IS CUCKOO BROADBAND GOOD?
BROADBAND AS IT SHOULD BE?
THE DISRUPTOR WE NEEDED?
We have all been there. You sign up for a broadband deal at £25, and six months later you receive a letter about massive mid-contract price hikes.
For this Cuckoo Broadband Review, we look at the provider promising to be the "good egg." Since 17 Jan 2025, new contracts can’t use inflation-linked/percentage-based rise terms; price rises must be set out in pounds and pence. Cuckoo’s price list shows out-of-contract/service charges can rise around 1 April (example uses +£3). Now that they have established themselves, does the reality match the marketing? Let's dive in.
THE CUCKOO PROMISE
Cuckoo's whole identity is built around simplicity. Unlike Sky or Virgin Media, which bombard you with TV bundles, SIM cards, and complex add-ons, Cuckoo keeps it intentionally boring. You pick a speed, you pick a contract length, and that's it.
WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT?
The biggest selling point historically has been their approach to customer happiness. Cuckoo aims for transparency, and while they have adjusted their contract terms over time, the core promise of "broadband made simple" remains their defining feature in a crowded market.
SPEED & NETWORK RELIABILITY
Cuckoo doesn't dig up the roads themselves. They are an aggregator. Cuckoo provides full fibre over multiple wholesale networks (e.g. AllPoints Fibre, CityFibre, and Openreach), depending on what’s live at your address.
| PACKAGE | AVG SPEED | BEST FOR... |
|---|---|---|
| Full Fibre 150 | 150 Mbps | Couples and small families streaming 4K. |
| Full Fibre 500 | 500 Mbps | Heavy gamers and large households. |
| Full Fibre 900 | 900 Mbps | Smart homes where everyone is online at once. |
- Uses wholesale fibre networks (e.g. CityFibre/Openreach/AllPoints Fibre) — reliability is generally strong, but depends on the underlying network in your area.
- Symmetrical speeds in some areas (upload matches download)
- Low latency for gaming
- Availability depends on whether FTTP is available at your address on the relevant network (Openreach/CityFibre/etc.).
- No budget ADSL/Copper options (Fibre only)
THE HARDWARE: AMAZON EERO
This is where Cuckoo genuinely beats providers like BT and Virgin Media. Most ISPs send you a cheap, plastic router that struggles to send a signal through a thick wall. Cuckoo sends you an Amazon eero Pro 6E.
The eero is a mesh system. It looks nice (glossy white, small footprint) and the app is fantastic. You can see exactly what devices are connected, pause the internet for dinner time, and set up guest networks in seconds.
Note: If you have a large house, you can easily buy more eero units off Amazon to extend the range. They work seamlessly with the one Cuckoo provides.
PRICING & CONTRACTS
Are they the cheapest? No. If you want the absolute rock-bottom price, you go to Plusnet or TalkTalk. You pay a "Cuckoo premium" for the service and the better router.
Cuckoo says installation and setup fees are waived (unless you choose extra equipment).
THE CONTRACT SPLIT
- Your minimum period is set out in your order/contract docs (and is 12 months if none is stated).
- After the minimum period, service continues out of contract and you can cancel with 30 days’ notice.
For renters or students who might move house unexpectedly, this flexibility after the minimum term is a key benefit.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
This is the metric that matters most when things go wrong. Cuckoo rates highly on Trustpilot (Currently 4.4/5 (TrustScore shown as 4.5) from 6,715 reviews). Their support team is UK-based and they tend to treat you like a human being rather than a ticket number.
| FEATURE | CUCKOO | BUDGET RIVALS |
|---|---|---|
| Wait Times | Generally Short | Long |
| Language | Plain English | Scripted Jargon |
| Contact Method | Phone + email + online (0330 912 9955; customercare@cuckoo.co; hours listed) | Phone Mazes |
INTERACTIVE BREAKDOWN
Click the sections below to see how Cuckoo stacks up in specific areas.
| CATEGORY | RATING | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| SPEED | 9/10 | Click for speed analysis. |
| VALUE | 7/10 | Click for pricing thoughts. |
| FLEXIBILITY | 10/10 | Click for contract info. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES CUCKOO OFFER A LANDLINE?
No. Cuckoo is a data-only provider. If you rely on a traditional landline phone, you will either need to switch to a VoIP service or look at a different provider like BT or Sky.
DO THEY USE CGNAT?
IP addressing can vary by network/setup. Some customers report being behind CGNAT, and Cuckoo does not publicly list a consumer static-IP add-on in its standard pricing. If you need inbound connectivity (servers/port-forwarding), confirm options with support before ordering.
IS CUCKOO UNLIMITED?
Yes, all plans are totally unlimited with no traffic management or fair usage caps.
SUMMARY: IS IT WORTH IT?
If you can get Full Fibre in your area, Cuckoo is a fantastic choice. The combination of the Amazon eero router and customer-friendly terms makes them one of the most honest ISPs in the UK. For a full breakdown, read our honest Cuckoo Broadband 2026 Review.