When shopping for a new Internet service, you want advice you can trust. If you’re in the market for an Internet service provider (ISP), chances are you’re struggling to find helpful reviews you can trust, which is where the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) comes in. The ACSI ranking is “a national indicator of the quality of economic output for goods and services as experienced by the consumers who use those services.” According to the survey, these were the best ISPs in 2022:
- Verizon Fios
- T-Mobile
- AT&T
- Xfinity
- Spectrum®
- Windstream
- Cox
Verizon Fios
Verizon has come a long way since it was just a mobile carrier. Verizon Fios is the company’s ambitious venture into Internet services — and today, it’s one of the best fiber Internet providers. It’s first in the ACSI rankings, with a score of 72 and plenty of satisfied customers backing it up. The benchmarks that make up the index include the quality of the mobile app, video streaming quality, and the variety of Internet plans available, just to name a few. You’ll be happy to learn Verizon Fios was one of only two providers in this list to improve its score from the previous year.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile wasn’t ranked in 2021, so landing in second place with a score of 71 makes for an impressive debut on the ACSI. T-Mobile brings many strengths to the table, but it tied for the highest score in terms of overall Wi-Fi quality, making it a standout among ISPs. In addition, T-Mobile is widely available, as it’s the third-largest mobile broadband provider in the country, offering service in 51 states and territories.
AT&T
AT&T is another strong ISP. Its 2022 ACSI score of 69 places it well above the average provider, but it somewhat dropped the ball this year. It scored a 71 in 2021 and ranked first alongside Verizon Fios but dropped three whole percentage points the following year — more than any other provider in this list. Perks such as free Visa gift cards and no installation costs when you self-install make AT&T more than competitive in today’s marketplace.
Xfinity
Xfinity is another excellent Internet provider. It scored a solid 66 in 2022 after a one-point drop, but it’s ranked as the second-best option in the overall Wi-Fi category, with a score of 72. In addition, Xfinity offers great discounts for students, teachers, veterans, and many other groups.
Spectrum
Spectrum ranked fifth this year with a total score of 63 — the same score it received last year, which tells you this ISP is consistent. Spectrum enjoys broad customer satisfaction thanks to its many perks and benefits, including unlimited data on all plans, nationwide hotspot access, and contract-free plans. In addition, much like the general trends seen across all providers, Spectrum offers secure Wi-Fi connections that can support multiple devices simultaneously, perfect for the modern family.
Windstream
Next is Windstream, with a score of 62. This is a one-point improvement from the previous year, and while the change might be modest, any improvement is good news. Windstream is one of the few providers with a 30-day money-back guarantee to inspire confidence among its customers. In addition, Windstream is one of the few ISPs that waive all installation costs.
Cox Communications
Cox has been in the game for a while, so it’s no surprise this ISP made the list. However, Cox had a tough year and scored 61, a two-point drop from its previous score of 63. The average score among ISPs in Cox’s category was 65, placing this particular provider at a disadvantage. But Cox did place fourth in Overall Wi-Fi Quality, with a score of 70, which is higher than other providers that enjoy better customer feedback. Cox is a great option for households that want more than just Internet service. You can also get TV and telephone service from Cox. With a wide price scale and plenty of discounts, this ISP is fairly accessible.