Spectrum Internet: Unlimited, no-contract home Wi-Fi
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Spectrum - 300
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
300
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Spectrum - 500
Prices from
$69.99
per month
Speeds up to
500
Mbps
for 24 mos with Auto Pay.
Spectrum - 1000
Prices from
$79.99
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Spectrum overview
Spectrum has three plans with fast download and upload speeds of 300/10, 500/20 or 1,000/35 Mbps. Limited areas also have 2 GB speeds available.
Spectrum uses cable lines, meaning upload speeds won’t match as they do with fiber internet. Cable is a shared internet connection that can slow down when the network is busy. However, Spectrum enhances its internet service in most areas with hybrid coaxial and fiber technology.
Spectrum covers about 30% of the U.S. across 41 states and keeps costs low with minimal fees, including free installation and a free modem. The only additional cost is $5–7/mo. (based on location) for a Wi-Fi router, but you can also opt to supply your own.
Spectrum internet pros and cons
Pros
Spectrum internet pros and cons.
No data limits or contracts.
Reduced-price internet available for low-income households.
Cons
Router rental fee is $5–$7/mo.
Rates increase after 12–24 months.
Speeds may slow at busy times of day (evenings/weekends).
How we reviewed Spectrum
Spectrum scored 3.9 out of 5 on our provider rating scale, a higher score than more than half of the ISPs we reviewed. Spectrum ranked evenly with Xfinity, the other largest U.S. cable provider. Spectrum gained points for factors including broad availability, fast speeds and no-contract plans. However, the provider lost points for its slightly below-average customer service marks (from ACSI) and its lack of true end-to-end fiber options.
Best Spectrum Internet plans and prices
Plan | Starting price* | Download/Upload speeds | Standard rate* |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet® | $49.99/mo. | 300/10 Mbps | $79.99/mo. |
Spectrum Internet® Ultra | $69.99/mo. | 500/20 Mbps | $99.99/mo. |
Spectrum Internet® Gig | $79.99/mo. | 1,000/35 Mbps | $119.99/mo. |
Spectrum internet speeds
Spectrum internet speeds tiers are 300, 500 or 1,000 Mbps. Regardless of what you use the internet for, one of these plans can support your online activities, including gaming, streaming, email, browsing, social media, content creation and more. The only obstacle you may run into is if you frequently upload lots of large files since the maximum Spectrum upload speed is 35 Mbps.
Some cities also carry a Spectrum 100 Mbps plan for $29.99/mo. for the most basic internet use. Additionally, reduced-price internet for low-income households is available through Spectrum InternetⓇ Assist at 50 Mbps for $24.99/mo.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose a Spectrum Internet plan
Use these guidelines when choosing the speed you need for your household internet when selecting a Spectrum plan.
- How much do you want to spend? Spectrum’s three plans are fairly budget-friendly, especially considering that many households do not need 1 GB speeds. A monthly starting price of either $49.99 (300 Mbps) or $69.99 (500 Mbps) should be enough speed for many situations. However, if these prices are at the top of your price range, keep in mind that Spectrum prices also increase by $25–$30 after 12 months.
- What do you need to do online? Online activities can range from basic email and browsing to constant streaming and gaming. Evaluate what your household consistently does online to pick a complimentary speed.
- How many devices do you typically use? Spectrum’s 300, 500 or 1,000 Mbps plans can support any online activities, but with multiple devices connected at once, you may notice Wi-Fi lag. Households with around 20 devices should consider 1 GB options.
- Does your home have any Wi-Fi trouble areas? If you have zones of your home that have trouble getting Wi-Fi, try getting a faster Spectrum plan or installing Wi-Fi extenders.
Spectrum Internet®
Spectrum Internet® offers speeds up to 300 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload for $49.99/mo. Numerous devices can connect to Wi-Fi on this plan.
Who fits this plan?
This plan is good for homes that do any type of online activity, including gaming and streaming, with around 10 connected devices.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
Super-connected homes may want to opt for a faster Spectrum plan for best results with minimal buffering or lag.
Pros
Available everywhere.
Sometimes on sale for less than the normal promotional price of $49.99/mo.
Cons
Can exhaust the bandwidth and result in laggy Wi-Fi service if you connect too many devices at once.
Spectrum Internet® Ultra
The Internet Ultra is $69.99/mo. for 500 Mbps. This plan nets you an additional 200 Mbps from the basic Spectrum plan, allowing for more connected devices. In some areas, Spectrum offers 500 Mbps starting at $49.99/mo., the same promotional price as Spectrum’s 300 Mbps plan.
Who fits this plan?
This plan is sufficient for homes with multiple people working from home or streaming at the same time.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
The speed is unnecessary for light internet users (web browsing, email, minimal streaming) and homes with few devices.
Pros
No data caps, contracts or early termination fees (ETFs).
Cons
Upload speeds up to 20 Mbps (frequent uploaders like content creators or photographers may still face some wait times with large files).
Spectrum Internet® Gig
Spectrum Internet® Gig is the provider’s fastest plan at $79.99/mo. and offers the most seamless online connection. While the 1,000 Mbps download speed is not necessary for the average home user, the speed can prove useful for the ultra-connected smart home.
Who fits this plan?
This plan is for homes with constant internet activity and 20 or more connected devices. Additionally, the 35 Mbps upload speed can be helpful if your job or hobbies involve uploading large files, videos, email attachments or photos regularly.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
If you have less than 20 connected devices, try the 300 or 500 Mbps Spectrum plan. That way, you are not overpaying for additional speed you don’t require.
