Xfinity Internet Review 2021

Comcast Xfinity’s prices and plans change depending on where you live, but its speed and reliability remain consistently excellent across the US. And those prices are pretty competitive compared to other internet service providers (ISPs) in the same areas.

We’ve used Xfinity for going on 10 years now, and even though it gets a bad rap for its customer service, we still think it’s a pretty good deal.

Let’s dig into Xfinity internet prices, plans, download speeds, and customer service to see if it’s the right internet provider for you.

Xfinity internet deals

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Xfinity internet prices and plans

Xfinity’s competitive internet prices earned it our Best Value award. But beware: Prices change based on where you live

First thing’s first: Comcast Xfinity internet prices and plans change based on your location. A lot.

Xfinity breaks down its pricing and plan names by three different regions in the US: Northeast, Central, and West. So if you live in the Bay Area of California, your Xfinity promotional prices will be different than someone who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Let’s take a look at how those Xfinity internet prices change from region to region.

Jump to: Xfinity Northeast prices | Xfinity Central prices | Xfinity West prices

Xfinity prices in the Northeastern US are pretty competitive with other internet providers you’ll find in the same area, like AT&T and Spectrum. Especially the Performance Pro Plus plan, which nets you 200 Mbps speeds for just a few more bucks each month compared to Xfinity’s 100 Mbps plan, Performance Select.

We assume this plan’s high price for slower speeds is due to the fact that you don’t have to sign a contract to get it—and you have to order it online. But other ISPs in the Northeast, like AT&T and Verizon, don’t require a contract to begin with. We’ll go into this in more detail when we compare Xfinity to other internet providers.

The prices Xfinity charges customers in the Central US are pretty straightforward. But yes, you’ll pay the same promotional price for 200 Mbps as you would for 400 Mbps speeds.

What gives? We’re not sure—but remember, your price after that first year will be higher for the 400 Mbps plan than the 200 Mbps plan.

In the Western US, Xfinity has a pretty good deal for its slowest plan with 50 Mbps speeds. If it’s just you using the internet, this might be enough to get by.

Otherwise, the Performance Select plan stands out as a better deal for couples and small families. (It’s currently the plan I subscribe to.) It gets you 100 Mbps speeds and costs about $35 a month. Larger households may want to check out the Extreme Pro Plus plan with 600 Mbps speeds instead. Sure, it costs $75 a month, but that price also lasts for two years instead of one.

Where is Xfinity available?

Comcast Xfinity is available in 40 states across the US, with Delaware, Maryland, and Massachusetts having the most zip codes served by Xfinity internet.

One odd thing to note: We mentioned that Xfinity prices change by region, but Xfinity doesn’t necessarily make it clear where its regions begin and end. For example, we were surprised to find that Minneapolis, Minnesota, was considered part of the Xfinity West region.

View Xfinity Internet Plans | Read Xfinity TV Review

How does Xfinity compare to CenturyLink, AT&T, and others?

In general, Xfinity’s promotional prices are pretty competitive with other large internet providers in the same areas. Let’s take a look at how some specific Xfinity internet plan prices compare to ISPs like CenturyLink, AT&T, Frontier, and Spectrum across different parts of the US.

Jump to: Xfinity Northeast comparison | Xfinity Central comparison | Xfinity West comparison

How do Xfinity internet prices compare in the Northeast?

The price for Xfinity’s 100 Mbps plan in the Northeast is almost too good to be true. You’ll pay almost double for the same speeds from other ISPs in the Northeast like AT&T and Spectrum. Not to mention that AT&T’s Up to 75 Mbps plan is fully DSL—an older technology that’s prone to slow speeds and other problems.

On the other hand, AT&T’s Internet 100 plan is a DSL and fiber hybrid connection, which should boost speeds. The AT&T Internet 100 plan also comes with unlimited data, as does the Spectrum Internet® plan. (Xfinity’s plans all have a 1.2 TB data cap.) Not to mention neither AT&T nor Spectrum requires a contract, while Xfinity usually does.

