Optimum
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Our Optimum internet review
Oct 16, 2024 | Share
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet provider operating in 21 states across the US: from California to Texas to North Carolina to New York. We recommend Optimum’s fiber internet if you can get it— it has greater reliability and symmetrical speeds up to 8,000 Mbps. Optimum’s cable internet is a good alternative if fiber isn’t in your area.
Pros
- Affordable promo prices
- No contracts
- No data caps
Cons
- Limited fiber availability
- Price increases after 12 and 24 months
Jump to: Plans and pricing | Speed and data caps | Fees | Installation, equipment, and contracts | Customer ratings | Optimum vs. the competition | Bottom line | FAQ
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Compare Optimum internet plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | View on Optimum site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Internet | $40.00/mo.* | Up to 300Mbps | Cable | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Internet | $60.00/mo.‡ | Up to 940Mbps | Cable | Shop Plans |
| 300 Mbps Fiber Internet | $40.00/mo.* | Up to 300Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet | $60.00/mo.† | Up to 500Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | $60.00/mo.‡ | Up to 940Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet | $120.00/mo.§ | Up to 2,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $180.00/mo.¶ | Up to 5,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $280.00/mo.║ | Up to 8,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
See disclaimers.
Find out if Optimum is available in your area.
Optimum’s speeds: What’s best for you?
Optimum’s 300 Mbps Internet plan is ideal for small households checking email, posting to social media, and streaming a few cat videos. And a household of four or five may feel the limits of a 500 Mbps connection if they all try to stream video and download simultaneously. Optimum offers multigig plans, but 5,000Mbps and 8,000 Mbps in download speed is probably overkill for most households and the average internet user. Optimum has both cable and fiber plans, and we always recommend fiber if you can get it because it’s more reliable and has equal upload and download speeds.
Test and track your internet speed on your phone
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How fast are your Optimum speeds?
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Download speed
000 Mbps
Upload speed
000 Mbps
Latency (ping)
00 ms
Jitter
00 ms
Be sure to use our How Much Speed Do I Need? tool before investing in a plan that may be too little or too much for your needs.
Optimum’s data caps
Optimum doesn’t enforce data caps, so no worries about overage fees or extra charges for unlimited data (like Xfinity).
Our favorite plan: Optimum’s 500 Mbps Fiber Internet plan is a good choice if you have up to four people in your household. Fiber is highly reliable and offers equal upload and download speeds.
Optimum provides some of the cheapest promotional discounts in the US. The 300 Mbps Internet plan is a steal for $40.00 per month—especially the fiber version with symmetrical speeds.
After the first year, Optimum’s 300 Mbps plan increases in price to $55 per month. After the second year with Optimum, that 300Mbps plan costs $70.
Optimum offers fiber internet mainly in the New York tri-state area and in small pockets scattered across the US. There are only 1.2 million fiber-to-the-home connections as of December 31, 2022, but parent company Altice USA expects to increase its fiber coverage to 6.5 million connections by the end of 2025.1
Optimum ongoing deals and promotions + bundles
Free internet opportunities in NYC
Qualifying NYC residents can enroll in Big Apple Connect for a free plan up to 300 Mbps.
Optimum plans with mobile bundle deal
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | View on Optimum site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Internet + 1 GB Mobile | $55.00/mo.* | Up to 300Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 300 Mbps Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $85.00/mo.† | Up to 300Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $100.00/mo.‡ | Up to 500Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $80.00/mo.§ | Up to 940Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $80.00/mo.¶ | Up to 940Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $110.00/mo.║ | Up to 2,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $135.00/mo.** | Up to 5,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $185.00/mo.†† | Up to 8,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
Optimum internet fees
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Equipment Fee |
|
| Installation Fee | Free installation with online orders |
| Other Fees |
|
Optimum used to charge a Network Enhancement Fee of $3.50 per month but discontinued the fee in early 2022 (although Optimum still shows it on the standard rates and packages list).
Optimum internet installation, equipment, and contracts
With the standard install, a technician comes to your home and connects your home to fiber or cable internet. Premium installation includes placing additional outlets and connecting wired and wireless devices to your local network. You can get a self-install kit for cable internet only.
Optimum equipment
For cable internet, you have two options: a modem and a smart router or a wireless gateway. Optimum Xtend is a Wi-Fi extender compatible with its wireless gateway so that you can extend your wireless network further into your home.