Pros
Fastest download and upload speeds that Spectrum offers (1,000/35 Mbps).
Cons
Standard price of $119/mo. is $30 more than 1 GB plans from competitors like AT&T, Frontier Fiber and CenturyLink.
Spectrum cable bundles
Spectrum cable bundles can include internet, TV, home phone and mobile phone. Internet and TV bundles are offered at promotional rates, so expect rates to increase (sometimes substantially) after the promotional period. Additionally, TV service also includes Broadcast TV surcharges. These fees vary by area but can be $20/mo. or more.
Home phone with Spectrum, also called Spectrum Voice®, includes unlimited nationwide calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call blocking and over 20 other features at no extra cost. Voice service also includes unlimited calling to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam and other U.S. territories.
The following table includes common Spectrum bundles.
Plan | Starting cost* | Download speed (up to) | No. of channels | Home phone | Mobile phone |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet, TV and home phone | $129.97/mo. | 300 Mbps | 150+ | Yes | No |
Internet and TV | $109.98/mo. | 300 Mbps | 150+ | No | No |
Internet and home phone | $69.98/mo. | 300 Mbps | N/A | Yes | No |
Internet and mobile phone | $89.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | N/A | No | Yes |
Spectrum availability and coverage
Spectrum offers service in 41 states. However, the bulk of its coverage includes Alabama, Central Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. Other major markets include the Dallas, Austin and Houston areas of Texas; Los Angeles and Bakersfield, California; and the Oregon coast.
Spectrum vs. other internet providers
Spectrum’s internet deals are above average in our rankings compared to other internet providers. The following list highlights the pros and cons of Spectrum vs. other ISPs in the same coverage area.
- Spectrum vs. AT&T Internet: The price difference between AT&T Fiber for its 300 and 500 Mbps plans are similar (within $5–$10). However, AT&T does not raise prices after 12 months and offers symmetrical upload and download speeds.
- Spectrum vs. CenturyLink: CenturyLink offers a promotional rate that’s $15 less than the cheapest internet plan from Spectrum. CenturyLink throttles speeds after 1 TB data usage, and Spectrum similarly manages its network during peak congestion.
- Spectrum vs. Frontier Fiber: Like Spectrum, Frontier Fiber has unlimited and no-contract internet. Frontier also offers symmetrical speeds and lower promotional and standard rates than Spectrum.
- Spectrum vs. Hughesnet: Hughesnet is a satellite internet provider with broader availability and provides options for rural internet. Spectrum has faster speeds with a more reliable connection for a lower monthly cost but is not usually found in rural areas.
- Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G: T-Mobile and Spectrum both offer no contracts or data caps, but T-Mobile is ahead of Spectrum in availability and consistent pricing. However, 5G internet speeds with T-Mobile max out at 245 Mbps, which is slower than the basic Spectrum plan.
- Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios: Verizon Fios has the same three plan tiers (300, 500 and 940 Mbps) at the same starting prices as Spectrum. However, Verizon doesn’t raise rates after the first year like Spectrum.
Spectrum customer service
Spectrum customer satisfaction is one of the categories the company could improve. In the most recent 2022–2023 ACSI data, the company earned a 64/100. This score is two points below the average for all non-fiber internet providers and nine points less than the top-ranked provider, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.
- Call customer service and tech support for Spectrum Internet at 1-833-949-0036.
- Chat with a Spectrum representative here. You can also troubleshoot common Spectrum issues, like what to do if your Wi-Fi is not working, by asking questions in the search box.
- Check for Spectrum outages in your area here.
Spectrum bill pay
- Pay online: Sign in to your Spectrum account. Select “Billing,” then “Make a Payment.”
- Pay by phone: Call 1-833-267-6094.
- Pay at a retail store: Find a Spectrum store location near you. Finding a retail location is the only way to pay cash for your Spectrum service.
- Pay by mail: Send a check or money order with a copy of your statement. Sign into your Spectrum account to find the correct mailing address for your area. You can also find the address on your billing statement.
- Help with late payments: You can set up a payment plan for late payments when you log in to your Spectrum account or by calling customer service.
Spectrum internet FAQs
How much does Spectrum internet cost?
Spectrum internet plans start at $49.99–$79.99/mo., and standard, non-promotional rates are between $79.99–$119.99/mo. Spectrum’s promotional prices are similar to many of its competitors. Qualifying low-income households can sign up for Spectrum Assist (50 Mbps for $24.99/mo.), and Spectrum also offers a 100 Mbps plan for $29.99/mo. in limited areas.
How do you restart a Spectrum router?
If your modem and router are separate, you will unplug your modem from the electrical outlet and then unplug your router. Wait 60 seconds and then plug the modem back in first, followed by the router. It may take up to two minutes for the devices to sync up and the lights to stop flashing. If your modem and router are a combination device, called a gateway, you can reboot your Spectrum router by unplugging the box from the electrical outlet, waiting one minute, and then plugging it back in.
Who owns Spectrum?
Spectrum is owned by Charter Communications, Inc. Charter is the second largest cable provider in the U.S., behind Xfinity.
Does Spectrum require an internet contract?
No. All Spectrum plans have no contracts or ETFs.
Does Spectrum internet add on additional fees?
Spectrum charges $5/mo. to rent the router, or you can supply your own.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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