Category: Reviews

Which Cordless Vacuum is the Best?

Everyone hates vacuuming! Although a necessity for keeping carpets clean, vacuums can be difficult chore and a even more difficult purchases due to the wide variety of brands and features to choose from.

One thing that does makes the chore of vacuuming more bearable is a cordless vacuum. Not having to pick around chairs and tables to get to those out-of-the–way spots is a great feature, to be sure! The question is, which cordless vacuum is the best bang for your buck?

You don’t want to buy a lemon and have to return it, so we’ve got a list of our favorites. If you’re looking to clean up with no cord, check out our roundup: it doesn’t suck, I promise!

Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106

For an impressively low $130, you can pick up this excellent stick vacuum from Shark. It’s quite light and very easy to use and store! It’s also very powerful, great for big messes, and possesses two distinct brush speeds. This lets is work optimally on both carpet and hard floor! While it’s not quite as powerful as most upright vacuums, the low price and great versatility easily make up for it. If you have pets that shed a lot, this is a great choice, is it’s powerful enough to suck up pet hair. That all said, you can’t beat that price!

Hoover Linx BH50010

Hoover’s a respected name, and for good reason. This entry to our list retails for $200, which is a fine price, all said. While this vacuum has a shorter handle and no bag, it’s a very modern and useful appliance. It’s got edge-to-edge brush bristles and works great on carpet and floor. This one’s powerful and sports great performance even on rough messes. Not to mention, that shorter handle can recline all the way back to help you get those very out of the way spots. A great buy for the money, and well worth your consideration!

Electrolux Ergorapido EL2055B 2 in 1

For $279, this upright vacuum is a great deal. It’s super lightweight and very easy to maneuver around corners. It’s got great detachable tools for getting under sofas and close to walls, too! THat said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. For one thing, it only takes name-brand Electrolux filters. That’s an odd feature for a household appliance in 2018, to be sure. What’s weirder, it only works with name-brand accessories. What gives, Electrolux? More importantly, though, the vacuum isn’t as good on carpeted surfaces as we’d hoped. That said, this is still a fine pick if you’re looking for a great, light vacuum.

Our Favorite Cordless Vacuum: Shark IONFlex 2x DuoClean IF251

Easily the most expensive on the list, this entry from Shark retails for $450. However, it’s worth every penny of that steep price: it’s a supremely high-end piece of household technology. It sports two battery packs that last a very long time, and while you’re using one you can charge the other. The vacuum has a handheld mode that helps you hunt down those out of the way messes. And, of course, it’s just a great vacuum and picks up dirt like no one’s business. In a crowded field, this high-end cordless vacuum is the best of them.

September 2, 2018
Cyberpunk 2077’s new gameplay trailer

Upon first glance

We just watched 55 minutes of gameplay footage for CD Project Red’s new game Cyberpunk 2077. All we can say is…wow. The amount of detail that has been put into this game is not for the faint of heart. The developers has gone above and beyond to fully immerse you into this world. Set a in bleak dystopian future, you play as a fully customizable player making their way through a massive open world map of The Night City. The game is largely set as a first person shooter, but has a third party view when traversing through the city in your car.

What to Expect

Right out the gate, the gameplay throws you right into an action packed shoot ’em up scene. Follow an intense battle, you are escorted through a large apartment building and out into the city. Once you’re on the city level, you get an idea for how incredibly detailed the city. It’s absolutely packed with citizens, vendors, cops, etc. I have never seen that amount of people in an open video game before. It quite simply feels like you’re in a large metropolitan city. The people are just filler, each one them can have an interaction with you if you want. Many vendors flag you down for merch and everyone reacts to you in some way. After a quick mission, you are given some insane upgrades and then shown your car. You can traverse the city in cars motorcycles, and many other vehicle that you will encounter along the way. There also appears to be a wide variety of weapons, gear, and apparel that will assist you in different ways to further customize your player.

Summary

During the 55 minutes gameplay trailer, we saw a lot of stuff to be really excited about. Immense detail, flowing plot, and insanely fun action. We all loved CD Projekt Red’s Witcher 3 series which might actually be the best game ever made, and we really hope that they continue to improve on their good name. For all that is offers though, sometimes 1st person shooters just don’t do it for me? I’m super excited to play Cyberpunk 2077, but also a little concerned it might be a bust. Time will tell.