That means Xfinity falls behind a little when it comes to its Gigabit plan: AT&T Fiber’s Internet 1,000 plan is priced too well to pass up. Though the Spectrum Internet® Gig plan pushes the budget limits a bit too much, even with unlimited data and no contracts.

How do Xfinity internet prices compare in the Central US?

In the Central US, Xfinity’s price for its 100 Mbps is a tad cheaper compared to other providers in the area like AT&T and Frontier.

Our only hesitation is that Frontier offers unlimited data on all of its internet plans, while AT&T offers unlimited data on its Internet 100 plan. But sadly, Xfinity  still enforces a data cap of 1.2 TB.

And what about that Xfinity Gigabit plan price? It lands smack-dab in the middle of AT&T’s and Frontier’s prices for their gig-speed plans. Of course, you’ll get an extra 200 Mbps with Xfinity’s Gigabit plan, which might make it the better deal if you need that extra oomph for running a home business or Plex server.

How do Xfinity internet prices compare in the West?

At $10 to $30 less than other internet providers, the cost of Xfinity’s 100 Mbps plan in the Western US is pretty competitive. At least if you’re okay with a 1-year contract.

If you prefer to go without signing a contract, you’ll pay $55 a month for those 100 Mbps speeds. That makes the Xfinity Performance Select plan the most expensive option in this comparison—especially since Spectrum doesn’t bump up your bill to avoid a contract.

CenturyLink may not deliver on speeds as well as Xfinity, but its plans do come with unlimited data and no contracts. We’re not sure that’s enough to persuade us to pay almost double the price of Xfinity’s 100 Mbps plan though.

As for Xfinity Gigabit plan prices in the West, we’d say it’s on the expensive side, but might still be a good deal. Sure, it doesn’t come without a contract or unlimited data like Spectrum’s gigabit plan, but you get a little extra speed at a much lower price.

CenturyLink’s gig plan is pretty limited in availability, but if you can get it we say it might just be a better deal than the Xfinity Gigabit plan.

Is Xfinity internet cheap?

For the most part, Xfinity’s promotional prices make it a cheap internet service compared to other companies serving similar areas. There are a few exceptions to this, especially since Xfinity mostly requires contracts and caps your data at 1.2 TB.

• Compared to AT&T: Versus AT&T’s DSL internet plans, Xfinity is a clear winner. But AT&T Fiber one-ups Xfinity with a low price, unlimited data, and no contracts.
• Compared to CenturyLink: CenturyLink’s unlimited data and lack of contracts might sway some folks, but its slow DSL speeds and high prices make Xfinity a better choice if you’re concerned about internet speed and cost. (Though CenturyLink’s fiber internet might make up some ground.)
• Compared to Frontier: If it’s a toss-up between Frontier DSL internet and Xfinity, go with Xfinity. Otherwise, Frontier’s FiberOptic internet might be a better choice thanks to newer technology, unlimited data, and similar prices.
• Compared to Spectrum: If you’re more concerned about no contracts and unlimited data, Spectrum’s slightly higher prices might still be a better deal. But the sky-high cost of its gig plan makes the Xfinity Gigabit plan a much better choice.

If you’re still not sure whether to choose Xfinity over another internet provider, these other reviews might help.

• AT&T Internet Review
• Xfinity vs. AT&T
• CenturyLink Internet Review
• Xfinity vs. CenturyLink
• Frontier Internet Review
• Xfinity vs. Frontier
• Spectrum Internet Review
• Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Home Internet

View Xfinity Internet Plans | Read Xfinity TV Review

Xfinity internet speed and data

Xfinity tends to deliver the download speeds it promises

Xfinity download speeds range from 50 to 1,200 Mbps. And if you live in the right spot (and have major cash to spend), you’ve also got the option to slingshot yourself into the internet at 2,000 Mbps with the Gigabit Pro plan.

Depending on where you live, here’s a quick glance at some of the download and upload speeds Xfinity offers:

The major drawback to Xfinity internet speeds is that it doesn’t sport symmetrical, or matching, upload speeds. While Xfinity download speeds range from 50 to 1,200 Mbps, its download speeds range from 3 to 35 Mbps.

