5G Home Internet vs. Cable: Which Is Right for You?

There used to be a time when cable internet was the only game in town for many Americans who wanted fast Wi-Fi. But those days are coming to an end, and 5G home internet has lately emerged as a solid alternative.

Cable internet providers are still quite popular, offering speeds up to 1,000Mbps and a range of slower, budget-friendly options as well. But 5G internet providers are hustling these days to win over customers. 5G home internet plans deliver respectable speeds while the pricing is fair and affordable—with none of the onerous fees, term contracts, or misleading marketing tactics usually associated with cable.

So which of these internet types is better for you? Take a look at our guide below for a full rundown.

Jump to: 5G vs. cable: Which is better? | Pros and cons | What is 5G home internet? | What is cable internet? | Verdict

Jump to:

• 5G vs. cable: Which is better?
• Pros and cons
• What is 5G home internet?
• What is cable internet?
• Verdict

Bottom line

Get 5G home internet if you want cheap Wi-Fi and a deal to go with your cell phone plan. But stick to cable internet if you need a foolproof connection for a big household of Wi-Fi power users.

5G vs. cable—how do they compare?

5G home internet is cheaper and more forward-thinking of an internet option than cable. Verizon and T-Mobile, the two major 5G home internet providers right now, both give you solid speeds. The fixed wireless connections means your speeds can fluctuate quite a bit, and you’re likely to experience more outages than you would on a cable plan. But prices are cheap and you get unlimited data with your service. And there are no charges for installation or equipment, no annual contracts, and no 12-month price hikes.

Many cable plans come loaded with all of those extra fees and restrictions, which costs you more money and in some cases may lead to unpleasant surprises on your bill. Still, cable providers like Xfinity and Spectrum have a much larger national footprint than 5G providers. And the better-established infrastructure of cable ensures you get consistent speeds day in and day out.

5G home internet vs. cable internet—pros and cons

What is 5G home internet?

5G home internet is a type of internet that works over a fixed wireless 5G network managed by a cellular phone company. (Some 5G home internet plans also use 4G LTE networks in areas where 5G isn’t as strong.) This service is relatively new and mostly available in major cities and metro areas. It delivers average speeds roughly equal to those of a basic or mid-level cable or fiber internet plan.

Best 5G home internet providers

You can also find Starry Internet in some areas with plans ranging from $30.00–$75.00 a month and download speeds up to 1,000Mbps.

5G home internet gives you simple pricing with no extra fees

The best thing about 5G home internet is the price. Although some plans cost more, the average 5G home internet package costs you a flat fee of $50 per month. No additional fees to cover your router or installation. No annual contract. And no caps on how much data you can use per month.

This pricing strategy blows a hole right through the byzantine pricing models of many cable internet providers, which have become infamous over the years for loading customers’ bills up with extra fees. They’re also known for restrictive contracts and “promotional” prices that start off cheap but then leap into the skies like Cirque du Soleil acrobats after a year of service.

By comparison, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is way more reliable, with upfront pricing and low rates. Verizon 5G Home Internet even offers 2- or 3-year price guarantees on its plans. AT&T’s new 5G-based Internet Air service also goes easy on the customer with straightforward rates and no data overage charges.

You also get lots of extra perks

Promos for new T-Mobile 5G Home Internet customers

• Rebate for up to $500 in early termination fees from your previous provider
• 15-day free trail period
• Paramount+ Essential free trial for 12 months
• $10 monthly off Philo TV for 12 months
• $20 off per month when you pair T-Mobile 5G Home Internet with T-Mobile Magenta MAX phone plan (2+ lines required)

Promos for new Verizon 5G Home Internet customers

• $25 per month off 5G Home, LTE Home or Fios internet plan when you combine it with a 5G Do More, 5G Play More or 5G Get More phone plan
• 10-year price guarantee on your plan (offer valid through 1/4/23)
• 30-day free trial period (full refund if you cancel within 30 days of activation)
• Rebate for up to $500 in early termination fees from your previous provider
• $300 off Stream TV Soundbar when you get 5G Home Plus

Is 5G internet as fast as cable Internet?

What is cable internet?

Cable internet is an internet type that runs over the coaxial wiring of a cable TV company. It’s the most widely available connection you can get for high-speed internet, serving 85% of the US population.² It’s very reliable and gives you fast download speeds, with cable providers offering gigabit plans in many service areas.

Best cable internet providers

Data effective 10/18/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Read disclaimers.

Cable internet gives you fast speeds and decent prices

For many internet users, a cable provider is going to be your best bet for fast Wi-Fi. Although many parts of the country are still limited to just one or two internet providers, oftentimes at least one of those providers is a cable company.

Cable is more widely available than fiber internet, and it’s faster and more reliable than DSL. And most cable providers offer a relatively wide range of speed tiers to choose from, so you can find adequate Wi-Fi bandwidth for your home but also have the option to pick a slightly slower plan at a lower price.

But cable also means extra fees, price hikes, data caps, and term contracts

It’s great that cable internet is widely available, but since cable companies enjoy such overriding influence on our internet connections, cable companies for years have been able to get away with charging a whole host of extra fees. Though this isn’t always the case, it’s common to see these items tacked onto your bill:

• A one-time charge for installation ranging anywhere from $25 to $100
• A $10–$15 monthly rental fee for a modem/router gateway
• Overage charges if you exceed your monthly data cap—typically $10 for every 50 GB you use over your limit
• Early termination fees of $10–$15 for every month you have left on your contract term if you cancel your internet before the contract is up

It’s also common to see misleading “promotional” prices on cable internet plans. This isn’t the case with every provider, but many cable providers quote you a monthly price for the first 12 months that’s lower than the “normal” that kicks in when those 12 months are up. The real price is buried in the fine print (which you might overlook if you’re not reading carefully) and may be significantly higher than the initial monthly fee.

These endless fees can be a lot to keep track of, and if you’re not careful it’s possible to end up with a monthly internet bill overloaded with fees for mysterious features that don’t provide much value. 5G home internet does away with all of this—and in the process it helps set a standard for clarity and transparency that’s needed in the world of internet services.

Verdict: Is 5G better than cable?

5G home internet is better than cable internet for a lot of reasons, but it can’t beat cable when it comes to reliability or speed.

A 5G home internet plan is cheap, relatively fast, and often comes with extra perks to make your deal that much sweeter. We recommend getting it if you’re looking for a deal and don’t mind the occasional technical hiccup. It’s perfect for small households, college students, and savvy cable-cutters eager to try something new.

Stick with cable, though, if you need Wi-Fi that’s really reliable. You’ll likely end up paying more money in the long run—and you should definitely look for a cable provider that gives you unlimited data and no contracts, if possible. But cable is a tried-and-true service, making it better suited for big households and people who need higher Wi-Fi speeds.

Sources

1. Mark Lowenstein, Fierce Wireless, “The Sad Story of Starry — Industry Voices: Lowenstein,” November 7, 2022. Accessed November 8, 2022.
2. Federal Communications Commission, “Compare Broadband Availability in Different Areas,” June 2021. Accessed November 8, 2022.

Additional resources

• Verizon 5G Home Internet Review
• T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Review
• How to Get Internet without a Phone Line or Cable
• Cable vs. Fiber: Which One Is Better?
• DSL vs. Cable: Which One Is Better?