Xfinity internet review

Xfinity is one of the most widely used internet providers in the US, with service in at least 38 states. With an Xfinity internet plan, you can download content with speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps, perfect for competitive gaming or high-bandwidth streaming.

Xfinity is also a great choice for film buffs and TV enthusiasts, as you can bundle Xfinity internet with streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV. It’s also a sensible choice if you’re already using Xfinity Mobile or Xfinity’s other services, like its Home Phone and Home Security.

However, Xfinity users have their fair share of concerns, too. Pricing increases after your first 12 or 24 months, and most plans require at least a 1-year contract. All broadband plans also have a monthly data cap of 1.2 TB. So, is Xfinity the right internet service for you?

For this article, I collaborated with the Cybernews research team’s tech experts to investigate Xfinity’s offerings. After extensive study of user reviews and third-party data, we present below our in-depth and unbiased assessment of Comcast Xfinity’s plans, pricing, features, and customer feedback.

About Xfinity internet

Xfinity internet, powered by Comcast, is one of the best internet providers across the US. Xfinity offers reliable broadband and fiber services to millions of customers, ranging from residential households to businesses. It’s a popular choice among US residents, given its strong coverage in major regions, range of plans, and multiple streaming bundles.

Rating:	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall rank:	#9 out of #22
Price:	From $25.00/month
Download speed:	From 150 Mbps to 10,000 Mbps
Upload speed:	From 20 Mbps to 10,000 Mbps
Data cap:	1.2 TB/month
Coverage:	38 states

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Broadband plans from Xfinity start at $20/month. This gives you up to 150 Mbps download speed, which is well above the recommended speed for streaming Netflix at 4K resolution (15 Mbps). And while not the cheapest internet service plan available, Xfinity is still more affordable than other service providers like, say, AT&T (which starts at $60/month).

Xfinity employs regional pricing, so plans differ in cost depending on if you’re in the West, Central, or Northeast division. Most plans also have a 1.2 TB monthly data limit, and upgrading to unlimited data costs another $30/month. For more information on Xfinity’s coverage and pricing, keep reading below.

Where is Xfinity internet available?

Xfinity is available in at least 38 states. Below is a list of areas covered by Xfinity internet:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

Xfinity: pros and cons

As with any internet service provider, Xfinity has its fair share of pros and cons, and we have outlined some of them below.

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Xfinity internet plans and pricing by region

It’s not unheard of for internet plans to have different prices based on location. Xfinity is no exception. To cater to local markets, Xfinity offers different services and pricing options based on region.

For instance, the Xfinity Connect plan costs only $20/month in the West division but $35/month in the Central and Northeast regions. Another important distinction is the contract requirement. If you live in the Western region, you likely need to enter a contract with Xfinity. Meanwhile, those in the Central and Northeast divisions may not need to sign a contract.

There are even differences between internet speeds per region. Users in the West and Northeast divisions will have a maximum of 20 Mbps upload speed. Meanwhile, Xfinity internet plans for Central division users start at 10 Mbps upload speed.

Precise costing for your internet plan will depend on your exact location. For an overview of plans and their prices, check out the tables below.

West division

Plan	Monthly cost	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Data cap	Minimum contract duration
Connect	$20 ($64 after 12 months)	150 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Connect More	$40 ($76 after 24 months)	300 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Fast	$60 ($86 after 24 months)	500 Mbps	20Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit	$70 ($106 after 24 months)	1,000 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit Extra	$85 ($116 after 12 months)	1,200 Mbps	40 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit X2	$80 ($116 after 12 months)	2,000 Mbps	200 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit Pro (Fiber)	$300	10,000 Mbps	10,000 Mbps	Unlimited	2 year

Central division

Plan	Monthly cost	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Data cap	Minimum contract duration
Connect	$35 ($66 after 12 months)	150 Mbps	10 Mbps	1.2TB/month	-
Connect More	$35 ($86 after 12 months)	300 Mbps	10 Mbps	1.2TB/month	-
Fast	$55 ($96 after 24 months)	500 Mbps	10 Mbps	1.2TB/month	2 years
Gigabit	$75 ($116 after 24 months)	1,000 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	2 years
Gigabit Extra	$95 ($126 after 24 months)	1,200 Mbps	35 Mbps	1.2TB/month	2 years
Gigabit X2	$80 ($116 after 12 months)	2,000 Mbps	200 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit Pro (Fiber)	$300	10,000 Mbps	10,000 Mbps	Unlimited	2 year

