Cox Internet Review (2024): Plans, Speeds, Availability, & More!

Are you contemplating cable-based internet providers to set up a fast, reliable WiFi connection at your home or office? Do you want to know how Cox performs regarding speed, consistency, uptime, etc.?

Whether you’re into gaming or professional work or your family members go on weekend binge-watching sessions, if you want to ensure you subscribe to the right ISP, this review of Cox internet shall be helpful to you.

Cox Internet: Company Overview

Pros

• Wide availability across the United States
• Includes access to over 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots
• Offers 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

Cons

• Limited upload speeds
• All plans have data caps

Available Speeds: 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps
Price Range: $49.99-$99.99 per m

Note: All the tests were performed on third-party equipment. So, if you’re renting the Cox Panoramic gateway, check out my suggestions on:

• Modems compatible with Cox
• Wireless routers that work best with Cox

Stay until the end of the Cox review to find out all the ‌information required to make an informed decision.

Cox Internet Plans

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Cox internet reviews, have a quick glance at the service packages on offer:

Cox Internet Essential 100 Review

The Essential 100 plan gives you 100 Mbps download speed with 5 Mbps upload speed. It can support 3-5 simultaneous users and is a good option if you primarily use the internet for virtual learning, HD streaming, social networking, or operating smart home devices.

Essential 100 – 100 Mbps | $49.99/mo

Speeds & Data Cap

With this plan, you’ll get up to 100 Mbps download speeds and up to 5 Mbps upload speeds on paper. When I was testing the internet speed of this Cox plan, my downloads were clocking above 120 Mbps, and uploads were well above 10 Mbps consistently.

Here’s a speed test result of the Cox Internet Essential 100 plan:

A data cap of 1.25 TB applies for this package, but I hardly recollect crossing the data limits or paying overage charges.

Performance

I had no problems streaming movies at the highest quality on my laptop, tablet, or even a smart TV. The speed plan handled multiple sessions of streaming without any buffer. Up to 8-10 devices access the network with music/video streaming, gaming, and browsing. It was pretty much hassle-free.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

The Essential internet plan will cost you $49.99, the costliest among the other cable/fiber-based service providers. Unless you are left with this Cox plan as the sole option in your neighborhood, it makes little sense to go for it.

Pros

• No contract
• No early termination fees
• Higher speeds than advertised
• Cox’s cheapest internet plan

Cons

• On an expensive side

Cox Internet Preferred 250 Review

The next plan is the Preferred 250 plan. For the same monthly price as the Essential 100 plan, customers can opt for 250 Mbps download speed with 10 Mbps upload speed. But, there is a 1-year term agreement, and Panoramic Wi-Fi is not included.

Preferred 250 – 250 Mbps | $49.99/mo

You may want to opt for 250 Mbps if you have up to 7 people in your home that need to use the internet at the same time. It is a good choice for customers who work or learn from home, frequently videoconference, game, or stream HD videos.

The other two Cox internet plans are the Ultimate 500 and Gigablast plans. A contract is not required, though you will pay more per month.

Speeds & Data Cap

Cox promises download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 10 Mbps. But in my testing, with the Preferred 250 plan, I could witness downloads of 220 Mbps, and it was graciously allowing upload speeds over 30 Mbps.

Here’s a speed test result of the Cox Internet Preferred 250 plan:

Even with this plan, breaking the 1.25TB data cap is pretty hard, unless you are hell-bent on doing that with multi-player gaming sessions daily or downloading/binging media around the clock.

Performance

I could use my gaming console and smart TV to stream videos at Full HD quality.

There were multiple mobile gadgets and tablets engaged in surfing and music streaming at the same time. I only noticed some buffering during multiple High quality streaming with heavy gaming load.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

The $59.99 for the 250 Mbps is for sure expensive. This plan has a higher cost than other cable and fiber-based service providers. This plan will be your best fit if you choose between other ADSL, Broadband internet service providers.

Pros

• Stable download speeds
• Decent upload speeds
• Great uptime

Cons

• Pricey 
• Binding Contract & termination fees

Cox Internet Ultimate 500 Review

For $69.99 per month, a Cox customer can choose the Ultimate 500 plan which provides 500 Mbps download speeds with 10 Mbps upload speeds. This plan is great for moderate 4K streaming, heavy gaming, and working or learning from home. It can support up to 9 simultaneous users.

Ultimate 500 – 500 Mbps | $69.99/mo

Speeds & Data Cap

Cox allows download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. In my testing, the actual speeds stood true to the speed tier. My download speeds clocked over 500 Mbps, and the upload speeds were consistently above 35 Mbps.

Here’s a speed test result of the Cox 500 Mbps plan:

The data cap of 1.25 TB applies to this speed tier as well. At the helm of super fast internet, I broke the limit a few times with regular hardcore multiplayer gaming sessions.

