Best Internet Providers in Yonkers, New York [CNET]

What is the best internet provider in Yonkers?

Verizon Fios and Optimum are closely matched in Yonkers, but Verizon Fios stands out as the best internet service provider overall due to its local fiber internet coverage, stable pricing and high customer satisfaction. Verizon Fios is also known for its bonus offers that frequently feature gift cards, streaming service subscriptions or other freebies just for signing up.

As for Optimum, the provider offers fiber and cable internet service in Yonkers. Available speeds will vary according to which connection type is available at your address. Where fiber service is available, Optimum offers the fastest plan in Yonkers, with multigigabit speeds up to 8,000 megabits (8 gigs) per second. Regardless of the available service type, cable or fiber, Optimum will likely have the cheapest internet, with service starting at $40 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps. Verizon Fios charges $50 for the 300Mbps plan, but that can drop to $35 with an eligible mobile plan.

If you’re looking for alternatives to Verizon Fios and Optimum, fixed wireless internet from T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet may also be available. Verizon has a slightly lower starting price and faster max speeds, but T-Mobile Home Internet currently has far greater availability in Yonkers.

Best internet in Yonkers, New York

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Yonkers

The best internet deals and top promotions in Yonkers depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Yonkers internet providers, such as Verizon Fios and Optimum may run gift card or streaming service promotions for new customers. Others, including Verizon 5G Home Internet, run the same standard pricing and deals year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s 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 videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Yonkers

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Yonkers internet providers FAQ