The best cable companies in July
When it comes to finding a TV provider in your area, information can be few and far between. What with the limited-time deals you never know what is exactly included in the cost and what isn't.
Most people opt to bundle with cable TV so at least your internet, TV, and home phone can all be billed to the same place.
But which company really offers the best price? And which one gives you the most bang for your buck?
Our review of the best cable TV providers will help you decide which one is best for you.
Best cable TV provider
Xfinity TV
Xfinity TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic TV | 10 Channels | $30.00 | ||
Extra TV | 140 Channels | $67.00 | ||
Preferred TV | 220 Channels | $70.00 |
Xfinity TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Peformance Pro Internet + Basic TV | 200 Mbps | 10 Channels | $60.00 | |
Blast! Internet + Basic TV | 400 Mbps | 10 Channels | $60.00 | |
Extreme Pro Internet + Basic TV | 800 Mbps | 10 Channels | $70.00 | |
Peformance Pro Internet + Extra TV | 200 Mbps | 140 Channels | $80.00 | |
Blast! Internet + Extra TV | 400 Mbps | 140 Channels | $80.00 | |
Gigabit Speed Internet + Basic TV | 1200 Mbps | 10 Channels | $80.00 | |
Peformance Pro Internet + Preferred TV | 200 Mbps | 220 Channels | $90.00 | |
Extreme Pro Internet + Extra TV | 800 Mbps | 140 Channels | $90.00 | |
Blast! Internet + Preferred TV | 400 Mbps | 220 Channels | $100.00 | |
Gigabit Speed + Extra TV | 1200 Mbps | 140 Channels | $100.00 | |
Extreme Pro Internet + Preferred TV | 800 Mbps | 220 Channels | $110.00 | |
Gigabit Speed + Preferred TV | 1200 Mbps | 220 Channels | $120.00 |
Xfinity Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Peformance Pro Internet + Extra TV + Voice | 200 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $90.00 |
Blast! Internet + Extra TV + Voice | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $90.00 |
Peformance Pro Internet + Preferred TV + Voice | 200 Mbps | 220 Channels | Unlimited | $100.00 |
Extreme Pro Internet + Extra TV + Voice | 800 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $100.00 |
Blast! Internet + Preferred TV + Voice | 400 Mbps | 200 Channels | Unlimited | $110.00 |
Gigabit Speed + Extra TV + Voice | 1200 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $110.00 |
Extreme Pro Internet + Preferred TV + Voice | 800 Mbps | 220 Channels | Unlimited | $120.00 |
Gigabit Speed + Preferred TV + Voice | 1200 Mbps | 220 Channels | Unlimited | $130.00 |
Pros
Flexible bundles
Month-to-month service option
Quality DVR choices
Mobile app
Cons
Less than stellar customer service ratings
Known for its occasional outages
Optional no contract plan
Great flexible bundle deals
Top quality DVR choices
Good add on channel options
Plenty of on demand content
Includes a voice remote
Online virtual support
24/7 customer support
Xfinity has a lot to offer in terms of cable TV. From bundles to service to their highly sought after X1 DVR. Here's what else they have to offer:
Price - XFINITY is cheaper than most other providers.
Packages - Even their smallest channel package has some of the most popular channels.
No Contract - XFINITY doesn't make you sign up for a large amount of time to become one of their customers.
Equipment - As stated, XFINITY X1 DVR holds an amazing amount of programs and can record up to six shows at one time.
Here's the downside though:
Fees - XFINITY will charge you for every additional service you receive. Yep, including that DVR. You'll be charged for almost every additional service your receive through XFINITY meaning you'll pay for the X1 DVR, sports, and some broadcasting.
XFINITY TV packages
Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
10 | $30 | |
140 | $67 | |
220 | $70 |
Best cable & internet bundles
Spectrum TV
Spectrum TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TV Select | 125 Channels | $44.99 | ||
TV Silver | 175 Channels | $74.99 | ||
TV Gold | 200 Channels | $94.99 |
Spectrum TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Double Play Select | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | $59.98 | |
Double Play Silver | 400 Mbps | 175 Channels | $89.98 | |
Double Play Gold | 400 Mbps | 200 Channels | $109.98 |
Spectrum Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Triple Play Select | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $72.97 |
Triple Play Silver | 400 Mbps | 175 Channels | Unlimited | $102.97 |
Triple Play Gold | 400 Mbps | 200 Channels | Unlimited | $122.97 |
Pros
No contracts
Mobile TV app
Attractive bundling options
One-hour installation appointment window
Wide availability
Cons
Negative customer service reputation
No fiber option
No contract required
No extra cost for HD
Customer service online virtual chat
Good selection of bundles
Convenient self-install options available
200+ HD channels available
Free primetime on demand
When it comes to bundles Spectrum has you covered. Here are the other perks:
Bundle Packages - Bundle internet and phone with your TV service for more savings.
Customer Service - Spectrum's customer service has improved immensely since they acquired Time Warner Spectrum.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing Spectrum:
Plan Options - Spectrum has very limited plan options available.
Offers - Be aware the Spectrum offers many sign-up discounts. Those often end before your contract is up though so be aware that your price will almost certainly go up.
