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Astound Broadband internet reviews

Astound Broadband
Staff rating
4.1
Customer rating
4.0
(13)
Price: $19.99 - $135.89/moSpeed: 110 Mbps - 1200 MbpsChannels: 302+DVR storage hours: 125
staff review
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Headshot of Kathryn Casna
Researched by
Kathryn CasnaSenior Staff Writer
Headshot of Bri Field
Reviewed by
Bri FieldAssigning Editor
Updated 2/9/23

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Extremely cheap internet—for a year

Top-notch customer service and shockingly low intro pricing make switching to one of Astound’s brands (Wave, RCN, Grande, or enTouch) an easy choice. But opting for gear rental or sticking with Astound for longer than a year will cost you. Big.


What we like

  • Award-winning service and speed
  • Low introductory prices
  • No contract required
What we dislike

  • Super steep price hikes
  • Expensive installation and equipment

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Astound Broadband internet review
Our expert review of Astound Broadband internet service.
Source: Switchful YouTube
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Before digging too deep...
Make sure Astound Broadband is available in your area.
Savings tip: Astound Broadband often has sign-up promotions for first-time customers. Call 1-844-716-2786 to ask a rep about current deals and discounts.
Check deals

Our expert assessment

Value
4.5
Mark your calendar now for internet shopping next year

Astound offers supercheap DSL, cable, and fiber internet plans with at least three plan options and no data caps in most areas. Nearly all plans are priced under $50 for the first year, and if you’re paying that much, you’re likely getting at least 940 Mbps of speed. National benchmarks for similar plans are in the $130 range, so you’ll be getting a great deal. (1)

Unfortunately, after a year, prices skyrocket, with some of the lowest-tier plans reaching nearly 10x your introductory price—which is quite a bit higher than the national benchmark. As long as you don’t stick around longer than that (and Astound won’t force you into a multi-year contract), this internet service provider (ISP) will probably be your best value option. We recommend shopping around for internet service at least annually anyway, so this might not be a big deal for a lot of people.

Pricing details vary by location. Visit
Astound Broadband's website
or call 1-844-716-2786 to speak with a rep.
See pricing
Performance
4.5
Award-winning speed—on average

Astound Broadband is very fast. That said, as with most ISPs, you may not experience the speeds advertised for your plan because speeds fluctuate based on numerous conditions.

With Astound, the speed on your plan is the “average” that customers see, so your speeds will vary depending on the gear you’re using, time of day, how many devices are using your Wi-Fi, and more. If you see persistent speed issues, Astound encourages you to call customer service to get help figuring out the issue.

Available speeds vary by location. Call 1-844-716-2786 to speak with a Astound Broadband rep or
go to its website.
Equipment and installation
3.0
DIY your equipment and installation for more savings

You can rent a modem and one of two Wi-Fi routers from Astound, bringing your total monthly equipment costs between $17 and $27 or more—which is on the high side. For most people, the Whole Home Wi-Fi router option will be the right choice. It includes an eero router and an extender, and you can add more extenders to ensure coverage throughout your entire home. Gamers and other heavy streamers should consider the Nighthawk Pro gaming router to reduce lag spikes and achieve more consistent speeds.

To save money, consider using your own gear or use Astound’s free self-setup option, which is available in most areas. But you'll pay around $10 to activate your service. Even if you’re not tech savvy, this provider’s detailed online instructions and videos make it easy. If you do want professional help or your home isn’t already properly wired, professional installation starts around $80, which is about average.

As an Amazon Associate, Switchful.com may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Equipment and installation options can vary widely depending on
Astound Broadband plans
available in your area.
View plans
Customer experience
4.5
Award-winning customer service, many times over

Astound has (sorry in advance) astounding customer service. This company won fifth place in PCMag's Reader's Choice award in 2022 (2), and before it consolidated them under the Astound brand, Grande, Wave, RCN, and WOW! were all recognized in 2021 (3) and we can see why Astound is a fan favorite. You don't have to sign a contract if you don't want to, your plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and if your technician is late for your appointment, Astound will pay you $20 for the inconvenience. Put it all together, and you get a top-notch customer experience.

