Xfinity TV might have pricey fees, but no other provider is more widely available with a complete channel lineup
Comcast Xfinity TV Service Review
Comcast Xfinity TV is renowned for its reliability and being the superhero of cable TV providers. But does it have what it takes to conquer your hard-earned cash? (I believe so, yes.)
Xfinity TV has a #1 button stamped on its chest, boasting a dollar-to-channel ratio that even Scrooge McDuck would find impressive. Plus, it's available practically everywhere in the US, making it a cost effective choice for most Americans.
However, there are a few sneaky fees to consider before pulling the trigger on ordering this service.
Without further adieu, let's dive into the details of Xfinity's TV offerings.
How much does Xfinity cost?
Xfinity's TV plans range from $10–$69 per month. This cable provider used to require you to sign a 1-year contract, but I'm happy to say those days are over.
This cable TV provider's value is better than ever at only 40 cents per channel. I'm not kidding when I say that's one of the best dollar-to-channel ratios on the market, even compared to live TV streaming services.
Choice TV is a basic cable package with your local channels and more. Popular TV gives you popular channels, like Disney Channel, EPSN, MSNBC, and Lifetime. And Ultimate TV nets you more fun channels, such as Cooking Channel, Hallmark Drama, and NFL Network.
How does Xfinity compare to other top cable TV providers?
- Spectrum TV's 150+ channel package is $45 more per month than Xfinity's 125+ package.
- Verizon Fios TV is one of those providers that has a great dollar-to-channel ratio, and you would have to get the The Most Fios TV plan for $129 (with AutoPay) to reap those benefits. (It comes with over 425 channels.) But, you'd have to live in one of the eight states Fios TV services.
- Optimum also has a crazy good value with a packages ranging from $30–$135 for 50–250 channels. Here comes the "but" again. But, Optimum is only offered four states.
- Cox Communications lets you bundle TV, internet, landline phone, and smart home automation. But it's entry-level plan almost half the channels than that of Xfinity's (for the same price.)
But make sure to check out cable's unfortunate fees list below before you do any committing.
Save 40% on top streaming services
New and existing Xfinity TV or Internet customers can add StreamSaver for just $15 per month and get Peacock Premium with ads, Apple TV+, and Netflix Standard with ads.
That's three streaming services for the price of one! And the savings are no joke–without StreamSaver, all three services would cost $29.95 per month.
Does Xfinity have a contract?
Xfinity doesn't have a contract anymore. (*Starts doing a little jig*)
Cancel whenever you'd like without any worries of those dang cancellation fees.
Does Xfinity have fees?
Although Xfinity isn't the only cable TV provider to have these fees, I don't like how pricey some of them can get with this service.
If you're the average cable TV watcher, you're likely to need to pay all of the fees in the table below.
You'll definitely need a TV box ($9/month). You'll likely need an additional TV box for the TV room downstairs ($9/month). and you'll probably want 150 hours of DVR storage for the family to share ($10/month), as well as news and sports channels ($37/month).
For all of this, expect to pay an additional $65 per month. WHAT?
This could be a deal-breaker because other TV providers don't have outrageous fees like this. DISH's service includes 125 HD hours of DVR storage, and there isn't a broadcasting or regional sports fee.
Does Comcast Xfinity TV offer senior 55+ discounts?
Xfinity doesn't offer deals that are explicitly for seniors, but some may qualify for the inexpensive Internet Essentials plans.
Internet Essentials costs $9.95 a month for 50Mbps download speeds, which are fast enough to keep a house of two using the internet for Facebook, email, and watching an occasional TV show on Amazon Prime Video. The Internet Essentials Plus plan costs $29.95 a month for 100Mbps download speeds.
For the full list of programs that may qualify you for the Xfinity Internet Essentials plans, check out Does Comcast Xfinity Offer Any Discounts?
Which Xfinity bundle is the best?
Connect Internet + Choice TV is perfect for money savers or small families
Although Xfinity advertises its Choice TV package possessing 10+ channels, as you can see in our best cable basic packages list, this channel lineup can include close to 90 channels (locations vary).
So why not take advantage of that along with a Wi-Fi connection that offers 75 Mbps download speeds for $68 per month?
Fast Internet + Popular TV is excellent for the average family
This bundle includes the Popular TV package with more than 125 channels and download speeds of up to 500 Mbps.
You'll get access to all of the popular channels, like ESPN and Disney Channel, and who doesn't need the internet for working on your computer or Googling on your smartphone? Might as well bundle and pay one bill for zero hassle.
Fast + Ultimate TV will give you the most channels and high download speeds
For $102—$122 more than the Fast TV package by itself, you can get more than 185 channels on your TV along with 500 Mbps download speeds and 1.2 TB of data per month.
(Xfinity's Fast 500 Mbps internet plan is normally $45—$65/month.)
