Optimum Internet Review: Plans, Speed Tests, Availability & More!

Are you planning to go for Optimum internet services? Wondering if their TV / Voice bundle is beneficial? Do you have questions about their speeds, availability, performance, uptime, and reliability? You are at the right place.

Whether you’re a working professional, gamer, streamer, or your family members prefer binge-watching OTT content, Optimum’s service packages might take care of all your requirement.

I spent a good chunk of my time living in NY where the ISP has a good customer base and offers the fastest Internet services. Having switched to all their plans one by one, I’m well aware of their quality of service and hence my Optimum reviews should help you make an informed call.

Optimum Online Internet Plans

Note: All of the testing for this article was done with a high-end Optimum-compatible modem and a TP-Link Archer AX6600 premium wireless router. If you choose to rent the gateway device from ISP or set up Optimum internet with less powerful equipment, you might not experience the promised speeds.

Optimum 100 Review

Speeds & Data Cap

Depending on your area, you’ll either get a fiber-based service or cable-based internet. The optimum online speed for uploads is contingent on that factor. I’ve mostly had cable-based internet services of Optimum throughout the time I spend in NY/NJ.

You’ll have access to 100 Mbps of download speeds and 20 Mbps of upload speeds for cable-based services and 100 Mbps of uploads for fiber-based internet. I was one of the early customers to get over 35Mbps uploads, while my downloads clocked above 90Mbps.

Here is a speed test result of the Optimum 100 service plan:

Even the lower tier cheaper plans of Optimum don’t have data caps.

Performance

I was sharing my internet connection with couple more individuals. We had a couple of desktops, tablets, and mobile devices accessing the network. The speeds are sufficient to support mobile gaming, quality video calling, surfing, social media, and media streaming without any issues.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

Affordable package for any small household. For the first year, Optimum internet is excellent value for money. While this package is available in only select areas, it makes a lot of sense to go for this package if you require internet for a temporary duration without any cancellation or contract.

Pros

• No contract
• No termination fees
• Affordable

Cons

• Steep price hike

Optimum 300 Review

Speeds & Data Cap

Optimum promises download speeds of 300Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps (cable-based), and 300Mbps (fiber based), for its new customers. My downloads consistently clocked over 260Mbps and uploads above 30Mbps.

Here is a speed test result of the Optimum 300 service plan:

Thanks to the lack of a data cap, we could go on gaming marathons and media binging without being conscious of our data consumption.

Performance

I faced no problems during our multi-player gaming sessions on the weekend. A dozen mobile devices streaming music, and videos, and surfing the internet hardly caused any problems. But we had to balance our heavy TV streaming and gaming sessions to keep our sessions smooth.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

The $40 for the 300 Mbps download speeds is bang for the buck. If you are lucky enough to get fiber-based services, you’ll be able to manage heavy uploads for streaming games without any hassle. Only Verizon FiOS offers cheaper packages at this speed tier.

Pros

• Consistent download speeds
• No data caps

Cons

• Limited area serviceability for fiber-based services.

Optimum 500 Review

Speeds & Data Cap

For its new customers, Optimum online offers speeds of 500/500 Mbps(fiber based) and 500/20 Mbps(cable-based). Optimum download speed clocked well above 480Mbps. As an existing customer, it was allowing uploads above 35 Mbps.

Here is a speed test result of the Optimum 500 service plan:

Performance

Starting from this speed tier, you’ll find their powerful WiFi-6 gateway handy. If you are using your own devices, you’ll need an Optimum-compatible router with a multi-core processor and sufficient memory to handle the data activities like 4K streaming, console gaming, video calling, and remote work setup.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

Optimum charges $65 for this package. A one-off package that ranks costlier than its competitors. Cox charges more while other ISPs like WOW, Xfinity Verizon, and Spectrum are cheaper options, but if your neighborhood has access to Verizon, Optimum will offer a great option.

Pros

• No data caps
• No contracts 
• High download speeds

Cons

• Higher cost compared to other ISPs

Optimum 1 Gig Review

Speeds & Data Cap

1000 Mbps is an extremely fast internet speed and Optimum offers 940/940 Mbps for fiber-based plans and 940/35 Mbps for cable/fiber hybrid users.

Finally, I had access to the complete fiber-based internet of Optimum. The Optimum download speeds and upload speeds were almost equal. In my test, my smartphone was raking downloads above 940Mbps, while the uploads were closer to 900Mbps on average.

