Our insatiable appetite for superfast broadband is pushing town after town to make gigabit and multigigabit internet speeds a promising reality. In the absence of expensive fiber-optic cable networks, coaxial cable internet is beautifully living up to the dream of gigabit connectivity by delivering up to 1000 Mbps download speeds in more than 80 percent of neighborhoods across the country. Cable internet’s affordability, reliability, and wide-scale availability make it the most popular choice of broadband in the USA.
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area
In today’s comparison blog we will discuss Cox vs. Xfinity’s cable internet service. We will compare and contrast their monthly internet plans, prices, and perks to help you choose the best coaxial cable carrier for your home.
- Cox Communications
- Xfinity
- Internet Service Comparison – Cox vs Xfinity
- Plans & Pricing – Cox vs Xfinity Internet
- Internet Speeds – Xfinity vs Cox
- Bundle Deals – Xfinity vs Cox
- Data Caps – Xfinity vs Cox
- Contract – Xfinity vs Cox
- Perks & Special Features – Xfinity vs Cox
- Which One is More Widely Available – Cox or Xfinity?
- Who Has Better Customer Service – Cox or Xfinity?
- Final Verdict – Cox or Xfinity?
Cox Communications
Cox Communications is an American telecommunications giant that ranks as the nation’s 318th-best company on the Fortune 500 list. It is the third biggest cable TV and internet service provider in the USA. Cox Communications’ coverage spreads over 20 states, reaching over 7 million residential and business customers. Currently, Cox Communications offers cable TV, broadband, home phone, smart home security, and wireless phone services at the lowest monthly rates.
Subscribe to the Best Cox Internet Plans
Cox Communications uses coaxial cables to deliver download speeds up to 1000 Mbps at a starting price of $49.99 per month. It offers a high data cap of up to 1.25 TB on all its plans and subscribers are charged additionally for exceeding the monthly data limit. Apart from its entry-level plan, all the Cox Internet plans require an annual contract and after 12 months of service, the price of your internet plan will increase by $20 per month. Despite the contracts, data caps, and second-year price hikes, Cox Internet is one of the most popular cable internet providers in the country.
Pros
- Available in most rural areas.
- The data cap is slightly higher.
- A no-contract plan is available.
- Bundle deals are available.
- Free access to out-of-home WiFi hotspots.
- Offers up to 1000 Mbps of download speed.
Cons
- Price hikes in the second year
- Most plans require a year-long contract.
- Poor rating for customer satisfaction
Xfinity
Xfinity by Comcast Corporation is the United States’ best and largest cable internet service provider. It is also the most subscribed broadband internet provider with more than 31 million active customers. Since its inception in the early 1960s, Comcast has been proving its worth and today, it ranks as the 28th-best Fortune 500 Company in the country. In 2010, Comcast revamped its triple-play services and give it a new identity. Under the brand name of Xfinity, Comcast started offering cable TV, home phone, and high-speed internet services throughout its 40-state footprint.
Xfinity uses both, coaxial and fiber-optic cables to deliver up to 2000 Mbps of internet speeds at a starting price of just $20 per month. At a glance, Xfinity Internet plans can be very confusing because firstly, the monthly internet fee varies from region to region. Secondly, while Xfinity claims to offer contract-free service, most plans do require an annual or biennial contract if you want to get a price lock for 2 years. All the Xfinity Internet plans come with a high data cap of 1.2 TB. Xfinity is most popular for its affordable plans and supersaver deals. When you combine your broadband service with an Xfinity Mobile phone line you can save up to $20 per month for 24 months.
Subscribe to the Best Xfinity Internet Plan
Most high-speed plans for Xfinity Internet include a Visa Reward Card with credit up to $200. Xfinity Internet service is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Pros
- Affordable internet plans
- Cost-effective bundle deals
- Up to 1.2 TB of data allowance
- No contract options are available.
