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Finding the best cable company isn’t always easy. Depending on where you live, several options might be available. However, the best Cox deals and promotional prices typically require a contract of 12 months, which is a big commitment if you’re not familiar with the company.
Cox offers fast Internet speeds, extensive TV packages, and a wide range of money-saving bundles. However, they also have limited coverage areas and a reputation for less-than-stellar customer service.
Is Cox Cable the best cable Internet provider for your home or business? Your complete guide to their Cox TV prices and services, including an impartial review of the pros and cons, starts right now:
What is COX Communications?
Cox Communications, more commonly known as Cox Cable, is the third-largest cable internet company in the country. They have 6.2 million total internet customers across three categories:
- 2.9 million digital cable subscribers
- 3.5 million Cox Internet subscribers
- 3.2 million digital phone service subscribers
Although known primarily for Cox Internet service and TV, Cox is also the seventh-largest phone service carrier in the U.S. Cox offers unlimited nationwide calling.
Headquartered in the Atlanta metro area, Cox serves the following 18 states:
- California (9% Coverage)
- Nevada (69% Coverage)
- Arizona (67% Coverage)
- Colorado (9% Coverage)
- Idaho (1% Coverage)
- Oklahoma (46% Coverage)
- Kansas (38% Coverage)
- Nebraska (36% Coverage)
- Iowa (2% Coverage)
- Arkansas (20% Coverage)
- Louisiana (43% Coverage)
- Ohio (2% Coverage)
- Georgia (3% Coverage)
- Florida (4% Coverage)
- Connecticut (13% Coverage)
- Virginia (35% Coverage)
- Rhode Island (98% Coverage)
COX Digital TV Service
Channel availability varies slightly by package. However, you can expect a large lineup including FX, MTV, CNN, Fox, Bravo, A&E, and many other popular cable channels.
Additionally, four premium channels are available, including:
- HBO
- Cinemax
- Showtime
- Starz
Contour TV is Cox’s digital TV service. It consists of three parts:
- Streaming Apps (Contour App)
- Live TV with OnDemand
- DVR Service
Streaming Apps
Cox Contour TV Streaming App lets you watch your favorite channels on an Apple or Android device using the Contour App. Download the app from either the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
You can watch OnDemand programs, DVR recordings and some live TV (depending on where you live).
Keep in mind the data limits for your smartphone apply. Streaming movies and multiple TV episodes can burn through your data quickly, making the Contour App far less useful than it first appears.
With Cox Contour TV service, you can start watching shows immediately after signing up for internet service. No installation is required (although it’s still necessary for at-home internet service). Choose either the standard Contour HD Receiver or for an extra fee go with the more powerful Contour Record 6 HD-DVR for maximum HD programming.
On-Demand
Contour TV also offers On-Demand programming. It includes new movies, live sporting events, and a large library of current and classic TV shows. Their On-Demand programming is similar to other packages offered by competitors. It’s fine, but nothing stands out as particularly excellent.
DVR
Like most digital TV systems, Cox Contour TV offers a built-in DVR system. It features search tools, voice activation, and up to 1,000 hours of storage space. The storage capacity is significantly larger than what’s offered by most other cable companies, making Cox a good choice if you like to record lots of shows.
COX Deals & Bundles for 2021
Cox is offering a lot of bundles to start 2021. Honestly, they probably have too many options. Scrolling through all the prices, packages, and Cox deals on their website will likely strain your wrist (okay, not really, but it is figuratively painful). All prices and packages are subject to change. That said, Here’s a closer look:
Bronze Bundle with Voice Premier
It’s a perfect entry bundle at $109.99 per month for 12 months. You save 53% by bundling instead of buying the services separately.
You get Cox Internet Preferred with up to 150 Mbps download speeds. That’s a solid maximum speed, but there are no minimum speed guarantees, so your speeds in the house could be slower. (Of course, that’s not always the cable company’s fault. Your gear plays a role, too.)
The Contour TV plan includes just over 140 common cable channels but no premium channels like HBO, Showtime, etc. Plus more than 50 Music Choice channels which are commercial-free.
Finally, the digital voice line features unlimited calling nationwide plus 30 countries, including Mexico and Canada.
