Best Internet Providers in Detroit - CNET
- Prices from $20 – $300 per month
- Speeds from 75 – 6,000Mbps
- Data caps on some plans
- Prices from $55 – $180 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 5,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $50 – $70 per month
- Speeds from 85 – 1,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
Detroit will forever be etched into American history as an automobile hub. But it also lays claims to fame in music (hello, Motown), sports (go, Lions) and even food (cheesy, rectangular pizza). The city’s legacy may be assured, but it’s still finding its footing when it comes to the latest and best broadband options. Detroit currently sits in 99th place on Speedtest.net’s ranking of city speeds for the 100 most populous US cities.
Detroit might not have the speediest internet in the country, but Xfinity, our choice for the best ISP in the Motor City, brings its gigabit speeds to just about every corner of town. People who live in the right places may also get fast fiber from AT&T Fiber or Snip Internet (for certain apartments). Get your motor running, and let’s explore the best internet providers in Detroit.
Best internet providers in the Motor City
There is only one major player among ISPs in Detroit: Xfinity. No one else can top its combination of coverage and speeds across all parts of the city. It faces competition in some areas from AT&T Fiber, which offers fast upload speeds to go with fast downloads. Some residents may want to test an alternative from a fixed wireless provider like Verizon 5G Home Internet.
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Product details
Xfinity takes top honors in our recommended ISP list because it’s available just about everywhere in Detroit. A variety of plans and price points means you’re likely to find a deal that fits well into your budget, at least until the price hike arrives down the line.
Availability: Other ISPs tend to have spottier coverage or a focus on the surrounding communities around Detroit, leaving some dry spots around the city’s heart. That’s not a problem with Xfinity, which covers over 93% of the area.
Plans and pricing: While Xfinity has been rolling out a 2,000Mbps plan in some areas of the country, look for speeds up to 1,200Mbps in Detroit. Pricing typically starts at $30 per month (for the first 12 months) for the 75Mbps plan, but you may find better deals by comparing with faster plans. For example, you might spot a special offer for the 200Mbps Connect More plan for $25 a month for the first 24 months. Watch out for future price jumps and be prepared to negotiate for a better deal.
Fees and service details: Xfinity plans require a lot of scrutiny. Some require contracts, and some don’t. Some include equipment, while some will ask you to rent a modem or supply your own. Most plans are saddled with a 1.2TB data cap, but you can pay extra to get around that. The xFi Complete add-on option starts at $10 a month (for some plans) and gets you the company’s xFi Gateway gear and unlimited data. That’s an upgrade power users will want to consider.
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Product details
AT&T Fiber gets a nod as a rare fiber internet option for some parts of Detroit. With plans up to 5,000Mbps, it kicks some serious butt in the speed department but suffers from a lack of availability in many areas of town. If you’re in a downtown Detroit apartment, check if Snip Internet services your building instead.
Availability: You may luck out and find some small pockets of AT&T Fiber around the central part of Detroit. For example, I found some coverage just off Grand River Avenue. However, residents in communities around Detroit — including Dearborn Heights and Grosse Pointe Farms — will have a better chance at getting those sweet fiber speeds.
Plans and pricing: Plans start at $55 a month for speeds up to 300Mbps. That’s one of the cheapest entry points for fiber internet you’ll find. On the other end of the scale, there’s a 5,000Mbps top speed for $180 monthly. Most people will want something in the middle, like 1,000Mbps, for $80 a month.
Fees and service details: AT&T Fiber promises no price hikes after the first year, so you can rest easy for at least that long. There are no data caps and no contracts. Equipment is included. The simplicity of the plans gives AT&T Fiber a leg up over Xfinity.