At a Glance
- Verizon Fios tops the list for New Jersey with symmetrical speeds up to 2,000 Mbps and no equipment fees.
- Xfinity offers the cheapest entry-level plan at $15 /month for 75 Mbps, but Fios wins on speed and value.
- Rural residents can rely on T-Mobile Home Internet and satellite options like Starlink when fiber isn’t available.
Verizon Fios has been named the best internet provider in New Jersey by a recent review. The fiber network delivers symmetrical speeds, reliable connectivity, and attractive sign-up offers. While other ISPs compete on price, Fios stands out for its speed, value, and customer satisfaction.
Top Choice for New Jersey
Verizon Fios is the first ISP highlighted in the review. It offers four plans ranging from $35 to $110 per month, with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. All plans come with a price guarantee of one to five years, unlimited data, and no equipment fees.
Why Fios Matters
- Symmetrical speeds mean upload and download rates match, ideal for video conferencing and cloud backups.
- No contracts – customers can cancel at any time.
- Price lock – a five-year guarantee protects against rate hikes.
Other Strong Options
Xfinity
Xfinity remains a solid alternative, especially for those looking for lower monthly costs. Its Essential plan starts at $15 /month for 75 Mbps, and the Essential Plus plan is $30 /month for 100 Mbps. Xfinity offers a five-year price lock, which can be valuable for budget-conscious households.
Spectrum
Spectrum’s plans begin at $30 /month for 100 Mbps. The service is cable-based, offering decent speeds but typically higher latency compared to fiber.
Optimum
Optimum’s cable and fiber options start at $25 /month for 200 Mbps, with speeds up to 8,000 Mbps in certain areas. However, Optimum charges an equipment fee and offers no data caps.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
For mobile customers, Verizon’s 5G Home Internet provides speeds between 25 Mbps and 250 Mbps. With a qualifying mobile plan, the price can drop to $35 /month.
Rural and Limited Coverage
New Jersey’s rural regions still face limited broadband choices. The review identifies several viable options:
| Provider | Technology | Price Range | Speed Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | Fiber/copper | $29-$109 | 300-2,000 Mbps | DSL operations inherited from CenturyLink; coverage mainly in western NJ. |
| Hughesnet | Satellite | $40-$95 | 50-100 Mbps | Unlimited data; cheaper than Viasat. |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $35-$55 | 133-415 Mbps | Best for rural areas; lower fees than satellite. |
| Starlink | Satellite | $40-$120 | 100-250 Mbps | Low-orbit satellites; higher hardware cost but free hardware in current promotion. |
| Viasat | Satellite | $90 | Up to 150 Mbps | Unlimited data; newer plan offers higher speeds. |
Choosing the Right Rural Option
- T-Mobile Home Internet delivers the fastest speeds for the lowest price in most rural locales.
- Starlink is a good fallback if fixed-wireless coverage is spotty, especially in remote corners.
- Brightspeed remains a viable fiber choice where DSL coverage exists.
Pricing and Speed Breakdown
The review’s detailed tables show how each provider stacks up on price, speed, and equipment costs. Below is a snapshot of the cheapest plans in the state:
| Plan | Starting Price | Max Download | Equipment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $15 | 75 Mbps | None |
| Brightspeed 300 | $29 | 300 Mbps | None |
| Spectrum Internet | $30 | 100 Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home | $35 (with discount) | 85 Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Rely Home Internet | $35 (with discount) | 415 Mbps | None |
Fastest Plans Available
| Plan | Price | Max Download | Max Upload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 8 Gig | $120 | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps |
| Fiber Optimum 5 Gig | $75 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps |
| Brightspeed 2 Gig | $109 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios 2 Gig | $110 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps |
| Xfinity 2 Gigabit | $100 | 2,000 Mbps | 300 Mbps |
How the Review Was Done
The assessment began by gathering pricing, availability, and speed data from provider websites, FCC maps, and the company’s own historical ISP database. The review cross-checked this information against FCC data to confirm coverage areas.
Customer satisfaction was evaluated using the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power ratings. The final recommendation considered three criteria:
- Speed availability – How quickly can a customer download and upload.
- Value – Cost relative to performance and contract terms.
- Customer happiness – Satisfaction scores from independent studies.
All data reflects the state of service at the time of publication; prices and plans can change.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon Fios is the best overall choice for New Jersey, offering the highest speeds, no equipment fees, and a price guarantee.
- Xfinity provides the cheapest entry-level option, but its speeds are lower than Fios.
- Rural areas have reliable options: T-Mobile Home Internet for speed, Starlink for satellite coverage, and Brightspeed for fiber where available.
- When choosing an ISP, consider not only monthly cost but also speed, data caps, and contract length.
By weighing speed, value, and customer satisfaction, residents can select the provider that best meets their needs in the Garden State.
