Our picks
Why we selected these suppliers
Kind by
Quickest Ookla velocity take a look at outcomes
Finest high-speed supplier for gig web
Quickest web plan of any main supplier
Finest web worth assure
Quickest cable web supplier
What’s the perfect high-speed web supplier?
Technically, something at or above 100 megabits per second add and 20Mbps obtain is taken into account broadband or high-speed web. That might embody a wide range of connection sorts and suppliers, however fiber web is the perfect supply for high-speed web.
AT&T Fiber, for instance, has the quickest Ookla velocity take a look at outcomes, whereas Ziply Fiber gives the quickest plan, as much as 50,000Mbps, and Verizon Fios boasts 99.9% reliability.
Fiber availability is proscribed. In case your tackle is just not serviceable for fiber web, look to cable suppliers similar to Astound, Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity for high-speed web. Mounted wi-fi and 5G web may be an choice, however accessible speeds can range by location and supplier.
I’ve included fiber, cable and glued wi-fi ISPs in my picks for the perfect high-speed web suppliers beneath. Along with quick speeds, the featured suppliers had been chosen for his or her multistate availability, plan choice, limitless information and total worth.
Finest high-speed web service suppliers
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per 30 days
Our take – Cable suppliers traditionally had quicker velocity take a look at outcomes than fiber as a result of fiber ISPs typically have a DSL or fastened wi-fi service slowing down their averages. As soon as Ookla started separating fiber from non-fiber providers, AT&T Fiber shot to the highest with median obtain speeds of round 349Mbps.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per 30 days
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
$70 – $150 per 30 days
Our take – If you happen to’re taken with gig web, which gives speeds of 1,000Mbps and better, there’s maybe no higher choice than Google Fiber. Plans begin at 1,000Mbps.
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
$70 – $150 per 30 days
100 – 50,000 Mbps
$20 – $900 per 30 days
Our take – Ziply Fiber, a regional supplier serving elements of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, not too long ago grew to become the quickest supplier within the US by releasing an extremely quick 50Gbps plan.
100 – 50,000 Mbps
$20 – $900 per 30 days
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per 30 days
Our take – Quantum Fiber is at present providing a price-for-life assure, locking in your month-to-month web fee for so long as you retain your plan. That is to not say what you pay won’t ever go up — taxes, charges and such are topic to vary at any time — however your web fee won’t enhance. So, should you join 500Mbps at $50 a month, the month-to-month fee for 500Mbps will keep at $50.
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per 30 days
150 – 6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 per 30 days
Our take – Xfinity gives the quickest most speeds of any main cable web supplier with 1,200Mbps and a couple of,000Mbps accessible in choose areas. Xfinity’s Gigabit X2 plan can be one of many speediest on the subject of add speeds, providing most speeds of 200Mbps.
150 – 6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 per 30 days
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 per 30 days
Our take – In terms of quick speeds for a good worth, there’s arguably no higher plan than Frontier’s Fiber 500. The entry-level plan goes for round $45 per 30 days (with autopay) for optimum add and obtain speeds of 500Mbps.
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 per 30 days
Mounted wi-fi
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per 30 days
Our take – Wi-fi web does not have the identical velocity potential as cable or fiber-optic connections but, however Verizon is not letting that gradual it down. Its 5G Extremely Wideband web service is able to delivering from 85 to 1,000Mbps to the house.
Mounted wi-fi
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per 30 days
300 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $120 per 30 days
Our take – Verizon Fios regularly adjustments up its particular gives, but it surely’s not unusual for the supplier to offer away reward playing cards, streaming or specialty purchasing subscriptions, electronics or extra to new prospects. The prizes are sometimes finest when signing up for gigabit service, however there’s often one thing additional included with the lower-tiered plans as properly.
300 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $120 per 30 days
Excessive-speed web suppliers in contrast
Please word that the plans beneath present every supplier’s gigabit tier. Every supplier gives slower and quicker plans, usually. General, the perfect choice for you might be a barely slower plan that means that you can avoid wasting cash in your month-to-month invoice. Generally a quicker velocity at a better worth level presents a greater worth. To extra totally perceive this value-based method, take a look at CNET’s information to analyzing the price per Mbps.
| Plan | Beginning worth | Max obtain velocity | Value per Mbps | Tools charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Learn full evaluate |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 8 cents | None |
| Frontier 1 Gig Learn full evaluate |
$65 | 1,000Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig Learn full evaluate |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Quantum Fiber 940Mbps | $75 | 940Mbps | 8 cents | None |
| Verizon 5G Dwelling Plus Learn full evaluate |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Learn full evaluate |
$90 | 940Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Xfinity Gigabit Learn full evaluate |
$75 | 1,000Mbps | 8 cents | None |
| Ziply Fiber Gig | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 6 cents | None |
Present extra (4 gadgets)
What’s a quick web connection?
