What are the best internet providers in Pasadena, California?
AT&T fiber CNET is the first choice for the best internet providers in Pasadena. We put it above our advice mainly because it is the only company that offers fiber internet in cities. This means you get symmetric upload and download speeds, which is important for anyone working from home or wanting to use their internet connection for online gaming. One problem is that only about 20% of Pasadena households can actually get AT&T fiber services. However, Ookla’s latest data suggests that Pasadena has a speed of 312Mbps, meaning you should be able to get a fast internet in most areas. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET.)
For example, Spectrum’s wired internet reaches almost everyone in town. It also offers the lowest starting rate in the region for 500Mbps speeds, at $50 per month. Please note that these prices won’t last – you can expect a monthly increase of $35 after the promotion period ends within one or two years. In addition, Spectrum also tends to rank below average in customer satisfaction surveys. For another option, T-Mobile’s wireless Internet offers up to 318Mbps for $50 per month, and discounts for T-Mobile phone customers are even better.
Best Internet in Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Internet Provider Comparison
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment cost | Data cap | contract | CNET Comment Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T fiber Read the full review |
fiber | $55- $245 | 300-5,000Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Read the full review |
DSL | $55 | Up to 140Mbps | Nothing | 1.5TB some plans | Nothing | 7.4 |
| spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $50- $70 | 500-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with mobile plan) | 87-415Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.4 |
| Verizon LTE Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for qualified Verizon Wireless customers) | 50Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Pasadena?
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Verizon LTE Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 for eligible mobile plans) | 50Mbps | Nothing |
| AT&T fiber 300 Read the full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | Nothing |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 for eligible mobile plans) | 318Mbps | Nothing |
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Shopping provider at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Pasadena
The best internet deals and top promotions in Pasadena depend on the discount available in a given time. Most transactions are short-lived, but we often look for the latest quotes.
Pasadena Internet providers such as Spectrum and Verizon may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others include T-Mobile home internet and AT&T fiber, which run the same standard pricing throughout the year.
For a wider list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest Internet Plan in Pasadena
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | Nothing | fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | Nothing | fiber |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Nothing | fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Performance Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | Nothing | cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is good internet speed?
Most Internet connectivity programs can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming videos or games, you will get better experience and have a stronger connection. According to the FCC, this is an overview of the minimum download speeds recommended for various applications. Note that these are just guides – Internet speed, services and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to solve the basics – browse the internet, send and receive emails, and stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote office, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to perform high bandwidth activities for two users simultaneously, such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How to choose the best internet provider in Pasadena
There are numerous and regional Internet service providers. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, or kitchen tools, it is impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what is our method? First, draw information, study pricing, availability and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider websites, and fcc.gov FCC’s FCC mapping information.
But that’s not over. We visit the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we consider all ISPs that provide services in a certain area. We also enter a local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. We look at resources including the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied ISP services have with customers. ISP plans and prices change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once this local information is obtained, we ask three main questions:
- Can providers access reasonable and fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for the money they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
Although the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the three we recommend are closest to the “yes” provider. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the lowest monthly plan, although we also consider issues such as price increase, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We view upload and download speeds on ads and consider actual speed data from sources such as Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process more deeply, visit our test ISP page.
Internet provider of FAQs in Pasadena
What are the best Internet service providers in Pasadena?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Pasadena. By far, it has the fastest speeds – with symmetric upload and download speeds – with a monthly price including devices. Unfortunately, it only applies to 16% of Pasadena residents.
Does Pasadena have fiber optic internet?
Yes, according to FCC data, 16% of Pasadena residents have access to fiber optic internet. AT&T fiber is the only fiber provider in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Pasadena?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Pasadena. Its minimum plan price is $50 per month, but it increases to $85 a year later.
Which internet provider in Pasadena offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest plan in Pasadena, with symmetric uploads and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.
