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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.

No contract fiber-optic internet
Optimum
Pro
No contracts
Pro
No data caps
Con
Bundling requirement for phone and TV service
Con
Limited availability
Con
Low customer satisfaction scores
Pro
No contracts
Pro
No data caps
Con
Bundling requirement for phone and TV service
Con
Limited availability
Con
Low customer satisfaction scores

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Save up to $30/mo. on Optimum: From now until 11/10/24, Optimum is offering a $20/mo. discount on its Optimum 1 Gig and Fiber 1 Gig internet plans. Plus, get Optimum 1 Gig or Fiber 1 Gig internet for as low as $35/mo. when you bundle with an Optimum Unlimited Mobile plan. Visit Optimum to sign up and take advantage of these deals today.

Optimum’s cable and fiber-optic internet offers fast internet speeds at reasonable prices (starting at $40.00 per month) with no contracts, data caps, or early termination fees.

Unfortunately, even with all its redeeming qualities, Optimum scored poorly in our customer satisfaction survey. You might wanna give that a read before signing up for service. But Optimum’s lack of contracts make it a relatively risk-free commitment.

If you live in the tristate area—Connecticut, New Jersey, and parts of New York (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Westchester), or the areas of the country previously held by Suddenlink, think about giving Optimum a whirl.

Why you should trust us. Our experts have spent hundreds of hours researching Optimum and its competitors, comparing prices and surveying real customers to get the full picture. We then rated it on a five-star scale according to four essential criteria:

Editorial star rating: 3.60/5.00

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.

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 $120.00/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
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 $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.

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 cell phone plans and bundles

Are you thinking of switching mobile phone providers? For a limited time, you can add Altice Mobile to your Optimum plan or bundle for $20 a month. The plan includes unlimited data, calls, and texting on Optimum’s 99% nationwide network.

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 $135.00/mo. 100 Mbps 220+ View Plan
Optimum 500 and Select TV $175.00/mo. 500 Mbps 340+ View Plan
Optimum 1 Gig and Premier TV $215.00/mo. 940 Mbps 420+ View Plan
Fiber Internet 300 and Core TV $135.00/mo. 100 Mbps 220+ View Plan
Fiber Internet 500 and Select TV $175.00/mo. 500 Mbps 340+ View Plan
Fiber Internet 1 Gig and Premier TV $215.00/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.

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.

Has Optimum been getting more expensive?

Optimum’s base pricing has largely stayed steady over time for a cable internet provider. Optimum’s 300 pricing has remained largely unchanged over the past few years, while Optimum’s mid-tier plan upgraded from 400 Mbps to 500 Mbps and got a $5 discount in the process.

But Optimum’s 1 Gig plan has bucked this trend, as it’s seen a $10 price hike since 2020. Gigabit internet’s generally been a premium internet product, and Optimum’s plan pricing has reflected this trend for better or worse.

2020 2022 2024
Optimum 300 $39.99/mo. $39.99/mo. $40.00/mo.
Optimum 500 $64.99/mo. (was 400 Mbps) $59.99/mo. $60.00/mo.
Optimum 1 Gig $69.99/mo. $79.99/mo. $80.00/mo.

Compare Optimum internet to other providers


Customer Rating

Prices starting at
$35.00/mo.

Max download speeds up to
1,000 Mbps

Service Type
Fiber

Read Optimum Review


Customer Rating

Prices starting at
$50.00/mo.

Max download speeds up to*
1,000 Mbps

Service Type
Cable

Read Spectrum Review

* 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.

By cable internet standards, Optimum has fairly reasonable internet pricing with plans that start at only $40.00/mo. As with Spectrum, Optimum doesn’t have any budget internet plans, but with speeds that start 300 Mbps, it offers fast bandwidth for most households.

Is Optimum Internet good for streaming?

Yes, all of Optimum’s internet plans are good 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.

Protip: Optimum’s internet plans are fast, but can also be unreliable. 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.

Why is my Optimum internet so slow?

With Optimum’s high speeds, it really shouldn’t be slow, but unfortunately, it’s not the most reliable service provider. In our 2024 Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, only 56% of Optimum customers were satisfied with their internet service’s reliability. 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.

Swipe Left to See All →
TestScore
Average latency17.18 milliseconds
Internet reliability approval rating56%
Internet speed approval rating58%

"Too many interruptions in service. Very slow download speed. High price for low speed."

Optimum customer in New York

What do real Optimum customers think of Optimum internet?

"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 customer in North Carolina

In our 2024 survey of 7,000 Americans, Optimum only received a 52% customer satisfaction rate. This places it in 21st place among 24 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.

Rent Optimum’s internet equipment, or bring your own

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.

An Optimum router, a black rectangular device with blue lights.
An Optimum-provided router. Image credit: CableTV.com

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.

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.

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