In the end, what’s “quick” is relative to every family and its web calls for. The extra folks and units you’ve linked to the web and the heavier the use (a lot of on-line gaming, streaming TV in HD, working from house, and many others.), the extra velocity you’ll need to have. For some, obtain speeds of 25Mbps could also be loads quick, however many will want speeds of not less than 100Mbps.
In 2015, the Federal Communications Fee recognized high-speed web, or broadband, as speeds above 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up. I would not contemplate that threshold quick by any means, and the FCC has since raised these speeds to 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up.
How a lot web velocity do I want?
Apparently, most of what we use the web for doesn’t require a variety of velocity. Even streaming in 4K, arguably essentially the most demanding web job in most households, solely requires speeds of 35 to 50Mbps. For different actions, together with on-line gaming, searching social media and taking a video name, 10Mbps or beneath will typically suffice.
A plan with speeds of 50Mbps ought to cowl all of it, proper? Not fairly. Whenever you join a number of units, particularly over Wi-Fi, these units will compete with one another for accessible bandwidth.
If you wish to stream on not less than one TV whereas 5 or so different units are additionally linked to your community, I’d suggest beginning with speeds of not less than 100Mbps. Now, should you anticipate streaming on a number of TVs without delay and including eight to 10 units (with sensible audio system, telephones, tablets, cameras, smartwatches and so forth, the tally can add up shortly), speeds of not less than 200Mbps will swimsuit you higher.
Remember that a supplier’s marketed velocity won’t essentially replicate the precise speeds you get in your house. A number of issues, like utilizing Wi-Fi and distance from the router, the variety of linked units, interference from different networks and even the time of day can decrease the speeds going to any explicit system. To counter the velocity loss, I’d suggest an web plan with marketed speeds double the precise speeds you need in your house.
For extra assist figuring out your velocity want, take a look at our information to discovering the best web velocity.
Ideas for selecting a high-speed web service
Purchasing for high-speed web isn’t gigabit or bust. Many suppliers supply a couple of high-speed plans to select from. Listed here are a couple of ideas that will help you get the perfect bang to your buck.
Know your velocity wants, or not less than have an thought of what velocity will meet your family calls for. If you understand 100Mbps in all probability received’t be quick sufficient, go forward and go on something beneath that, no matter how tempting the low pricing is. Equally, should you’re assured 200Mbps will fulfill your wants, you’ll be able to rule out the dear gigabit and above plans.
Take into account suppliers with no contracts or promotional charges. A supplier shouldn’t penalize you for wanting to vary your speeds, however should you’re below a contract, switching plans might be a trouble. Even should you’re not in a contract, altering plans might disqualify you from getting decrease promotional charges.
The easiest way to keep away from these potential hurdles is to pick an ISP with no contracts or promo charges. That approach, if you wish to swap speeds at any time, you received’t be penalized for it.
Begin low, then improve if wanted. Except there’s the specter of being locked right into a contract, I’d suggest beginning with the bottom velocity tier that you simply assume will meet your wants. Strive it out for a few months, then should you discover your reveals are buffering, on-line video games are lagging or your social media feed is gradual to load, you’ll comprehend it’s time to improve to a quicker velocity.
Don’t neglect your Wi-Fi gear. A 500Mbps connection can really feel rather a lot slower in case your router isn’t as much as the duty of sending a robust sign all through your private home. Whenever you’ve acquired a high-speed connection however aren’t getting the speeds or consistency you anticipate, it might be price upgrading to a mesh router system or including Wi-Fi extenders.
If you happen to lease gear out of your supplier, ask for an improve. They could provide you with a greater system for no additional cost.
How we consider high-speed web suppliers
Opposite to most of the different services and products examined at CNET, there’s no dependable, repeatable strategy to take a look at web suppliers in a managed atmosphere. As an alternative, we carry out frequent, in-depth evaluations of every supplier to develop our opinions and proposals.
We consider every ISP based mostly on three classes: Pace, Worth and Buyer Care.
Pace contains not solely the supplier’s quickest obtain speeds but additionally the number of velocity tiers, add speeds, reliability and different elements.
Worth focuses on worth primarily, but additionally takes under consideration the rest that may have an effect on upfront and ongoing prices similar to gear charges, set up prices, information caps, worth will increase and any signup bonus gives.
Buyer Care covers just about every part else, from contract necessities to enlargement efforts, buyer satisfaction scores, BBB scores and even consideration for what folks need to say concerning the ISP on Reddit.
