Xfinity Cable TV Review: Packages, Pricing, and More
Depending on where you live, Xfinity's three packages offer 10–185+ channels for $20–$80 a month.
Are Xfinity TV packages worth it?
Xfinity TV packages are good, but they’re not slap-your-mama good.* Xfinity offers 185+ live TV channels, wide availability, and bundle discounts (with high-speed internet, home phone, or mobile service). Xfinity also rated in the top three providers for reliability, user experience, add-ons,, and streaming quality in our annual customer satisfaction survey.
Unfortunately, Xfinity has high prices, a lower channel count (although it’s now higher than DIRECTV‘s)—and you may have to sign a contract in some regions. Also, despite Xfinity’s top-three rating for reliability, some customers still report issues. And, on the negative side of the survey Xfinity customers rated it poorly in pricing, customer support, and how Xfinity compares to their concept of the ideal TV provider.
That said, we can see Xfinity working out decently well for you—and bundle discounts are rare lately, so you might find a deal you like. That said, if you’re looking for more than a middle-of-the-road TV provider, consider DISH Network or YouTube TV.
*No mamas were slapped in the writing of this piece.
Xfinity TV packages cost more but offer less
Xfinity TV packages, pricing, and channel counts are different in each of its three regions (West, Central, and Northeast U.S.). If you’re unsure which Xfinity region you live in, consult the table below. Then check out the tables following that one to see Xfinity cable TV pricing in your area.
| 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 |
Xfinity TV plans (West)
| Package | Price* | Channels | Popular channels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice TV | $20.00/mo. | 10+ | ABC, CBS, NBC | |
| Popular TV | $50.00/mo. | 125+ | FX, HGTV, MTV | |
| Ultimate TV | $68.50/mo. | 185+ | Cooking Channel, DIY Network, ESPNU |
*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 | |
| Popular TV | $60.00/mo. | 125+ | AMC, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel | |
| Ultimate TV | $80.00/mo. | 185+ | IFC, Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild |
*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 | |
| Popular TV | $60.00/mo. | 125+ | AMC, A&E, Comedy Central | |
| Ultimate TV | $80.00/mo. | 185+ | Cooking Channel, FS2, IFC |
*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.
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.
Pro tip: Basic cable plans suck. Don’t pay monthly for channels you can get free after buying an over-the-air (OTA) antenna—a reliable one with a wide range is only $25–$70.
Ultimately, Xfinity’s TV plans and TV-and-internet bundles are average compared to other cable TV providers. Here are some key differences between Xfinity and other providers.
In some areas, Xfinity doesn’t have the no-contract flexibility of Spectrum. Satellite TV providers like DISH and DIRECTV have much larger channel counts, but cost more and include two-year contracts. And YouTube TV, a streaming service, has only 100+ popular channels, but beats Xfinity with free unlimited cloud DVR, no fees, and no contracts.
But if you’re set on trying Xfinity, we recommend Xfinity’s Popular TV (125+ channels) for customers who value affordability over channel selection. And Ultimate TV will satisfy a large household with varying interests.
Xfinity TV’s channel count is modest but popular
While Xfinity doesn’t offer as many channels on its cable packages as other providers, it carries 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 deals can include auto-pay, bundle, and military discounts
Xfinity TV offers an auto-pay discount, bundle discounts (up to $30/mo.), a military discount program, and sometimes free premium channels with select packages.
Another cool Xfinity deal is NOW TV. It gives you 40+ channels and Peacock Premium for $20 monthly with a qualifying Xfinity internet package (150 Mbps or higher)—with no fees or contracts.
For more Xfinity deals and promotions, see our Xfinity deals guide.
Xfinity TV and internet bundles add super-fast download speeds
| Package | Price* | Channels | Popular channels | Download speeds up to | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popular TV with Fast Internet (aka Popular Double Play) | $111.00–$134.60/mo. | 125+ | FX, HGTV, MTV | 400 Mbps | |
| Ultimate TV with Superfast Internet (aka Ultimate Double Play) | $131.00–$169.60/mo. | 185+ | Cooking Channel, DIY Network, ESPNU | 800 Mbps | |
| Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra (aka Premier Double Play) | $141.00–$184.60/mo. | 185+ | Cooking Channel, DIY Network, ESPNU | 1,000–1,200 Mbps |
* Internet: For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. TV: No term contract. Broadcast TV 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.
Our recommendations for Xfinity internet-and-TV bundles are the same for the TV portion—Popular TV for most households, Ultimate TV for larger ones. In bundles, we think most people will do just fine with Popular TV with Fast Internet, which has speeds up to 400 Mbps. Larger households and power users will want Ultimate TV bundled with either Superfast Internet (800 Mbps) or Gigabit Extra (1,200 Mbps).
Remember, the plan names and prices will vary by region. That’s why you see price ranges in the table. The lower price is for the West region, while the higher prices are in the Northeast. Central region prices are $2–$5 lower than Northeast.
If you’re not sure Xfinity has what you need, see if you live in Astound Broadband‘s service area, where you can find 220–290 channels and 600–1,500 Mbps speeds for $126.60–$212.81 monthly. In the Verizon Fios area, you can 125–425+ channels and fiber-optic speeds (the fastest for downloads and uploads) 500–940 Mbps for $159.99–$218.99 monthly. Verizon also dominated all but one category in our customer satisfaction survey, so you can expect an outstanding experience with that provider.