Northeast division

Plan	Monthly cost	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Data cap	Minimum contract duration
Connect More	$35 ($90 after 12 months)	300 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Fast	$50 ($105 after 24 months)	500 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit	$60 ($115 after 12 months)	1,000 Mbps	20 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit Extra	$75 ($120 after 12 months)	1,200 Mbps	35 Mbps	1.2TB/month	1 year
Gigabit X2	$95 ($120 after 12 months)	2,000 Mbps	200 Mbps	1.2TB/month	-
Gigabit Pro (Fiber)	$300	10,000 Mbps	10,000 Mbps	Unlimited	2 year

Key features of Xfinity internet

Xfinity internet offers a range of features designed to provide convenience and security. Here are some key highlights:

• Fast and reliable speeds: Xfinity offers a range of internet speeds, from basic to high-performance plans. These speeds are designed to handle everything from casual browsing to gaming and streaming. Xfinity also reports that xFi performs better than 5G mobile data, so power mobile users can enjoy this service better if they are looking for a top 5G home internet provider.
• Streaming app bundles: Subscribers who bundle Xfinity internet with TV or other services can enjoy access to streaming apps like Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+. This offers extra value for entertainment options.
• Wi-Fi hotspot network: Xfinity subscribers can access Wi-Fi at thousands of free hotspots nationwide. This feature helps users stay connected while traveling or in public spaces.
• Xfinity app: The Xfinity app allows you to manage your home network with ease. It offers parental controls, screen time limits, and notifications about activities on your home network.
• Xfinity Gateway router: The Xfinity Gateway router combines a modem and Wi-Fi router in one device. It offers advanced security features and comes with full tech support.
• Home security options: You can add Xfinity home security services to your internet plan. This lets you monitor your home and control smart devices all in one place.

These features make Xfinity internet a great choice for many households. Whether you need reliable internet for work or entertainment, Xfinity offers a comprehensive service.

Xfinity internet equipment (router and modem)

As part of most internet plans, Xfinity provides the xFi Gateway router for $15/month. The xFi Gateway is a combination modem and router. This device offers reliable Wi-Fi coverage and includes built-in security features like real-time threat protection and encryption.

When subscribing to Xfinity internet, you can also opt to purchase your own modem and router. Of course, this equipment won’t benefit from Xfinity’s tech support.

The base xFi Gateway model can be upgraded to more advanced models. The availability and pricing of different models may depend on your location. For an overview of the most popular Gateway models, check out the table below.

Features	xFi Advanced Gateway (XB6)	xFi Advanced Gateway (XB7)	xFi Advanced Gateway (XB8)	xFi Wireless Gateway (XB3)
Ethernet ports	2	4	4	4
Maximum data throughput	1 Gbps	2.5 Gbps	2.5 Gbps	600 Mbps
Dual-band Wi-Fi	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Gateway and network management	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Battery backup availability	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Xfinity xFi eligible	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Home hotspot capable	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

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Xfinity internet contracts and additional fees

Xfinity internet offers contract options of either 12 or 24 months. These contracts often come with discounted rates for the initial term, providing attractive pricing.

However, it’s important to note that prices can increase once the contract term ends, with higher rates typically kicking in after the first year or two. I highly recommend reviewing your terms carefully to understand what your monthly bill will be after the promotional period.

I also advise choosing paperless billing and automatic payments. Otherwise, you’ll be charged an additional $10/month.

Installation fee

Xfinity imposes a one-time installation fee of $100 if you want a technician to come and install and activate your service.

As an alternative, you can opt for the Getting Started self-install kit. Some areas won’t charge you for the kit, but others may ask for $40. This kit means you’ll have to activate the service yourself using the Xfinity app.

Unlimited data add-on

Most Xfinity internet plans have a 1.2TB monthly data cap. This means you’ll have overages if you use up more than 1.2TB of data per month. You can expect an additional $10 fee for every 50GB of data you use over the monthly limit. If you don’t want to worry about data limits, consider getting an internet service with unlimited data.