Silver Bundle with Voice Premier
Next up is the Silver Bundle. The price increases to $129.99 mo for 12 months. The Internet service speeds increase to 500 Mbps, and phone service stay the same.
What else do you get for your extra $20? HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz join the fun. Choose the Silver Bundle if you regularly watch premium channels.
Silver Bundle with GigaBlast
Upgrade your Cox Internet speeds with the GigaBlast. It increases download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Monthly costs increase to $149.99 mo for 12 months.
Do you need the GigaBlast? Download speeds in the four figures sound great, but they’re meaningless if you’re not hitting 150 Mbps with the Bronze plan.
Gold Bundle with Voice Premier
For $149.99 mo for 12 months – the same price as Silver GigaBlast – you can also get the Gold Bundle. It has download speeds up to 500 Mbps, and upload speeds up to 30 Mbps. 500 Mbps is enough download speed for almost any situation.
The Contour TV package expands to 250 channels, allowing you to watch a variety of niche programming. You also get the full suite of premium movie channels.
The Gold package is ideal for large families. Up to nine devices can access Cox Internet service simultaneously.
Plus, the average user will get more value from the expanded channel lineup than the increased speed from the Gigablast.
The Platinum Bundle
The Platinum bundle features fast download speeds and lots of channels. You get download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 35 Mbps. It costs $179.99 mo for 12 months. Early termination fees may apply.
The Cox TV package includes 250 channels plus premium channels and local programming.
Is the Platinum Bundle worth the price? Not always. The Silver Gigablast bundle has the same download and upload speeds but costs $30 less. If the 1,000 Mbps download speed is what you want, choose the Gigablast.
If you’re mainly interested in the expanded TV lineup, choose the Gold Bundle instead of the Platinum. Going gold will save you about $30.
For the fastest internet speeds and the complete lineup of 250+ TV channels, Platinum is the only way to go.
TV and Internet Starter Bundles
Cox also offers three discounted internet plans. You don’t get fast speeds or many channels, but the promotional prices fit just about any budget. All prices and packages are subject to change.
Cox TV and Internet Starter 10
For $54.99 mo, the TV Starter 10 includes:
- Download speeds up to 10 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 1 Mbps
- 75 Channels including local channels
- Digital voice line
Cox Internet activity is limited. Only one or maybe two devices can go online simultaneously. Streaming is possible, but you’ll likely face frozen screens from time to time.
Additionally, this Internet TV option mainly features local channels. The cable channels offered consist of government and educational programming. You won’t find many popular entertainment channels here. Early termination fees may apply.
Cox TV and Internet Starter 50
For $64.99 mo, you can increase download speeds up to 50 Mbps. Otherwise, the package remains the same as the TV Starter 10.
Cox TV and Internet Starter 150
For $84.99 mo, you can upgrade the download speed to 150 Mbps.
The Bronze and Silver bundles are a better deal than the TV Starter 50 and 150. For about $20 more, you get faster Internet speeds and a far better selection of cable channels.
The TV Starter bundles only make sense if you only need basic Cox Internet access and don’t care about TV.
Modem Rental Fee May Apply
All Cox Internet plans require a modem. You can either supply your own, rent one from Cox or buy one from them.
Rental fees may apply and may vary, but average around $10 per month. That’s a standard price found across most cable companies. You can also buy a modem from Cox for about $180. Honestly, you can probably get a modem just as good if not better for the same price when buying from a third party seller.
A ten-dollar modem fee doesn’t sound like much, but it can add quickly. Remember, most bundles require a two-year commitment. You’ll spend $240 on rental fees. For the same amount, you can buy a nice modem which will pay for itself starting in year three.
Homelife
Cox also offers Homelife, a combination of smart home and home security features. They have two Homelife plans:
Smart Home Automation
For $29.99 mo, Smart Home Automation lets you control and monitor your house while you’re away. Features include:
Lighting Control – Set timers and turn individual lights on or off at will.
Breach Alerts – Receive instant notification if any door or window opens.
Live Video Feed – Use the smartphone app to watch real-time video. (You buy and place the cameras.)
The Smart Home system is easy to upgrade, too. You can add equipment to control locks, appliances, or your thermostat.
Smart Home with Monitored Security
For $54.99 mo, you can add monitored security. Trained security personnel stand ready to assist you in the event of a break-in, fire, or another emergency.
