🏆 Winner: Cable Internet
⚡ Quick Answer
Cable is 10-20x faster than DSL. DSL uses phone lines (slower, outdated). Get cable unless it's unavailable - DSL is obsolete technology.
| Factor |
Cable Internet |
DSL Internet |
| Speed |
100-1000 Mbps |
1-100 Mbps |
| Consistency |
⭐⭐⭐ Can fluctuate |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stable |
| Technology |
Modern (DOCSIS 3.1) |
Outdated (1980s) |
| Price |
$50-100/month |
✅ $30-60/month |
Cable Internet
Internet via coaxial cable (shared with neighbors).
✓ Pros
- Much faster (100-1000 Mbps)
- Better for streaming
- Lower latency
- Modern technology
✗ Cons
- Shared bandwidth
- Slowdowns at peak hours
- More expensive
DSL Internet
Internet via phone lines (dedicated line).
✓ Pros
- Dedicated line
- Consistent speeds
- Cheaper
- Widely available
✗ Cons
- Very slow (1-100 Mbps)
- Outdated technology
- Distance affects speed
- Bad for streaming
The Verdict
Get cable. DSL is obsolete. The only reason to use DSL is if cable/fiber aren't available in your area. Even cheap cable is 10x faster than DSL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is DSL so slow?
DSL uses old phone lines designed for voice, not data. Speed degrades over distance from the phone company.
Is DSL going away?
Yes. AT&T and others are shutting down DSL networks. It will be gone by 2030.
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Last updated: April 21, 2026 •
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