Now, don’t get us wrong. Anything around 10 Mbps or faster upload speeds is probably enough to get those YouTube videos uploaded or handle a Zoom call from your boss. But anyone running a livestream or sending out large files on a regular basis might want more.

Is Xfinity internet fast?

As for actual speed performance, you might be happy as a clam knowing Xfinity was seventh out of 38 ISPs we analyzed in our fastest internet providers list. It also ranked fourth out of all large ISPs.

Xfinity also scored better than some of its competitors, like Frontier, Spectrum, AT&T, and CenturyLink. But Verizon Fios Home Internet swept in with some of the fastest internet speeds, likely thanks to its fully fiber network.

Still, you can see that Xfinity scored almost 10 points better than the other ISPs. And while Frontier, Spectrum, and AT&T all scored fairly close, CenturyLink finished this race far behind the others.

Data caps

Almost every Xfinity plan has a 1.2 TB data limit. That’s a pretty significant amount of data, and it matches what Cox and CenturyLink offer.

But if data is a concern for you, Frontier and Spectrum both offer unlimited data on all their plans. AT&T also offers unlimited data on some of its plans, and while Verizon is quiet about its true data cap, we bet it’s unlimited too.

• Comcast Xfinity data cap: 1.2 TB

If your data usage is blasting past that data cap, you do have a few options for adding data to your Xfinity plan. But be warned, extra data costs extra money.

Option 1: Pay the overage fee

Xfinity charges $10 (plus tax) to add an extra 50 GB of data to your internet plan, up to a max of $100 each month.

If you don’t go over your data limit that often, this may be the least expensive option for you. But if you go through data like we go through a bag of white cheddar popcorn, you’ll want to look at Options 2 and 3.

Option 2: Sign up for xFi Complete

If you’re already renting the xFi Gateway modem-router combo, you can add the xFi Complete program to get unlimited data. It costs an extra $25 a month, and that includes your xFi Gateway rental (which normally costs $14 a month).

Option 3: Get the Unlimited Data plan

If you prefer to use your own router instead of the xFi Gateway, you can still get unlimited data. You’ll pay a little more than you would for the xFi Complete program though, to the tune of $30 extra a month.

If paying more for extra data makes you turn up your nose (hey, we have the same reaction), check out our YouTube guide on how to budget data for various online activities.

View Xfinity Internet Plans | Read Xfinity TV Review

Xfinity contracts, equipment, and fees

Xfinity has some no-contract options, but they’ll likely cost you more

Xfinity’s approach to contracts seems to vary by plan and by region. You might have to sign a 1- or 2-year contract, or you might have the option to pay extra to dodge that contract.

Equipment

If you decide to go with Xfinity’s xFi gateway modem, it’ll run you $14 a month extra. That’s a pretty typical equipment rental fee, but if you plan to keep your Xfinity service for longer than a year, you can save some money by buying your own.

You can also upgrade your xFi Gateway rental to include xFi Complete, which includes unlimited data and an xFi pod if you need extra coverage in your house.

• Xfinity xFi Gateway rental fee: $14/month
• xFi Complete with xFi Gateway rental: $25/month
• xFi Pod Wi-Fi extender cost: $119 for one, $199 for two

But bringing your own equipment to the table tends to cost less than a full year of renting the xFi. We’ve got recommendations for Xfinity-compatible modems and routers if you prefer to bring your own equipment.

Service fees

Sadly, there’s no getting away from Xfinity fees, just like with every ISP. Here are a few to watch out for:

• Professional installation: $89.99, but your pro install price might change based on where you live. And in some cases, Xfinity may not offer pro installation, so you’ll need to grab a self-install kit instead.
• Self-installation kit: $15.00, and it ships within 3–5 business days. You can also choose to pick your kit up in the store or have its shipment delayed by up to 25 days if you’re in the middle of a move.
• Early termination fees: There’s a 30-day “money-back guarantee” period to cancel after signing up for a 12-month Xfinity plan. After that, you can expect to pay a fee for the remaining months of your service contract. Xfinity doesn’t list exact amounts, but you can expect to at least pay the monthly price for the time remaining on your contract.

