Cox Speed Test Tips
Things you should consider before running your speed test:
- Internet speed changes throughout the day. Test your speed multiple times for clear results.
- Run the speed test in the same room and in clear sight of your router for the most accurate result.
- Complete downloads on all connected devices prior to running the test.
Results
Ideal for 1-2 devices
Your Internet connection is slow.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 1 person
- Light Internet browsing
- Music and photo download
This connection is not fast enough to support high-quality streaming.
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Results
Ideal for up to 6 devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 1-2 people
- Moderate Internet browsing
- Stream HD videos
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Results
Ideal for up to 9 devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 2-3 people
- Manage large files
- Stream 4k videos
- Multiplayer gaming
Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.
Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options. Explore More Options
Results
Ideal for 10+ devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 4+ people
- Heavy Internet usage
- Stream 4k videos
- Multiplayer gaming
Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.
Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options. Explore More Options
Understanding Internet speeds & Mbps
Your Internet connection is a crucial part of your everyday life. You use the Internet to connect to friends and family, accomplish work tasks, learn about the world around you and relax. But is your Internet connection fast and reliable? Internet speed, known as bandwidth, is a measure of how fast your Internet connection can transfer data packets each second. Typically, this speed is measured in megabits per second, or Mbps. The higher the Mbps, the faster your Internet connection runs. While you may need only a few Mbps to seamlessly use an email application, resource-intensive tasks like streaming 4K video content require a significant amount of data transfer. In practice, most people use multiple programs or perform multiple activities simultaneously. For example, you may play a competitive online game while streaming Netflix on your smart TV. Alternatively, you may check emails while running five work applications. So, high speeds on online tests may not translate into fast performance if you use many different devices and programs. When you use the Internet, data flows in two directions. Almost every digital interaction requires you to both download and upload data. And most Internet speed tests measure both your download speed and upload speed.
Upload Speed vs. Download Speed
Your download speed is a measure of how fast data travels from the Internet to your device. Whether you pull up Netflix and binge the latest TV show or spend the day browsing social media platforms, download speed tells you how much data servers are capable of sending your Internet-connected device each second.
Examples of actions that use download speed include:
- Streaming
- Video games
- Reading online content
- Scrolling through social media
- Downloading files Your upload speed is a measure of how fast data travels from your device to the Internet. So, every time you post a video on Instagram, play your favorite online video game, send an email, click a link or make a Google search, your Internet-connected device needs to send data from your computer to a server to register your action. Generally, people upload far less data than they download. While upload speed is important, most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide slower upload speeds compared to download speeds.
Examples of actions that use upload speed include:
- Searching
- Clicking on links
- Posting videos
- Uploading files to Google Drive
- Video games Remember, both upload speed and download speed are important. That said, most daily Internet activities require faster download speeds than upload speeds.
Using the Cox speed test
Conducting an Internet speed test is incredibly easy to do offering insight to your download and upload speeds across any Internet provider. It will give you an accurate picture of your speeds during a specific period of time. Generally, a speed test has your Internet-connected device download and upload test packets of data to a few different nearby servers. Then, it measures the speed of both the download and upload process. Afterward, the test excludes the two fastest and two slowest response times and gives you an average of your overall download and upload speed. In addition to your upload speed and download speed, the Cox speed test will also measure your ping times and jitter. Ping is a measure of how long it takes your device to connect to the test server. Jitter is a measure of how consistent your Internet speeds are during the testing process. To use the Cox speed test, click the button at the top of the page to get started.
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Determining what your download speed means
Ideal for 1-2 devices
- Suitable for 1 person
- Light Internet browsing
- Music and photo download
Ideal for up to 6 devices
- Suitable for 1-2 people
- Moderate Internet browsing
- Stream HD videos
Ideal for up to 9 devices
- Suitable for 2-3 people
- Manage large files
- Stream 4k videos
- Multiplayer gaming
Ideal for 10+ devices
- Suitable for 4+ people
- Heavy Internet usage
- Stream 4k videos
- Multiplayer gaming
What is a good Cox speed test result?
Cox only tests your speed across a single activity. If you use multiple Internet-connected devices or perform multiple activities at once, you likely require a higher Mbps. Conversely, if you solely browse the Internet and use email, a lower amount of Mbps may be more than enough to meet your requirements. In other words, there is no ideal Internet speed. It entirely depends on your needs. However, if you plan on streaming 4K video content or playing hyper-competitive online games, you need download speeds well over 100 Mbps.
Why is my internet speed so slow?
Your Internet speed isn't always consistent. The time of day, devices used and the number of programs running in the background can all impact the results of your Cox speed test. If you notice your speeds are slower than advertised by your ISP, consider performing the following actions before running the test again.
- Restart your modem and router.
- Stop all Internet use except for the speed test.
- Clear your browser's cache.
- Restart your computer.
- Use a wired connection.
- Move your router to a different location.
- Disconnect other Internet-connected devices.
- Choose a newer modem and router.
- Change Internet browsers.
- Use a different computer or device.
Cox Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is COX internet speed?
COX internet download speeds range from 10 Mbps to 940 Mbps. You can test your Cox Internet speed with the Cox SpeedTest here.
What is the fastest internet speed for COX?
The fastest download speed available from COX is 940 Mbps.
Is COX internet speed guaranteed?
COX is unable to guarantee that your speed results will align with the speeds outlined in your plan. This is because of the myriad speed-influencing factors beyond COX’s control, including: the equipment you are using; the competing demands in your household; the overall demands in your area, aka internet congestion.
Is COX Speed Test accurate?
The COX Speed Test is accurate, but may deliver the most accurate results for users who live in closer proximity to one of COX’s test locations.
Do I have to sign in to use the COX Speed Test?
No; it is not required that you be signed in to run the COX internet speed test. However, we recommend signing in so you can easily compare the results of your speed test against the speeds outlined in your plan.
How can I improve my COX internet speed?
Many users find they receive the fastest, most reliable speeds when connected directly to the internet through an Ethernet cable. For an improved WiFi connection, we recommend rebooting your modem and router, and placing your router in an open location in your home where the signal can travel more freely. You may also find internet speed improvement by minimizing the number of devices utilizing the WiFi at any given time. Turning off devices that aren’t currently in use can help to free up additional bandwidth for active tasks.
Learn About Cox Internet
Cox Internet provides a variety of features that you can tailor to your needs. Learn more about your options on the Cox's page.
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