Spectrum Review in 2024: Is Spectrum Internet a Good Choice?

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Spectrum, formerly Charter Communications, is the United States’ second-largest cable internet provider. Spectrum provides cable internet access to over 102 million Americans in 46 states, narrowly edging out Comcast’s XFINITY (which is available to over 111 million.)
Even though Charter, the corporation that owns Spectrum, hasn’t always had the greatest reputation for customer service, the firm offers some strong selling points. However, the business has made some really remarkable advances since purchasing Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks a few years ago.

Spectrum’s network has grown significantly, and it will continue to do so beyond 2022. The FCC also gave Spectrum excellent marks for its accurate speed advertising (actually providing the stated internet speed, which is sadly uncommon among Internet providers).

If you have a choice between Spectrum and conventional DSL services like AT&T internet or CenturyLink, Spectrum is a good option, particularly good if you stream movies or perform other online activities that use a lot of data. Spectrum’s internet service has no data limits, making it a good option for cord-cutters who want to watch Netflix and Hulu without having to pay for a conventional cable TV package.

Get a great Charter Spectrum Deal and save big

Our Spectrum review will concentrate on their internet service, but we’ll also go through their TV service and package choices.

Spectrum’s Plans: A One-Size-Fits-All Approach

In each service region, Spectrum typically offers a limited number of options. Most of the best internet providers provide a variety of internet speeds, with lower-cost plans for slower speeds and higher-cost options for faster speeds. In most cases, Spectrum only provides one or two speed choices in each area.

Although the company’s limited plan choices may not suit techies or severe users, it should suit the typical customer just fine. Spectrum’s “basic” internet package starts at 100 Mbps, which is sufficient for HD streaming and browsing across multiple devices. Throughout 2019 and 2020, Spectrum will continue to extend its network.

When it comes to TV subscriptions, they shake things up a little by providing a variety of bundle packages to select from. Depending on how many channels you need and if you intend to cut the cord anytime soon, they may or may not be beneficial.

DEALS	PRICE MONTHLY	INTERNET SPEED	INCLUDES TV	INCLUDES PHONE	PHONE
Spectrum Internet — Best Internet-Only Deal	$49⁹⁹	100 MbpsCABLE	No	No	(844) 293-0108
Spectrum Double Play Select	$89⁹⁸	100 MbpsCABLE	Spectrum TV Select	No	(844) 293-0108
Triple Play Select – Top Internet/TV/Phone Bundle Plan	$99⁹⁷	100 MbpsCABLE	Spectrum TV Select	Unlimited Calling	(844) 293-0108
Triple Play Silver	$124⁹⁷	100 MbpsCABLE	Spectrum TV Silver	Unlimited Calling	(844) 293-0108
Triple Play Gold	$144⁹⁷	100 MbpsCABLE	Spectrum TV Gold	Unlimited Calling	(844) 293-0108

Plans last updated 4 days ago. Plan details change frequently, always verify plan details with the Charter Spectrum directly before purchasing service.

Availability of Spectrum

Spectrum offers one of the most extensive service areas among cable companies in the United States. They now reach over 102 million people across 46 states, with California, Texas, and New York having the most coverage. Spectrum’s area was significantly extended when the firm acquired Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, and the business has been striving to enhance and standardise network performance since the purchase.

Spectrum Speed Report

The spectrum speeds are just right: not too sluggish, nor too quick.

Power users, on the other hand, are more likely to choose pure fiber from a specialized supplier. For the rest of us, Spectrum’s basic plans of about 100 Mbps are quite fast enough for gaming, streaming, and browsing the web in a busy home.

CITY	CHARTER SPECTRUM AVERAGE SPEED	CHARTER SPECTRUM TOP 10% SPEEDS
Austin, Texas	83 Mbps	205 Mbps
Brooklyn, New York	68 Mbps	193 Mbps
Buffalo, New York	33 Mbps	88 Mbps
Charlotte, North Carolina	66 Mbps	182 Mbps
Cincinnati, Ohio	69 Mbps	180 Mbps
Cleveland, Ohio	54 Mbps	90 Mbps
Columbus, Ohio	44 Mbps	106 Mbps
Dallas, Texas	79 Mbps	205 Mbps
El Paso, Texas	52 Mbps	111 Mbps
Fort Worth, Texas	63 Mbps	176 Mbps
Kansas City, Missouri	49 Mbps	106 Mbps
Los Angeles, California	76 Mbps	192 Mbps
Louisville, Kentucky	52 Mbps	145 Mbps
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	64 Mbps	183 Mbps
New York, New York	94 Mbps	223 Mbps
Orlando, Florida	49 Mbps	107 Mbps
Saint Louis, Missouri	55 Mbps	143 Mbps
San Antonio, Texas	61 Mbps	170 Mbps
San Diego, California	78 Mbps	202 Mbps
Tampa, Florida	41 Mbps	99 Mbps

Real world speeds of Charter Spectrum service based on IP verified users in various cities. This data is based on 9,823,903 speed tests.