Xfinity’s unlimited data plan costs an additional $30/month. This may be a good choice if you have a large household that watches a lot of TV shows, streams content on Twitch, or runs a business. For reference, watching Netflix in 4K or Ultra HD (UHD) uses up around 7GB of data per hour. This means watching the first season of The Sopranos on Netflix can net around 91GB of data in total.

Xfinity internet bundles and deals

We’ve reviewed all the fees that can get added to your monthly plan. If you’re worried about the mounting cost of Xfinity internet plans, don’t worry. Comcast also offers different bundles that can offset all these additional fees.

Here are some deals and bundles for your Xfinity internet plan:

• StreamSaver™: For an additional $15/month, get a 3-in-1 Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+ streaming subscription normally worth $24.97. This promo requires Xfinity postpaid internet or Xfinity TV.
• NOW StreamSaver™: At an additional $30/month, this bundle gets you Live TV with over 125 channels plus Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+. Availability depends on location and requires Xfinity postpaid internet.
• Free 2 years of Peacock Premium: If you love Peacock programming, then this plan is perfect. You get 2 years of Peacock Premium for free with a Gigabit or Gigabit Plus plan.

Xfinity internet essentials plans

Xfinity has a more affordable internet plan available for low-income households. This plan costs $14.95/month and promises reliable internet connection and speeds of up to 75 Mbps. You can also upgrade your speed to 100 Mbps with the internet Essentials Plus Plan, which costs $29.95/month.

Your household may qualify for the Xfinity internet Essentials plans if the service is available in your area and if you meet the following criteria:

• You participate in assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, and SNAP.
• You have not had Xfinity internet in the past 90 days.
• You have no outstanding debt on any Comcast account that is less than one year old.

Unfortunately, Xfinity may not be considered a top internet provider for senior citizens looking to save. However, the internet Essentials plan should alleviate some of the financial concerns about getting high-speed internet.

Xfinity internet user reviews

Like other services, Xfinity internet often gets both positive and negative reviews online. In general, users enjoy Xfinity’s reliability, speed, and flexible plans. However, there have also been complaints about its customer service and price hikes. I delve deeper into this Xfinity customer feedback below.

Common praises

Customers who report a positive experience with Xfinity praise its reliable and fast speeds, especially for activities like streaming, gaming, and working from home.

One user on Reddit said, “My Xfinity internet service has been phenomenal. I have experienced almost zero noticeable downtime, and the speeds have been consistently mind-bogglingly fast.” They also attached a screenshot of their internet speed test, which shows 1,414 Mbps download speed.

The variety of plan options also allows users to select a package that suits their needs, whether it's basic browsing or high-performance internet. Xfinity’s extensive network coverage across 38 states ensures that many households can enjoy consistent service.

Common complaints

Meanwhile, unhappy Xfinity customers often cite price hikes and customer service as a concern.

One user reported, “The issues started when my one-year agreement ended, and Xfinity attempted to upsell me on a new plan. They offered what was supposed to be 250 Mbps [download] and 25 Mbps [upload for just $10 more per month. However, I soon realized that the plan was actually only 10 Mbps up, which was 5 Mbps slower than my previous plan's upload speed.

“When I discovered this discrepancy and tried to revert to my old plan,” they added, “Xfinity informed me that it was not possible, leaving me with reduced upload speed and a higher monthly cost.“

This dissatisfaction is reflected in Xfinity’s Consumer Affairs score of only 1.2 out of 5 stars. On the Better Business Bureau website, Xfinity doesn’t fare any better; it has a customer rating of 1.07 out of 5 stars.

Xfinity internet: our verdict

Xfinity internet offers strong network coverage and reliable high-speed options, making it a top choice for many households across 38 states. With speeds from 150 Mbps to 10,000 Mbps, it caters to various needs, from casual browsing to high-bandwidth activities.

Xfinity’s bundling options with services like Netflix and Peacock also add extra value. Other fun advantages include nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots and the xFi app for network management.

However, Xfinity may not be the best fit for everyone. Its 1.2 TB data cap could limit heavy users, and the additional cost for unlimited data may not suit all budgets. The contract requirement and potential price increases after the initial term can also be drawbacks.

While Xfinity is a top option, those seeking unlimited data or shorter contract terms may want to explore regional competitors, which may offer better features or flexibility for their specific needs.

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