Xfinity TV Review
Do you need a cable service that can give you more control over the channels you watch? Like its parent company Comcast, Xfinity TV is a provider that thrives on its reliability and availability. With coverage in 38 out of 50 states, they are one of the biggest cable TV providers available.
- Who is Xfinity TV for?
- Key considerations
- What others say about Xfinity TV
- How does Xfinity TV compare to other providers?
Who is Xfinity TV for?
Xfinity cable provides a variety of plans and flexible channel packs that allow you to purchase a more basic plan and add select channels. Most of their subscriptions also offer the ability to view live TV and stream television using the Xfinity Stream app. If you’re looking for a large selection of on-demand programming, the Xfinity Stream app is a big plus. Xfinity Stream also supports Netflix, Hulu, and other popular streaming services.
If you are looking for a lesser-priced, yet quality cable and streaming service, Xfinity provides a reasonable dollar-to-channel ratio and a basic bundle that starts at $49.99/month with 125 channels.*
If you are in the habit of rewatching episodes from your favorite shows, Xfinity TV also offers a DVR for recording. The X1 DVR will set you back $10 or more each month, but the X1 is more than just a DVR. With its remote, you can use voice commands to control not only your TV but your Wi-Fi, security system, and phone. It’s similar to an Amazon Echo, as long as you have Xfinity internet.
Speaking of the internet, customers who already use Xfinity services can save even more money by bundling their internet, phone, home security, and TV packages.
Key considerations
Are there any additional fees?
Xfinity TV has several additional fees. You have to pay $7.50/month for your first TV box and an additional $7.50/month for the X1 TV box if you want to enjoy its features as we listed above. You can only get an X1 TV box after getting your first normal TV box. Note that you have to pay for your storage space on your DVR which could be between $0-20/month depending on how much storage you need. There are also regional sports fees and a broadcast fee, which bring possible additional fees to an extra $69/month.
Do I have to sign a contract?
Xfinity cable does come with a contract and that’s one of the better aspects of their service. You enter a one-year contract when you sign up and you can choose to cancel or continue after your year is up. The contract saves a total of $20-30/month in the first year, and if you choose to continue your service after your contract ends, your pricing for subsequent years increases by the same amount.*
What others say about Xfinity TV
J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study gave Xfinity an Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking of 733/1000 on the national scale, placing it third behind AT&T and DISH.
The American Customer Satisfaction Index gave Xfinity a 66/100 rating in the 2021 subscription television service index, placing it fifth below U-Verse TV, Verizon Fios, DIRECTV and DISH Network.
How does Xfinity TV compare to other providers?
In comparison to its competitors such as Verizon Fios TV, DIRECTV, Spectrum TV, Cox TV and DISH, amongst others, Xfinity has proven to be one of the more reliable cable TV providers. DISH and Xfinity are neck-and-neck on when it comes to the number of channels offered, and Xfinity’s plans cost less than DIRECTV’s due to the latter’s second-year price increase.
While DISH offers a two-year no-contract option, Xfinity TV requires a one-year contract, which saves you some money on your first year of service. The price goes back up after your first year.
*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our TV service page. Prices as of 2/15/22.
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Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.
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