September 1, 2018
Oshkosh Air Convention. Add it to Your Bucket List.

The History of Oshkosh

Since 1953 the town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin has been home to the Oshkosh Airshow at the Wittman Regional Airport. It’s an annual week long air convention that host around 600,000 people and 10,000+ planes. Showcasing every type of plane you can think of from old warbirds, to the newest and most innovative planes to date. During the week long convention, There are countless Venders, workshops, daily air shows, and events that make it one heck of a weekend. The large number of aircraft arrivals and departures during the fly-in week makes the Wittman Field FAA control tower the busiest in the world for that week in number of movements. To accommodate the huge flow of aircraft around the airport and the nearby airspace, a special NOTAM is published each year, choreographing the normal and emergency procedures to follow. More than 4,000 volunteers contribute approximately 250,000 hours before, during and after the event.

What to do, what to do

Want to take a ride in a B-17 flying fortress? Wanna see daily and nightly Airshows with the best pilots our country has to offer? The list of attractions and events the convention puts on is pretty immense. Depending on your level of aircraft interest and skill level, you can do just about anything your heart desires. Attend a workshop on flying during the day and see a nightly concert in the evening. Because the convention has grown to such a massive scale and consist of the largest accumulation of wealth in the country, many companies such as Boeing and Ford unveil new prototypes and have incredible exhibits. If you have the means, we recommend you fly your plane to the airport and campout under the moon and stars next your plane for the week.

Summary

If you have any interest in aviation and/or flight, this is a must attend event for you. Most people who attend Oshkosh Airshow for the first time, go back every single year because of the massive scale of planes and event to see. The event is almost always held during the last week of July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There has been some talk or relocating the convention to accommodate the insane number of visitors but for now it’s held at the Wittman Regional Airport. Wheels up, y’all!

September 1, 2018
Top 5 Most Popular American Muscle Cars

Our Top 5 list and the movies you’ve seen them in.

Here is list of the top 5 most popular and most desired American Muscle Cars. If you ever wanted to restore an iconic muscle car that you once saw on television, it’s probably one of these.

Number 5, 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air

As one of the most notable and iconic muscle cars, the 57′ Bel-Air has been featured in almost every movie under the sun, including “Dr. No”, “Happy Days”, “Sin City” and “Mad Max”. Restoring one of these will sure make your pops proud! Being so popular finding an unrestored Bel-Air isn’t really a problem and you can get one relatively cheap.

Number 4, 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

As seen in “Dazed and Confused” and “Jack Reacher” the 1968 Chevelle SS is amongst the most popular muscle cars. For most people when they hear the term muscle car, this is the car that is pictured in their head. Iconic and simply beautiful.

Number 3, 1970 Dodge Challenger

Made famous by the “Fast and Furious” franchise, along with “Cannonball”, “Dukes of Hazzard”, and “Bullit” the 1970 Charger is one of the fastest and meanest muscles cars made. Usually equipped with a 425 HP Hemi Engine, fews cars ever manufactured could outperform this beast.

Number 2, 1958 Plymouth Fury

Or more commonly knowns as “Christine”, the 58 Plymouth Fury is one of the most sought after American Muscle cars. Made famous by the Stephen King novel, the “Original Speed Demon” became an overnight sensation when it became possessed and started running down innocent people…

Number 1, 1968 Shelby GT 500

Did you really think it would be any other car? This is it, this is the big dog. Made popular by “Bullit” and “Gone in 60 Seconds” the 68 Shelby is the most identifiable and recognizable American Muscle car ever made. Everyone wants one and a lot of folks have them, but when you see one they immediately turn your head. Equipped with a monsterous 500 HP Shelby Engine, this baby is the pinnacle of speed and beauty. the American Magnus Opus if you will.

Summary

All of these cars are great in their own right along with all of the unmentioned American Muscle Cars. True treasures of the past and relics of a different era. If you ever get the honor of restoring one of these cars, do it with pride as the folks who came before us did. Also drive safe. The reality is most of these cars for all they carry, do not have any safety features and are incredibly dangerous.

September 1, 2018
Smartphone Spotlight: Galaxy Note 9
The 128GB Galaxy Note 9 can be purchased through carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Xfinity, along with Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Straight Talk Wireless, Target, Walmart, Samsung.com and the ShopSamsung app.

