Best Xfinity TV Packages 2021

Xfinity TV is one of the top cable TV providers on the market because it offers four decently-priced packages, and each package comes with the popular channels we all enjoy. Xfinity is also widely available across the US.

This cable provider gives you the option to sign a contract or not. As you may have noticed, two plans have 140 channels while the other two have 220. The pricing differs, but this is where the optional contract comes into play.

We’ll go over all of the details so you leave here knowing exactly which package is perfect for you.

Does Xfinity TV have a contract?

Yes and no. You get to choose (or more so, your wallet does).

Firstly, we need to go over both the contract and no-contract options to help you decide which package is best for you.

Recently Xfinity changed its pricing for the Digital Starter package, and it’s now the same price as Extra. But Digital Starter doesn’t have a 1-year contract while Extra does.

So why get the Extra plan? You shouldn’t. You get the same channels, same pricing, same everything. So, it’s a no-brainer to get the Digital Starter package over the Extra if you don’t want an unnecessary contract.

But when it comes to the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans, you’ll save $30 with the Preferred Plus plan if you choose the 1-year contract route.

Now that you have an idea of how committal you are, let’s go over the channels for both sets of plans.

Xfinity’s Extra and Digital Starter plans

This plan is best for those who want all of the popular channels for a decent price

What do we like about the Extra and Digital Starter plans?

• You’ll get most, if not all, of the popular channels
• Compared to other cable TV providers, the pricing is fair

You’ll get a nice variety of channels with this TV provider

With the Extra and Digital Starter plans, you’ll get channels that you, your spouse, your teenager, and your grandchildren will love.

You’ll get the complete package with channels for local news, international news, entertainment, reality, lifestyle, and kids.

Xfinity TV’s pricing is better or the same as other cable TV providers

Compared to the other top cable TV providers, Xfinity is pretty on-par. But, let us highlight why Xfinity is the number one cable TV provider–it’s more widely available. Now let’s get into the pricing.

Xfinity’s entry-level package is $50 per month for 140 channels. How does it stack up against its competitors?

What we’re not excited about the Extra and Digital Starter plans

• Sports channels are fewer and farther between
• You’ll have to upgrade to get the finest movie channels

You’ll only get eight sports channels

In a TV world where sports are king, Xfinity isn’t supplying. Eight sports channels just don’t usually cut it. Not only do you need your ESPN, but you do need your NFL Network and SEC or Big Ten Network.

Yes, it’s great that these starter packages have PAC-12 Network, Tennis Channel, and Golf Channel, but if we want to watch sports on TV, we want to watch it all.

But hey, if you’re not a sports fiend and like to check in on your favorite teams here and there, these sports channels have got you covered!

With the Extra and Digital Starter plans, you’ll get the following sports channels:

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• FS1
• Stadium
• NBC Sports Network
• PAC-12 Network
• Tennis Channel
• Golf Channel

These entry-level packages won’t have the popular movie channels

If you consider yourself a movie buff, you might want to upgrade to the Preferred packages.

In the Preferred packages, you’ll get the FX Movie Channel, Paramount Pictures, and IFC channels.

But if you feel like you get enough movie choices through your Netflix or Hulu subscriptions, you can do without them.

What are the Extra and Digital Starter packages’ pros and cons?

• Good: Xfinity’s starter package is complete with all of the popular channels you’ll ever need.
• Bad: Well, we guess it’s not that complete, especially for the sports fans. Upgrade to the Preferred packages if you agree that eight sports channels are a bit scarce.
• Full review: If you want more information about the DVR, check out our full review of Xfinity TV.

Xfinity’s Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans

This plan is best for those who want the most sports and movie channels

What do we like about the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans?

• These plans have 14 sports channels instead of eight
• You’ll get the Cooking Channel, Disney Jr., and FX Movie Channel

You’ll get six more sports channels, but you’ll also lose some

The best part about the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plan is that you get the major sports networks straight to your TV. These are the plans you need if you’re a Los Angeles Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers fan, for example.

Now the bad part: these plans don’t come with ESPN, ESPN2, and NBC Sports Network (what?). Who does Xfinity think they are?

With the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans, you’ll get the following sports channels:

Enjoy the one-of-a-kind entertainment and movie channels

When you upgrade to Xfinity’s second-tier plans, you’ll get more movie channels, along with kids, entertainment, and lifestyle channels that you can’t usually get with an entry-level package.

So if you love Carnival Eats, K’s Exotic Animal ER, or The Riveras, you’ll want one of the Preferred plans.

With the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans, you’ll get the following channels:

What don’t we like about the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred plans?

• Surprisingly, you’ll lose a lot of popular channels when upgrading to these plans
• Xfinity has quite a few fees, so budget accordingly

We say just stick with the Extra and Digital Starter plans

Unless you really want NFL Network or Paramount Pictures channels, you’ll want to stick with the Extra and Digital Starter plans. Trust us when we say you’ll get more for your money.

Xfinity has the audacity to take these channels out of its Preferred plans’ lineup:

Because of the fees, you’ll be spending over $120 for the Digital Preferred plan

Every cable and satellite TV provider has fees, but Xfinity seems to have quite a few.

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So, if you need a TV box ($5/month), an additional TV box for the TV room downstairs ($10/month), HD channels ($10/month), DVR storage ($15/month), news channels ($15/month), and sports channels ($9/month) … you’ll be spending $65 per month in fees.

Although we touch on how expensive it can get, no other cable TV provider gives you 220+ channels at a starting price of $60–$90 per month.

If you’d like to spend less than $50, we recommend Sling TV, but it only gives you 50 channels for $45 per month.

What are the Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred packages’ pros and cons?

• Good: You’ll get more sports and movie channels.
• Bad: You’ll be missing out on some key channels, so check out the full channel lineup to see if it’s the right one for you.
• Full review: Check out our full review of Xfinity TV for more information on the DVR and set-top box.

Recap: Which Xfinity TV package is best?

We’ll come outright and say the Extra or Digital Starter package will give you the most for your money. The upgrade to Preferred Plus or Digital Preferred isn’t worth it.

Extra and Digital Starter give you 140 popular channels (with a few Music Choice channels) that everyone in the family will absolutely enjoy. But if you’re looking to get cable solely for sports, we’re sorry to say you won’t get your NFL Network, MLB Network, or NBA TV channels.

If you upgrade to Preferred Plus and Digital Preferred, you will get these major sports channels. But you won’t get a lot of other popular channels, and we know you want to avoid a confrontation with the family because you chose NFL Total Access instead of the channels that keep the kids entertained while you’re working. (Just sayin’).

What do you think?

Which Xfinity TV package do you think is the best, and why? Let us know what you think in the comments.