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.
Compare Optimum internet to other providers
Prices starting at
$40.00/mo.
Max download speeds up to
8000 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
Prices starting at
$50.00/mo.
Max download speeds up to*
1000 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
* 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.
Optimum internet plans are fast and decently priced
| Package (East) | 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 | $50.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
|
Optimum 1 Gig Internet Best for speed (cable) |
$70.00/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) |
$70.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 2 Gig | $90.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 5 Gig | $120.00/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 8 Gig | $280.00/mo. | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* See full disclaimer.
Optimum has several standalone internet plans—three cable, six fiber-optic—priced between $40.00–$280.00/mo. with maximum download speeds from 300–8,000 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.
By cable internet standards, Optimum has fairly reasonable internet pricing with plans that start at only $40.00/mo.. As with competitors like Spectrum, Optimum doesn’t have any budget internet plans, but with speeds that start 300 Mbps, it offers fast bandwidth for most households. 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.
What do real Optimum internet customers think about Optimum?
"Too many interruptions in service. Very slow download speed. High price for low speed."
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.
How reliable is Optimum internet?
With Optimum’s high speeds, it really shouldn’t be slow, but unfortunately, it’s not the most reliable service provider.
According to speed test data from our partners at HighSpeedInternet.com, Optimum had an average latency mark of only 15.4 milliseconds. This time was a step behind leading fiber internet providers, but it was in line with competing cable ISPs like Xfinity and Cox.
In our 2025 Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, only 63% of Optimum customers were satisfied with their internet service’s reliability and 68% of respondents were satisfied with Optimum’s speeds. You can try to troubleshoot by restarting your router or connecting your device to an ethernet cable, but if you’re able to, you might want to consider switching to a different internet provider.
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| Average latency | 15.4 milliseconds |
| Internet reliability approval rating | 63% |
| Internet speed approval rating | 68% |
That said, all of Optimum’s internet plans will still be good enough for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. For a good streaming TV experience, we recommend an internet plan with a speed of at least 100 Mbps.
For bigger households, that number might go up to 300 Mbps or 500 Mbps. This means that all of Optimum’s internet plans, which start at 100 Mbps, are decent for streaming, but if you need more horsepower, we recommend the 300 or 500 Mbps plans.
Pro tip: If you’re having trouble streaming, try our slow Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide. If you’re still having trouble, it might be time to look for a new provider.
Okay—let’s talk toys. What kind of fancy internet boxes or other doodads come with Optimum internet and TV service? Let’s break down everything else you can get with Optimum internet.
Optimum bundles add TV to your plan, but it’ll cost you
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. You can also bundle cell phone service with Optimum Mobile to save even more on your monthly bill. But some competitors like Xfinity offer bigger discounts when you bundle, so be sure to check out other options 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.
| Package (East) | Price* | Download speeds up to | Channel count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 and Core TV | $145.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | 220+ | View Plan |
| Optimum 1 Gig and Premier TV | $185.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 420+ | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 300 and Core TV | $145.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | 220+ | View Plan |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig and Premier TV | $185.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 420+ | View Plan |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* See full disclaimer.
Rent Optimum’s internet equipment, or bring your own
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 provide internet access on the go
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.”
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.
What do real Optimum customers think of Optimum internet?
In our 2025 survey of more than 8,000 Americans, Optimum only received a 60% customer overall satisfaction rate. This places it in 16th place among 21 providers. On the other end of the scale, Quantum Fiber scored 89%, Starlink scored 87%, and Google Fiber scored 83% satisfaction.
Why did Optimum score so poorly? According to customer responses, many feel that their internet and TV plans are too pricey and that the company’s customer service department is extremely lacking. However, some customers are still satisfied with their service, or are at least resigned to the fact that it’s the best option for their area.
"Optimum is overpriced for what it offers, but we were able to negotiate our [internet and TV bundle] bill down by $90 a month. Our service has been good and customer service is prompt when needed."
Optimum internet FAQ
Is Optimum's 300 Mbps plan fast enough for Netflix?
Yes, the Optimum 300 internet plan is plenty fast enough for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
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–$280.00/mo..
Why you should trust us
Our experts spent more than a month diving deep beyond the prices and speeds for Optimum internet. First, we conducted original research by talking to hundreds of real Optimum internet customers and evaluating data from sources including speed test data from our partners at HighSpeedInternet.com and CableTV.com’s annual Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Then, we calculated how Optimum’s results compared to the competition by analyzing factors including price, value, and reliability. After weighing this data against more than 30 major internet providers. we tabulated Optimum’s final scores for bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction based on these formulas.
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.
*300 Mbps Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
500 Mbps Internet- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
1 Gig Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
300 Mbps Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
500 Mbps Fiber Internet- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
1 Gig Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
2/5/8 Gig Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