Here is a speed test result of the Optimum 1 Gig internet:

The no data cap policy turned out to be fruitful in this case, where it was easy to breach the 1.25TB cap set by other ISPs in my locale.

Performance

To get the most out of this speed tier, it is essential to have a WiFi-6 router or a tri-band WiFi-5 router. As it gets harder for mid-range routers to manage the bandwidth shared between 40 devices.

Combined with a powerful router, you can enjoy 4K streaming, high-graphic gaming, and high-quality video calling along with a bunch of mobile gadgets and tablets accessing the network.

Cost-to-Ownership Value

The 1Gig plan is a great value buy for the first year at $75. Verizon costs a few bucks cheaper, but the greater coverage of Optimum would make it one of the best fiber-based options compared to other ISPs.

Pros

• High upload and download speeds
• Suitable for automated homes
• Contract free

Cons

• Price hike from the second year

Optimum Availability

Optimum has a substantial presence in the USA across 21 states and more than 700 serviceable areas. Being a hybrid of Coax and Fiber internet, it has to compete with both Cable and Fiber-based ISPs like Xfinity by Comcast, Charter Spectrum, Cox, Verizon FiOS, and more.

Despite tussling with big market players, Optimum internet has a strong customer base for its high-speed fiber services in New York Tri-State and parts of Long Island.

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

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

Installation & Additional Fees

Known for its affordable packages, Optimum also runs its services with no contract or data cap. The professional installation fee is also lesser than average among other ISPs.

Spectrum is one of the largest ISPs with a lower installation fee of $50. Xfinity and Cox charge higher than Optimum. Other fibers and hybrid internet service providers charge north of $75 if you opt for technical assistance.

Their gateway charges stay below the average while most cable ISP charges above $12. Optimum charges a flat $10 for late payments, which are on the higher end compared to cable-based Xfinity. Cox, Spectrum, and on par with Fiber-based ISPs like AT&T, and Verizon. Pay your bills on time.

Bundle Packages

Optimum allows you to bundle TV, and voice services with your internet connection. You’ll not be able to choose TV and voice services without the internet. While the optimum internet pricing is on the cheaper side, the bundles are priced on par with other service providers when you choose the internet, TV, and voice.

Their dual (internet and TV or internet and Voice) bundles are still comparatively cheaper than other ISPs. Optimum allows you to mix and match its bundle with no fixed bundle plans. You can choose your internet package and add additional services. This has an upside and a downside.

You’ll not have attractive bundle offers that saves you a big deal of money for choosing a bundle, but you also avoid the trap pricing schemes (Switch to a higher tier/ package bundle after the 1^st year) used by a few ISP service providers.

Customer Support & User Reviews

Optimum has had one of the lowest customer satisfaction indexes for the past three years. But it has very little to do with the reliability of the internet service or the customer service. The sole reason driving customer satisfaction is their opaque pricing and the steep price increments from the second year, which leaves a chunk of customers dissatisfied.

For the last few years, Optimum has kept large-scale service disruptions and downtimes to a minimum.

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

I’ve been an Optimum customer for over 2.5 years and love the service, especially the fact that I pay a single bill for internet, phone, and cable service. I also have Flix and premium stations, and I can get weather and traffic information whenever I want.

Everett K Lewis 

As shared with Homeowner

Being a non-techie person, Optimum just solved everything. My last internet was a headache but the service staff of this ISP is professional, patient, and very helpful. They take their time explaining everything and are very patient in doing so.

Briella P Howard

As shared with Homeowner

Thus far, so good. They are quick, friendly, and knowledgeable. When I call, they are usually able to assist me right away. Plus, I get to pay for what I use. A satisfied customer is a loyal customer. For years, this has been my motto.

Felix I Wright

As shared with Homeowner

I am completely satisfied with Optimum’s uptime. The service is always dependable, and if I have a problem, I always get excellent customer service. I couldn’t imagine paying too much with another cable company. I’ve been a customer since 2018 and will continue to do so.

Lila V Ortiz

As shared with Homeowner

Frequently Asked Questions

Optimum Fiber-based internet is your second best, affordable internet option next to Verizon FiOS. Affordable starting packages with no contracts or termination fees make it even more attractive. Although the steeper price increments have been a deterring factor in customer satisfaction, it’s worth a try until you can latch on to a different ISP.