Spectrum TV packages
Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
125 | $44.99 | |
175 | $74.99 | |
200 | $94.99 |
Best cheap cable TV provider
Cox TV
Cox TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Contour TV Starter | 75 Channels | $50.00 | ||
Contour TV Preferred | 140 Channels | $90.00 | ||
Contour TV Preferred Plus | 170 Channels | $110.00 | ||
Contour TV Ultimate | 250 Channels | $130.00 |
Cox TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet Essential 50 + Contour TV Preferred | 50 Mbps | 140 Channels | $129.99 | |
Internet Preferred 150 + Contour TV Preferred | 150 Mbps | 140 Channels | $149.99 | |
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred | 500 Mbps | 140 Channels | $169.99 | |
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred | 940 Mbps | 140 Channels | $189.99 |
Cox Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet Essential 50 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 50 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $149.99 |
Internet Preferred 150 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 150 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $169.99 |
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 500 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $189.99 |
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 940 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $209.99 |
Pros
2 TB capacity DVR
Customizable channel packages
No contracts
Bundles available
Cons
Available in limited number of states
Slow upload speeds on some plans
Large range of packages
Extensive list of HD channels
Option for a 2 TB HD capacity DVR
Record up to two programs simultaneously
BYO device if it's compatible with a CableCard
When it comes to your cable provider good customer service is a major perk. After all, if anything were to happen with your connection or equipment you'll want it dealt with swiftly. Cox has the best customer service rating amongst cable TV providers. And that's not all they have to offer. They also:
Customizable Plan - With Cox's Contour TV you can customize your TV package with "paks." So add on a kids plan or a sports package and get TV the way you want it.
Cox also has its downfalls. Including:
Price - Cox prices are much higher than other cable TV providers.
Equipment - Cox's DVR is more expensive than most it's competitors.
Hidden Fees - Keep in mind that with Cox you'll have to pay installation fees, regional sports and broadcast fees, and a few other fees that can hike up your monthly bill.
Cox TV packages
Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
75 | $50 | |
140 | $90 | |
Cox Contour TV Preferred Plus | 170 | $110 |
Cox Contour TV Ultimate | 250 | $130 |
Best family cable TV provider
Optimum TV
Optimum TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Core TV | 220 Channels | $74.99 | ||
Select TV | 340 Channels | $99.99 | ||
Premier TV | 420 Channels | $119.99 |
Optimum TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 300 + Basic TV | 300 Mbps | 50 Channels | $50.00 | |
Internet 300 + Core TV | 300 Mbps | 220 Channels | $74.99 | |
Internet 300 + Select TV | 300 Mbps | 340 Channels | $99.99 | |
Internet 300 + Premier TV | 300 Mbps | 420 Channels | $119.99 |
Optimum Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 300 + Core TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 220 Channels | Unlimited | $124.98 |
Internet 300 + Select TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 340 Channels | Unlimited | $139.98 |
Internet 300 + Premier TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 420 Channels | Unlimited | $159.98 |
Pros
Tons of channels
No contracts
DVR records 15 programs at once
Cons
Services only a few states
Limited plan selection
No contracts
Record 15 programs at once on DVR
Huge number of HD channels
Premium channel add ons available
Whole home DVR system
If you're looking for a plan with no commitment you're not alone. A lot of cable users would prefer to be without a contract that could lock them into prices they didn't sign up for. That's where Optimum comes in.
What else do they have to offer?:
Packages - Optimum TV packages offer a large channel selection.
No Contract - As we stated earlier you won't have to worry about being tied to this provider.
And now for the downside:
Availability - Optimum is only available in a small portion of the US.
Optimum TV packages
Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
220 | $74.99 | |
340 | $99.99 | |
420 | $119.99 |
Best cable TV alternative
Dish TV
Dish TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
America's Top 120 | 190 Channels | $64.99 | ||
America's Top 120 Plus | 190 Channels | $79.99 | ||
America's Top 200 | 240 Channels | $89.99 | ||
America's Top 250 | 290 Channels | $99.99 |
Pros
Transparent pricing
Strong sports offerings
Whole-home DVR
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa
Cons
Whole Home DVR
Consistent pricing throughout contract
No contract option
Good sports coverage
Standard installation included
99% signal reliability - in all weather
Up to 80,000+ movies and shows available On Demand
Google Voice remote
Dish TV packages
Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
190 | $64.99 | |
190 | $79.99 | |
240 | $89.99 | |
290 | $99.99 |
Cable provider availability by ZIP code
Key considerations when comparing cable companies
Before we jump right in we want to make sure you have a clear idea of what you want. Try to answer these questions which will help you decide:
What providers are in your area? Check our comparison tool to find TV providers by ZIP code.
Are you looking for satellite, cable, or DSL?
Are there specific channels you HAVE to have? Always be sure to check that provider's channel line up before you commit.
Compare TV provider packages
Provider | Channels | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 10-220 | $30.00-70.00 |
| Spectrum | 125-200 | $44.99-94.99 |
| Cox | 75-250 | $50.00-130.00 |
 Suddenlink | 200-340 | $58.00-124.99 |
| Optimum | 220-420 | $74.99-119.99 |
 Sparklight | 100 | $84.00 |
Cable companies FAQs
What is the best cable TV company?
Spectrum often comes up top. It covers the most amount of states and offers flexible plans.
Who has the best cable and internet service?
Xfinity has a great selection of bundles and their prices suit all budgets.
Can you get basic cable TV for free?
You can't get basic cable TV for free, but if you're eligible there are schemes that could mean you would pay between $10-$15 for a basic tv plan.
Recap
What cable TV provider you choose is going to be limited to the area you live in. You'll always get the best deal by bundling your TV service with Internet, and home phone.
Be sure to check out what promos each provider is running when it's time to choose a provider. But keep in mind that the promo price often ends before your contract is up so you may actually save money by committing to a "higher-priced" provider.