Additionally, you can add motion sensors, a battery backup, continuous video recording, and more.
Is Homelife Worth the Price?
It depends. Homelife services and prices are similar to those offered by traditional security services. However, traditional security monitoring companies typically have a more well-established reputation.
Home security is a relatively new feature for Cox. Unfortunately, Cox doesn’t have the best customer support (which we’ll detail further down). Trusting your cable company to react quickly in a life-or-death emergency can seem like a tall order for many people.
Additionally, there are some equipment charges to consider. If you want to take full advantage of all the Homelife features, you’ll need to buy sensors, outlets, control panels, locks, and more. It can add up quickly.
Homelife is a solid option if you want a smart home but don’t care about price. However, there’s currently not much reason to believe your cable company can effectively monitor your home’s security.
Customer Service
Cable internet service companies frequently suffer from poor customer service, and Cox is no exception. They consistently score in the low 60s on the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
However, while that’s low, it’s still better than many Xfinity, Time Warner, Spectrum and many other major cable companies.
Their customer support is hardly the worst. It also doesn’t show any significant signs of improvement. Year after year, support remains aggressively mediocre.
All in all, be sure to read the service agreement before you sign up, and there should not be any problems.
Cox Internet For Business
Do you run a business from home? Cox can be a valuable partner. They offer several bundles designed for at-home businesses:
Cox Business Internet
Their Business Internet plans offer speeds up to 1,000 Gbps plus a variety of wireless features. Cox Internet plans are highly customizable. A personal consultation with a Cox representative is required to sign up for Business Internet service.
They offer several packages based on industry:
- Small Business
- NZ Kiwi Pokies
- K-12 Education
- Healthcare
- State and Local Government
- Federal Government
- Hospitality
The Small Business plan is for anyone who runs websites, freelances, or works from home. The other packages are designed for large-scale operations.
The lack of detailed info on their website is frustrating. All the pages eventually require you to call and speak to a representative. However, personal service does make choosing the right plan easy.
Fiber Optic Internet
Fiber optic Internet (FiOS) is the fastest, most reliable type. Plus, it also allows for symmetric uploading and downloading, which is ideal for video conferencing (and online gaming, but that’s probably frowned on during working hours).
However, availability is an issue. Cox only offers FiOS in a few large cities. You’ll have to check their website for details.
Security
Cox offers an intriguing combination of virtual and physical security.
Their virtual security includes DDoS protection, security tool, and more. Your website will be protected from data theft and other black hat activities.
However, they also offer physical security, including entryway monitoring, motion sensors, light controls, and other features found in the Homelife system.
While Homelife doesn’t make sense for many residential users, the Cox Business Security is another story. Bundling your physical and virtual security together helps your business stay safe. If disaster strikes, you only need to contact one company instead of several.
Is Cox the Best Choice for Cable and Internet?
Let’s find out.
First, is Cox available in your area? If so, are they the only option? Unfortunately, many cities only have one cable internet provider. Without competition, you’ll likely see high rates and poor internet customer services.
If more than one ISP is available, you’ll want to do some comparison shopping. Compare Cox Internet speeds, TV packages, and promotional prices.
If you’ve settled on Cox, how do you know what plan is the best option?
Consider your TV viewing habits. Don’t buy a bundle if you never watch basic cable television. Instead, spend the extra money increasing the download speed of your Cox Internet Ultimate for streaming.
However, if you like cable television, make sure to check the channel list for your specific zip code. Cox doesn’t offer the same channels across all service locations. Make sure you’re paying for channels you want to watch.
How many people live in your household? Bronze and Silver packages support anywhere from one to five devices. Gold and Platinum packages are better for larger households. They support up to nine devices.
Final Thoughts
Is Cox the country’s best Internet provider? Not really. Their customer service has received mixed reviews, and their bundles can be confusing to navigate. However, they still have lots to like.
Cox excels at providing affordable Internet TV bundles with fast speeds and a wide variety of entertainment options. Generally, stay away from both their high-end and low-priced bundles. Instead, their Silver and Gold bundles provide the best overall value for most users.
Overall, Cox internet is a good choice for most at-home users who mainly surf the net, stream movies, and play online games.
