Cox Communications Review 2022: Cable TV and Internet Plans
Cox piles on the bundles, but cheap, fast internet plans are its strong suit. We researched the best Cox plans so you don't have to.
Price: $29.99–$230.99/mo.
Internet speed: 10 Mbps–1,000 Mbps
Data cap: 1 TB
Channel count: 75–250+
Is Cox Communications good?
Cox cable internet and TV service are good for some folks. Internet is Cox’s strongest area of service: its higher cable tiers are fast but relatively inexpensive.
Cox internet is also the only Cox service that we’d recommend as a standalone product, since its cable TV, home phone, and home security services are just average. At best, Cox’s bundles are more convenient than anything since they’re quite pricy compared to the competition.
Pros
- Affordable internet service
- Excellent equipment
Cons
- Average TV, phone, and home security services
- 12–24-month service contracts depending on plan
Cox cable and internet deals and promotions
Cox usually offers discounts for seniors and low-income families as well as bundle discounts. For the most up-to-date promotions and deals, visit our Cox Deals and Promotions page.
Best Cox cable TV and internet packages
*For 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agreement.
If all you need is internet service, Cox’s Internet Preferred 250 plan has an attractive speed-to-price balance that would be plenty for most households.
For heavier gaming or streaming needs, the Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred bundle features 500 Mbps of download speed and a decent TV channel lineup for under $170 a month. It’s a little pricy, but we think it’s the best Cox bundle by a long shot.
Cox internet plans and prices
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Starter 25 | $29.99/mo. | 25 Mbps | 1 Mbps | View plan |
| Internet Essential 50 | $39.99/mo. | 50 Mbps | 3 Mbps | View plan |
| Internet Preferred 250 | $59.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | 5 Mbps | View plan |
| Internet Ultimate 500 | $79.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 10 Mbps | View plan |
| Gigablast | $99.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | View plan |
*For 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agreement. Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you choose to go with Cox, we say stick with an internet-only plan. Cox internet plans are reasonably priced for the download speeds you get.
We’ll say this, though: competitors like Xfinity and Spectrum offer similar plans that are often cheaper than Cox internet, so sniff around a bit before you commit to Cox.
Interested in Cox internet? For more details, check out our full review of Cox’s internet packages.
Cox TV plans and prices
‡ 1 Year Term Agreement. Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
TBH, Cox cable TV plans aren’t that great unless you splurge for the Contour TV Ultimate plan. High prices and mediocre channel lineups aren’t what most folks want from their TV service, amirite?
We recommend getting a Cox internet plan and pairing it with a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or bundling your TV and internet with another cable provider like Spectrum.
Glutton for TV punishment? Check out our complete review of Cox TV service.
Cox TV channel lineups
Like we said, we’re not huge fans of Cox’s channel lineups. Hundreds of channels at your fingertips sound great in theory, but the devil is always in the details.
Cox channel lineups include a lot of filler and very little killer unless you’re a fan of music and shopping channels. Again, stick with a standalone internet plan if you go with Cox and save yourself from all those midnight shopping sprees on QVC.
Morbidly curious? How bad can Cox channel lineups be? We got the deets on our comprehensive Cox channel lineup page.
Cox internet and TV bundles
| Package | Price† | Download speeds up to | Channel count | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred | $151.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | 140+ | View plan |
| Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred | $190.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 140+ | View plan |
| Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred | $210.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 140+ | View plan |
† for 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agreement. Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Cox offers a ton of internet and TV bundles across all of its service areas. We like options just like the next guy, but that’s about the only thing we like about Cox bundles.
Sure, Cox offers a bundle discount on most plans. But Cox internet and TV bundles are expensive, and you can easily get a better bundle deal from competitors like Xfinity and Spectrum.
Cox bundles your only option? Learn more about Cox’s internet and TV bundling combos.
Cox internet, TV, and phone bundles
| Package | Price | Download speeds up to | Channel count | Digital phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice Preferred | $190.99/mo.† | 250 Mbps | 140+ | Unlimited calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico | View plan |
| Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice Preferred | $210.99/mo.† | 500 Mbps | 140+ | Unlimited calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico | View plan |
| Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice Preferred | $230.99/mo.† | 1,000 Mbps | 140+ | Unlimited calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico | View plan |
†For 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agreement. Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The only difference between Cox internet, TV, and home phone bundles and its internet and TV bundles is $20.00 more per month for unlimited calling throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Needless to say, even if you’re a home phone holdout, you’ll find better internet, TV, and home phone bundles elsewhere. Again, we prefer Xfinity and Spectrum to Cox.
Cox vs. the competition
Cox has a lot of competitors out there. Depending on where you live, your other TV and internet provider options may include AT&T, DIRECTV, DISH, CenturyLink, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and Xfinity.
One place that Cox stands out is its low starting prices for internet. Cox’s low-priced Internet Essential 50 plan is an affordable option that’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of folks at home fighting for Wi-Fi. But you should also consider other budget-friendly internet service providers like Verizon Fios and Xfinity.
