If you’re one of the 95 percent of Americans who use the internet, you’ve likely had Xfinity on your list of options to consider at some point. The company recently rolled out a lot of changes and upgrades, so now’s the time to reintroduce yourself to this service. Whether you’re setting up a new internet service, looking to upgrade your speed or save some money, this review is for you.
| Highlights |
|---|
| Up to 2100 Mbps plans available for maximum speed |
| Over 99.9% network reliability with multiple device use |
| Free exclusive access to public Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide |
| Good bundling options with TV & Mobile phone services |
| No-contract plans available with 5-year and 1-year price guarantees |
About Xfinity Internet
As the biggest internet service provider in the U.S., Xfinity connects millions of homes across the country to high speed internet. Xfinity recently revamped their plan and pricing structure, eliminating contracts, rolling out unlimited data across all plans and implementing a national pricing structure. Let’s take a look at what else the company is doing differently these days, to help you weigh your options and make an informed decision.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable internet starting at $30 per month | Not all services available in all areas |
| Reliably fast internet speeds | Prices may increase significantly after guarantee ends |
| 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps plan options | |
| Unlimited data on all plan tiers | |
| No contracts required | |
| Transparent pricing; no geographical price differences | |
| Multiproduct discounts for additional services | |
| Coverage available in 39 states, plus D.C. | |
| No fees for self installation | |
| No charges for equipment rentals | |
| Free Xfinity WiFi hotspot access | |
| Highly-rated, 24/7 customer service |
Coverage Areas
Xfinity Internet is widely available across the U.S., with coverage in 39 states, plus D.C. Not all services are available in all coverage areas. You can easily check the availability in your area by entering your zip code on Xfinity’s website.
Plans & Pricing
Xfinity’s simplified plan structure is based on internet speed. Pricing varies depending on the speed you choose, and plan availability may vary based on your location. But with no geographical price differences, each speed of Xfinity home internet costs the same no matter where you live.
Xfinity Speed & Plan Tiers
Here are some of the different Xfinity plans, perks and who each option is best for.
100 Mbps
- Prepaid plan; no credit check
- WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
- Pause and resume your service anytime
- No annual contract required; not eligible for 1-year promotion or 5-year guarantee
- Not eligible for Xfinity Mobile line promotion or autopay discount
300 Mbps
- Good for catching up on email and streaming
- 5-year price guarantee, no annual contract
- WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
- Advanced security and parental controls included
- Xfinity Mobile unlimited line included for one year
500 Mbps
- Good for work, school and video chatting
- 5-year price guarantee, no annual contract
- WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
- Advanced security and parental controls included
- Xfinity Mobile unlimited line included for one year
1 Gig (1,000 Mbps)
- Power your entire home for gaming, creating and working
- Peacock Premium included for two years
- 5-year price guarantee, no annual contract
- WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
- Advanced security and parental controls included
- Xfinity Mobile unlimited line included for one year
2 Gig (2,000 Mbps)
- Fastest available speed
- Peacock Premium included for two years
- 5-year price guarantee, no annual contract
- WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
- Advanced security and parental controls included
- Xfinity Mobile unlimited line included for one year
Access to a large network of Xfinity WiFi hotspots is also included with all Xfinity plans, offering a safe, reliable way to access the internet while traveling, working at a coffee shop or just out and about.
Additionally, Xfinity offers Internet Essentials, a low-cost home internet program for qualifying low-income families. If you’re interested in learning about the requirements or submitting an application for this program, you can find more information on the company’s website.
Pricing
Xfinity plans start at $30 per month for the 100 Mbps prepaid plan, and go up from there depending on internet speed. A five-year internet price guarantee locks in your price for five years, with no annual contract required. And customers can score a $10 monthly discount by enrolling in autopay and paperless statements.
Additional Services
Xfinity offers several other services that customers can add on to their home internet, including mobile phone (exclusive to Xfinity Internet customers), home phone, TV and streaming and Xfinity Home Solutions, which includes Xfinity Smart Home and Xfinity Home Security.
Instead of bundles, Xfinity now offers multiproduct discounts. For every additional service added, customers receive $20 off that service, up to $60 off.
Contracts, Equipment & Additional Monthly Fees
Thanks to the company’s recent overhaul of their products and pricing, Xfinity no longer requires a contract with any of their home internet plans.
Another change involves equipment rental fees. While there used to be a monthly charge for renting Xfinity’s modem/router combo, the company has done away with that and now offers no monthly fees for the Xfinity Gateway, a powerful modem/WiFi router combo with advanced security features. Customers can still opt to use their own equipment, if it’s compatible with the service and internet speed you choose. A list of compatible devices is available in the Xfinity support forum.
Self-installation is free, and easy to do when using the Xfinity Gateway. However, a one-time fee will apply if you opt for professional installation.
How Xfinity Internet Stacks Up
Now that you know what Xfinity offers, let’s compare them to some of the other popular internet service providers.
| Xfinity | AT&T | Verizon Fios | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting at $30 per month | Yes | No | No |
| No contracts required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5-year price guarantee | Yes | No | No |
| No equipment fees | Yes | Yes | No |
Bottom Line: Why We Love It
Xfinity has introduced some impressive new upgrades, enhancing transparency, eliminating former pain points and positioning themselves as a top player among competitors. The things that stand out most to us are no contracts, unlimited data, a five-year price guarantee and simplified multiproduct discounts. We won’t scoff at the ending of equipment rental fees, either.
And we’re just as excited about the things that haven’t changed, like a solid selection of plan speeds, excellent network reliability, a huge network of free public WiFi hotspots and options for prepaid and low-income plans. So if you haven’t caught up with Xfinity lately, here’s your sign to check out the services available in your area.
Xfinity FAQs
Here are the typical upload, download and latency speeds customers can expect with Xfinity’s home internet plans:
300 Mbps:
- Upload: 352 Mbps
- Download: 117 Mbps
- Latency: 15 Milliseconds
500 Mbps:
- Upload: 586 Mbps
- Download: 117 Mbps
- Latency: 14 Milliseconds
1 Gig:
- Upload: 1,170 Mbps
- Download: 117 Mbps
- Latency: 14 Milliseconds
2 Gig:
- Upload: 2,278 Mbps
- Download: 293 Mbps
- Latency: 13 Milliseconds
Yes, Xfinity offers internet-only plans. These plans provide speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps. There are also prepaid and low-cost internet plans available to those who qualify.
The best Xfinity Internet plan is dependent on where you live, the number of devices connected to the WiFi network and exactly what kinds of online activities everyone will be doing regularly.
If you’re looking for standard web browsing, streaming and sending emails on a few devices, then the 300 Mbps plan will suffice. Those working or learning from home, or video chatting may want to opt for the 500 Mbps plan. And households with multiple devices streaming, gaming, working and creating will want to consider the 1 Gig or 2 Gig plan options.
If cost is a concern, Xfinity’s prepaid plan or Internet Essentials (specifically for qualifying low-income households) can provide the speed and features you want at a price you can handle.
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