- Connectivity on the go through WiFi hotspots
- Internet service over cable & fiber-optic networks
Cons
- Price hikes in the third year
- Different prices in different regions
- Poor customer satisfaction score
Internet Service Comparison – Cox vs Xfinity
Both, Cox Communications and Xfinity powered by Comcast Corporation are renowned cable internet providers. The coverage area of Cox and Xfinity overlaps in 15 states of the USA. So, if you happen to live within these intersections, chances are that you will have both, Cox and Xfinity Internet available in your area. To help you pick the best service provider for your home, below is a side-by-side comparison of Cox vs. Xinfity Internet.
Cox vs Xfinity Internet | ||
Comparison | Cox Internet | Xfinity Internet |
Type of Internet | Cable | Cable & Fiber |
Price Range | $49.99 to $99.99/mo. | $25 to $85/mo. |
Speed Range | 100 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps to 1,200 Mbps |
Coverage Area | 20 States | 40 States |
No. of Plans | 4 | 7 |
Promo Pricing | Available | Available |
Bundle Deals | Available | Available |
Contracts | Up to 1 year | Up to 2 years |
Data Caps | 1.25 TB | 1.2 TB |
Installation Fee | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Equipment Fee | $14.00/mo. | $25.00/mo. |
Taxes | $6.00/mo | $8.00/mo |
Customer Service | 3.6 out of 5 stars | 3.7 out of 5 stars |
Contact Provider | Call Now | Call Now |
Plans & Pricing – Cox vs Xfinity Internet
The monthly internet fees for Cox and Xfinity Internet fall in the low to moderate range. The average prices of cable internet plans in the USA are between $35 and $55, as we move from low to high-speed tiers. Both Cox and Xfinity can offer up to 1000 Mbps of download speeds on their vast cable networks. So, let’s compare and contrast the plans and prices of Cox vs. Xfinity Internet to evaluate which provider best fits your budget and requirements.
Cox Communications Internet Plans
Cox Communications offers four cable internet plans, starting with a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 5 Mbps. You can get up to 1000 Mbps of download speed and 35 Mbps of upload speed on Cox’s elite-level, Gigblast plan. All the Cox Internet plans include 1.25 TB of monthly data, a 30-day money-back guarantee, free access to more than 4 million out-of-home WiFi hotspots, and an all-in-one modem and router for whole-home WiFi coverage.
Cox Internet Plans | |||
Plans | Price | Speed | Contract |
Essential 100 | $49.99/mo | 100 Mbps | No |
Preferred 250 | $49.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | Yes |
Ultimate 500 | $69.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Yes |
Gigablast 1 Gig | $99.99/mo. | 1000 Mbps | Yes |
Xfinity Monthly Internet Plans
In most regions around the USA, Xfinity offers 6 internet plans with a maximum download speed of up to 1200 Mbps. In areas with there is robust fiber-optic internet infrastructure, Xfinity Internet customers can get up to 2000 Mbps of symmetrical upload and download speeds. All the plans of Xfinity Internet come with a data cap of 1.2 TB and price locks for 2 years.
However, to avail of these price guarantees, you are required to sign annual contracts. The monthly internet fee includes the WiFi equipment (the xFi gateway). But in some areas, you may be asked to pay an additional $15 per month for the equipment rental. All the subscribers of Xfinity Internet plans get free access to over 8,000,000 WiFi hotspots installed throughout the country.
Xfinity Internet Plans | |||
Plans | Price | Speed | Contract |
Connect | $20.00/mo. | 75 Mbps | No |
Connect More | $25.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Yes |
Fast | $35.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Yes |
Superfast | $60.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | Yes |
Gigabit | $70.00/mo. | 1000 Mbps | Yes |
Gigabit Extra | $80.00/mo. | 1200 Mbps | Yes |
Gigabit x2 | $120.00/mo. | 2000 Mbps | Yes |
Price After Promotional Period – Cox vs Xfinity
Many internet service providers in the USA offer promotional pricing to first-time and returning customers. It is a tried and tested marketing strategy that allows internet carriers to break the hegemony and stay on top of the competition. For a period of 6, 12, or 24 months, internet providers offer discounts of up to 40 percent on monthly internet plans. But after the promo period, there is a price hike, and subscribers are asked to pay regular rates for their chosen internet plans.
