What is the best ISP in Winter Haven?
CNET recommends Spectrum as the best choice for internet service in Winter Haven, Florida. Spektar has super wide coverage and budget home internet plans. Plus, it keeps things simple with unlimited data and free gear, so you don't have to worry about extra fees. Spectrum also offers the best plans for those looking for something affordable, at $25 for 50 Mbps and $30 for 100 Mbps.
That said, if you're looking for alternatives to the Spectrum, then Border and T-Mobile serve and defend Winter Havenites and it is worth checking to see if they are available at your address.
If you're looking for high-speed Internet, Frontier Fiber has you covered with its impressive 5-gigabit plan, priced at $155 per month, with no data caps or equipment fees. For those who might not need that much speed, Frontier also offers a 2-gigabit plan for $100 a month.
The best internet in Winter Haven, FL in 2024
Compared to Winter Haven ISPs
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Agreement | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border communications Read the full review |
DSL/Fiber | $45-$155 | 500-5,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 6.3 |
| Spectrum Read the full review |
Cable | 25-70 dollars | 100-1,000 Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional, free on 1 gig plan) | No one | No one | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G cellular plans) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Winter Haven?
| Provider | Initial monthly price | Maximum download speed | Monthly subscription for equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Assist Read the full review |
25 dollars | 50 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet advantage Read the full review |
30 dollars | 100 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read the full review |
50 dollars | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Boundary fiber 500 Read the full review |
45 dollars | 500 Mbps | No one |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300 Mbps | No one |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$60 ($40 with eligible mobile plan) | 245 Mbps | No one |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Winter Haven
The best online deals and top promotions in Winter Haven depend on what discounts are available at that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Winter Haven ISPs, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as Frontier and Verizon, have the same standard rates year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Photo by Carl & Ann Purcell/Getty Images
Fastest internet plans in Winter Haven
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border fiber 5 giga Read the full review |
155 dollars | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Border fibers 2 gig Read the full review |
100 dollars | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Border fibers 1 giga Read the full review |
60 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Spectrum Internet gig Read the full review |
70 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No one | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 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 5 Mbps lets you handle the basics: web browsing, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- From 5 to 40 Mbps, you can enjoy video streaming and video conferencing with higher quality.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should give a person enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000 Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET picked the best ISPs in Winter Haven
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 begin by researching pricing, availability, and speed information, drawing our own historical data from ISPs, provider locations, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission to 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 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 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 look at real-world speed data from sources like Okla and The FCC reports. (Disclosure: 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.
Winter Haven ISP FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Winter Haven?
Spectrum is Winter Haven's premier Internet provider, offering wide availability, affordable plans and speeds up to 1 gigabit to residents throughout the city.
Is fiber optic internet available in Winter Haven?
According to the FCCfiber internet is available to over 48% of households in Winter Haven. If you want fiber service in your home, Frontier Fiber will be your best connection option.
What is the cheapest ISP in Winter Haven?
The average starting price for home internet in Winter Haven is $45 per month, but several providers offer plans cheaper than that. Spectrum offers the most affordable service in the area, costing only $25 per month for speeds up to 50 Mbps.
Which ISP in Winter Haven offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber is the fastest ISP in Winter Haven, and it's also the only provider that offers it multi-gigabit plans. Customers can choose between 2 gigabit for $100 or 5 gigabit for $155 per month.