staff review

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Researched by

Kathryn CasnaSenior Staff Writer

Reviewed by

Bri FieldAssigning Editor

Updated 2/7/23

We’re committed to transparency. We may earn money when you follow our recommendations, but compensation doesn’t affect our ratings. Learn more.

Low starting prices and reliable internet speeds

Cox provides a great customer experience and reliable speeds, but you’ll spend more for higher-speed plans, extra data, and add-ons.

What we like

Plan variety and options
Great customer experience
Generous, unthrottled data cap

What we dislike

Expensive plans
Steep data overages
So-so availability

Cox internet review 2023 - Fastest cable internet? video thumbnail — Our expert review on Cox cable internet

Before digging too deep...

Make sure Cox Communications is available in your area.

Savings tip: Cox often has sign-up promotions for first-time customers. Call 1-844-719-0028 to ask a rep about current deals and discounts.

Check deals

Our expert assessment

Value

3.0

Good budget plans, but you’ll pay high prices for top speeds

Cox plans range from around $0.60/Mbps for low-speed plans to around $0.10/Mbps for the fastest plan, which is more expensive than other cable internet providers. The good news? Cox has more lower-speed plan options, so if your internet budget tops out at $50 a month, Cox might be your new best friend. At speeds of 200 Mbps and above, however, Cox loses the price war.

What you get for the money is pretty good. All plans have a 1.25 TB data cap (unless you pay an extra $50 per month for unlimited), but that’s more than most people need. And unlike providers where unlimited comes standard, Cox won’t throttle your speed if you get a little data-hungry. Just beware of overage charges (which can really add up) if you go over the limit.

Pricing details vary by location. Visit

Cox's website

or call 1-844-719-0028 to speak with a rep.

See pricing

Performance

4.5

Speeds are very reliable, but expect minor slowdowns at peak times

Generally, Cox delivers the speeds it says it does, sometimes even a bit higher—though the speed you experience also depends on lots of factors, such as the equipment you’re using and your distance from the router.

Cox specializes in cable internet, which is faster than DSL and satellite, but slower and less reliable than fiber. It’s also typically cheaper and more reliable than wireless internet. The US Federal Communication Commission, in fact, says actual speeds from Cox are faster than advertised and nearly identical to competitor Optimum. Those speeds are stable, too. The report found slowdowns less than 5% of the time. (1) However, cable internet is known to be slower during peak usage times because you and your neighbors are all using the same street lines.

Available speeds vary by location. Call 1-844-719-0028 to speak with a Cox rep or

go to its website.

Equipment and installation

3.5

Rent a Gateway or bring your own networking equipment

Cox’s Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway ($13/month to rent) is a modem and router in one, and you can purchase (but not rent) additional Wi-Fi pods ($129.99 each) that plug into a regular power outlet to reduce dead spots in your home. Because these pods can be used only with Cox, they're only an ideal solution if you plan to be with Cox for several years. The good news is Cox is also compatible with tons of other modems and routers, so you could save a few bucks while using your own gear.

With Cox, a self-installation kit is free. But if getting set up on your own makes you sweat, a Cox professional can install it for $100... but that installation cost goes up if your home isn’t already wired up and ready to go. They’ll ensure cabling makes it from the street into your home, but you might need to hire a contractor or handyman to run wires to a specific room.

Equipment and installation options can vary widely depending on

Cox plans

available in your area.

View plans

Customer experience

3.5

Decent customer service, and you can pay for extra tech help

Reviews for internet service providers are notoriously low in general, but Cox does pretty well according to our real customer reviews. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) ranks Cox ninth in customer satisfaction among internet service providers—the same as Frontier. (2) That's lower than average, but not by much.

We think Cox’s 30-day, no hassle money-back guarantee is solid. And in our own experience with Cox, we've had solid customer service interactions. If you opt for self-installation, you can still get plenty of help online or by phone if needed. But if you use your own gear or technology isn’t your thing, $10/month will get you extra help, day or night, for things like malware removal, software installation and reconfiguration, and general troubleshooting.

Visit Cox's website

or call 1-844-719-0028 for more information on contracts and money-back guarantees.

Go to provider

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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.

Cox Communications customer ratings overview

Cox Communications

4.1

(122)

5 Star

43%

4 Star

33%

3 Star

21%

2 Star

1 Star

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 Cox Communications customers

Dyanafrom Carpinteria, CA

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 5-5-2023

Cox goes through periods of many, many outages. Usually these are do to mishaps (they cut through a line somewhere etc.) It can be annoying and frustrating, as we both work from home and rely on internet service. The phone reps often claim that there is no problem in our area, only to confess later that we have a major issue. We have frequent short outages as well. More reliable service, please. We pay a good amount for basic internet only, no television service. Should not receive rate increases so frequently.

Jasonfrom Del City , OK

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 5-5-2023

It is a good provider. No major problems. They are a little high in price.

Brigittefrom Delcambre, LA

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 5-2-2023

I HAVE NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH COX BUT I DO BELIEVE THEY COULD BE A LITTLE CHEAPER

Greg from Irvine, CA

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 4-28-2023

Cox requires bundles to get the best price value, which includes internet, telephone, and TV. Cox is inconsistent and with this pricing doesn't stick with offered pricing. TV service is also sporadic and frustrating to fix when needed. Internet service is good but pricing for speed improvements is not worth the cost since is is not a consistent increased speed benefit.

Robfrom Las Vegas , NV

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 4-24-2023

Cox does well for the things I need it to do. I've had very little issues I can think of

Lisafrom Phoenix, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 4-23-2023

I can not go out to my back yard with my lap top because it becomes slower, and if on a video call will freeze and stutter. It is crazy expensive in Phoenix, however Cox is the only reliable provider in the area, they are so much better than any other provider in the area.

Aprilfrom Mesa, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 4-12-2023

So far I have ahd no problems with Cox but lower prices would be nice

Laurenfrom Roanoke, VA

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 4-11-2023

It was the only choice available for internet when I resigned a 2 year contract. It lags and disconnects randomly, a lot lately.

Joshuafrom Phoenix, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 4-4-2023

Service can get throttled at certain times if the day which is a pain. Other than that it's all pretty average internet. Not great but also not bad

Jodyfrom Wichita , KA

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 3-30-2023

I have had reliable and quality service for over a year. I would recommend Cox based on this and when comparing it to prior experiences.

Angela from Pensacola, FL

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 3-28-2023

I love Cox I wouldn't change a thing price is good quality is good speed is good and it's reliable

Lauriefrom Parma Heights, OH

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 3-24-2023

I have been a customer for a very long time. Cox does not reward loyal customers and continues to increase the price of service

Tinafrom Broken Arrow , OK

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 3-24-2023

I like cox because they are reliable and the price is reasonable. I'd love to bundle with them but their cable is too expensive

Karen from Erath, LA

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 3-23-2023

I have had no problem with cox.

Tomfrom Norman, OK

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 3-21-2023

Cox is reliable and trustworthy. I haven't had any issues with them. Would recommend to a friend if asked.

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Endnotes and sources

"Measuring Fixed Broadband - Tenth Report," FCC. Accessed 5 August 2022.
“Internet Service Providers,” ASCI. Accessed 7 December 2022.