Over the last decade, we've seen an increase in senior internet usage, with 73 percent of adults 65 and older reporting online activity.1 Internet usage is associated with decreased levels of depression,2 with online learning increasing neural activity and overall health in older adults.3 What's more, the internet greatly improves the quality of life for older adults and helps them stay connected with loved ones.
If you're looking for a new internet provider, Cox offers reliable and fast internet with many options for bundling TV and phone service. With speeds ranging from 25 to 940 Mbps, you can find plans starting at $29.99 per month for 12 months. Compared to companies like AT&T, Cox provides affordable packages to meet your budget and internet needs. In this guide, we'll discuss pricing, plans, and ways for seniors to save on high-speed internet.
| Plan | Price | Speed | Connection | Contracts and early termination fees | Internet usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Starter 25 | $29.99 per month | Up to 25 Mbps | Cable | Yes | Light |
| Cox Internet Essential 50 | $39.99 per month | Up to 50 Mbps | Cable | Yes | Light to moderate |
| StraightUp Internet (month to month) | $50 per month | Up to 25 Mbps | Cable | No | Light to moderate |
| Cox Internet Preferred 150 | $59.99 per month | Up to 150 Mbps | Cable | Yes | Heavy |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 | $79.99 per month | Up to 500 Mbps | Cable | Yes | Heavy |
| Gigablast | $99.99 per month | Up to 940 Mbps | Cable | Yes | Very heavy |
Remember that all prices are subject to change and you might see a slight increase during the second year of service.
When you're comparing Cox's internet plans, it's important to look into your internet habits. For light or new internet users, the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan might be a great option. For older adults who enjoy streaming shows and checking emails across multiple devices, upgrading to the Cox Internet Essential 50 Plan might be a better option.
We recommend the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan for seniors who spend a few hours per week using the internet. This plan is perfect for first-time internet users who want to send emails or upload pictures from their vacations to Facebook. This plan starts at $29.99 per month for the first 12 months with a one-year contract. With download speeds up to 25 Mbps, it's perfect for those who enjoy basic internet activities such as light web browsing, emailing, and social networking.
FYI: If you're new to the world internet providers and plans and want to learn more, visit our internet buyers guide for seniors. We cover topics like how to get the best deal on your internet plan, tips for staying safe online, and how to choose the right provider.
This plan is our pick for older adults who are comfortable using the internet and looking for higher speeds across multiple devices. The Cox Internet Essential 50 Plan starts at $39.99 per month, and just like the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan, it requires a one-year contract. This plan comes with speeds up to 50 Mbps, which is fast enough for moderate web browsing, checking social media, and streaming shows on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Good to know: In addition to high-speed internet, Cox offers Voice Home Phone, which lets you make unlimited calls to friends and family in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Lastly, the prepaid StraightUp Internet Plan provides both speed and several value incentives. It starts at $50 per month with no contracts, hidden fees, or credit checks. The price is also locked in for three years, which is a plus for those who want consistency and no price hikes. This plan provides speeds up to 25 Mbps, which is a happy medium between the Starter and Essential plans. You also get a free modem with this option. StraightUp is a great plan for seniors who don't want to commit to a long-term contract and or just have one or two devices connected to the internet at a time.
Unfortunately, Cox does not currently offer a senior discount for internet plans. However, they provide other ways for seniors to save on internet services. For example, the Connect2Compete program provides discounted internet services for low-income families at $9.95 per month. To qualify for Connect2Compete, your household must have at least one K-12 student and participate in a government assistance program. As another incentive, the Connect2Compete program requires no annual contracts, and some low-income seniors might be eligible.
Pro Tip: Cox offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
Cox provides high-speed internet service, along with TV, phone, and home security coverage for both residences and businesses. To check whether Cox is available in your area, we recommend entering your ZIP code on the company's website.
Buyer's tip: On a tight budget? Visit our list of the best cheap internet providers for seniors to compare affordable plans.
Pricing for plans varies by location, so if you want to find the best deals in your area, be sure to type in your residential or business address along with your ZIP code to find the latest promotions and deals. While not the absolute cheapest internet provider, Cox offers a moderately large coverage area with a strong and secure cable network to keep you connected.
For many older adults, television is an important form of entertainment and source of information. If you want a reliable internet plan in addition to your TV service, you might consider bundling your internet with one of Cox's TV packages. As a perk, base equipment is included for all TV, Homelife, and Voice plans. A one-year term agreement is required for all Cox bundles.
