Are Xfinity TV plans worth it?
Xfinity TV service is good, but it’s not slap-your-mama good.* It has 185+ live TV channels, wide availability, bundle discounts (with high-speed internet, home phone, or mobile service), and decent customer satisfaction scores.
(*No mamas were injured in the writing of this piece.)
Unfortunately, Xfinity’s pricing is high for that relatively low channel count, middling customer satisfaction, and the possibility of contracts in some regions. Some customers also report reliability issues and complain about high prices.
That said, we can see Xfinity working out decently well for you—and bundle discounts are rare lately. But, if you’re looking for more than a middle-of-the-road TV provider, consider DISH Network or YouTube TV.
Xfinity TV deals can include bundle discounts
In addition to its affordable TV packages and internet-and-TV bundles, you can sometimes find auto-pay discounts, military discounts, and the increasingly rare bundle discount. To learn more about Xfinity TV deals and promotions, check out our Xfinity deals guide.
Xfinity TV plans cost more but offer less
Xfinity TV plans (West)
*No term contract. Broadcast TV fee and regional sports fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Package | Price* | Channels | Popular channels | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Choice TV | $20.00/mo. | 10+ | ABC, CBS. NBC | View plan |
Popular TV | $60.00/mo. | 125+ | AMC, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel | View plan |
Ultimate TV | $80.00/mo. | 185+ | IFC, Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild | View plan |
*No term contract. Broadcast TV fee and regional sports fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Package | Price* | Channels | Popular channels | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Choice TV | $25.00/mo. | 10+ | NBC, ABC, FOX | View plan |
Popular TV | $60.00/mo. | 125+ | AMC, A&E, Comedy Central | View plan |
Ultimate TV | $80.00/mo. | 185+ | Cooking Channel, FS2, IFC | View plan |
*No term contract. Broadcast TV fee and regional sports fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Xfinity packages, pricing, and channel counts are different in each of its three regions (Northeastern, Central, and Western US). Check out the tables above to see how much Xfinity cable TV costs in your town. If you’re unsure which Xfinity region you live in, consult the table below.
West | Central | Northeast |
---|---|---|
Arizona | Alabama | Connecticut |
California | Arkansas | Delaware |
Colorado | Florida | District Of Columbia |
Idaho | Georgia | Maine |
Kansas | Illinois | Maryland |
Minnesota | Indiana | Massachusetts |
Missouri | Kentucky | New Hampshire |
New Mexico | Louisiana | New Jersey |
Oregon | Michigan | New York |
Texas | Mississippi | North Carolina |
Utah | South Carolina | Ohio |
Washington | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
Wisconsin | Rhode Island | |
Vermont | ||
Virginia | ||
West Virginia |
Although Xfinity’s cable TV pricing varies by region, its plans fall into the same general tiers: a forgettable 10-channel basic plan, a 125-channel basic cable channel, and a 185-channel plan with more basic cable channels.
Pricing for Xfinity cable packages can compete with DISH, DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios rates—but not their channel counts. And if you want premium cable channels like HBO®, you’ll typically have to pay a la carte with Xfinity.
Plus, Xfinity no longer requires a contract on its TV plans, so you won’t have to worry about early termination fees. But if you get an Xfinity internet and TV bundle, you’ll probably have to settle for a contract.
Xfinity’s cable TV plans are average compared to other cable TV providers. Xfinity doesn’t have the no-contract flexibility of Spectrum, but it’s far more affordable than competitors like Cox. Satellite TV providers like DISH and DIRECTV have far bigger channel counts than Xfinity, but you’ll also pay more for them, thanks to each provider’s higher prices and two-year contracts. And a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV has 100+ popular channels, unlimited cloud DVR (so no equipment fees), and no contract.
But maybe you’ve already tried these competing services, and you want to take Xfinity for a spin. If so, we recommend Xfinity’s Popular TV (125+ channels) for customers who value affordability over channel selection. If you have a large household with varying interests, Ultimate TV has the options you need.
Xfinity TV channels
While Xfinity doesn’t offer as many channels on its cable packages as other providers, it carries all of the most popular channels—many of them in HD—in its packages, plus a hefty selection of premium channels and add-on packs. And, of course, the plans include a few dozen Music Choice channels (which makes the channel counts even weaker).
For a more comprehensive look at Xfinity cable TV channels, read our Xfinity Channel Lineup guide.
Xfinity TV and internet bundles add super-fast download speeds
Xfinity TV has excellent equipment and features
Ready to talk gear and features? Xfinity’s cable plans include a lot more than live TV channel packages. From on-demand programming to TV boxes, let’s explore everything else about Xfinity’s TV plans.
Xfinity X1 receiver and Cloud DVR
The X1 is Xfinity’s highly rated DVR/receiver and TV service. It costs an additional $7.50 to $8.50 per month, depending on your region.
But if you don’t need or want the X1’s special features, you won’t save money by choosing a standard HD TV box. They’re also between $7.50 to $8.50 per month depending on region.
ARRIS and Pace XG1v3
Pace XG1v1
ARRIS XG1v4
Depending where you’re located, and what’s in stock, you’ll get one of three Xfinity X1 models.
The X1 Cloud DVR service lets you save shows and view them on your X1, the Xfinity Stream app, and the Xfinity Stream website. Most packages include 20 hours of DVR storage, but you can upgrade to 150 hours ($10.00/mo.) or 300 hours ($20.00/mo.) of storage during the checkout process.
If you’d like to watch your Xfinity content on another TV, you can pay $8.50 a month for an extra X1 DVR—or choose a non-DVR X1 TV box for $8.50 a month to use on the additional TV. The non-DVR boxes can set and play recordings, but not store them (they’ll be on your primary X1 DVR).