Xfinity customer service

Xfinity is known for bad customer service, but so is every other ISP

The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) shows that Xfinity improved its customer service over the last year. It scored 67 out of 100, up from its 2020 score of 66 out of 100.¹ That’s on top of a pretty dramatic improvement from 2019 to 2020, where Xfinity jumped from 61 to 66 out of 100. We hope Xfinity customer service continues that upward trend.

Xfinity doesn’t list any customer service phone numbers. But you can still chat with them over the phone. You’ll need to request that they call you by using the automated chat on your My Xfinity app.

When you chat with the bot in the Xfinity app, you can request to talk to someone and either live chat with a representative or have them call you at a later time.

Aside from chatting in the app, there are a few other channels you can use to contact Xfinity:

• Xfinity online chat
• Facebook: @Xfinity
• Twitter: @ComcastCares
• Comcast Internet Essentials phone number: 1-855-846-8376

And however you do get a hold of Xfinity, these customer service tips might give you a leg up. We’ve also got a guide to Comcast Xfinity customer service—so if you have TV, home security, or mobile questions, take a peek before you call.

Recap: Is Xfinity internet good?

Xfinity is one of our top picks for internet service thanks to its competitive prices, great range of plans to choose from, and excellent download speed performance. We also like that it’s available across most of the US, plus it has one of the largest Wi-Fi hotspot networks.

On the downside, we wish Xfinity would just swap to unlimited data already. And we’d love to see it improve its customer service even more.

• Prices and plans: Xfinity’s promotional prices tend to be a good deal for the speeds you get. But there are a few better deals out there from other ISPs that also offer unlimited data and no contracts.
• Speed: Xfinity scored extremely well in our fastest ISPs report, so we’re confident you’ll get the internet speed you paid for (at least most of the time).
• Contracts, equipment, and fees: Most Xfinity plans require a 1- or 2-year contract. A few plans come with no contract, but they tend to cost more. The xFi Gateway modem-router combo is a good piece of equipment too. (We use it currently.)
• Customer service: Xfinity could improve its customer service, but then, so could most every ISP. (Not that that makes it any better.)

Comcast Xfinity internet promotional prices

Xfinity plans and prices vary by region, but here’s a quick recap of the Xfinity prices and internet speeds you’ll find in the West:

• Performance Starter Plus: $29.99/month*, 50 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap
• Performance Select: $34.99/month*, 100 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap
• Performance Pro Plus: $49.99/month*, 200 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap
• Blast!: $64.99/month*, 400 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap
• Extreme Pro Plus: $74.99/month**, 600 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap
• Gigabit: $84.99/month**, 1,200 Mbps download speeds, 1.2 TB data cap

<sup>Data effective 6/23/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Data effective 12/03/20. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
** For the first 24 months with a 1-year agreement.</sup>

FAQ

Still have questions about Xfinity? Let’s see if we can help.

Does Comcast Xfinity offer COVID-19 relief?

Xfinity’s pledge to Keep Americans Connected officially ended on June 30, 2020. That means no more free unlimited data—but the ISP did permanently boost its data caps to 1.2 TB.

Additionally, Xfinity is continuing to offer a few resources that might help anyone still undergoing financial hardship due to COVID-19. These resources include:

• Free Wi-Fi hotspot usage for anyone through the end of 2021
• Two free months of Internet Essentials service for new customers, as long as you’re approved by June 30, 2021
• Flexible payment options for customers whose income is affected by the coronavirus pandemic (be sure to chat with an Xfinity rep to let them know you may need a flexible payment plan)

What kind of modem does Xfinity use?

Almost always, Xfinity will give you an xFi Gateway modem and router combo if you choose to rent from it. There are various models of the xFi Gateway, and if you need to troubleshoot or get started setting yours up, we recommend checking out this xFi Gateway support page.

If you prefer to bring your own modem, you’ll need to make sure it’s a cable modem. And we’ve got Xfinity cable modem recommendations right here if you need help shopping.

Which router should I use with Xfinity?