The Great
- Slamtastic Screen
- Instalike worthy camera
- Adequate long battery
- Interesting new S-Pen tricks
- All the Specs needed
The Conclusion

The Galaxy Note 9 is Samsung’s Ultimate cry for tech geek attention. It has all the specs, a gigantic, magnificent, Fortnite worthy screen, a Bluetooth-powered S Pen, and a headphone jack… you know just all the essentials on the checklist for the kind of Android user that Samsung is targeting with a Note update. It’s a Phablets lover’s dream come true!

I’m sure we all remember the note 7 scandle, but that is all history for the Galaxy Note brand. That was two years ago, this is the Note 9 we are talking about today.

Galaxy Note 9 puts powerful technology in the hands of the tech geeks and gamers who demand more powerful and more screen from their smartphones. It certainly boast Innovative features and design make it the only phone to keep up with the next generation of users. Yes the rumors we have been telling you are true. Packed with a huge battery, a massive screen, and a powerful stylus, the Note 9 has more of everything than any other phone on the US market.

How does it look and feel

It’s large, I mean this phone is obscenely large. And when you put it in a case, it will become a liability. This is not a one-handed phone for any but the largest hands. Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor so no longer will the Note 9 fit into Note 8 case. On the bright side no more inadvertently smudging the camera lens.

The Galaxy Note 9 has a 6.4-inch quad HD Super AMOLED curved screen, and USB-C and standard headphone jacks, it is IP68 Waterproof. We have been through this, the checklist of required wants and needs are covered. Not only that but it is stunning, think Charlene Theron on the red carpet elegant.

No 5g on The Galaxy Note 9

We have talked about 5G coming next year, Don’t get hung up on that; it will be another year before 5G is widespread and before chipset makers work out the power-management kinks that come with new wireless data systems. Yes write that down you are hearing it here first. Next year’s Note 10 will be 5G. Wanna wait that long? Anyways, The existing X20 modem get speeds up to 700Mbps with the right carrier setup, showing there’s still plenty of room in 4G. That’ll do, That’ll do just fine.

Sounds and Stuff

The Note 9 brings the S9+’s dual speakers to the Note line. The two speakers are by the earpiece, and along the bottom. Compared to the previous Note 8’s single bottom speaker, the speakers here aren’t much louder but clarity and treble are off the charts. Outside of the iPhone X I don’t think I have heard a better device speaker.

The Biggest Difference

The Galaxy Note 9’s biggest upgrade is its enhanced and gargantuan 4,000mAh battery hit it with a 10-hour battery test video. Yes you know the one where I leave it on the10 hour loop of He-Man singing 4 non blondes “what’s going on”. Results, 13% left, astounding. This leads me into projecting screen-on battery life out to 12 and half hours. That Destroys all other flagship smartphone on the market. The battery is significantly larger than the one in the Galaxy S9+ (3,500mAh, 10+ hours), the Galaxy Note 8 (3,300mAh, 6 hours), or the Galaxy Note 5 (3,020mAh, 8 hours and 30 minutes).

Quick Speck Look
- Graphics Mali-G72 MP18
- Processor Octa core (2.7 GHz, Quad core, M3 Mongoose + 1.7 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A55)
- Architecture 64 bit
- Ram 6 GB
- Audio Features Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
- Display Type Super AMOLED
- Aspect Ratio 18.5:9
- Screen Size 6.4 inches (16.26 cm)
- Screen Resolution 1440 x 2960 pixel
The Final Thought

The screen alone will improve your Fortnite results instantly giving you an unfair advantage over any other player on a regular smartphone.
September 1, 2018
Spiderman PS4 Swings Into Stores Next Week

Here Comes Spiderman!

The Sony exclusive Spider-man game for Playstation 4 releases on September 7, 2018 and I think we’re all anxious to zip around NYC as Spidey. After watching a fair amount of gameplay at E3 2018, Im excited but I also have my reservations. To get an idea and feel for the game, we need to look at the game developer Insomniac Games. Insomniac has put out some pretty decent games such as Ratchet & Clank and Fuse to much success but can they deliver and please Marvel’s unrelenting fans?