You'll want 500 Mbps download speeds if you have a big family who is likely to use Wi-Fi on their laptops or cell phones all at once. Or it's beneficial for vloggers when they don't want to spend hours uploading and downloading videos.
Xfinity internet, TV, and mobile bundles
You can save 40% on streaming services with Xfinity StreamSaver—get Peacock, Apple TV+, and Netflix for just $15 per month .
You can get Xfinity gig-speed internet and mobile for just $25 a month after you add one Mobile Unlimited plan
Xfinity also offers bundles with their home security packages.
Want for information on Xfinity bundles?
We've done the research to guide you through the best Xfinity internet, TV, and phone bundle for you. Or if you're looking for the best internet plan, we've got you covered in our Xfinity Internet Review.
Which channels does Xfinity have?
Xfinity's local channels package, Choice TV, gives you way more than 10 channels for only $20 per month. In our area, it's giving us close to 100.
Xfinity's main entry-level package (Popular TV) has most, if not all, of the channels you'll want. And let's be honest, we like a good variety.
Expect to find favorites such as Disney Channel, ESPN, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, TNT, and all of your local channels.
When you upgrade to the Ultimate TV plan (for only $18.50 more than Popular TV, might I point out), you'll find channels like Cartoon Network, Cooking Channel, FX Movie Channel, NFL Network, and Nick Jr.
I recommend you check out the channel lineups, but I'll give you a little sneak peek of which channels you'll receive with each package. Oh, and scroll down a little for the best section—the sports channels.
Xfinity's Choice TV package includes the following channels:
- ABC
- CBS
- CNBC
- C-SPAN, C-SPAN 2
- Cozi TV
- Discovery Channel
- Daystar Television Network
- FETV
- FOX
- Fox Business
- Galvisión
- History Channel
- HSN
- MeTV
- NBC
- PBS
- PBS Kids
- Telemundo
- The CW
- TV Land
Xfinity's Popular TV package includes the channels above and the following:
- A&E
- ABC
- AMC
- Animal Planet
- BBC America
- Bravo
- CBS
- CNN
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Food Network
- Fox News
- FOX
- Hallmark Channel
- The History Channel
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery (ID)
- Lifetime
- NBC
- Telemundo
- MSNBC
- The CW
- PBS
- Univision
Xfinity's Ultimate TV package includes all of the channels above and the following:
- American Heroes Channel
- Cartoon Network
- Cooking Channel
- Discovery Family
- Discovery Life Channel
- Disney Jr.
- FX Movie Channel
- FYI Channel
- Hallmark Drama
- MTV Classic
- Nat Geo Wild
- Nick Jr.
- Nicktoons
- Paramount Network
- Science Channel
- ScreenPix Action
- Sundance TV
- TeenNick
Does Xfinity have premium channels and add-ons?
Xfinity has all of the premium channels. We like that convenience.
You won't have to miss out on the best premium shows and movies on TV, nor on catching up on Westworld, Power, Shameless, Warrior, or any other favorite shows.
You'll find all of these options at checkout, but I'll explain what some of these add-ons include:
- Xfinity's Streampix is an add-on for streaming TV shows, hit movies, and independent films commercial-free.
- Xfinity's More Sports & Entertainment add-on includes the NFL RedZone Channel, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB TV, NHL Network, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), and more.
- Deportes gives you five Spanish-language sports channels.
Which Xfinity package is best for sports?
Just like the channels highlighted above, you might have to look at the sports channel lineup for both the Popular and Ultimate TV plans to decide which is best for you.
With the Popular TV package, you'll get a total of nine sports channels, including some that are hard to live without, like ESPN, ESPN 2, and FS1.
Sports fans, you're going to want the Ultimate TV plan. You'll get all of your major sports channels amongst a total of 22 sports channels!
Xfinity's Popular package includes the following sports channels:
- AT&T SportsNet
- ESPN, ESPN2
- FOX Sports (FS1), FS2
- Golf Channel
- PAC-12 Network
- Local Sports
- Tennis Channel
Xfinity's Ultimate package includes all of the above and the following sports channels:
- ACC Network (ACCN)
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NFL Network
- NHL Network
- Outdoor Channel
- SEC Network
- Sportsman Channel
- TUDN
- Zona Fútbol
Does Xfinity have International packages or add-ons?
It's 2023. It's about time a TV provider offered international packages or add-ons. Xfinity offers international packages and add-ons (you'll find these options at checkout) for the following languages:
- Arabic
- Brazilian
- Chinese
- Filipino
- French
- German
- Greek
- Israeli
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Russian
- South Asia
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
Add these extras to your existing TV package for $6.99-$39.99.
Xfinity offers packages for Spanish speakers. Check out the two Latino TV and internet bundles Xfinity offers, and get 50+ Spanish-language channels on your TV (you'll find these options at checkout).
Does Xfinity have HD channels?