FYI: Qualifying households can get up to $50 per month toward Cox internet service and equipment with help from the FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
Cox currently offers eight internet and TV bundles for moderate to heavy usage. Below is a breakdown of Cox's internet and TV bundles. As with Cox's stand-alone internet plans, prices for these bundles will increase after one year.
| Bundle name | Cost | Contract | Download speeds | TV channels | Available add-ons and extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Essential 50 + Contour Stream Player | $56.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 50 Mbps | 75+ | Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway, or secure Wi-Fi coverage in your home, for $12 per month |
| Cox Internet Preferred 150 + Contour Stream Player | $76.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 150 Mbps | 75+ | HBO Max blockbuster movies, originals, and more for $14.99 per month |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour Stream Player | $96.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 500 Mbps | 75+ | HBO Max blockbuster movies, originals, and more for $14.99 per month |
| Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour Stream Player | $116.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 940 Mbps | 140+ | None |
| Cox Internet Essential 50 + Contour TV Preferred | $129.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 50 Mbps | 140+ | None |
| Cox Internet Preferred 150 + Contour TV Preferred | $149.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 150 Mbps | 140+ | None |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred | $169.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 500 Mbps | 140+ | Additional channels, additional boxes, and DVR service |
| Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred | $189.99 per month | 1 year | Up to 940 Mbps | 140+ | Additional channels, additional boxes, and DVR service |
To help you decide on the best internet plan for your needs, we've compared Cox with other leading internet providers:
While both of these providers offer a reliable cable internet connection, Xfinity internet plans include fast fiber internet options. Xfinity has a wider coverage area, servicing over 40 states, while Cox currently services 18. However, Cox offers more internet plans than Xfinity. When comparing plans with similar speeds, we've found that Cox is slightly more expensive than Xfinity. For example, Cox's Starter plan begins at $29.99 per month with speeds up to 25 Mbps, while Xfinity's Performance Starter+ plan is $19.99 per month with higher speeds of up to 50 Mbps. Cox's fastest plan has up to 940 Mbps of download speed and is priced at $99.99 per month, while Xfinity's plan has higher speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps at only $84.99 per month for 12 months.
In addition to their wireless and mobile services, AT&T offers fiber internet plans. AT&T Internet has a larger coverage area than Cox, providing services in 21 states. Additionally, AT&T offers fiber internet plans starting at $35.99 per month for up to 300 Mbps. For comparison, Cox offers their Internet Preferred 150 plan with cable speeds up to 150 Mbps for $59.99 per month. Both providers offer speeds up to nearly 1,000 Mbps. The main difference between the two is the price and the connection type.
Quick tip: Want to learn more about these top providers and how they compare? Visit our list of the best internet providers for seniors.
CenturyLink offers fewer internet plan choices than Cox. Cox offers more flexible plans and speeds up to 940 Mbps at a slightly higher price. For example, CenturyLink's plans with speeds up to 100 Mbps are $49.99 per month, while Cox's Internet Preferred 150 plan starts at $59.99 per month. Also, CenturyLink offers a lifetime price guarantee on many of their plans, while Cox's prices depend on yearly service agreements. CenturyLink's DSL plans may be less reliable and slower than Cox's cable plans, so unless you're going with a CenturyLink fiber plan, Cox tends to be a better option.
When searching for a new internet provider, you want a fast, reliable, and affordable connection. Fortunately, Cox checks all of these boxes. As one of the nation's largest cable internet providers, Cox offers several plans, starting at $29.99 per month with speeds ranging from 25 to 940 Mbps. Whether you're a light, moderate, or heavy internet user, Cox offers a variety of plans and bundles to help you stay connected with loved ones. While most plans require a one-year term agreement, Cox offers a strong and secure cable network for all your internet needs. If you want secure and reliable Wi-Fi coverage at affordable prices, Cox is worth considering.
Cable internet uses the same underground cable network that is used for TV to deliver an internet connection.
Yes, Cox has a data cap of 1.25 TB on all of their internet plans.
Select Cox internet plans may be eligible for a free modem, but not all plans qualify. You can also use your own modem. Cox has a list of compatible modems on their website so you can see if yours will work.
Cox offers free cancellation within 30 days of your service agreement. If you cancel after that, you will be charged an early termination fee of up to $120.
Cox Security Suite is antivirus software powered by McAfee that’s included in all Cox internet plans. You can protect up to five devices with it.
Cox hotspots are networks that provide access to Wi-Fi hotspots that select Cox internet subscribers can connect to across the U.S.
Pew Research. (2019). Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet.
JMIR. (2020)/ Exploring the Relationship Between Internet Use and Mental Health Among Older Adults in England: Longitudinal Observational Study.
NCBI. (2020). Brain health consequences of digital technology use.