What to Expect

Insomniac released an opening cinematic 6 minute trailer at E3 and folks went nuts. The opening scenes show many of Spiderman’s greatest foes such as Rhino, Vulture, Electro, and Scorpion all breaking out of a Maximum Security Prison as Spidey tries to subdue all of them. The ending of the cinematic shows Spiderman getting a serious beatdown by the villians and ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. The trailer has some combat gameplay spliced in with the cinematic and it all looks pretty decent and smooth.

The combat and overall gameplay looks very similar to Rocksteady’s Arkham Series, which is considered the greatest superhero game franchise to date. I don’t blame Insomniac for taking a lot from Rocksteady, the model works. The fighting system was great, and Batman and Spiderman have comparable smart tech that can be upgraded throughout the game. Insomniac also is kind of ripping off Rocksteady with the storyline of the hero having to track down all of his enemies throughout the game as side missions. Im sure we’ll have a lot of Avenger easter eggs, and hopefully maybe one or two of them will make an appearance and help Spidey out in the game?

Summary

To be honest it does appear that Insomniac has taken a good bit from Rocksteady, but I’m perfectly content with a Spiderman based Arkham game. One thing that I did notice about Spidey traversing NYC was that his movements did not appear very smooth. In my opinion, web slinging should be the games cornerstone and has to be perfected for the game to be successful. The way Rocksteady has Batman gliding and dive bombing through Gotham was insanely smooth and well executed. If Insomniac is going to take as much from Rocksteady as they have, they should also take those great mechanics for swinging around the city. Overall the game looks pretty decent and I will definitely be playing the crap out of the game regardless, but my spidey-sense is telling me that we might be disappointed with the one.

August 30, 2018
Game Review: Madden 19

We have all been saddened by the news of the shooting at the Madden tournament in Jacksonville this last week. Upon hearing the news and grieving I started to realize this is the first time in over 25 years I have not purchased and played my all-time favorite video game and my longest held past time. Well now that needs to be rectified, if only for traditions sake. I immediately ran to the closest video game vendor, Target in my case, and purchased the latest copy. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you my thoughts and reactions to the latest installment, Madden 19.

Its So Beautiful

To kick off this review, Madden 19 looks absolutely stunning. The Frostbite engine recreates players’ bodies and faces to a level of realism seldom seen in video gaming. The animations on field, both during plays and after, could easily fool an observer that they were watching a real football game on TV. The new moves and animations, dubbed Real Player Motion, make the players move and react like real NFL stars, which works well, though it’s far from perfect. Some of the new “trucking” and “cutting” moves aren’t as intuitive as they should be, forcing the player to press buttons to initiate, and a small amount of lag means that there is a learning curve just to run the ball, even though the remaining players execute the play and create a gaping hole. A hole so big yo momma could…. Ill stop, its hard not to get carried away with the trash talk while in full madden mode.

Now I Got a lot of Beefs Too

SO for the first time in many a many years, Madden 19 is available on the PC. Super, lets go PC route this year. I mean why not? Hold on little guys ill tell you why not. Its terrible….. I love this game, don’t get me wrong but] coming from a PC gamer who’s been patiently waiting for Madden to return to the platform for a decade or so. To say the least my expectations are high, I’m running a stellar Alienware rig with a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Graphics Card with 4 GB, should be adequate… Not for this Madden 19 monster it isn’t. Lags, freezing, lags freezing, crash. Disappointment.

I uninstalled, re-purchased through Origin. They key is Origin, similar to Steam, operated by EA I believe. You can redeem your code on the EA or Origin website under account. I’m new to Origin (EA isn’t smart enough to allow on Steam IMO), so I had to download their digital management software. Went to game library, and then started the download. Very easy. Now you can play the game with mouse/keyboard or with Xbox One controller. Others stated it’s not compatible, but in game controller settings clearly shows the Xbox One controller. Not sure if it matters, but I’m on Windows 10 with latest updates. Note: Make sure your controller is connected prior to launching the game.

Longshot Mode

The big addition is the continuation of the Longshot story which kicked off last year. Longshot: Homecoming sees Devin Wade struggling as a Dallas Cowboy and Colt Cruise back in Mathis, dealing with an expected discovery of a half-sister. These two stories play out as a “playable movie”, challenging any preconceived notions of what can be done in a “sports video game.” It’s a nice alternative to the constant grinding of playing games in Franchise and MUT, or even exhibition against the CPU, co-op, or online.

