What is the best ISP in Irvine?
The best ISP in Irvine is AT&T fiber. It offers the fastest speeds in the area, with upload speeds as fast as download speeds. Although Google Fiber provides comparable speeds, AT&T's plans are generally more affordable and have received higher marks in customer satisfaction surveys.
If you can't get AT&T or Google Fiber at your address, Cox has the widest coverage in Irvineand some neighborhoods even have access to Cox's fiber optic Internet service. Whether you're getting fiber or standard Cox cable internet, its plans are reasonably priced and all include unlimited data and free equipment for the first two years.
Wireless internet from T-Mobile and Verizon is also widely available in the area. These connections don't reach the same peak speeds as cable or fiber internet, but they provide plenty of bandwidth for most homes.
Best Internet in Irvine, CA
Irvine Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Agreement | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T fiber Read the full review |
Hair | $55-$245 | 300-5,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Read the full review |
DSL | 55 dollars | Up to 140 Mbps | No one | 1.5TB on some plans | No one | 7.4 |
| Cox Read the full review |
Cable, fiber | 50-110 dollars | 100-2,000 Mbps | Two years on | Unlimited for two years | No one | 6.2 |
| Google Fiber Read the full review |
Hair | 70-100 dollars | 1,000-2,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.5 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible cellular plans) | 87-415 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cheap internet options in Irvine
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly subscription for equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox goes fast Read the full review |
50 dollars | 100 Mbps | No one |
| Cox goes faster Read the full review |
50 dollars | 250 Mbps | No one |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($30 with eligible mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No one |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible cell phone plans) | 300 Mbps | No one |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Irvine
The best online deals and top promotions in Irvine depend on what discounts are available at that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Irvine ISPs, such as Verizon, may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Cox, Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber, have the same standard prices year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
The fastest internet plans in Irvine
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review |
245 dollars | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review |
145 dollars | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Coke 2 gig Read the full review |
110 dollars | 2,000 Mbps | 100 Mbps | No one | Cable |
| Google Fiber 2 Gig Read the full review |
100 dollars | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review |
80 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Cox 1 Gig Read the full review |
70 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 100 Mbps | No one | Cable |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig Read the full review |
70 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible cell phone plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No one | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an Internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a stronger connection. Here's an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are guidelines only and that internet speed, service and performance will vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5Mbps lets you handle the basics: web browsing, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- From 5 to 40 Mbps, you can enjoy higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should give a user enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and gaming.
- 500 to 1,000 Mbps allows three or more users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities.
How CNET picked the best ISPs in Irvine
Internet providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smart phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What is our approach? We start by researching price, availability and speed information that we draw on our own historical data from ISPs, supplier locations and mapping information from FCC.gov.
It doesn't stop there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that provides service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on supplier websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power, to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; all information provided is correct as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they are paying for?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to saying yes to all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also take into account factors such as price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Okla and The FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more detail, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Irvine ISPs Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ISP in Irvine?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Irvine, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds, unlimited data and no equipment fees.
Is fiber optic internet available in Irvine?
Yes, fiber optic Internet is available to 50% of Irvine residents, according to FCC data. AT&T, Cox and Google Fiber all offer fiber optic internet service in the area.
What is the cheapest ISP in Irvine?
Cox, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer plans starting at $50 per month, but both T-Mobile and Verizon offer discounts when you connect to a cell phone plan. Cox's plans also increase significantly after two years.
Which ISP in Irvine offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest plan in Irvine, with upload and download speeds of up to 5 gigabits (5,000 Mbps).