Visit Astound Broadband's website
or call 1-844-716-2786 for more information on contracts and money-back guarantees.
Go to provider
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Ready for the next step?
See if Astound Broadband services your area.
We stand by the validity of our reviews and are committed to transparency: Our team uses consumer sentiment software to source customer reviews, which are entirely unique to this website. Reviewers attest to being current customers of the providers they review and are not incentivized to speak positively or negatively about their experience. We do not alter the reviews in any way. Learn more about how we source reviews.

Astound Broadband customer ratings overview

Astound Broadband
4.0
(13)
5 Star
23%
4 Star
54%
3 Star
23%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Our reviews come from real customers who weren't incentivized to leave a review. The rating distribution typically shows a range of experiences and opinions that helps you get a sense for the average customer experience, not just extremes.

Top reviews from Astound Broadband customers

D
Deborahfrom Hyannis, MA
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 5-8-2023
I like Astound very much and would recommend it
J
Junnefrom Chicago, IL
Astound Broadband Customer for 4+ years
Reviewed on: 4-28-2023
Astound has a great price but not a lot of stations for TV
B
Baxter from Odessa, TX
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 3-24-2023
Astound's service is quite unreliable and the price is too high. When it is working it is good though.
J
Juliettefrom Somerville, MA
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 3-20-2023
Generally, Astound is pretty good. It's usually reliable, and the speed is right for what I need. I don't often have to wait for things to buffer and downloads/uploads take a reasonable amount of time. But sometimes the internet cuts out and there is little explanation, it seems to happen randomly (not when there is a storm or obvious problem). It doesn't happen frequently though so I like Astound overall.
A
Aspen from Arlington, WA
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 3-8-2023
The internet service from Astound is absolutely awesome, however it's way too expensive and the rates keep going up. I would switch if my apartment complex would allow a less expensive company.
L
Leroyfrom Chicago, IL
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 8-29-2022
they are reliable. good customer service. far too expensive . hate that they raise prices too often.
S
Sandrafrom Chicago, IL
Astound Broadband Customer for 4+ years
Reviewed on: 8-29-2022
It has been variable. For the first years as RCN, it was great. As the prices went up, the quality went down, with frequent short outages and occasional longer ones lasting several hours. At this point, it seems to be recovering reasonably.
J
Jamedfrom Bastrop, LA
Astound Broadband Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 8-29-2022
I'm very happy with Astound. I have used them for a long time and haven't had too many issues. When there are issues they seem to get fixed fast
G
Graziafrom Astoria, NY
Astound Broadband Customer for Less than a year
Reviewed on: 8-29-2022
I had no issues so far, the service is reliable and at a good price
P
Paulfrom Catasauqua, PA
Astound Broadband Customer for 4+ years
Reviewed on: 6-24-2022
I think they charge much too much for their dservice. Lower prices
J
Juliefrom Passaic, NJ
Astound Broadband Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 6-24-2022
I hope the Internet speed is faster and the price is lower
M
Margaretfrom New York, NY
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 6-17-2022
Astound 5G wifi have increased the speed from my previous internet. I was very happy with the promotion price at $39.99 but when my contract expired my payments doubled. With the spottiness and occasional dropped connections each month, I don't see the value I am paying for.
L
Lynfrom Somerville, MA
Astound Broadband Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 6-17-2022
I am satisfied with my Astound (formally RCN) service. The signal is consistent. I have no suggestions for improvement.
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Endnotes and sources
  1. 2022 Urban Rate Survey – Fixed Broadband Service,” FCC. Accessed 9 December 2022.
  2. Readers’ Choice 2022: Your Favorite ISPs for Any Type of Broadband,” PCMag. Accessed 9 December 2022.
  3. Readers’ Choice 2021: Internet Service Providers,” PCMag. Accessed 9 December 2022.