Performance

You’ll need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem and a good tri-band router like TP-Link Archer A20 to process the data-intense tasks. The speed tier can handle console gaming, 4K streaming, and many smart home gadgets. High-quality video calls and business conferences were seamless, even with simultaneous gaming and streaming activities.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

Cox’s ultimate internet plan costs $79.99, substantially higher than its other cable and fiber competitor. Go for this plan if the competitors are not offering a similar speed tier. This is one of the best cox internets plans to bundle TV and phone services.

Pros

• High-Speed downloads
• Consistent upload speeds
• Excellent uptime

Cons

• Higher cost to value compared to competitors 
• Contract-bound

Cox Gigablast Review

Or, the Gigablast plan boasts super-fast 1 Gbps download speeds with 35 Mbps upload speeds. This highest-tier plan costs $99.99 per month.

Gigablast – 1000 Mbps | $99.99/mo

This plan can support a virtually unlimited number of simultaneous internet users and devices. Along with being the best option for avid gamers, 4K streaming on several devices, and multiple household members that work or learn online, the Gigablast plan is also perfect for ultra-connected homes with multiple smart home devices.

Speeds & Data Cap

Cox’s fastest internet speed plans stand well compared to other top ISPs like Comcast Xfinity and Charter Spectrum. With this service plan, the ISP promises download speeds of 1 Gbps and upload speeds of 35 Mbps. One reason I upgraded to this speed tier was the increasing list of smart home gadgets at my home.

When I was testing the gigabit internet speed of the Cox, the downloads were consistently above 930Mbps. The cox gigabit upload speeds were delivering the above-promised capped speeds of 35Mbps.

Here’s a speed test result of the Cox Gigablast plan:

It is with this speed tier, that I frequently breached the data cap of 1.25TB. But was successful in managing to keep the overage fees at $10.

Performance

Coupled with a powerful DOCSIS 3.1 modem and Wi-Fi 6 router, you’ll be able to get the most out of this internet plan. Full-fledged automated smart homes with security cameras, video doorbells, multiple smart TV, and gaming consoles will come close to testing the throughput capacity of this plan.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

Like other plans, Cox charges a premium of $99.99. From the second year, the cost raises to $119.99, which is still more expensive than its competitors. With this plan, you’ll get better value than the other plans offered by Cox internet.

Pros

• UN-throttled high-speed internet 
• Cox Gigablast upload speed is highest among other plans
• Better cost to the data value

Cons

• Only for heavy-duty users and large homes

Data Caps

Does Cox have unlimited data?

All Cox internet plans have a 1.25 TB data cap. This is fairly difficult to go over for the average household. But, it is not impossible for especially active online households.

To give you an idea of exactly how much 1.25 TB of data is, you can use it to stream 10 hours of HD video, play 3 hours of online multiplayer games, browse the web for 9 hours, or video chat for 8 hours every day for a month.

After your courtesy credit is used, customers are automatically billed an extra $10 charge for 50 more gigabytes of data. If that is exceeded, the $10 charge for 50 GB continues until the customer reaches a maximum limit of $100.

If Cox customers need unlimited data, they have the option to pay an extra $40 per month to remove the data cap. There are ways to save on this charge by taking advantage of bundling options.

Cox Internet Availability

The Cox Internet is available in the following states of the US:

The Cox Internet is available in the following cities in the US:

Installation & Additional Fees

Apart from pricey Cox internet packages, the ISP has the costliest professional installation fee. This is why I suggest you self-install Cox internet and save $100. Trust me, it’s easy!

The two dominant players in the cable-based internet segment, Xfinity and Spectrum, charge less. Monthly rentals on modem-router combo offer value if you cannot afford to invest in a powerful modem and router at the outset for your high-speed plan. If you are on the lower-speed tier, you are better off getting your own devices.

While Spectrum doesn’t charge rentals for the modem, Xfinity charges $14. The other internet service providers charge between $5-$10. The early termination fee can also come to bite back if you end up changing service providers.

Cox charges late payment fees after 23 grace days, the standard among internet service providers. Spectrum offers up to 30 days of the grace period. The late payments with Cox are a percent of the bill, which ends up being lesser than the standard fixed-rate charged by other ISPs.

StraightUp Internet (Prepaid)

Along with its standard internet plans, Cox has a prepaid cable internet option called StraightUp Internet. It is a pay-as-you-go internet service with no contract.

StraightUp Internet gives you internet speeds up to 100 Mbps for the fixed monthly price of $50. A modem and router or gateway are included for no extra cost. There are no installation, equipment rental, or hidden fees.

Just like with all other Cox internet plans, there is a 1.25 TB data cap. With StraightUp Internet, you choose when you want to recharge your account on a month-to-month basis.

To recharge your StraightUp Internet service, you can log in to your account online and pay with your credit or debit card. Or, you can enroll online for automatic payments.

