staff review

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Researched by

Kathryn CasnaSenior Staff Writer

Reviewed by

See review team

Updated 4/10/23

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Good for bundling and premium channels, but not the best standalone value

Cox Communications is one of the most expensive cable TV providers on the market, especially when you consider all the hidden costs. But if you want sports and premium channels, have only one TV, and bundle with internet and other services, this provider could make sense for you.

What we like

Large number of premium channels
Tiered DVR storage and recording
Searches streaming apps too

What we don't like

Pricey plans and hidden costs
Padded channel lineup
No free DVR storage

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

Content

4.0

Above-average channel lineup, especially for sports and news

Cox has some of the best channel line-ups we've seen, with more to watch for just about everyone. Family-friendly entertainment is Cox's weakest link, but it's still better than a lot of competitors.

Local: 4/5
Cox has a great local lineup, including staples like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS, and The CW. It also includes some great Spanish-language locals like Univision, Telemundo, Unimas, and Estrella. However, it's missing Ion, Cozi, and Comet.

Sports: 4.5/5
Cox cable TV includes a great sports lineup in its Preferred (mid-tier) and Ultimate (top tier) plans. ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, and the Golf channel are all included in a Preferred plan, and the Ultimate plan adds NFL Network, NFL Red Zone, the Tennis Channel, and the elusive MLB channel. Most competitors typically offer these last three as expensive add-ons, so Cox is ahead of the game here.

Family and education: 3.5/5
Cox has some decent family entertainment, especially when it comes to educational content. You'll get Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, History, National Geographic, and the Science Channel, but you'll miss out on Nat Geo Wild and Smithsonian. The kids will love Cartoon Network, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Nick Jr., but the little ones won't get to enjoy Disney Junior.

News and politics: 4.5/5
Cox has excellent news coverage and politics content. Not only do you get the local news shows, you get most of the big national news channels too. You get C-SPAN, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, Newsmax, and The Weather Channel. Our biggest gripe is that you'll miss out on the international perspective of BBC America.

Entertainment and lifestyle: 4/5
Cox has some decent entertainment options, including Comedy Central, Bravo, CMT, AMC, FX and FXX, two Hallmarks, and Sundance. It's missing some lifestyle channels though, like HGTV and The Cooking Channel, but it has the Food Network and TLC. But what makes Cox stand out is how many premium channels it includes in its top-tier plan. If you spring for the Ultimate plan, you’ll get ten HBO, eleven Cinemax, five SHOWTIME, and nine STARZ channels—at no extra charge.

Local news, sports, and entertainment channels vary based on your location. Check out

Cox channel offerings

in your area.

View plans

Value

3.0

Great channels, but lineups are inflated by filler channels

Although it looks like Cox has a ton of channels, its lineup (which varies by plan and location) is padded with up to 50 music channels. (1) Other than that, Cox delivers a great channel lineup, especially in its top-tier plan. However, it’ll cost you more than other companies.

You’ll get the most bang for your buck (and some sweet premium channels) with the Ultimate plan, but a Premium plan has plenty of channels for most people and the option to add inexpensive premium channels à la carte, which range from $5–$15 per. We don’t generally recommend the Starter plan because you can get most of its channels for free with an HD antenna, though that signal is less reliable than what Cox provides.

Cox Communications has two types of plans. Cox TV includes live TV and on-demand TV. Cox Contour adds the ability to connect streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime to your TV and search their content using a remote. All plans come with a one- or two-year contract, after which you’ll be on month-to-month pricing, which is around $15/month more.

Get the best value by speaking directly with a sales rep at 1-844-719-0028 or check your address at

Cox's website.

Check address

Equipment and features

4.0

The app could save you money, but DVR will cost you

When it comes to equipment and features, Cox is ahead of the pack. From a great app to exceptional DVR features to a search remote that simultaneously searches streaming apps and cable TV, using Cox is a top-notch experience.

