Cox vs. Spectrum Internet: Which Is the Best Internet Provider?
From internet speeds to channel lineups, we’ve researched both internet service providers to determine who offers the best value for you.
$39.99–$79.99/mo.
$39.99–$79.99/mo.
$49.99–$149.99/mo.
$49.99–$149.99/mo.
Is Cox or Spectrum better?
Cox Communications and Spectrum offer similar internet speeds, but Spectrum’s internet plans cost less per month. And Spectrum includes a free modem and charges only $5 a month for a router, while renting Cox’s Panoramic Wifi Gateway costs $12 a month.
Spectrum also wins out in customer satisfaction over Cox, although neither company had especially impressive scores. In CableTV.com’s annual Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, Spectrum ranked 11th in overall satisfaction and Cox was slightly behind with a 14th-place finish. Both providers have steady internet service, but leave something to be desired on both price and customer service.
Still, Spectrum is the clear winner in the Spectrum vs. Cox battle. Spectrum has faster starting speeds and cheaper gigabit-speed packages. Plus, it has no-contract plans, so you’ve got flexibility if you need to move within the year. Still not ready to sign for Cox or Spectrum? Keep reading for our full breakdown between both providers.
Compare Cox or Spectrum internet head to head
Prices starting at
$49.99/mo.
Max download speeds up to
1,200 Mbps
Service Type
Cable
Prices starting at
$49.99/mo.
Max download speeds up to*
1,000 Mbps
Service Type
Cable
* Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed.
Pricing, speed and availability not guaranteed. Subject to change.
Cox vs. Spectrum: internet plans and prices
While Cox and Spectrum both charge within ten dollars of each other for their starting plans, you’ll get more bang for your buck from Spectrum—Spectrum’s starting speed runs thrice as fast as Cox’s. And if you’re looking for gigabit internet speeds, Spectrum has you covered there too. Its gigabit plan is up to $60.00 less per month than Cox’s. (Huge savings there.)
Let’s break down what to expect for both providers when it comes to internet plans and costs.
Cox internet packages
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to |
|---|---|---|
| Go Fast | $49.99/mo.* | 100 Mbps |
| StraightUp Internet | $50.00/mo.** | 100 Mbps |
|
Go Faster Best plan |
$69.99/mo.** | 250 Mbps |
| Go Even Faster | $89.99/mo.† | 500 Mbps |
| Go Super Fast | $109.99/mo.‡ | 1,000 Mbps |
| Go Beyond Fast | $149.99/mo.* | 2,000 Mbps |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Although Cox’s prices are far from the worst we’ve seen from an internet service provider, it can’t compete with Spectrum’s plans, which all offer faster speeds or lower prices.
But if you have a vendetta against Spectrum, Cox isn’t a terrible alternative. And its Panoramic Wifi Gateway might cost you a pretty penny, but its good equipment.
You’ll get excellent download speeds on Cox’s fastest internet plans, but with higher prices and with one-year service contracts, the ISP doesn’t offer exceptional value or flexibility.
Go Faster is our pick for the best Cox internet plan.
It’s not the best deal compared to Spectrum, which has a cheaper 300 Mbps plan. But at $69.99 per month for 250 Mbps maximum download speeds, Cox’s Go Faster can work for families who need only average download and upload speeds.
Spectrum internet packages
| Plan | Price | Max download speed |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet | $39.99–$49.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 300 Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet Ultra | $49.99–$69.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 500 Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet Gig | $59.99–$79.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 1 Gbps |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Spectrum is one of the few internet service providers (ISPs) that won’t tie you to a long-term service contract. While Spectrum still has promo price shenanigans with low introductory prices that increase after one or two years (depending on the plan), its no-contracts setup means that you change providers at any time without paying an early termination fee (ETF).
The internet provider doesn’t have a great budget cable internet plan, since its cheapest option is $39.99 per month for the first 12 months (and that $39.99 is only in certain areas). But if you can make Spectrum fit your budget, its three internet plans offer ample internet performance for any household.
