Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cheap internet plans are abundant in Lexington, with four different providers offering plans at $50 per month or less.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Metronet 100Mbps Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) |
Spectrum Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | $5 (optional) |
Kinetic by Windstream | $40 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
Spectrum Internet Ultra Read full review | $50 | 500Mbps | $7 (optional) |
Metronet 500Mbps Read full review | $40 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
The best internet deals and top promotions in Lexington depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Lexington internet providers, such as Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Kinetic by Windstream and Metronet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
According to Ookla speed test data, Lexington residents receive median download speeds of 138Mbps and upload speeds of 12Mbps, which are slightly above the national average. It ranks 57th out of the 100 most populated cities in the country; behind Louisville (13th) and Nashville (8th), but ahead of Cincinnati (73rd).
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kinetic by Windstream 8 Gig | $299 | 8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Kinetic by Windstream 2 Gig | $99 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Metronet 1Gbps Read full review | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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.
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.
This guide leverages an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet service providers that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check CNET’s AI policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC's website to check the primary data for ourselves and make sure we're considering every ISP that provides service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we input local addresses on provider websites to find the specific options available to 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 our pre-publication fact-check.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although 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, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet service in Lexington is in a good place. 98% of the city can access 250/25Mbps speeds, compared to 88% of the country, and fiber internet is available to 76% of households. The best is Kinetic by Windstream, but Metronet is another regional fiber provider offering similar value (just look out for those hidden fees). Spectrum offers the cheapest internet in the area, but only for the first two years. After that, prices jump dramatically.
What is the best internet service provider in Lexington?
Kinetic by Windstream is the best internet service provider in Lexington, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds, low starting prices and unlimited data. Spectrum and Metronet are good backup options, but your price will increase dramatically after the promotional periods end.
Is fiber internet available in Lexington?
Yes, fiber internet is available in 76% of Lexington households, according to FCC data. Kinetic by Windstream and Metronet both offer fiber internet in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Lexington?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Lexington, with plans starting at $40 per month for 300Mbps download and 10Mbps upload speeds.
Which internet provider in Lexington offers the fastest plan?
Kinetic by Windstream offers the fastest internet plan in Lexington, with upload and download speeds of 8,000Mbps for $299 per month.
Source: cnet.com