Optimum supplies you with an Altice One unit if you get TV service, combining a modem, router, and TV receiver into one unit. Other options include the Optimum Stream—an Android-based media streamer—and Optimum Amplify, a smart speaker designed by Devialet Technologies.
Optimum internet contracts
Optimum doesn’t require an annual contract, but it does offer new customers a discount for 24 months. After that, standard rates apply.
Optimum internet customer satisfaction ratings
| Overall | Reliability | Customer Service | Speed | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum rating* | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Average rating* | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.4 |
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
Optimum ranks in the bottom half of every category in our latest customer satisfaction survey. Its highest ranking is in speed satisfaction, although that’s not saying much, given it places twelfth out of 15 internet providers. Cable internet rivals Astound Broadband, Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity did far better in this category in our survey, even though Optimum offers superfast fiber-to-the-home internet.
Optimum ranked at rock bottom for customer service and price in our survey. The company has exceptional introductory prices, but customers used to be hit with super-inflated rates after the first 12 months, hence the low price ranking. That has changed now—prices go up only $30 per month after two years—but Optimum stillt can’t compete with the likes of T-Mobile and Verizon, which rank at the top of our survey and don’t raise their prices after a year.
How Optimum compares to the competition
| Provider | Speeds (range) | User rating* | Order online | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | $40.00–$280.00/mo.† | 300–8,000Mbps | 3.2 | View Plans |
| Verizon | $49.99–$109.99/mo.* w/ Auto Pay | 300–2,300Mbps | 3.9 | View Plans |
| Spectrum | $25–$70/mo.§ for 12 mos. | 50–1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | 3.7 | View Plans |
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
Optimum’s prices are the cheapest for the first 12 months, thanks to promotional pricing. In year two, you’ll pay $15 more per month for Optimum than you had been paying, but prices are still better than what you’ll see from Spectrum. However, Verizon’s fiber internet prices tend to be the cheapest long-term.
If you compare their gigabit plans, for example, Spectrum’s cable internet increases to $109.99 per month in the second year and $114.99 per month in the third year. With Optimum, the gig plan for both cable and fiber internet goes up to $75 in year two and then another $15 every year, until it reaches the prevailing price of $110 per month.
Verizon’s price, in comparison, holds steady at $89.99 per month.
Read our full reviews of Optimum vs. its main internet competitors
Is Optimum internet right for you?
Optimum provides mainly cable internet in 21 states across the US. It also has some fiber in the New York tri-state area and in small pockets in Texas, West Virginia, and a handful of other states. The type of connection you can get depends on where you live.
We suggest fiber if you can get it—Optimum’s fiber internet is pretty cheap for the first 12 months. But once the promotional pricing ends, another option like Verizon’s fiber is cheaper long-term if you can get it.
Optimum’s cable internet competes with Spectrum in many areas if there’s no fiber where you live. Even after promotional pricing ends, Optimum is the cheaper of the two.
Shop Optimum InternetFAQ about Optimum
Where can I get Optimum's cable internet?
Where can I get Optimum’s fiber internet?
What are the best routers for Optimum internet?
Does Optimum offer equipment catered to gamers?
Does Optimum offer any security software?
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.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.
Sources
- Altice USA, “Altice USA Announces Acceleration in Fiber Deployment Strategy; Announces Multi-Year Plan to Bring 100% Fiber Broadband to More Than 6.5 Million Passings Across the Optimum and Suddenlink Footprint,” February 16, 2022. Accessed May 3, 2022.
- Altice USA, “Altice USA to Acquire Morris Broadband,” March 01, 2021. Accessed May 4, 2022.
Disclaimer
Optimum
Data effective 10/16/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†Optimum disclaimers
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
‡ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes with unlimited mobile plans. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
Compare Optimum internet plans and pricing
*w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
†For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
‡w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
§ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
¶ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
║w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
Optimum plans with mobile bundle deal
*For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
†For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 15 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Terms apply.
‡For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 15 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price subject to change. Terms apply.
§ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes & fees. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 16 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change.
¶ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes & fees. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 16 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change.
║For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 15 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price subject to change. Terms apply
**For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 15 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price subject to change. Terms apply.
††For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 15 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price subject to change. Terms apply.
How Optimum compares to the competition
†Optimum disclaimers
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $15.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
*Verizon
- Price per month without select 5G mobile plans.
- Available in select areas only. Price per month without select 5G mobile plans.
§ Spectrum
Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
# w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
Amazon.com Prices as of 8/01/22 9:35 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Highspeedinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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