Xfinity TV has excellent equipment and features
Ready to talk gear and features? Xfinity TV packages include a lot more than live TV channel plans. 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–$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 $7.50–$8.50 monthly, depending on your 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 movies to watch later 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, an extra X1 DVR or non-DVR X1 TV box costs $8.50 monthly per additional TV. The non-DVR boxes can set and play recordings, but not store them (they’ll be floating around in cloud storage).
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. 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.
Is Xfinity TV easy to use?
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:
- Watch up to 200+ live channels, most Xfinity On Demand titles, your cloud DVR recordings, and more
- Download movies and shows for offline viewing
- Set and manage DVR timers
- Set and manage parental controls
- Watch on up to five devices at once
- Access NOW TV (see pro tip)
Read our Xfinity Stream App Guide for more information.
Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, consider NOW TV. It has 40+ live and on-demand channels, plus Peacock Premium, all accessible via the Xfinity Stream mobile app. It’s $20 monthly when added to a qualifying Xfinity internet package (150 Mbps or higher). So, depending on your region, you’d pay only $40–$45 a month for this solid skinny bundle.
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:
| Plan | Price | Channels | On-demand content | Streams | Offline viewing | Ad-free | Live sports | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacock Premium (with ads) | $7.99/mo. or $79.99/yr. | 75+ | 80,000+ hrs. | 3 | — | — | ✔ | |
| Peacock Premium Plus (no ads) | $13.99/mo. or $139.99/yr. | 75+ | 80,000+ hrs. | 3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Since Xfinity’s parent company (NBC Universal) owns Peacock, Xfinity customers can get the streaming service free for 6–24 months. The duration depends on variables such as your Xfinity internet plan (Gigabit or higher) or Xfinity rewards program status (Diamond or Platinum tier). This is a nice little perk that adds a massive amount of on-demand movies and shows to your TV package (which already has the hefty Xfinity On Demand library).
Peacock Premium (with ads) is $7.99 monthly for 75+ live channels and 80,000+ hours of on-demand movies and shows—including new episodes of NBC series available to watch the day after they broadcast. For $13.99 monthly, Peacock Premium Plus has the same content, but no ads.
About those live channels: They include your local NBC affiliate, NBC News Now, NFL Channel, NBC Golf Pass, NBC Sports, Matchday Live, and WWE. The rest are themed, looping FAST (free, ad-supported TV) channels like the ones you get on free streaming services like Tubi and Pluto TV.
For more information on Peacock plans, check out our Peacock review.
Pro tip: If you’re not an Xfinity internet customer, there’s still a way to get Peacock cheap. Xfinity StreamSaver gives you Netflix Standard with ads, Apple TV+, and Peacock Premium with ads for only $15.00 monthly.
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) in overall customer satisfaction, with 64% of customers indicating they were “very” or “completely satisfied” with Xfinity TV service. The provider earned middling satisfaction scores on the other 19 questions. Xfinity did, however, get the second-highest score in user experience, with 71% of customers reporting satisfaction with Xfinity’s equipment and reliability.
The provider’s lowest scores were in customer service interactions. As a former Xfinity customer, I can tell you that frustrating customer service calls were among the reasons I switched providers four years ago. Apparently, Xfinity still needs to give this area some attention.
Xfinity is very user friendly. I have access to all of my favorite channels. I can also ask any questions about my service via the Xfinity app.
Xfinity TV 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 $141.00 a month.
- Central: Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra has 185+ channels and 1,200 Mbps download speeds for $184.60 a month.
- Northeast: Ultimate TV with Gigabit Extra gives you 185+ channels and 1,200 Mbps download speeds for $181.80 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.
Does Xfinity have a 55+ plan for seniors?
Xfinity doesn’t have a specific 55+ plan for seniors, but its Internet Essentials program provides an affordable option for those who qualify for government assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and more. This initiative allows eligible individuals to get 75 Mbps internet for just $14.95 a month.
What is the least expensive Comcast TV plan?
The least expensive Comcast TV plan is Xfinity’s Choice TV plan, which has 10+ basic cable channels for just $20 a month (though we recommend a one-time purchase of an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to get those same channels instead).
If you want regular cable channels, we recommend Xfinity’s Popular TV plan, which gives you 125+ channels for $50 monthly.
Why you should trust us
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.
* Internet: For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. TV: No term contract. Broadcast TV fee extra; price subj to change. Taxes and equipment not included.
Xfinity Streamsaver: To access Netflix, Apple TV+, and Peacock, activation of an account for each service required. Subject to terms of use of each streaming service. Internet delivered service will count against any Xfinity data plan, if applicable. Management of any existing subscriptions may be required to avoid multiple active subscriptions and corresponding charges. If you have an existing Netflix subscription in a bundle with a third party, manage your account to avoid multiple subscriptions. Existing paid Peacock or Apple TV+ subscriptions billed by a third party may continue unless and until you cancel. You may not receive any refunds/credits for overlapping subscription periods.
