In most cities across the US, shopping for home internet doesn’t involve much choice — you just go with whatever your home is wired for. If you’re lucky, you might have two or three options.
That’s not the case in Knoxville, where six legitimately good options are available, five of which offer gig-speeds. Out of all those worthy contenders, AT&T Fiber is CNET’s pick for the best internet provider overall in Knoxville. If you can’t get AT&T, then Xfinity and WOW offer wide coverage throughout the city, and their cable internet services deliver plenty of speed for most people.
Our team considers speeds, pricing, customer service, and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Knoxville across various categories. Our evaluation includes spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers’ terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Our process has some limitations though. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different tiers of service and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider’s website.
Note that the prices, speed, and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider’s pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what’s available in Knoxville. The prices referenced within this article’s text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month — a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like committing to a contract or bundling with a cellphone plan.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Knoxville residents have a surprisingly high number of quality internet providers to choose from. According to FCC mapping data, 99.5% of the city has access to internet speeds of at least 250Mbps download and 25Mbps upload, and 72% can get 1,000/100Mbps speeds.
AT&T Fiber Best overall internet provider in Knoxville Product details Price range $55 – $180 per month Speed range 300 – 5,000Mbps Connection Fiber Key Info Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included If AT&T Fiber is available in a city, there’s a good chance it’s going to be our top pick. CNET named it the best fiber provider in our review of the best ISPs nationwide, and it earned top scores from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. AT&T Fiber gives you everything you’d want in an internet provider: fast, symmetrical speeds, reasonable pricing, and unlimited data. Availability: AT&T internet service is available to 81% of Knoxville households, according to FCC data, but not everyone will be able to get AT&T Fiber. If you only have access to AT&T’s slower DSL plans — you’ll only see one plan available when you put in your address — we recommend moving on to Xfinity or WOW. Plans and pricing: There are five AT&T Fiber plans in Knoxville: 300Mbps upload and download speed for $55 per month, 500Mbps for $65, 940Mbps for $80, 2,000Mbps for $150 and 5,000Mbps for $250. Fees and service details: There are no extra fees with AT&T Fiber. Equipment is included, data is unlimited, and prices don’t increase after a year. Read our AT&T home internet review.
WOW Cheapest internet plans in Knoxville Product details Price range $20 – $95 per month Speed range 100 – 1,200Mbps Connection Cable Key Info No contracts, unlimited data WOW offers some of the cheapest internet plans in Knoxville. The company provides both cable and fiber internet options, with speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 1,200Mbps. With WOW, you can enjoy reliable, high-speed internet service without breaking the bank. Availability: WOW internet service is available to 98% of Knoxville households, according to FCC data. Plans and pricing: WOW offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Their plans start at $20 per month for 100Mbps speeds and go up to $95 per month for 1,200Mbps speeds. Fees and service details: WOW does not require contracts and offers unlimited data. Equipment may be included with the plan or available for an additional fee. WOW also offers bundle options for TV and phone services. Read our WOW home internet review.
Xfinity High-speed internet with widespread coverage Product details Price range $30 – $160 per month Speed range 15 – 2,000Mbps Connection Cable Key Info No contracts, equipment included Xfinity is one of the largest internet service providers in the US and offers high-speed internet with widespread coverage in Knoxville. With speeds ranging from 15Mbps to 2,000Mbps, Xfinity has options for every household. Availability: Xfinity internet service is available to 98% of Knoxville households, according to FCC data. Plans and pricing: Xfinity offers a range of plans to cater to different needs and budgets. Their plans start at $30 per month for 15Mbps speeds and go up to $160 per month for 2,000Mbps speeds. Fees and service details: Xfinity does not require contracts and includes equipment with their plans. Additional fees may apply for installation or equipment upgrades. Xfinity also offers bundle options for TV and phone services. Read our Xfinity home internet review.
As you can see, Knoxville offers a wide range of internet service providers with different plans, speeds, and prices. Whether you’re looking for the fastest speeds, the best value, or the lowest cost, there is an option for you in Knoxville. It’s important to consider factors like availability, speeds, customer service, and pricing when choosing the right internet provider for your needs.
Remember to check with each provider for specific plan availability and pricing based on your address. By doing your research and comparing the options, you can find the best internet service provider in Knoxville that meets your requirements and fits your budget.