With download speeds of up to 300 Mbps, Spectrum Internet® works great for a small household that streams TV, casually plays games, and works from home. Spectrum Internet Gig is also a decent gigabit internet option for top-end internet speeds, it’s much cheaper than Cox’s gigabit plan, regardless of what Spectrum area you’re in.
We’d recommend Spectrum Internet Ultra for larger households. With a maximum download speed of 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), you’ll have enough bandwidth if multiple people want to stream 4K video or play online games. Spectrum Internet 500 Mbps’ faster upload speeds will also help if many people are Zoom-ing at once.
Cox vs. Spectrum: customer satisfaction
As part of CableTV.com’s annual Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, we talked to more than 7,000 real internet customers across the U.S. to see how they felt about their internet providers.
Spectrum’s 11th-place finish in overall satisfaction was in line with other cable internet providers like Xfinity and Astound, as only 67% of respondents were highly satisfied with their internet service. Spectrum can generally deliver the basics to customers, but its prices weighed down the provider’s overall scores.
- 71% of customers who recently dealt with Spectrum felt that the provider could effectively solve their problems.
- 77% of Spectrum subscribers had no problems with Spectrum’s installation process.
- But only 51% of customers felt that Spectrum’s prices were good compared to the competition.
What do real Spectrum internet customers think about Spectrum?
I give them the overall rating of like a 9 or 8. Spectrum is a very good place to give your money and trust to. The only thing is that the monthly price is a bit expensive but it's kind of worth it. It's overall good.
Cox was right behind Spectrum with its 14th-place finish and 64% overall satisfaction score on our survey. According to our respondents, Cox’s internet network was a step behind Spectrum across the board.
- Only 65% of Cox customers felt that Cox met their expectations as a provider.
- 55% of respondents felt satisfied after dealing with Cox customer service.
- 49% of Cox customers felt that Cox’s prices were a deal compared to the competition.
What do real Cox internet customers think about Cox?
They have horrible customer service and their service is glitchy. It takes too much of my own time to resolve issues over the phone with customer service rather than just send out a tech to figure it out for us. For the price we pay, they should offer more customer service than they do.
How reliable is Spectrum or Cox internet?
| Cox | Spectrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Average latency | 18.9 milliseconds | 27.7 milliseconds |
| Internet reliability satisfaction rating | 65% positive | 68% positive |
| Internet speed satisfaction rating | 69% positive | 73% positive |
Frequent Zoom users may have a better time on Cox compared to Spectrum. According to speed test data from our partners at HighSpeedInternet.com, Cox’s average latency outclassed Spectrum by nearly 10 milliseconds.
But Spectrum ultimately won out in our internet speed data research. For internet speed and reliability, Cox couldn’t crack the 70% satisfaction mark in either category. Spectrum’s reliability didn’t necessarily impress our respondents, but you’ll generally get the speeds you’re paying for on the provider.
Is Cox or Spectrum internet available in your neighborhood?
Cox and Spectrum have coast-to-coast coverage, but Spectrum’s national network outclasses Cox’s by a sizable margin. Cox’s 18-state network is largely spread across the South and Southwest, while Spectrum’s 41-state network is virtually nationwide.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Spectrum vs. Cox: specs and features
Cox and Spectrum have more things in common than internet service. Let’s break down everything else you’ll need to plan for if you’re deciding between Spectrum and Cox internet service.
Does Cox or Spectrum have good internet deals?
Cox internet deals
Depending on your location, Cox internet deals can include waived ETFs, free equipment, and monthly discounts, But Cox doesn’t frequently offer huge deals for new customers.
Check out our Cox deals guide for the latest Cox offers.
Spectrum internet deals
Spectrum may offer different internet deals depending on your location, including longer two-year price guarantees and cheaper prices.
Visit our Spectrum deals guide to learn more about current Spectrum internet deals.