The Final Madden 19 Thought

I’m home again, The coolest part about my tradition with madden is it is usually released on or around my birthday Aug, 11. It’s a storied franchise interwoven in to my life since childhood, and it took an act of violence to realize I almost let it slip away. Stay tuned for my Tech throwback this week about my favorite version of Madden.

August 30, 2018
Expert Insight: These Are The Top Medical Alert Systems of 2019
You and your loved ones deserve the fastest and most reliable emergency help in the event of a fall, stroke, or heart attack . We’ve researched, reviewed, and ranked the best medical alert systems on the market to provide your family with the ultimate protection and peace of mind. The top 5 medical alert systems of 2019!

Our expert staff compared the most important factors seniors and their families consider in a medical alert system and highlighted the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, of each medical alert company.

5. Bay Alarm Medical

With pricing plans that fit any budget and over seven decades of proven customer service, Bay Alarm Medical is a premiere medical alert provider that you can trust. We’re very impressed with Bay Alarm Medical’s overall service offering. Very affordable pricing and a wide variety of services that make them our #1 rated medical alert system for 2019.
- Most popular choice – $19.95/mo
- 1000+ Google Reviews
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Ultra-fast response times
- Best refund policy.
- No hidden fees or contracts
4. Mobile Help

MobileHelp is a highly recommended medical alert company that manufacturers all of their devices in-house. Choose MobileHelp if you want the latest in medical alert technology. If you’re looking for the latest medical alert technology, MobileHelp is a highly recommended provider. Very good buying experience, low pressure sales, and a good choice of device options that will fit your loved one’s protection needs.
- Robust in-home and gps offerings
- Two buttons included with purchase
- Best in class mobile gps devices
- Free lockbox with every order
- No hidden fees or contracts
3. Life Station

For years, LifeStation has delivered trustworthy, 24/7 medical monitoring. The starting price is affordable and their service has been proven to be dependable and reliable. LifeStation is a very reputable company that’s been around for quite a long time. They don’t have the prestige or testimonials like our higher ranked providers have but when the button is pushed, you can be sure help will arrive.
- Many years of experience
- In-house USA monitoring
- Reliable service
- Reliable equipment
2. Medical Alert

Medical Alert delivers trustworthy 24/7 medical monitoring. Shipping is free and their service is dependable and reliable. The alert buttons are light and have a long lasting battery. If you’re looking for reliable and simple in-home system, these guys fit the bill. As a plus, Medical Alert provides monitoring services outside of the USA.
- BBB A+ with many years of experience
- Recommended for customers outside of USA
- Trusted and reliable service
1. Get Safe

Beautiful, modern aesthetics in an easy-to-use package. GetSafe combines senior medical alert monitoring with a splash of home security for added peace of mind. GetSafe differentiates itself in the aesthetics department. From the website to the packaging and to the device, customer experience is at the forefront of this brand. You’ll get beautiful looking hardware, an easy to setup user experience, and a package that doesn’t scream “help i’ve fallen”. We feel that GetSafe has done a great job by creating a medical alert ecosystem that delivers on ease of use and functionality. Automatic fall detection, voice-enabled wall buttons, and monitored smoke alarms are also available as add-ons. Pricing starts at $29.95 and although a little pricier than other brands, we feel the added benefits are worth the cost.
- 50-state licensed
- Great modern-looking hardware
- 4GLTE Cellular for homes without landlines
- Free wi-fi indoor hd camera
August 28, 2018
7 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

When you discover that a friend or family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it often comes as a huge surprise to you. But secrecy is the drug on which addiction thrives, so it’s not really that odd that you were in the dark.

Addiction grows worse over a sustained period of time, and there are some indicators that may give you an idea something is wrong with your loved one before the bottom falls out. Here are the 7 signs and symptoms of addiction you should look for if you suspect someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol.

7. Change in Behavior

As people’s addictions get bigger, their lives start to change and the things that they value the most begin to fall away. Depression sets in, and suddenly they stop doing activities or hobbies that they once loved, or maybe their mood becomes erratic. An example of a change in behavior that’s worth noting would be when a person who values health and fitness abruptly stops exercising or eating well.

