How Do I Connect To My Spectrum Internet Service?

All-time Spectrum plans for your home

Best for small households – 200 Mbps (Wireless speeds may vary)

Equipped to handle online gaming and streaming in 4k

All-time for heavy gaming and streaming – 400 Mbps (Wireless speeds may vary)

Will arrange a family of moderate net users or a couple of high-demand users, even over Wi-Fi and during peak usage times

All-time for large households – 1,000 Mbps (Wireless speeds may vary)

Corking for hardcore gamers, households with multiple people streaming at once and people who work exclusively from home*

*Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem.

Spectrum dwelling house internet review

In 2016, Charter Communications acquired Time Warner Cable, thus expanding their coverage to more than a third of U.Southward. households. Now as the second-largest cable internet provider, Spectrum is a common net option for many, including those who live in areas previously served by Time Warner Cablevision.

What nosotros similar about Spectrum

Low equipment fees
No information caps
No contracts

Things to consider about Spectrum

Higher program pricing compared to competitors
Slow upload speeds

Nosotros scored Spectrum Internet service on a scale of i to v across iv major categories. To larn more than, read about our review methodology.

Spectrum internet rating

Allconnect Rating

3.57 / out of v stars

This score is based off of the three plans Spectrum has available

Rating breakdown

Affordability

3.09 / v
Performance

4.06 / 5
Value

3.74 / 5
Customer satisfaction

3.75 / v

How we calculated our rating

Spectrum internet plans are widely available and come up with some unique advantages, simply they aren't for everyone. Its prices get up by $25/mo. later on the first year, and then you may end upwardly paying more than than you're expecting when you sign up — office of the reason Spectrum net earned our second-everyman score for affordability of any provider. That said, you lot will go fast and reliable speeds for those loftier prices.

How we scored internet providers

Nosotros evaluate broadband providers in iv categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to touch the provider's overall score.

We evaluate broadband providers in iv categories: affordability, performance, value and client satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to affect the provider's overall score.

For each sub-gene, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for case, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score betwixt 3 and 4. Xfinity'due south 200 Mbps plan received a three.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum's 400 Mbps program got a 4.16.

Nosotros simply considered standardized data points in our scoring arrangement. More abstract information like consistency of service and brand reputation is still role of our analysis, but we opted to permit our writers address them in the context of each review.

Learn more almost our methodology

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Spectrum internet prices and speeds

Spectrum internet service presents upwards to three plan options to choose from which you'll find in our tabular array below. All Spectrum cyberspace plans come with unlimited data and no contract requirements — perks you may non discover with well-nigh internet providers.

All customers also take admission to thousands of free public Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. For new clients looking to switch to Spectrum in the middle of their electric current internet contract, Spectrum will provide up to $500 to subsidize any early termination fees you may face.

*Wireless speeds may vary

Expert tip: Watch for discounted pricing for Net Ultra

Spectrum has been testing lower price points in markets they compete with Google Cobweb then keep an eye out for potentially discounted pricing on its internet plans, particularly the Internet Ultra plan. These discounts are most prominent in southern metropolitan areas, such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Nashville.

You'll get the speed you lot pay for

According to the latest FCC report, more 90% of users reported their bodily Spectrum Cyberspace speeds to be within 95% or higher than their plan'southward advertised speeds, even during peak usage times. Spectrum WiFi speeds will be slower than your program'due south advertised speeds, but this isn't a Spectrum thing, it's just the nature of using a Wi-Fi connection.

The United States Median Speeds for stock-still broadband in April 2022 show a download speed of 151.21 Mbps and an upload speed of 21.25 Mbps.

Spectrum's download speed boilerplate comes in at just below the median at 137.4 Mbps, co-ordinate to Q1 2022 MLAB Provider Speed Test results. Their upload speed boilerplate is 15.five Mbps.

In comparison, AT&T was the superlative provider scored, with a download speed of 177 Mbps and 137.8 Mbps in upload speeds. Viasat was at the bottom of that list with 19.ii down and 1.7 up.

The FCC reports that Spectrum (nether the Lease Communications umbrella) consistently exceeded its advertised download speeds and besides offers minimum speeds of 200 Mbps to households beyond 85% of its service area which includes 41 states.

Spectrum Internet – Best for smaller households

At up to 200 Mbps, the Spectrum Cyberspace plan is more than than equipped to handle online gaming, which can demand 3-30 Mbps, and streaming in 4K (the FCC recommends only 25 Mbps).

On paper, 200 Mbps is ample speed, so why would we recommend this program for basic use and a few users? Considering those are the minimum recommended speeds using a wired connexion, and if you're like well-nigh, your internet activity will rely heavily on a Wi-Fi connexion. It also simply gets 10 Mbps upload speeds, then multiple people working from home or gaming might see issues.