Xfinity has a ton of HD channels! In fact, most of its channels have an HD option. So make sure to switch over to the HD channel for a clearer, sharper view.
The X1 DVR has 500 GB of storage
No one is home 24/7, on time, and ready to watch their favorite show at 7 p.m. every Monday.
This is where a DVR saves the day.
Xfinity's DVR lets you record and store 20, 150, or 300 HD hours and keep them indefinitely—no accidental erasing of that must-watch show or event. You'll also be able to record six shows at once. So if you go on a family vacation, your kid can record Phineas and Ferb, your spouse can record White Chicks, and you can record Saturday Night Live all at once.
One thing I must point out though is that your first TV box with Xfinity is just a “TV box”. When you order an additional, only then will you have the choice to get an X1 TV box.
To be honest, Xfinity’s website doesn’t specify what the “normal” TV box can and can’t do, but it lists out these features for the X1 TV box:
- HD picture supported
- Component video supported
- Digital audio (optical) connector
- Pause and rewind 60 minutes of live TV
The X1 TV box is worth it if you are looking for one of the best DVRs available with many features. But if you are looking for the cheapest-priced DVR in the cable TV industry, it might not be the best choice (it's not the most expensive either).
How does Xfinity compare with competitors?
Xfinity is the best cable TV provider, has better bundle options than satellite TV, and can be cheaper than most live TV streaming services—but you do have to account for Xfinity's pricey fees.
Is DIRECTV or Comcast Xfinity TV better?
Comcast Xfinity TV is better than DIRECTV for the following reasons:
- Xfinity TV no longer requires a contract for their TV plans, and it's still one of the cheapest traditional TV providers on the market.
- DIRECTV plans require a 2-year contract.
- DIRECTV satellite only offers up to 150+ channels, while its internet plans offer up to 185+ channels, which is the same number of channels that Xfinity TV offers.
- Xfinity gives you most of the popular channels in the middle plan, which is $27 less than DIRECTV's.
Is DISH TV Network or Comcast Xfinity TV better?
Comcast Xfinity cable and DISH both have their ups and downs, so you will have to decide which is best for you and your home:
- Xfinity is a great no-contract option, and DISH gives you a 2-year and no-contract option. If you go the contract route with DISH, you'll save money each month.
- They're about equal when it comes to dollar-to-channel ratio.
- DISH is available almost everywhere because it's satellite TV, whereas Xfinity TV is available in about 40 states.
If you'd like to see more on how they compare, check out our DISH vs. Xfinity TV Review.
Is YouTube TV or Comcast Xfinity TV better?
Comcast Xfinity TV and YouTube TV are two very different TV providers—so it depends on what you're looking for.
Comcast Xfinity TV is a cable provider that has inexpensive plans and great channel lineups, but the fees can add up pretty quickly. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that offers unlimited DVR storage hours, but less channel availability than Xfinity.
Which devices are compatible with Xfinity?
Not all devices are created equal when it comes to Xfinity's Stream app because not all have the necessary hardware requirements.
Xfinity Stream is the Xfinity app you'll want to download if you'd like to stream live TV channels and your recordings on-the-go.
If you're using Xfinity's Stream app on an Android device, the device must run Android 5.0 or later. If you're using an Apple device, the device must be running on iOS 13.0 or later.
You can schedule and download DVR recordings or watch live TV with the following streaming devices:
- Amazon Fire TVs
- Apple TV+, Apple TV 4K, and Apple TV HD
- Roku TVs
- Roku Ultra, Roku Express, Roku Premiere
- Roku 2, 3, and 4
- Roku Smart Soundbar
- Samsung smart TVs
- LG smart TVs
These devices are currently not supported:
- Windows tablets or phones
- Android TV
- Apple Watch
- Nook devices
Recap: Is Comcast Xfinity TV worth it?
Xfinity is for you if you want a solid channel lineup, a fairly-priced bundle, and a legit DVR. With this cable provider, you really do get what you pay for.
It's also for you if you're looking for the lowest-cost cable package possible.
Xfinity cable might have a list 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.
We recommend the Popular TV plan because it's only $50.00 per month for more than 125 channels.
If you're looking for a bundle, we recommend Fast Internet + Popular TV with 125+ channels and 400 Mbps download speeds for $105. But for larger families, we recommend Superfast Internet + Ultimate TV with 185+ channels and 800 Mbps download speeds for $115 per month.
If Xfinity isn't available in your area or doesn't have the channel lineup you need, check out our top cable TV providers for other options. If you're trying to save as much money as possible, check out the cheapest cable TV providers.
Methodology
Here, at Reviews.org, we have 8+ years of experience testing and writing reviews for services of TV, streaming, internet, mobile, and home security.
For this Xfinity TV review, we have monitored and tested changes to this cable TV provider for years to provide you with our honest opinion—not to mention hours of research. We highlight pros and cons of this service to give you the best information to guide you through your TV service-picking process.