6. Change in Friends

This sign isn’t always the easiest area to recognize, because it’s fairly normal for friendships to fade and new people come into our lives. But when normally social people stop hanging around with their usual group of friends with no explanation, it’s important to take notice — especially if there wasn’t an event that precipitated the change. Or, maybe there’s a new person in their life that just doesn’t seem to be someone they would normally be friends with. This can be a telltale sign that something funky is going on.

5. Job/Career Issues

When addiction takes hold, inevitably some issues are going to come up at work or school. Over time, addicts becomes less capable of hiding performance flaws in areas of their lives that are under the microscope. If a normally responsible person is missing deadlines or not following through on commitments, this could be an indicator that something’s up.

4. Legal Issues

Addiction is likely to create a bevy of legal issues that are going to make it hard to ignore that something is going on. A DUI or getting thrown in the clink for a drunk and disorderly is an obvious tell that your loved one’s judgment is off. But there are also less obvious signs, like doctor shopping or frequenting ER rooms. And addicts can justify their behavior so that they make you feel foolish for asking why they have so many doctor appointments. But if you think something’s wrong, go ahead and ask anyway.

3. Family Strain

Relationships with family are often jeopardized when people develop an affinity for drugs or alcohol. Early on, it may reveal itself in behaviors like retreating to their room after work or spending too much time with their face in the computer, playing games or surfing the Web. Communications become strained, and the addict stops showing up to family engagements, or maybe even to dinner. If you feel a substantial shift in your relationship with a family member, you should start asking questions.

2. Physical Changes

Extreme physical changes are a big indicator of a problem. Maybe they’re getting scraggly and smelly because they’ve stopped grooming or showering. A noticeable weight loss or gain can be a symptom, and the same goes for a change in eating and sleeping habits. For example, crystal meth addicts can stay up for days, then crash and sleep for days. When they eat, they’re likely to ravenously consume sugary foods.

1. Personality Changes

In an adult brain, defined as a brain that’s 24 years or older, there are really only three things that are likely to cause a profound personality change in someone. Substance abuse or chemical dependency, mental illness and or a physical ailment, such as a brain tumor are the three things that can cause a profound personality change. Mind you, this isn’t the same as watching a person get a little down in the dumps, or go through a period of anxiety. Profound personality changes are much more extreme. If you witness this, it’s advised to reach out to a professional for guidance and counseling on how to address your loved one.

August 28, 2018
7 Best Business Internet Service Providers

The fastest man is Usain Bolt. The fastest mammal is the Cheetah. The fastest business internet service provider is . .well, that’s what we set out to uncover. Speed is a top concern for businesses that need to download files, run sales software, or stream video.

But you may be considering more factors—like price or reliability guarantees—to help you choose a business internet service provider. We decided to dive in and break down all these factors and countdown the 7 Best Business Internet Service Providers!

The best business internet offers reliable connectivity, excellent customer service, and the right bandwidth for your work volume. Provider availability and plans will vary depending on your location, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, we’re here to make things clearer. We researched the top providers of high-speed business internet services to find out how they compare. From maximum download speeds to costs and more, find out which internet service provider can carry your business the furthest.

Criteria for Selection

Availability: We focused our search on the business internet providers with the widest nationwide coverage.

Bandwidth: Business internet plans aren’t one-size-fits-all, the main priority of a business ISP is that there is enough bandwidth to handle all onsite employees.

Customer Service: Companies can lose potential revenue during internet outages, which makes prompt and helpful customer service all the more important.

Pricing: The cost of the internet service for your business can have a very meaningful impact on any business’ bottom line.

7. Windstream

In terms of availability, Windstream is close to perfect: coverage can be found in every state except Alaska, more than any other big-name ISP we examined. Windstream boasts an expected uptime of 99.995%, which means its service, though somewhat vague in terms of specific offerings, should nevertheless be reliable. Windstream only offers DSL and cable options, which may be sufficient for some customers but won’t provide the faster speeds of copper or fiber internet that many businesses depend on.