Geared up with an understanding of every part a buyer would want to learn about an ISP to make an knowledgeable choice, we’re capable of determine the suppliers and plans that stand out in a selected class, similar to “finest high-speed web.”
Often, no single supplier or plan strikes us as “finest total” as a result of every supplier is exclusive in what they’ve to supply. Such is the case with this web page. The argument might be made for every featured high-speed ISP to be the “finest total” for a wide range of causes. As an alternative of singling out a definitive finest total, I give attention to what every supplier does finest, then depart it to you to determine which makes essentially the most sense to your wants.
For extra details about our evaluate course of, take a look at our information to how CNET opinions web suppliers.
Finest high-speed web supplier honorable mentions
These suppliers, together with regional suppliers which can be too many to listing right here, additionally supply high-speed web plans together with gigabit service in choose areas. Along with the perfect high-speed web suppliers listed above, these are actually price a glance if accessible in your space.
- Astound: Cable ISP Astound gives speeds as much as 1,500Mbps in choose markets. Together with quick speeds, Astound stands out for its low introductory pricing, however be careful for a steep worth enhance as soon as the promo pricing interval ends.
- Cox: Previous to AT&T Fiber claiming the title of quickest ISP per Ookla velocity take a look at outcomes, Cox was on high. The supplier gives speeds of 250 to 1,000Mbps and better in lots of places, though all plans include a 1.2TB month-to-month information cap.
- Kinetic by Windstream: Kinetic is likely one of the quickest rural web choices with gig speeds accessible in lots of areas doubtlessly underserved by cable or different fiber suppliers. With obtain and add speeds as much as 940Mbps, Kinetic Gig is obtainable in choose areas beginning at $67 per 30 days plus $10 for gear.
- Mediacom: Mediacom’s 1 Gig plan options obtain speeds as much as 1,000Mbps and add speeds as much as 50Mbps with a month-to-month information cap of 6,000GB beginning at $80. Be careful for the value enhance. After 12 months, the month-to-month worth jumps from $80 to $140.
- Spectrum: Speeds of 300, 500 and 1,000Mbps can be found all through Spectrum web service areas. That is quick, however not like many main cable ISPs, Spectrum has but to enterprise above a single gig.
You are prone to discover the quickest speeds doable from a fiber supplier, however cable web suppliers supply gigabit obtain speeds, as properly.
Quickest web service supplier recap
You possible seen a pattern in our listing of the perfect high-speed suppliers. Fiber-optic suppliers will typically be your finest guess for quick house web. Cable web suppliers similar to Xfinity, Spectrum and Mediacom supply first rate gigabit plans, however be careful for low add speeds.
When searching for any web service, be sure you evaluate the typical web velocity, pricing and options of all suppliers in your space to ensure you’re getting the perfect high-speed plan to your house.
Excessive-speed web FAQs
What’s the quickest web supplier?
Regional supplier Ziply Fiber has the quickest velocity tier of any main, multistate ISP with symmetrical add and obtain speeds of as much as 50,000Mbps, or 50Gbps. Xfinity packs loads of velocity as properly, providing a 10Mbps plan in choose areas. Google Fiber, Quantum Fiber and Optimum are usually not far behind with an 8Gbps velocity tier, and several other suppliers together with AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber supply as much as 5Gbps in choose areas.
What is taken into account high-speed web?
The FCC defines broadband, or high-speed web, as a reference to obtain speeds of 100Mbps and add speeds of 20Mbps. That threshold, established in 2015 as 25/3, was up to date in 2024.
Do I actually need gigabit speeds?
In all probability not, however they’re good to have. Speeds of 1,000Mbps and better will help a big family with quite a few linked units, however so will speeds of 500Mbps or presumably even 300Mbps.
The attraction to gigabit service is that it sometimes doesn’t price far more than a 300 or 500Mbps plan, and the speeds will all however assure you’ll have sufficient to go round for each linked system.
Which metropolis has the quickest web within the US?
In line with the most up-to-date Ookla information, Raleigh, North Carolina recorded the quickest median obtain speeds in This autumn of 2023 at round 290Mbps, adopted by Chesapeake, Virginia at 285Mbps. Google Fiber, which has a big presence within the Raleigh space, was famous as the world’s quickest supplier with median obtain speeds of 346Mbps, though AT&T Fiber is a possible contributor to the capital metropolis’s quick speeds, as properly.
Is house web service getting quicker?
Completely. Main suppliers together with AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber, Optimum, Verizon Fios, Ziply Fiber and others have launched multi-gigabit plans throughout the final two years. Moreover, current FCC information reveals that the provision of obtain speeds of 1,000Mbps or larger elevated from 27% of US households as of June 2022 to 33% by the tip of the 12 months.
