Xfinity vs. Cox: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?
Xfinity provides incredible value, while Cox’s excellent customer service sets it apart. HighSpeedteck.com uses our proprietary data and expert insights to compare these internet service titans.
Best for speed
- Customer rating: 3.5 / 5
- Price: $19.99–$299.99/mo.*
- Speed: 50 Mbps–3000 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable & fiber
- Data cap: 1.2 TB
- Contract: 1–2 year contract, month-to-month options
Best for wide availability
- Customer rating: 3.7 / 5
- Price: $49.99–$109.99/mo.**
- Speed: 100 Mbps–1000 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
- Data cap: 1.25 TB
- Contract: 1-year contract, month-to-month, and prepaid options
Compare Xfinity and Cox head to head
Xfinity is the best choice for those looking for more value. Those who prioritize a top-tier customer experience should take a closer look at Cox. Regardless, both of these cable internet service providers (ISPs) deliver great, high-speed internet services.
Pros and cons: Xfinity vs. Cox
Pros:
Pros:- More speed for the money
- More plan variety
- Better bundling options
Cons:
Cons:- Lower customer ratings
- Confusing regional price differences
Pros:
- High customer service rating
- Slightly higher data cap
Cons:
- Lack of mid-tier speed plans
- Expensive installation
- Price hikes after 12 months
Plans and pricing: Xfinity vs. Cox
Xfinity provides more speed for the money and has more plan variety. Both ISPs provide flexible month-to-month options for an extra charge and TV bundle deals.
Skip ahead to the Best TV and internet bundles section to learn more.
Xfinity plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect | $19.99-$29.99 | Up to 50 Mbps | View Plan |
| Connect More | $34.99–$40.00 | Up to 100 Mbps | View Plan |
| Fast | $49.99 | Up to 300 Mbps | View Plan |
| Superfast | $50.00–$59.99 | Up to 600 Mbps | View Plan |
| Ultrafast | $60.00–$69.99 | Up to 900 Mbps | View Plan |
| Gigabit | $70.00–$94.99 | Up to 1200 Mbps | View Plan |
| Gigabit Pro | $299.95 | 2000 Mbps–3000 Mbps | View Plan |
In general, you get more with Xfinity than you do with Cox—more speed per dollar and more choices. Xfinity’s pricing and plan names vary depending on your region, but they’re cheaper across the board compared to Cox plans of similar speeds. Take Xfinity’s Fast plan, for example, which provides 300 Mbps for $50—a great speed for most users. That same $50 will get you only 50 Mbps at Cox. That’s one-sixth the speed for the same price.
Xfinity also offers you more speed tiers, making it easy to find something that fits your needs and budget. For most customers, Xfinity’s Fast plan is hard to beat with 300 Mbps for just $49.99. For larger households or those with heavy internet needs, the Superfast plan doubles the speed to 600 Mbps for just $10 more per month. These mid-speed tiers are perfect for most customers and where Xfinity really shines.
Cox plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Essential 100 * | $49.99 | 100 Mbps | View Plan |
| Cox Internet Preferred 250 * | $59.99 | 250 Mbps | View Plan |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 * | $79.99 | 500 Mbps | View Plan |
| Cox Gigablast * | $109.99 | Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plan |
* for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement
Cox internet plans offer straightforward pricing (regardless of region) and a month-to-month option for an extra $10 a month. Unfortunately, any way you slice it, Cox rates are more expensive than Xfinity and often for less speed in return.
Most subscribers will want the 150 Mbps speed provided by the Internet Preferred 150 plan at $59.99. However, it’s hard not to notice that Xfinity’s similarly priced SuperFast plan gives four times the speed.
If you need more bandwidth than 150 Mbps, your only mid-tier option with Cox is the Internet Ultimate 500, which delivers a solid 500 Mbps. That’s enough speed for the vast majority of customers, it’s just a bit pricey.
Cox does have one advantage over Xfinity: outstanding customer experience ratings. In our annual customer survey, Cox scored incredibly well in all categories. Despite receiving less value per dollar than Xfinity customers, Cox customers reported being more satisfied with their service. If Xfinity’s extra speed doesn’t particularly benefit you, or you just place a higher priority on the quality of customer service, you may want to consider Cox.
Cox low-cost internet plans:
Cox has two great low-cost internet plans for individuals and families receiving government assistance:
ConnectAssist package: up to 100 Mbps for individuals receiving government assistance.