Price of Cox Internet Plans After 12 Months
With Cox Internet’s promo pricing policy, new customers can save around $480 in the first 12 months.
Plan | Promo Price | Regular Price | Total Savings per Year |
---|---|---|---|
Essential 100 | $49.99/mo. | $49.99/mo. | N/A |
Preferred 250 | $49.99/mo. | $89.99/mo. | $480/ year |
Ultimate 500 | $69.99/mo. | $99.99/mo. | $360/ year |
Gigablast 1 Gig | $99.99/mo. | $119.99/mo. | $240/ year |
Price of Xfinity Internet Plans After 24 Months
With Xfinity Internet’s promo pricing policy, new and returning subscribers can save up to $800 in a year. So, even though Xfinity Internet is initially the most affordable broadband provider in the U.S. market, after 2 years, the plans become just as expensive as those offered by its competitors.
Plan | Promo Price | Regular Price | Total Savings per Year |
---|---|---|---|
Connect | $20.00/mo. | $82.00/ month | $744/ year |
Connect More | $25.00/mo. | $87.00/mo. | $744/ year |
Fast | $35.00/mo. | $102.00/mo. | $804/ year |
Superfast | $60.00/mo. | $107.00/ month | $564/ year |
Gigabit | $70.00/mo. | $112.00/mo. | $504/ year |
Gigabit Extra | $80.00/mo. | $117.00/mo. | $444/ year |
Gigabit x2 | $120.00/mo. | N/A | N/A |
Additional Costs – Cox vs Xfinity
Our years of experience in the industry have taught us that there is more to advertised prices than meets the eye. Many internet service providers use bold fonts to highlight the base price of an internet plan. The hidden fees, such as equipment rentals, taxes, and surcharges, are cleverly disguised in the fine print or disclaimers. It is these recurring additional costs that can spike your monthly internet bills and eventually become a deal breaker.
So, if you are down to just two choices, Cox vs. Xfinity Internet, then we advise you to look at the additional costs of each before picking an internet provider for your home.
Additional Costs Associated with Cox Internet
Additional Services | Extra Price |
---|---|
Professional Installation | $100.00 one-time charge |
Equipment Fee | $14.00 per month |
Late Payment Fee | $8.35 per month |
Early Termination Fee | Up to $240.00 |
Data Overage Charge | $10.00 for every 50 GB of excess data |
Equipment Unreturned Fee | $200.00 (one-time charge) |
Taxes & Surcharges | $6.00 per month |
Additional Costs Associated with Xfinity Internet
Additional Services | Extra Price |
---|---|
Internet Installation Fee | $100.00 one-time charge |
Equipment Fee | Up to $25.00 per month |
Late Payment Fee | $10.00 per month |
Early Termination Fee | Up to $230.00 |
Data Overage Charge | $10.00 for every 50 GB of excess data |
Equipment Unreturned Fee | $150.00 (one-time charge) |
Taxes and Surcharges | $8.00 per month |
Installation Charges – Xfinity vs Cox
As a Cox or Xfinity Internet customer, you will be given the option to choose between expert and self-installation. The expert installation will cost $100, and within a few hours, the technician will set up and activate your Cox or Xfinity cable internet service. However, if you opt for self-installation, Cox and Xfinity Internet will ship a starter kit to your home address containing the necessary equipment for activating your cable internet service. Cox may or may not charge you for shipping, but Xfinity charges a flat fee of $15 for standard shipping of the self-installation kit.
Equipment Fee – Xfinity vs Cox
It is unlikely that Cox and Xfinity will allow you to use your modem-router gateway for connecting your home to their internet service. The customer service representative will tell you that your equipment is incompatible with their service, and you will be asked to lease the Cox and Xfinity-approved modem/ router gateway in monthly installments. Xfinity Internet charges $15 per month for its xFi Advanced Gateway and $25 per month for the xFi Complete, in-home mesh networking system. On the other hand, Cox Internet customers are required to pay an additional $14 per month for their Panoramic WiFi router.