You can also opt in to pay via text messages. Another option is to contact Cox directly, or visit a Cox store location to recharge your service.

Panoramic Wifi

Cox offers an advanced gateway called Panoramic WiFi. This cutting-edge combination cable modem router reduces interference in the home and provides a very strong WiFi signal. It delivers a better internet usage experience by automatically selecting the best WiFi frequencies for streaming, browsing the web, and sharing files.

With Panoramic WiFi, most homes will get reliable coverage with no dead zones. For very large homes, Panoramic WiFi Pods can be purchased separately to extend the WiFi signal even further and ensure seamless whole-home connectivity.

Panoramic Wifi has many benefits, including wall-to-wall coverage, improved protection with Advanced Security, fee-free equipment upgrades every 3 years, Wifi optimized for online gaming with Elite Gamer, and a dedicated app. It is included with the Essential 100 plan, or Panoramic Wifi equipment can be rented with any other Cox internet plan for $14 per month.

Features of Advanced Security include prevention of cyberattacks by letting you know when you are visiting a malicious website or a potential victim of phishing, blocking unknown connections, and 24/7 scanning for threats with alerts if any are detected. It can be switched on through the Panoramic WiFi app.

Elite Gamer is a Panoramic WiFi feature that automatically finds the fastest path to online gaming servers, optimizing the connection. This results in up to 32% less lag, fewer ping spikes, and a smooth connection with less jitter when multi-player gaming. Elite Gamer also includes a dashboard that allows you to monitor real-time gaming connection quality, improvements, and previous online gaming session details.

The Panoramic WiFi app gives you enhanced functionality over your home WiFi network. It can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store. From the app, you can manage your WiFi network and connections in a variety of ways. For example, you can control WiFi settings, manage your network, name devices connected to your home network, turn on Advanced Security features, and monitor how much data each device on your network is using.

Cox WiFi Hotspots

Cox internet customers gain access to millions of WiFi hotspots throughout the United States. Currently, free WiFi is available at 4 million locations across the country. The Cox app can help you find hotspots nearby. Or, you can find the closest hotspot to your location by typing an address into the Cox Hotspot Map.

Connecting to a Cox WiFi hotspot is simple. Just search for WiFi networks and your device and select the CableWiFi or CoxWiFi option. Open the browser on your device and log in with your Cox account.

Bundle Packages from Cox

Cox offers internet, TV, and voice bundles, one of its strong suits. Even as a bundle, they are pricier compared to their competitors. Going for a Cox bundle makes much more sense as a customer than a stand-alone internet package.

You’ll have full-fledged customer support with the Internet, TV, Voice, and Homelife. You can connect up to 4 cameras with recording facilities with home life.

Customer Support & User Reviews

If you need help with your Cox internet service, Cox has an Internet Support section on their website. It includes answers to FAQs, solutions to common internet problems, how-to-videos, and helpful internet tools like a device speed test, data usage meter, and SmartHelp modem reset.

The reviews for Cox cable services are a mixed bag. While it has seen an increase in Customer satisfaction surveys, it remains lower than the average for ISPs. Of all the cable-based service providers, only Xfinity had a better rating, which faced a drop in satisfaction compared to the previous year.

During the last year, Cox faced multiple instances of unplanned outages with longer resolution times, one of the major reasons for lower customer satisfaction in the southern region of the US.

Cox’s strongest customer service rating came from the eastern states of the USA, where the customer service and downtime were comparatively better.

Here’s what existing users have to say about Cox internet services:

I had a second cable box installed in my garage. The cox representative arrived on time, was extremely knowledgeable, and provided an enjoyable deposition. He was very efficient and completed the work quickly while never sacrificing quality. I would definitely recommend Cox Communications to my family and friends!

Kayla F Collins

As shared on Homeowner

My friend suggested switching to Cox for a few months. I was not ready at first, but then I was so grateful! It has good downloads and uploads, and the support staff knows their jobs. Now I recommend it to all of my friends.

Alan K Taylor 

As shared on Homeowner

I was a Cox customer for 8 years in Kansas before we recently moved to Utah. They were pricey yet very reliable and fast. Customer service was always great! I wish Cox would come to Utah. It is the most reliable connection and also very good value for money.

Joel S Kim

As shared on Homeowner

I just got off the phone with one of their customer support regarding downtime. I was frustrated and abrupt when I called in. Her polite, calm response put me at ease, and she quickly made my connection. Excellent work!

Kylie B Holmes

As shared on Homeowner

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Cox is one of the most expensive internet providers. They offer reliable internet, where the limit of fiber and other big market players’ foot presence is minimal. And that’s when it makes sense to opt for them.

Their video of demand and TV services have been one of their strengths with the customer satisfaction index, seeing constant improvement over the years. It’d be diligent to go for their bundle services, where you’ll avoid the hassle of managing the services separately.