Installation
Spectrum makes installation a breeze
Cox equipment
| Installation option | Price |
|---|---|
| Professional installation | $100.00 |
| Self-installation | Free |
| Optional hardware rental | $12.00/mo. (Wi-Fi router) |
Spectrum and Cox’s installation fees aren’t cheap, but they’re also easy to avoid. Cox offers a free self-installation kit that’s a great perk, but you won’t get the vast ongoing savings of Spectrum’s free cable modem. Cox does offer its optional Panoramic Wifi Gateway, which is a combo modem and wireless router, for $12.00 per month.
While you’ll still need a router if you want Wi-Fi, a modem is all you need to get started with a wired internet connection. So Spectrum is the long-term winner here for devices.
Spectrum equipment
| Installation fee | Fee |
|---|---|
| Professional installation | $59.99 |
| Self-installation | $9.99 |
| Optional hardware rental | $5.00/mo. (Wi-Fi router) |
Spectrum tacks on an inconvenient $9.99 charge for its self-installation kit, but you’ll also get a free modem with your internet plan. While you’ll still need a router if you want Wi-Fi, a modem is all you need to get started with a wired internet connection. So Spectrum is the long-term winner here for devices. You can rent a wireless router from Spectrum for $5.00 per month or buy your own.
Generally, we recommend purchasing your own wireless router and cable modem to skip the rental fees. But if you want your ISP to handle your hardware troubleshooting, Spectrum is our pick because of its free modem and cheaper rental costs compared to Cox.
Spectrum has great TV plans
Cox bundle options
Cox plans
| Plan | Price* | Channel count |
|---|---|---|
| Cox TV Starter | $61.00/mo. | 75+ channels |
| Cox TV Preferred | $115.00/mo. | 140+ channels |
| Cox TV Preferred Plus | $146.00/mo. | 170+ channels |
| Contour TV Ultimate | $152.00/mo. | 250+ channels |
* For 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. service. agreement.
With Cox, you’ll have to pay $115.00 per month for Cox TV Preferred to get any basic cable channels. Plus, the package doesn’t include popular cable channels like Disney XD, BBC America, or ESPNU. To get these channels, you’ll either have to upgrade to Contour TV Ultimate or purchase channel packs.
Spectrum bundle options
Spectrum plans
| Plan | Price | Channel count |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV® Select | $69.99 for 12 mo.† | 155+ |
| Spectrum TV® Select Plus | $74.99 for 12 mo.† | 160+ |
If you’re interested in bundling TV service with your internet, stick with Spectrum—the ISP offers a strong starting TV package that you can bulk up as you like with affordable à la carte add-ons, including more entertainment, sports, and premium channels.
Even on Spectrum’s cheapest TV plan, you’ll still get more than 155 basic and local TV channels. If you upgrade to Spectrum’s most expensive TV package, you’ll get more than 160 premium and basic cable channels for less than Cox’s entry-level basic cable package.
Spectrum vs. Cox FAQ
Is Spectrum better than Cox?
Spectrum offers better internet plans compared to Cox. Most of Cox’s internet plans are expensive or slow compared to Spectrum.
Are Cox and Spectrum the same?
Cox Communications and Spectrum are two different companies.
Is Cox owned by Spectrum?
Cox is not owned by Spectrum. Spectrum is based in Connecticut, while Cox is based in Georgia.
Why you should trust us
Our experts crunched the numbers, rating Cox and Spectrum on bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction. Then we matched up both companies head to head to give a clearer picture of their strengths and weaknesses. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
Spectrum Internet: For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
Spectrum Internet Ultra: For 24 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
Spectrum Internet Gig: For 24 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
**Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
† Spectrum TV Select Signature: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV Select Signature promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees, and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $23.20/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service and location. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
Cox internet
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*No annual contract or cancellation fees.
†For 12 mos. No annual contract.
‡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.
** Not available in all areas. No term agreement. Same price for 2 yrs. Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change, including when adjusting or removing services or equipment.