6. Frontier

Frontier does a great job providing helpful and clear information for potential customers. They provide side-by-side comparison of different plan offerings, projected price levels for bundled packages, and specific recommendations based on the size and online work volume of your business. Frontier’s plans require a minimum one-year agreement, shorter than those offered by AT&T and Comcast. Combined with lower overall speeds, Frontier is best-suited for small businesses with lower service requirements who may anticipate the volume of their work increasing after one year. For DSL service, Frontier’s maximum download speed ranges from 7-20 Mbps, while the fiber internet option provides faster speeds of 50 to 500 Mbps.

5. Spectrum

Charter Spectrum has some of the most flexible contract policies we saw. With its month-to-month plans and no cancellation fees, it is an attractive option for smaller or growing businesses that aren’t quite ready to commit to a multi-year contract. Charter Spectrum’s fiber-optic speeds go all the way up to 940 Mbps, an impressive number. And unlike some internet providers, the company actually under promises: The FCC reported that in 2016, Spectrum’s actual speeds were 109.1% of advertised. Of all the major business internet providers, only Comcast had a better record. Spectrum’s customer service scores eked out slightly above average, at 3.75/5 for JD Power and 65/100 for the ACSI. That’s not exceptionally impressive, but in an industry that struggles so much with customer service, we like anything that’s above average.

4. Xfinity

Comcast Business has some of the fastest advertised speeds that we saw, ranging from 25 to 1,000 Mbps on its fiber network. And the FCC reported Comcast’s actual speeds average 110.23% of its advertised speeds, so if you’re looking for speedy internet, this is one of the best bets out there. All of Comcast Business’s plans come with the option to add a phone line. You can even sync it up with your personal phone, so when someone calls your cell, it automatically rings your office phone. And no matter how many people are using this feature, it’ll only cost an extra $15 per month. Comcast Business is available across 39 states, making it one of the most widespread business internet providers in the country.

3. Century Link

Century Link strives for an ambitious uptime between 99.95% and 100%. If your service happens to fail Centurylink does offer a uniquely generous compensation. For every 30 minutes of downtime, you’ll be credited for 1 day. With options for Fiber or DSL business internet, CenturyLink caters to businesses of any size. DSL speeds range from 3 Mbps to 100 Mbps, while Fiber caters to companies that need speeds reaching 1,000 Mbps. Either of these services can be bundled with TV and phone services for consolidated billing, too. If your business reaches several thousand employees, the options expand more generously: You can then bundle cloud storage and network security, making CenturyLink the provider that hosts the most bundling options for big businesses. CenturyLink offers some of the most flexible contract options on the market: You can choose between a 2-year contract or month-to-month plan. Keep in mind that the month-to-month plan will be more expensive, and that the two-year plan offers discounted monthly prices.

2. Verizon

With Fios, Business, and High Speed Internet, Verizon offers a trifecta of impressively inclusive services. Unless your business is in the Northeast, you’ll likely be limited to copper. Copper internet installation may take longer and be more expensive than other types of internet, though it’s a more widely available way to get fiber-level speeds. Verizon’s advertised speeds range from 1 to 940 Mbps overall. Along with Comcast and Spectrum, Verizon is one of the internet providers that’s most likely to maintain the fastest speeds for your business. Verizon tops the industry with its customer service ratings: It received the highest scores among all the biggest providers, with 5/5 from JD Power and 71/100 from the ACSI — Verizon Fios, in particular, stole the show with solid 5s across the board. With Verizon, you can choose between a two-year contract or a month-to-month plan. The month-to-month plan is more expensive, but if you cancel your two-year plan early, you’ll need to pay up to 35% of your remaining balance.

1. AT&T

AT&T came in right behind Verizon for highest customer satisfaction ratings. While the seven providers altogether averaged 3.2/5 with JD Power and 62.4/100 with the ACSI, AT&T was comfortably above average with both. AT&T outshines its competition when it comes to price and plan transparency. The company clearly lays out its fees for equipment, installation, and service, which is rare in an industry known for hedgey language and hidden fees. AT&T offers business internet plans with DSL, Fiber, and IPBB (which is basically higher-speed DSL and Ethernet grouped together under one name). The number of plans and speeds available to you will vary based on location, but the download speeds for business plans range from 6 Mbps (DSL) to 1,000 Mbps (fiber) — so whether it’s just you and a few other workers sending emails or 100 employees video conferencing daily, AT&T has a range of speeds that will likely fit your business’s needs.

August 27, 2018