Spectrum Has No Data Caps

Spectrum has a significant edge over other carriers in that they do not have data limits.
This is an excellent benefit for Netflix addicts and streamers who wish to enjoy content over the Internet without fear of being charged a hefty overage fee if their data use exceeds their allowance whilst enjoying the best internet speeds for Netflix at the same time. Many other cable companies charge after a terabyte or so of use, while Spectrum provides unlimited data with all of their internet plans.

Actual Spectrum Speeds vs. Advertised Speed

Many internet providers advertise speeds of “up to” a particular amount, although these speeds are seldom achieved. Spectrum customers will be relieved to learn that this isn’t always the case.

When it comes to providing speeds as promised, Spectrum has a good reputation compared to other cable companies. In its yearly assessment on fixed broadband in the United States, the FCC regularly gives Spectrum excellent marks. According to a recent study, 85 percent of test Spectrum customers were able to obtain speeds of 95 percent or higher of the stated speed for their region. So, despite the fact that Spectrum doesn’t provide a lot of speed fluctuation to begin with, the business really delivers on the speeds it claims. Of course, there are a few things you can do to improve the performance of your Wifi connection even more.

While moving their Spectrum service from one city to another, we had someone on our staff perform speed testing. The findings were comparable, with speeds measured on a weekday morning in two large metro regions falling within 5% of the stated speed or surpassing it

Does Spectrum Have Hidden Fees?

In a nutshell, no. The router charge was the only true “hidden” price we discovered with Spectrum. Aside from that, the price is clear, and additional products are listed up front. After the first year of service, Spectrum raises its prices, which is standard for a national cable company. Just keep this in mind before signing up so you aren’t shocked when your bill goes up a year later.

DSL Providers vs. Spectrum

Spectrum is praised for its unexpectedly high base speed, which is often in the 60-100 Mbps range (your mileage may vary, depending on service area.)

Their hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network is responsible for their high base speed. Unlike DSL, which uses phone lines to transmit data, cable companies such as Spectrum utilise higher-bandwidth coaxial connections from television networks. This isn’t as good as 100 percent fiber, but it’s typically the best option for most families.

Cable networks are less vulnerable to storm damage and other disruptions than phone lines since they are underground, resulting in a more dependable and secure connection.

Spectrum Installation: The Only Fee Spectrum Lets You Negotiate

Spectrum’s installation costs vary by region, according to our research. According to some consumers, if you’re prepared to haggle with Spectrum over the phone, you may even talk your way out of paying installation costs. This may change soon, since Spectrum has a reputation for being price-conscious.

Spectrum’s prices are lower than normal when compared to other cable companies, which is unexpected given that they provide contract-free service.

They also keep to a “one-hour appointment window” installation timetable, which they promote. For those of us who don’t have time to wait for the cable man all day, this is a great benefit.

Spectrum TV Options

Spectrum stands out in the field of television, but even when bundled, their plans may be expensive when compared to satellite alternatives.

If you’re a sports lover, check out DirecTV and DISH’s seasonal sports and sports package bundles before making your decision. We judged Spectrum’s value to be high in all other categories.

Spectrum TV Channels and Plans

Select, Silver, and Gold are the three primary packages offered by Spectrum TV.

You’re looking at 125+ channels on the bottom end. To Spectrum’s credit, that’s a lot more diversity than many other providers’ “value” tiers. You reach closer to 200 on the upper end of the range (pun intended), which includes sports must-haves like NFL RedZone.

TV Pricing

Spectrum’s TV services have a reputation for being expensive, particularly for standalone offerings. Bundled Internet/TV/phone packages, on the other hand, provide significant savings. Simply keep an eye on the final price once the introductory time ends, especially if you intend to subscribe for many years.

DVR options with Spectrum

Spectrum’s DVR service is reasonable, costing $11.99 for one DVR and $19.99 for extra devices each month. The DVRs themselves vary in make and model based on your coverage region and when you sign up, but we think it’s a decent bargain for a versatile configuration given the price is a third of what other rivals charge.

Conclusion: Spectrum is a Great Option for Most Subscribers

To summarise, Spectrum meets several of the sweet spots for residential Internet service, including no commitment, no data limits, no hidden costs, affordable price, and quick installation.

They don’t have a large number of plans to choose from, but they make up for it with benefits and price. Some of the specifications may be missing for hardcore techies, but for the 99 percent of us who simply want to go online and be done with it, Spectrum makes it simple and cheap.

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