Without context, "Gigablast" sounds like a threat from the villain in an action movie, or a term the military uses to measure the force of a bomb. In reality, it's much less explosive. It's gigabit internet, plain and simple. Specifically, gigabit internet from Cox Communications.

That's not to say gigabit internet isn't something to get excited about. Download speeds of around 1,000 megabits per second are among the fastest you'll find from most cable internet providers -- though an increasing number are ramping up to multigigabit speeds. Either way, these plans are all but guaranteed to deliver ample speed for the average or larger-than-average household. 

When it comes to broadband, gigabit speaks for itself. Gigablast implies something more -- like your internet is shot from a coaxial cannon to deliver an internet experience unlike any other. The truth is, there are faster speeds available -- like Google Fiber's 2 Gig plan, or Xfinity's Gigabit Pro, which now offers up to 3Gbps -- and cheaper standard gig plans from many of the best internet providers.

So the question stands: Is Cox Gigablast worth it? The answer depends on how much you want to spend each month on your internet connection, the internet speeds you need and the available internet providers in your area. Let's take a deeper look at the Cox Gigablast plan to help you decide if it's right for your home.

What is Cox Gigablast?

Cox Gigablast is the fastest internet plan Cox has to offer, with download speeds up to 940Mbps and upload speeds of up to 35Mbps over a cable or cable/fiber hybrid connection. Select Cox service areas -- about 6%, according to the FCC -- will have access to Cox's 100% fiber network, which promises equally speedy downloads and significantly faster uploads for the same price as the cable connection.

Gigablast plan details

Starting monthly price	Regular monthly rate	Max speeds	Data cap	Equipment fee	Contract
$100	$120	1,000Mbps download, 35Mbps upload	1.25TB	$13 (skippable)	1 year

Gigablast runs at the promotional price of $100 per month for the first year. After that, the price jumps to the standard rate of $120 per month where it will stay through at least the next year of service. If that sounds a bit high, even for gig service, that's because it is. Many providers, including AT&T, CenturyLink, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon Fios and Xfinity, charge less ($60-$90 per month) for gig service. 

So, if I'm shopping for a cheap internet plan, Cox Gigablast would not be my first choice.

Still, it's the best Cox value

In spite of the steep price, Cox Gigablast delivers the best bang for your buck compared to other Cox internet plans. 

Like with most internet providers, higher-tiered Cox plans have a lower cost per Mbps, which is a good indicator of a plan's overall value. Gigablast comes with the lowest cost per Mbps of any Cox internet plan.

Cox cost per Mbps by plan

Plan	Starting price	Max download speeds	Estimated cost per Mbps
Gigablast	$100	1,000Mbps	10 cents
Ultimate 500	$80	500Mbps	16 cents
Preferred 250	$60	250Mbps	24 cents
Essential 50	$40	50Mbps	80 cents
Starter 25	$30	25Mbps	$1.20

But the value stops there

You'll get more speed for the money with Gigablast, but that's it. Cox's gig service comes with no extra incentives, such as free equipment rental, unlimited data or even a special signup bonus like a rewards card. 

All Cox plans come with a monthly data cap of 1.25TB, a one-year term agreement and a $13 equipment rental fee, though you can skip the fee by using your own equipment. Opting for the fastest and most expensive Cox plan, Gigablast, will remedy none of those conditions. You'll still have the data cap (which may prove easier to meet and exceed with gig speeds, resulting in added fees of up to $100 per month), the year contract and the equipment fee, should you choose to rent. 

While a little something extra with gig service shouldn't necessarily be expected, it's not out of the ordinary. In fact, a number of other providers reserve their best incentives for their respective gig plans. Frontier, Verizon Fios and Xfinity, for example, reward gig customers with their highest rewards card offers. Additionally, Verizon Fios includes free equipment rental with gig service (a $15 per month value), as does CenturyLink.

So is Gigablast worth the cost?

My verdict is: not really. Gigablast is the best bargain when it comes to Cox internet plans, but it's not the best we've seen in comparison to other gig providers.

If you're interested in gigabit speeds, shop around before committing to Gigablast, even if the name is fun to say. AT&T, CenturyLink and Verizon Fios, among others, offer gig service in many of the same areas serviceable for Cox, and are likely to come with faster upload speeds and better incentives, not to mention the lower pricing. 

For some, Cox may be the only high-speed provider in the area. In that case, I'd recommend the Ultimate 500 plan over Gigablast. Speeds of 500Mbps will support streaming, gaming and more on multiple devices at once, and the plan will save you $20 per month compared to Gigablast pricing. That means that over the course of a year -- the minimum term you'd need to sign in order to receive the lowest rates -- the 500Mbps plan would save you a total of $240 compared to the Gigablast plan.

Cox Gigablast FAQs