Late Payment Fee – Xfinity vs Cox
The due date for paying your monthly internet fee is always mentioned on your bill. It is the last payable date, and if you fail to make the payment before the due date, internet service providers will charge you a late payment fee on top of your internet fee. The late payment fee for Cox Internet is $8.35 for every missed payment. Xfinity Internet charges its customers a late payment fee of $10 per month after the due date.
Early Termination Fee – Xfinity vs Cox
Both Cox and Xfinity Internet encourage their customers to sign annual contracts. However, these annual contracts come with a penalty. After 30 days grace period (30-day money-back guarantee), you cannot cancel your Cox or Xfinity Internet service before the contract expiration date. You will have to wait for 12 months to terminate the service because early termination results in a hefty fine of up to $240 (in the case of Cox Internet) and $230 (in the case of Xfinity Internet).
Data Overage Charges – Xfinity vs Cox
All the Cox Internet plans come with a data cap of 1.25 terabytes (TB) per month. In most cases, this monthly data allowance is sufficient for heavy internet usage in a medium-sized family. But in case you do exceed this data cap, Cox Internet will charge you for data overage. For every 50 GB of excess data used, you will have to pay an additional $10 per month. The same rule applies to Xfinity’s internet service. The only difference is that the data cap for Xfinity Internet is 0.05 TB (50 GB) less than Cox Internet.
Equipment Unreturned Fee – Xfinity vs Cox
After canceling your Cox and Xfinity Internet service, you must return the equipment to the authorized provider. In the case of Cox Internet, the leased modem-router gateway must be returned within 10 business days after service cancellation. Failure to return the equipment will result in an equipment unreturned fee of up to $200. Xfinity gives its users 14 days for shipping the equipment back to them after service disconnection. And if you fail to return the xFi routers within 14 business days, you will be charged an equipment unreturned fee of $150.
Taxes & Surcharges – Xfinity vs Cox
The taxes and surcharges for both, Cox and Xfinity Internet will vary from state to state. On average the taxes and surcharges imposed by the federal and state governments should not be more than $8.00 per month.
Internet Speeds – Xfinity vs Cox
The maximum upload and download speeds of Cox Internet are 35 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. Xfinity Internet has a comparatively broad speed range that starts at 75 Mbps of download speed and can deliver up to 2000 Mbps on its hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network. Like Cox Internet, the maximum upload speed available on Xfinity’s cable network is 35 Mbps. If you want to ensure consistently fast speeds on both upstream and downstream channels, connect your device directly to the internet modem/ router via Ethernet cables.
With a supremely fast combination of 1000 Mbps of download speed and 35 Mbps of upload speed, you can easily enjoy multi-device connectivity, non-stop streaming, online gaming, and data sharing.
Bundle Deals – Xfinity vs Cox
Telecommunications companies that offer various services under their portfolio often launch cost-saving bundle deals to make their internet service more attractive. Bundle deals are a surefire way of promising whole-home connectivity at the lowest possible rates. So, let’s compare Cox vs. Xfinity Internet bundle deals to see which internet provider is offering more bang for the buck.
Value-Added Bundle Deals for Cox Internet & TV
You can combine your Cox Internet with a Contour TV Preferred plan to get up to 1000 Mbps internet and 140+ TV channels for just $198.99 per month.
Price | Internet | TV | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
$54.99/ mo | 100 Mbps | Stream Player | No |
$54.99/ mo | 250 Mbps | Stream Player | Yes |
$74.99/ mo | 500 Mbps | Stream Player | Yes |
$104.99/ mo | 1000 Mbps | Stream Player | Yes |
$148.99/ mo | 100 Mbps | 140+ channels | Yes |
$148.99/ mo | 250 Mbps | 140+ channels | Yes |
$168.99/ mo | 500 Mbps | 140+ channels | Yes |
$198.99/ mo | 1000 Mbps | 140+ channels | Yes |
Value-Added Bundle Deals for Cox Internet, TV, and Phone
You can also stack a home phone service with 14 advanced calling features on your Cox Internet and cable TV services.