Ability to watch: Great
Cox offers some solid features that make for a great entertainment experience. Cox TV uses cable infrastructure to keep you reliably binging your favorite shows. Your first Contour box is free, and every additional one is $8.50/month, which is cheaper than average. Plus, it has the Cox Contour app, so if you have smart TVs and don't need DVR on all of them, you don't need additional boxes. On the down side, the Cox Contour App has low ratings for both iOS and Android, so you might want to opt for more Contour boxes anyway.

Ability to record: Excellent
The Cox DVR service uses cloud storage so you can access recorded shows anywhere with the Cox Contour app. The Contour app also lets you download on-demand content to watch offline from anywhere.

How much storage you get (50–1,000 HD hours) and how many shows you can record at a time (1 to a whopping 24!) depends on which DVR package you buy. Or you can skip DVR altogether to avoid the additional cost.

Ability to find: Great
While at home with your TV, you’ll use a voice remote to sort through your shows—even the ones on streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. You don't have to remember which app your show is on to find it, which we loved. It made our entire watching experience—not just our live TV experience—a delight.

Features and equipment may vary based on package. Visit

Cox's website

or call 1-844-719-0028 for more information.

Customer experience

3.0

Solid service and installation, but could use more transparency

Most customers report that Cox has solid customer service, and that's been our experience too. Cox also has some good self-help content on its website. We liked having the option to save money by signing a contract or skip the commitment altogether. However, Cox could work on its transparency. It has some hidden fees that you can't see until after you supply personal information. We'd love the ability to build a cart and see what our bill will be before sharing that.

Installation is generally fast and priced about average. If your house is already wired with cable jacks for all your TVs, self-install is a free, easy option. Professional installation varies by location but will run you around $75, which is pretty inexpensive. Learn how to choose between self installation or professional installation.

Visit Cox's website

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

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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

4.2

(40)

5 Star

40%

4 Star

45%

3 Star

12%

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

Tiffanyfrom Muldrow, OK

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 9/12/2022

It's okay wish it was cheaper and sometimes it doesn't work

Travis from Peoria , AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 9/11/2022

I'm overall pleased with my service. I rarely have problems. I've only had my service go bad once and it was fixed promptly.

Shillafrom East Providence , MA

Cox Communications Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 9/8/2022

They don't need to improve anything. It's fine the way it is. No changes necessary

Corey from Las Vegas , NV

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 9/6/2022

It's been a pretty great experience. I watch sports movie content I use to watch cartoons a lot. They really do well bye having technology going smoothly.

Edwin from New Orleans, LA

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 9/3/2022

They provide quality. They are consistent. And have variety

Lindy from Las Vegas, NV

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 9/2/2022

I just have the basic kit comes with my apartment extra package that I pay with my rent is $99 which to me is ridiculous for Just a basic cable

Jenfrom Tulsa , OK

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 9/2/2022

It's just ok. It is actually included with my all Bill's paid rent I pay. I mainly access streaming services through my roku device.

Isabelfrom Roanoke, VA

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 8/31/2022

After 5 years with Comcast, I appreciate the quick response to problems that I get from Cox. There's always someone I can talk to and if my problem needs a visit to the house, it's not a problem. Their pricing is also better than the same features with Comcast.

Heather from Mesa, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8/31/2022

Lower prices

Jennafrom Ocoee, FL

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 8/30/2022

Great value and very easy to use. Has variety of different shows and movies to watch

Michellefrom Omaha, NE

Cox Communications Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 8/22/2022

I like it I think it's pretty cool it's good service good customer service. I don't see myself Social Services anytime soon they have really good internet and everything else I liked about them and they're in my area close to where

Samantha from Goodyear, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8/22/2022

Not the best. But probably the best price for what we get. Not my favorite though

Bonniefrom North Las Vegas, NV

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 8/22/2022

The price is ok, I just wish I had a DVR and on demand, but those cost so much extra I couldn't afford it.

Jonathan from Omaha , NE

Cox Communications Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8/13/2022

It is very good I love their service and features

Scott from Mesa, AZ

Cox Communications Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 8/6/2022

Offering bundled packages and a large range of channels and products

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Endnotes and sources

1. "Channel Lineup," Cox Communications. Accessed 3 April 2023.