What is the best internet provider in Newark, New Jersey?

According to CNET, Optimum stands out as the best internet provider in Newark, thanks to its extensive coverage and speeds reaching up to 8,000 Mbps in select areas. Most users will, however, top off at 5,000Mbps speeds. If Optimum isn't available in your neighborhood, consider Verizon Fios or Newark Fiber as alternatives. For budget-conscious users, Optimum's 300 Mbps plan is the most affordable at $40 per month, while the fastest speeds in Newark also come from Optimum, with fiber speeds up to 8,000 Mbps though that will run you a pricey $280 a month.

Best internet in Newark, New Jersey

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Newark, New Jersey

• Satellite internet: Starlink, Viasat and Hughesnet offer satellite internet alternatives for homes that don’t have a faster or more affordable broadband option. Typically, that means rural or remote households. In Newark, look for fiber, cable or fixed wireless options before you turn to satellite, with its high prices and variable speeds. 
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: In parts of Newark where Verizon doesn’t offer Fios, you may find its 5G home internet option instead. Speeds max out at 300Mbps in the city, though Verizon offers gig downloads nationwide in some parts of its coverage areas. This mainly makes sense if you’re a Verizon customer looking to bundle with a phone plan to bring your home internet down as low as $35 per month. Otherwise, plans start at $50 monthly for speeds up to 100Mbps in Newark.

Cheap internet options in Newark, New Jersey

Optimum’s entry-level cable and fiber plans have 300Mbps downloads for $40 monthly. Fiber is preferable for its symmetrical speeds, but some addresses in Newark will find cable is the only Optimum option. Most broadband plans, including the Verizon Fios 300Mbps plan, start at $35 per month. Verizon has a stronger customer service reputation than Optimum, which might sway you to pay more. 

Verizon’s wide fiber coverage in Newark will likely steer customers to Fios rather than 5G home internet. T-Mobile, however, offers a home internet discount when bundling with an eligible phone plan. That can bring your home internet cost down as low as $40 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Newark, New Jersey

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

Newark internet providers, such as Optimum and T-Mobile, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including Verizon Fios and Newark Fiber, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round. 

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

How fast is Newark internet?

Newark delivered a median fixed internet download speed of nearly 282Mbps in a recent Ookla speed test report. That’s a bit better than the US average of around 242Mbps. Ookla shows Optimum and Verizon running neck and neck as Newark’s fastest providers. The city’s average speed matches New York City, but comes in a little slower than Jersey City’s 283Mbps and Paterson’s 314Mbps. Speed tests can swing widely depending on broadband technology, network demand, equipment and location, so your results may vary.

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 online 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 Newark, New Jersey

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov. 

But it doesn't end there. We use 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: 

• Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds? 
• Do customers get decent value for what they're paying? 
• 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.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Newark, New Jersey?

Optimum’s fiber upgrades and fast speed tiers make it a tempting option for Newark residents shopping for home internet. However, lingering concerns about Optimum’s customer service may be reason enough to push customers over to Verizon Fios as a fiber alternative. Check out our head-to-head comparison of Optimum and Verizon Fios. Apartment residents should keep an eye out for fast and affordable Newark Fiber. 

Internet providers in Newark, New Jersey, FAQs