Price | Internet | TV | Phone |
---|---|---|---|
$168.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 140+ channels | 14+ features |
$168.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | 140+ channels | 14+ features |
$188.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 140+ channels | 14+ features |
$218.99/mo. | 1000 Mbps | 140+ channels | 14+ features |
Value-Added Bundle Deals for Cox Internet & Homelife
Cox also offers security for smart homes. You can monitor your children’s activities and see who is at the front door using your smart devices to control your HD surveillance cameras. For a small monthly fee of $129, you can bundle your Cox Internet with Homelife for a holistic digital lifestyle.
Price | Internet | Homelife |
---|---|---|
$64.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | Smart home security |
$78.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | Smart home security |
$98.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Smart home security |
$128.99/mo. | 1000 Mbps | Smart home security |
Super Saver Bundle Deals for Xfinity Internet & TV
For a starting price of $134.15 per month, you can combine your Xfinity Internet with the Ultimate TV package and get more than 185 cable TV channels, including regional sports networks and the most in-demand movies and shows. All the extra equipment fees, taxes, and surcharges are included in the monthly price.
Price | Internet | TV |
---|---|---|
$134.15/mo. | 200 Mbps | 185+ channels |
$139.15/mo. | 400 Mbps | 185+ channels |
$159.15/mo. | 800 Mbps | 185+ channels |
$169.15/mo. | 1000 Mbps | 185+ channels |
$179.15/mo. | 1200 Mbps | 185+ channels |
$229.15/mo. | 2000 Mbps | 185+ channels |
Super Saver Bundle Deals for Xfinity Internet, TV, & Phone
Similarly, you can stack a home phone service on your Xfinity TV and Internet plan to enjoy unlimited calling throughout the country.
Price | Internet | TV | Home Phone |
---|---|---|---|
$144.15/mo. | 200 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
$149.15/mo. | 400 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
$169.15/mo. | 800 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
$179.15/ mo. | 1000 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
$189.15/mo. | 1200 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
$239.15/ mo. | 2000 Mbps | 185+ channels | Unlimited calls, nationwide |
Bundle Deals for Xfinity Internet & Home Security
Like Cox Internet, Xfinity also offers smart home security. You can connect Xfinity’s cutting-edge professional monitoring equipment (HD video cameras) to your smart devices using Xfinity’s ultrafast internet network and enjoy 24/7 pro home security for just $65 per month.
Price | Internet | Home Security |
---|---|---|
$65.00/ mo. | 200 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
$75.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
$100.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
$110.00/mo. | 1000 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
$120.00/mo. | 1200 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
$160.00/mo. | 2000 Mbps | 24/7 Professional Monitoring |
Data Caps – Xfinity vs Cox
Internet service providers often include data caps in their monthly plans to ensure that all the customers get their fair share of internet data for streaming, downloading, gaming, and file sharing. Cox and Xfinity both provide maximum data allowance on their monthly internet plans. Cox Internet subscribers get 1.25 TB of data each month. This data limit is sufficient for heavy internet usage. Xfinity gives 1.2 TB of data on all its plans, which is 50 GB less than Cox’s data cap. However, the data caps should not deter you from choosing these two internet carriers because you will automatically get more data after hitting the cap at a nominal rate of $10 for every 50 GB of excess data used. Plus, 1.2 TB of data is more than enough for hundreds of HD audio/ video downloads, online gaming, and Netflix binging.
Contract – Xfinity vs Cox
Cox and Xfinity’s contract-based internet plans come with the assurance of price locks throughout the year or for two years, depending on the duration of your contract. In the case of Cox Internet, you are not required to sign an annual contract on the entry-level, Essential 100 plan. Apart from that, all the remaining 3 plans require a 12-month contract if you want to avail of discounted service throughout the year. Similarly, for Xfinity Internet, only the base plan, Xfinity Connect, is available without an annual contract. For the remaining 6 plans, you will have to sign a contract for 24 months to avoid price hikes.