Connect2Compete package: up to 100 Mbps for families with children K-12 receiving government assistance.
Deals and promotions: Xfinity vs. Cox
Xfinity Deal: $30 Internet + Streaming
Get Xfinity internet and streaming for as low as $30/mo. when you add a regularly priced Xfinity Mobile plan (starting at $45/mo.). Plus, get extra perks like unlimited data and no-cost equipment for plans with speeds 300 Mbps and above.
| Plan | Speed | Price | Bundle Discount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connect | 50 Mbps | $30/mo. | $10 | Order Online |
| Connect More | 100 Mbps | $40/mo. | $10 | Order Online |
| Fast* | 300 Mbps | $50/mo. | $20 | Order Online |
| Superfast** | 600 Mbps | $65/mo. | $25 | Order Online |
| Ultrafast** | 900 Mbps | $70/mo. | $25 | Order Online |
| Gigabit Extra** | 1200 Mbps | $80/mo. | $30 | Order Online |
See disclaimers at the bottom of the page.
Extra fees: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Equipment Fee | Installation Fee | Other Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $14.00/mo. | $40.00; self installs start at no cost | $10.00/mo. (early termination), $10 per 50 GB of data you go over on data cap, $10 (late payment) |
| Cox | $13.00/mo. | $100.00; self installs start no cost | $10.00/mo. (early termination), late fees based on state laws and regulations |
Cox’s hefty $100 installation fee is a tough pill to swallow when just starting out a new internet plan. It’s something to consider—unless you think you can get away with a self-install (offered free from both providers). Aside from the installation, extra fees from these ISPs are comparable.
Customer ratings: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Overall Rating | Reliability Rating | Customer Service Rating | Speed Rating | Price Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 3.5 / 5 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| Cox | 3.7 / 5 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.3 |
Cox customers seem to be more satisfied with their service across the board compared to Xfinity, according to our annual customer satisfaction survey. In fact, Cox came in second place out of 12 ISPs for customer service. Over half of Cox customers surveyed reported being either “very satisfied” or “100% satisfied” with their service. Cox’s ratings even show a huge lead over Xfinity in the price category, even though Xfinity’s plans clearly provide more speed per dollar value. Cox customers enjoy their experience so much that they are actually happier paying more for less speed.
Xfinity’s survey results weren’t terrific. It came in last in the price and customer service categories and second to last in overall customer satisfaction. On the bright side, 87% of Xfinity customers did say their speeds “always” or “usually” meet the needs of their household.
Best TV and internet bundles
| Internet speed | TV channels | Price | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saver Pro Plus Double Play | 200 Mbps | 140+ | $79.99 | View Plans |
| Xfinity Preferred Pro Plus Double Play | 600 Mbps | 220+ | $104.99 | View Plans |
| Xfinity Starter Pro Plus Double Play | 400 Mbps | 140+ | $94.99 | View Plans |
| Cox Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Starter* | 100 Mbps | 75+ | $115.99 | View Plans |
| Cox Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred* | 250 Mbps | 140+ | $151.99 | View Plans |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred * | 500 Mbps | 140+ | $190.99 | View Plans |
* for 12 mos. w/ 1-yr. term agrmt.
Xfinity’s value shines here again as its bundles offer more speed and channels at lower prices. The Preferred Pro Plus Double play delivers a screaming internet speed of 600 Mbps with a terrific 220+ channel lineup (including five premium channels) at just over $100. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
Cox bundles are significantly more expensive for the internet speed and channel count you get. On the bright side, Cox allows subscribers to choose one premium channel for the first 12 months of a Contour TV Preferred subscription.
Internet types: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Internet type | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable, Fiber | View Plans |
| Cox | Cable | View Plans |
Both Xfinity and Cox are primarily cable ISPs, meaning they utilize coaxial cable (the same kind of cable used for cable TV) to bring internet service to your home. Cable internet is a fantastic service that can achieve some pretty incredible speeds, but it’s not perfect. The single biggest drawback of cable internet is the upload speed, which is usually only a small fraction of the download speed. This isn’t a huge concern as most customers are download heavy users and get by just fine with limited upload bandwidth.
Xfinity does offer a fiber plan in select areas; however, it’s incredibly expensive and an impractical option for most customers.
Data caps: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Data Cap | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 1.2 TB | View Plans |
| Cox | 1.25 TB | View Plans |
Cox gives a slightly higher data cap, and sometimes that little bit extra can make a difference. Otherwise, both providers’ data cap policies are similar, offering a one-time courtesy warning the first time you go over your data cap. After that, both Xfinity and Cox charge $10 for every 50 Gb you go over, up to a max of $100.