To learn more about how Cox stands up against the competition, check out our full reviews.
Cox internet versus articles
Cox TV versus articles
Cox internet and TV equipment
We’ll say this about Cox: the cable provider does offer pretty baller equipment. Just know that its suped-up tech comes at a price. It’s Cox, what did you expect?
Cox Contour DVR/receiver
The Cox Contour DVR/receiver is available in three models:
- Contour 2: 2 channels, 100 HD hrs., $13.50/mo.
- Contour 6: 6 channels, 250 HD hrs., $20.00/mo.
- Contour 24: 24 channels, 1,000 HD hrs., $30.00/mo.
We named the Contour 24 DVR one of our best DVRs, and all three DVR models include installed streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Pandora, YouTube, and Tubi.
Still, if DVRs are your thing, go for DISH Network or DIRECTV, which both offer more storage at a better price.
Cox cable boxes on our tester’s home entertainment console. Photo credit: CableTV.com
Cox Contour Stream Player
If you’re looking to move into the world of TV streaming, Cox now has its own TV streaming device called the Cox Contour Stream Player (pictured above on the left).
The Cox Contour Stream Player features a bunch of preloaded on-demand streaming apps, such as HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video, which you subscribe to separately.
Currently, Cox will throw in a free Peacock Premium subscription ($4.99 per month) when you rent the Cox Contour Stream Player ($5.00 per month) and add Cox Panoramic WiFi ($12.00 per month) to any Cox internet plan.
It’s not a terrible deal, but if you live in an Xfinity area, you can get a similar streaming device for free with any Xfinity internet plan, so shop around before you sign up for Cox.
Cox Panoramic WiFi modem/router
You can choose to use your own modem/router, but Cox’s Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway is very good for company-supplied gear—even if it is available only as a rental (unlike gear from other internet service providers, you can’t buy it outright).
On the other hand, Cox will only sell—not rent—Panoramic Wi-Fi Pods. These devices create a Wi-Fi mesh across your home.
Like Eero and other mesh networks, Panoramic Wi-Fi Pods plug into A/C wall sockets to equalize coverage over a larger household area, eliminating dead spots.
Final take: Is Cox internet and TV worth it?
Internet is the only Cox service we’d recommend on its own, but the bundles offer convenient ways to build upon it if you want a discount.
Even if Cox is the only provider in your area, you should be able to secure a fast internet hookup or bundle that won’t cause you to rage against the tele-monopoly. There are worse companies to work with (we’ve reviewed ‘em, trust us).
See if Cox is available in your hometown by entering your zip code below.
Methodology
We tested Cox internet and TV for nine months and then compared the cable provider to its major competitors. We dug deep on internet speeds, channel counts, equipment, and pricing, among other things.
To learn more about our research and testing, check out our How We Rank page.
Cox cable and internet FAQ
Is Cox Communications available in my area?
Not sure if you can get Cox in your neighborhood? Enter your zip code below to find out.
Does Cox offer senior discounts?
While Cox doesn’t offer any senior discounts, the FCC offers $30 per month off internet for low-income households, including those on Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, and Supplemental Security Income. Read more about the Affordable Connectivity Program in our guide to low-income internet.
How do I order Cox internet?
Once you determine the Cox residential internet plan that best suits your needs, you purchase a few different ways.
As you’re shopping for internet plans on the Cox site, a chat window will pop up offering different types of help. One of the options you can select is specifically for adding new services. If you’re making a change to a current service, you can type a specific request in the chat window to start your order.
If you would prefer to speak to a customer service sales representative, call +1-844-573-0474. If you prefer to place an order in person, find out if there’s a Cox store in your area and you can discuss options and start service at one of their locations.
How do I get a better deal with Cox?
Once you’ve defined your service needs—and what kind of budget you have to spend—you can try to negotiate a lower bill with a Cox customer service representative.
Whether you’re calling via phone to discuss your bill or popping into a Cox store, be prepared by having a copy of your bill handy.
If you’re going to quote offers from other competitors, it’s good to have those on hand, too. Inquire about current deals and promotions and how those may apply to your plan. Find out if your history of on-time payments can work in your favor.
Can I pay my Cox bill over the phone?
Call +1-800-234-3993 to make a payment. If you are calling outside of business hours or don’t want to speak to a customer service representative, the automated system can take you through the payment process. If it is during business hours, the prompts will help you speak with an agent.
How can I watch TV on my mobile device?
Watch TV on the go with the Cox Contour App. Download the app for Apple, android, or your PC/Mac to take your favorite shows with you wherever you go. Once you are a Cox subscriber, you can log in to the app and watch TV channels based on the Cox TV package you selected.
Can I customize channels in my Cox package?
Cox TV plans and packages come with a specific channel lineup. You can customize by adding more channels, additional equipment, and a DVR. Take a look at our Cox Cable TV Plans: Packages, Pricing, and More page to see which TV package fits the needs and desires of your household. From there, you can see if there are add-ons that will take your TV viewing experience to the max.