We’re big fans of TP-Link and NETGEAR routers for our Xfinity internet service. You can see our specific Xfinity router recommendations in our guide.

How can I check my speed with Xfinity?

Our internet speed test will tell you your download and upload speeds and how much latency you experience.

Are Comcast and Xfinity the same thing?

Pretty much. “Comcast” and “Xfinity” are often used interchangeably, but Xfinity is specific to Comcast’s cable TV, internet, voice, mobile, and home security services.

What is Xfinity Blast! Pro and is it good for gaming?

The Blast! plan (formerly known as Blast! Pro Plus is available in all regions and offers 400 Mbps download speeds.

Those speeds should cover you no matter how hectic a battle you get into. Want to see how other ISPs compare when it comes to MMOs or FPS games? Check out our Best Internet for Gaming review.

Does Xfinity have bundles?

A perk to Xfinity is that it offers multiple services you can bundle together: internet, TV, home security, and mobile. Bundling is a great way to save money each month, and you may also find bundle-specific Xfinity discounts.

But aside from cable TV, Xfinity’s other home services might be a bust. Here’s what our fellow experts had to say about other Xfinity services:

Xfinity cable TV: “Xfinity might have a lot of fees, but at least you won’t be disappointed by Xfinity’s service. This cable TV company is reliable, widely available, and you’ll get most, if not all, of the channels you and your family want.” —Chantel Buchi, TV and streaming expert

Xfinity Home security system: “Xfinity Home’s prices are hard to pin down, most of the equipment lags behind other brands, and its customer service (through Comcast) may be the worst we’ve ever encountered.” —Brianne Sandorf, home security expert

Xfinity Mobile: “A solid, cheap [option] for those already in the Xfinity universe, though you have to deal with data throttling, slowdowns, and poor video streaming quality.” —Easton Smith, mobile expert

Does Xfinity have Wi-Fi hotspots?

Another major benefit Xfinity customers enjoy is thousands of wireless hotspots across the US. And if you’ve got Xfinity Mobile or a Performance internet plan or faster, you get Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot access for free.

This is a huge boon if you’re on vacation and can’t find a Starbucks to siphon wireless internet off of. Not to mention access to all those Wi-Fi hotspots is a lifesaver if your home internet goes down and you’ve got an assignment due the next morning.

You can access the wireless hotspots through the Xfinity Wi-Fi app, which uses your Xfinity username and password.

Can I get Xfinity internet only? How much does it cost?

Yes, you can get Xfinity internet without TV or other services. The cost for just Xfinity internet depends on where you live, but in general the price ranges from $29.99–$79.99 a month in the Northeast, $19.99–$70.00 a month in the West, and $25.00–$70.00 a month in the Central US.

Does Xfinity offer student internet packages?

Xfinity doesn’t offer a specific student internet package, but it does regularly offer student discounts.

Comcast also offers a low-cost internet plan called Internet Essentials, which costs $9.95 a month for 50 Mbps speeds. Families with students may qualify for this plan if someone in your household is enrolled in a program like the National School Lunch Program.

Is Xfinity internet unlimited?

No, sadly Xfinity internet doesn’t come with unlimited data. Instead, your data is capped at 1.2 TB each month with options to buy more data if you need it.

How can I get $10 a month internet?

Comcast Xfinity offers internet for about $10 a month with its Internet Essentials plan. The cost is $9.95 a month, and you get 50 Mbps download speeds. To get it, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements, such as the following:

• You or someone in your household is enrolled in housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, or others
• You haven’t had Xfinity internet within the last 90 days

P.S. If you owe money on a past Xfinity internet bill, you may still qualify.

How fast is Comcast $10 internet?

Comcast’s $10 (technically $9.95 a month) Internet Essentials plan gets you 50 Mbps download speeds.

How can I get unlimited internet for free?

There are quite a few ways to get free internet, but you may or may not run into data caps along the way. We don’t know of any truly free internet plan with unlimited data though.

Sources
1. American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), “ACSI Telecommunications Report 2020–2021,” June 2021. Accessed June 23, 2021.