Perks & Special Features – Xfinity vs Cox
The Cox Internet service comes with a “worry-free promise” by giving you the option to cancel the service within 30 days of subscription and get a full refund if you are unsatisfied with the performance. You also get free access to more than 4 million WiFi hotspots that Cox has installed throughout its coverage area. The presence of out-of-home WiFi hotspots at thousands of public venues ensures that you get instant connectivity on the go.
In contrast, Xfinity Internet offers up to $200 in credit on Visa Reward Cards. All new Xfinity Internet customers can use this gift card to purchase other products and services at the Xfinity online and physical stores. Like Cox, Xfinity has also installed more than 8,000,000 WiFi hotspots across its 40-state footprint, allowing its customers to save their mobile data when they are out on the road.
Which One is More Widely Available – Cox or Xfinity?
Cable internet is the most widely available form of internet technology in the USA. More than 96 percent of the U.S. land is lined with coaxial cables, and almost 80 percent of American households have access to the coaxial cable network. When we compared the availability of Cox vs. Xfinity Internet, we found that Xfinity has the largest cable internet network in the country. Its cable internet plans are available in most of the southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, and mid-Atlantic regions. Compared to that, Cox’s coverage is concentrated in the southwest, southeast, and midwest regions.
Cox Internet Coverage Area
These are the 20 states where Cox Internet provides full to partial network coverage.
Cox Internet Coverage by States | |||
Arizona | Georgia | Massachusetts | Ohio |
Arkansas | Idaho | Missouri | Oklahoma |
California | Iowa | Nebraska | Rhode Island |
Connecticut | Kansas | Nevada | Virginia |
Florida | Louisiana | North Carolina | Washington D.C. |
Xfinity Internet Coverage Area
These are the 40 states where Xfinity Internet offers full to partial coverage.
Xfinity Coverage by States | |||
Alabama | Idaho | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
Arkansas | Illinois | Missouri | South Carolina |
Arizona | Indiana | Mississippi | Tennessee |
California | Kansas | New Hampshire | Texas |
Colorado | Kentucky | New Jersey | Utah |
Connecticut | Louisiana | New Mexico | Virginia |
Delware | Maine | New York | Vermont |
District of Columbia | Maryland | North Carolina | Washington |
Florida | Massachusetts | Ohio | West Virginia |
Georgia | Michigan | Oregon | Wisconsin |
Who Has Better Customer Service – Cox or Xfinity?
The customer care for Cox vs. Xfinity Internet differs greatly. The main reason for this stark contrast is how the two internet providers operate and conduct their business. Cox Communications is a privately listed, family-owned business. Therefore, it offers the same care and compassion as that felt by the customers of a mom-and-pop store. On the other hand, Xfinity is a publicly listed company and runs like a large media conglomerate. So, while Cox Communications’ customer services representatives get praised for their warmth, Xfinity Internet staff is recognized for its professionalism.
According to the recent customer satisfaction survey by HighSpeedInternet.com, Xfinity Internet fared better than Cox, especially in the ‘satisfaction with the internet speeds’ category. In comparison, Cox Internet was valued for delivering speeds that met the needs. The survey results gave Cox Internet a 3.6 out of 5 stars rating for customer satisfaction, and Xfinity Internet was given a rating of 3.7 stars.
Final Verdict – Cox or Xfinity?
The affordability, reliability, and wide-scale availability of cable Internet access will always make it a preferred broadband connection over other types of internet. So, if you are looking for a gigabit cable internet service and Spectrum Internet is not available in your area, then Cox and Xfinity Internet might be the only two options left for you.
Both are cable internet providers that offer up to 1000 Mbps of download and 35 Mbps of upload speeds. Cox and Xfinity have a range of contract-based and contract-free internet plans. But an in-depth analysis of Cox vs. Xfinity Internet plans, prices, and perks reveals that although Cox offers 50 GB more data per month, its plans are twice as expensive, and its coverage area is half of Xfinity’s national footprint. In contrast, Xfinity is popular for its vast cable network that spans 40 states, most affordable starting rates, and professional customer service.
We hope that our Cox vs. Xfinity Internet guide will help you select the best cable internet service provider for your home.
J.Soofi