Spectrum Net will withal offer a suitable connexion for gaming and streaming over Wi-Fi, only if you lot'll be doing it on multiple devices and during peak net usage times, a faster plan will likely give yous a ameliorate experience.

Spectrum Internet Gig – Best for large households

While not for everyone, a gigabit connection is cracking for hardcore gamers, households with multiple people streaming at once and people who piece of work exclusively from home. With 35 Mbps upload speed, it should exist able to handle multiple people gaming and working from dwelling simultaneously.

Gigabit internet is growing in popularity, but speeds of 1 Gbps are overkill for the average user. That said, if you want to all but guarantee enough speed for all, or y'all want an cyberspace connectedness and so fast y'all can brag nigh it, gigabit may exist the way to go. And as new technologies like 8K and side by side gen gaming systems sally, gig speeds may be more applied for the average household. But for now, they're likely to be more yous'll need.

Compare Spectrum Cyberspace prices and plans

Spectrum offers loftier-speed internet, customizable Television set packages and unlimited nationwide calling.

Equipment, installation, data caps and contracts

Overall, Spectrum Internet prices on equipment and installation are very reasonable. Here's what you tin can expect to pay on summit of your plan's base pricing:

Equipment: Spectrum charges $5/mo. for router rental — the modem is gratis — whereas most providers charge around $10-xv/mo. You also have the option of purchasing your own Spectrum-compatible modem and router.
Installation: You'll have to pay a 1-time $19.99 Self-Installation Activation Fee on all Spectrum Net plans. In some areas, professional installation is bachelor, but you lot'll pay a $49.99 Professional person Installation Fee. To avoid the higher fee, learn how to self-install Spectrum net.
Data caps: None of Spectrum's plans have data caps, and so you lot won't have to worry about limiting your net usage.
Contracts: There are no contracts on any Spectrum Internet plans.

Spectrum internet vs. other tiptop providers

Spectrum Net probably isn't the only option in your area. Take some time to compare Spectrum Cyberspace services and prices to other providers to observe the best i for your needs.

*Limited time offer; discipline to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Lease. Spectrum Cyberspace ® promotion cost is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional menses; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: Internet: Speed based on wired connection and may vary past address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject area to modify. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.

In nigh cases, the choice between Spectrum Internet and other providers is pretty simple. If yous tin can get cobweb cyberspace, practise it. If there's only DSL available, Spectrum's cable internet service is nearly always ameliorate.

It essentially simply comes down to the engineering. Fiber internet is faster and more reliable than cable, which is ordinarily much faster than DSL. And the price difference isn't that significant betwixt the different network types. Sometimes cobweb is even cheaper than DSL, as is the instance with Verizon Fios and some of Frontier and Windstream's DSL plans.

How to bundle Spectrum internet with TV

You can bundle Spectrum packages, merely you won't save whatever money. Spectrum has one TV package, with a variety of add-ons bachelor. TV can add an additional $50 to $100 onto your monthly beak and you'll likewise have to pay a $21.00/mo. circulate Idiot box surcharge, plus $8.99/mo. for equipment. With a minimum added cost of $77/mo. for TV, you might be ameliorate off going with a live Idiot box streaming service instead.

Client satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gave Spectrum a score of 63/100 in 2021, the same as last year's score. This puts Spectrum Internet in the eye of the pack, behind AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity and Cox.

J.D. Power also gave Spectrum Internet average satisfaction ratings. Their rankings fared all-time in the South region, where they scored relatively high marks for Functioning and Reliability, Customer Service and Overall Satisfaction, ranking behind only AT&T and Xfinity.

In general, complaints about Spectrum Cyberspace center around billing. Many customers don't await the $25/mo. price increase in year ii, or the $18/mo. broadcast Television set surcharge. If you're not aware of these fees going in, your bill could stop up being well-nigh twice as much as yous expected.

FAQs

Why is my Spectrum internet slow?

Cable internet can experience slowed speeds during peak usage times. Additionally, using a Wi-Fi connection and connecting multiple devices can consequence in slower speeds. If your speeds are slower than y'all expect, contact Spectrum tech support to troubleshoot the effect.

*Express fourth dimension offering; subject field to alter; valid to qualified residential customers who accept not subscribed to any services within the previous xxx days and who take no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Net ® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply afterward twelvemonth. i. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and boosted services are extra. Full general Terms: Cyberspace: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services discipline to all applicative service terms and weather condition, field of study to alter. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions employ. Enter your accost to decide availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.

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Written past:

Joe Supan

Senior Author, Broadband Content

Joe Supan is the senior author for Allconnect and MyMove. He has helped build the proprietary metrics used on Allconnect'south review pages, utilizing thousands of data points to help readers navigate these comple… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

Read bio