It’s important to note here that Xfinity sends out various models of non-DVR X1 boxes. One, the RNG150N, is not compatible with the Xfinity voice remote. If you want that sweet hands-free navigation, you might want to ask an Xfinity rep which box you should expect in your region.
For more on the X1, read our in-depth Xfinity X1 review.
Xfinity voice remote
The X1 comes with either the Xfinity XR11 or XR15 voice remote. The difference between the two is aesthetic, not functional—both remotes have voice control, backlit keypad, 5-minute skip (for live TV or DVR recordings), 10-minute skip (for Xfinity On Demand), Aim Anywhere function, automatic pairing, and accessibility features (closed captioning, video description, voice guidance).
For more information on all Xfinity equipment, see our review.
The Xfinity Stream mobile app adds value and flexibility
Yes, you can stream your Xfinity X1 TV package. Free with your TV subscription, Xfinity’s Stream app allows you to watch content and manage certain settings from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop:
- Up to 200+ live channels (depending on your package)
- Most Xfinity On Demand titles
- All of your DVR recordings
- Download content for offline viewing
- Set and manage DVR timers
- Set and manage parental controls
- Watch on up to five devices at once
Read our Xfinity Stream App Guide for more information.
Xfinity On Demand offers even more to watch
Available on the X1 and the Xfinity Stream app, Xfinity On Demand comes with your TV package and offers a free library with thousands of movies, the first latest episodes of the top 100 TV shows, plus the ability to rent or purchase titles, including new movies.
Xfinity On Demand adds a whole lotta free content—and, therefore, value—to your Xfinity cable packages. And the ability to watch Xfinity On Demand content away from home, and even download it to watch offline, is a huge bonus.
You can get Peacock Premium free with Xfinity
Peacock is a streaming TV service owned by NBCUniversal, which owns Xfinity. It has two tiers:
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Peacock (with ads) is completely free and has 7,500 hours of content, but no Peacock originals. Peacock Premium (with ads) is $4.99 a month, but it has twice the content—15,000 hours—with new episodes of NBC series available to watch the day after they broadcast. For twice the price, Peacock Premium Plus has the same 15,000 of content, but you won’t have to endure commercials.
Since Xfinity’s parent company owns Peacock, Xfinity customers can get the streaming service free for 6–24 months. The duration depends on variables such as your Xfinity plan or Xfinity rewards program status.
For more information on Peacock plans, check out our Peacock Review.
What do real Xfinity customers think of Xfinity cable TV?
In CableTV.com’s annual TV Customer Satisfaction Survey, we asked 7,150 cable and satellite TV customers of 11 top TV providers to tell us their real feelings about their TV providers.
Xfinity finished in fourth place (tying with Sparklight and DISH), with 64% of customers indicating they were “completely satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Xfinity TV service. Xfinity had middling satisfaction scores on most of the other questions but finished with an impressive second place for user experience (71%).
Xfinity’s highest rating came in user experience, with 71% of customers reporting satisfaction with the provider’s equipment function and reliability. The provider’s lowest scores were in customer service interactions.
Xfinity FAQ
How much does Xfinity TV cost?
Xfinity TV plans cost $20.00–$80.00 a month but have different rates (and perhaps slightly different channel lineups) for all three regions in Xfinity’s coverage area. Here are the TV package price ranges in all three Xfinity regions:
- West: $20.00–$68.50/mo. for 10–185+ channels
- Central: $20.00–$80.00/mo. for 10–185+ channels
- Northeastern: $25.00–$80.00/mo. for 10–185+ channels
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What is the cheapest Xfinity cable package?
These are the cheapest Xfinity cable packages by region:
- West: Choice TV ($20.00/mo., 10+ channels)
- Central: Choice TV ($20.00/mo., 10+ channels)
- Northeast: Choice TV ($25.00/mo., 10+ channels)
Looking for more ways to cut monthly costs? View Xfinity’s current deals and promotions.
How much does Xfinity Stream cost?
The Xfinity Stream mobile app is included free with your Xfinity TV plan. For more information, read our Xfinity Stream App Guide.
What is the best Xfinity package?
Xfinity packages and rates differ for its three regions. Since you’re in Xfinity’s western region, we’re showing you region-specific Xfinity TV and internet bundles that have some of Xfinity’s highest channel counts, lowest costs per channel, and highest internet speeds.
- West: Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra has 185+ channels and 1,200 Mbps download speeds for $125.00 a month.
- Central: Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra has 185+ channels and 1,200 Mbps download speeds for $150.00 a month.
- Northeast: Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra gives you 185+ channels and 1,200 Mbps download speeds for $140.00 a month.
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What is the basic Xfinity package?
Xfinity’s basic TV package is Choice TV with 10 channels. The price varies depending on your region:
- West: $20.00/mo.
- Central: $20.00/mo.
- Northeast: $25.00/mo.
Do I need a cable box for every TV with Xfinity?
Yes, you will need a cable box for each of your TVs—but you have choices, as seen in the table below. We’ve done the math for you up to two TVs. In all cases, for each extra box, add $8.50 to see your total monthly payment for Xfinity TV equipment.
Box rental | Additional boxes | Total (one TV) | Total (two TVs) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity X1 DVR service with HD box | $8.50/mo. | $8.50/mo. each | $8.50/mo. | $17.00/mo. |
Xfinity non-DVR box (HD) | $8.50/mo. | $8.50/mo. each | $8.50/mo. | $17.00/mo. |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Is Xfinity Stream the same as Xfinity TV?
When you’re at home, the Xfinity Stream app works the same as your normal Xfinity TV service. But when you’re out of the house, you’ll have some streaming limitations. Read our full Xfinity Stream review to learn more about the service.
Methodology
To find out how Xfinity’s TV plans stacked up to the competition, we rated them in areas like value, channel count, and customer satisfaction. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.