo. without mobile plans.) Terms apply.
Since Optimum doesn’t offer standalone TV or phone services, bundling is the only way to snag these services through Optimum.
While Optimum’s bundles are a bit pricey, the prices are comparable to other TV and internet service providers. But some competitors like Xfinity offer discounts when you bundle, so be sure to check out other option in your area.
We can show you all the available providers near you when you enter your zip code below.
Check out our Optimum TV Review for more information on the company’s TV service.
Optimum internet equipment
Okay—let’s talk toys. What kind of fancy internet boxes or other doodads come with Optimum internet and TV service? Well, Optimum has several devices for rent.
- Optimum Gateway 6 (free): Lease Optimum’s modem/router with Smart WiFi 6 technology and get in-home Wi-Fi and 24/7 tech support. Or you can use your own Optimum-compatible unit, but forget about in-home Wi-Fi and full-featured tech support from Optimum if you do.
- Optimum Extender (free for qualifying customers): A Wi-Fi extender can help your signal reach farther corners of your home. To help you decide if your home is big enough to warrant an extender, Optimum recommends one extender for every two bedrooms you have in your home.
- Optimum Amplify ($10/mo. or $399 to buy): This smart speaker with voice control, Alexa integration, and Devialet audio. You can use it to control your TV and play music, but it’s too rich for our blood.
You can learn more about the Optimum Gateway 6 in our Optimum Smart WiFi review. Or if you’d prefer to skip monthly rental fees and bring your own modem, Optimum doesn’t make it easy. Luckily, you’ve got us! See our favorite alternative equipment in our best Optimum-compatible modems article.
Optimum Wi-Fi hotspots
When you’re away from home, you can stay connected to the internet with Optimum’s Wi-Fi hotspots. These hotspots are available only to Optimum internet customers, and you can recognize them by the network names “AlticeWiFi,” “cableWiFi,” or “optimumwifi.”
Use your Optimum ID, password, and Wi-Fi-ready device (phone, tablet, or laptop) to use any of Optimum’s over 2 million free Wi-Fi hotspots, including hotspots at New Jersey Transit stations.
If a nearby Optimum Wi-Fi hotspot is not working, make sure you have the right network selected in your device’s Wi-Fi settings. If you only get a few bars of service, you may need to move closer to the hotspot to improve your connection.
We’re fans of any time internet service providers make Wi-Fi more accessible for their customers, and Optimum’s Wi-Fi hotspots do just that. To learn more about this service, check out our full Optimum Wi-Fi hotspot review.
Is Optimum internet worth it?
Despite Optimum’s poor customer satisfaction scores, we like that it has no contracts (or data caps or early termination fees). And don’t forget the generous speeds and low, low price of the Optimum 300 plan.
So if Optimum is available in your area and you’re looking to get away from your current provider—and get a better monthly payment—go for it.
Optimum internet FAQ
Which is better, Optimum or Spectrum?
Technically, Spectrum is the better provider, but honestly, neither Optimum nor Spectrum are very popular with customers.
Luckily, the two providers don’t have a lot of overlap. Check our guide to Optimum alternatives for recommendations if you’re looking to switch internet or cable providers.
Is Optimum internet unlimited?
Yes, Optimum internet is unlimited, meaning it does not restrict users with monthly data caps.
How much do you pay for Optimum Wi-Fi?
All current Optimum internet customers have access to Optimum Wi-Fi hotspots, free of charge. Optimum internet plans are usually between $40.00–$180.00/mo..
Methodology
Our experts spent hours crunching the numbers on Optimum’s internet plans, rating them for bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction. Then we faced off Optimum’s internet plans against the competition to give a clearer picture of which internet provider might be the best for you. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer:
‡Visa® Reward Card: Offer is not available to individuals who have previously participated in an Optimum Visa Reward Card promotion within the past 12 months. Visa Reward Card will be mailed to customers who maintain promotion and remain in good standing with no past due or returned payments throughout first 90 days after account activation. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Limit 1 per customer. Visa Reward Card cannot be used to pay Optimum monthly bill. Card value expires in 12 mos. Visa Reward Card may be used when making purchases from merchants in the U.S. and District of Columbia everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. No ATM access. Terms and Conditions apply to Reward Cards. See Cardholder Agreement for details. Visa Reward Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. This optional offer is not a MetaBank product or service nor does MetaBank endorse this offer. Card is distributed and serviced by InComm Financial Services, Inc., which is licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