If you think you’ll need unlimited data, Xfinity is cheaper. You can add unlimited data to Xfinity internet plans for an extra $30/ month. Cox will add 500 Gb for an additional $29.99/ month, or you can get unlimited data for an additional $49.99/ month.
For most customers, 1.2 TB of data is a lot and completely sufficient. Unless you really need unlimited data, there’s not a whole lot of differences between these two providers here.
Contracts: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Contract length | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 1–2 years, month-to-month option for $10/month extra, prepaid (new) | View Plans |
| Cox | 1 year, month-to-month option for $10/month extra, prepaid (new) | View Plans |
Xfinity and Cox both offer 12-month contracts and a month-to-month option for an additional $10 per month. Their early cancellation fees are the same as well—$10 for each remaining month on the contract. Cox usually has significant price hikes after the first 12 months. Xfinity has some plans that feature a 2-year contract, depending on your region.
Both ISP’s also feature a prepaid internet plan with no time commitment. Both the Xfinity and Cox prepaid internet plans advertise up to 50 Mbps download speeds and are similarly priced at $45 per month for Xfinity and $50 per month for Cox. However, we don’t see much appeal in either of the prepaid plans. Even with the month-to-month extra fee tacked on, the traditional plans provide equal or greater value. If you’re in the market specifically for a flexible internet plan, see our article on the best no-contract internet plans.
Installation: Xfinity vs. Cox
| Installation options | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $39.99 for professional installation; no cost for self-install | View Plans |
| Cox | $100 for professional installation; no cost for self-install | View Plans |
Both providers charge for professional installation, but Cox charges over twice as much as Xfinity—certainly something to consider when choosing between these two providers. But, if you’re just getting internet, you may be able to get away with self-installation, which is free from both Xfinity and Cox.
Availability: Xfinity vs. Cox
Xfinity and Cox have huge coverage areas. There’s a good chance you have access to at least one of them. Unfortunately, Xfinity’s fiber service is much rarer than its cable internet, and it’s so pricey in many areas that it doesn’t make sense for most customers.
Final call: Xfinity vs. Cox
Xfinity will give you more internet speed per dollar and more value in general. You get a great selection of plans, making it easy to find something that works for you. The bundles are better too, with more channels and faster speeds. Even the installation and unlimited data fees are cheaper. You simply get more, usually for less, with Xfinity.
Cox is a good decision for those who, above all else, want a good customer experience. Cox’s ratings from our annual customer survey were outstanding, with over half of Cox customers claiming they were “very satisfied” or “100% satisfied” with their service. Additionally, Cox’s pricing is consistent nationwide, keeping things simple and straightforward.
Methodology
Our HighSpeedteck.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
Disclaimers
Disclaimer for Xfinity Fast internet deal w/ mobile
* Limited time offer. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to Fast Internet for new customers. Pricing requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing. Mobile discount limited to new Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. xFi Gateway, Unlimited Data and Flex device included for 24 mos. Additional devices extra. After 24 mos. regular rates apply to all services and devices. Streaming subscriptions not included. All devices must be returned when service ends.
Disclaimer for Xfinity Superfast, Ultrafast, and Gigabit Extra internet plans w/ mobile deals
**Offer ends 06/26/2022. Limited time offer. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Paperless Billing and Automatic Payments with bank account required, otherwise monthly service charge automatically increases by $10 (or $5 if enrolling with credit or debit card information). Discount will appear on statement within 45 days of enrollment. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, or if any service is canceled or downgraded, regular rates apply (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Flex: Not available in all areas or to current Xfinity Video customers. Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Pricing subject to change. Limited to 3 devices. 1 device included, additional devices $5/mo. per device. All devices must be returned when service ends. Separate charges apply to On Demand and certain streaming services. Viewing will count against any Comcast data plan. Mobile discount: Must sign up for Xfinity Mobile and activate a new line within 90 days of order and maintain the line to receive mobile discount for 24 months. Discount applied to Internet bill and will appear on statement within 30 days of Xfinity Mobile line activation. If Xfinity Mobile or Xfinity Internet is canceled, or Internet service is changed to a tier lower than the Xfinity Internet tier in this order within the 24 months, the multi-product discount will be removed.
For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service and standard installation charges up to $500. ©2022 Comcast. All rights reserved.