Owned by Comcast, Xfinity offers a variety of cable TV and streaming options. With plans starting at $30 per month, Xfinity has one of the most affordable basic TV packages; however, the costs for more advanced services can quickly escalate, not to mention the potential for price hikes after your contract expires. Despite these higher prices, Xfinity’s services are exceptional. From their voice-controlled remotes to DVR capabilities, Xfinity is one of the most advanced and reliable cable options for seniors.
In this Xfinity cable TV review, we'll take a closer look at how the provider performed at home and how it stacked up against the competition.
Did You Know: To learn more about our favorite TV service, read our guide to the best cable companies for seniors.
Xfinity Cable Pros and Cons
Pros
- Useful extra features: Besides the channels, most Xfinity TV plans come with DVR service and voice-controlled remotes. This allowed us to record our favorite shows and access them through voice commands.
- Low-income assistance: Xfinity offers financial assistance for qualifying low-income households. This can bring your costs down to less than $30 per month.
- Online deals and rewards: Xfinity frequently offers discounts on their internet, cable TV, phone, and home security plans. They also offer up to a $175 reward if you refer a friend who signs up for Xfinity services.
- Bundle options: With Xfinity, you can bundle your internet, TV, phone, and home security to save on your monthly bill.
- Streaming-only option: If you don’t want to pay for an annual cable TV plan, Xfinity offers an affordable streaming-only option through Xfinity Flex, their 4K streaming TV box. This option is free for their internet subscribers.
Cons
- Term agreements: Most Xfinity cable TV plans require one-year term agreements. If you opt out of these contracts, then you’ll have to pay a higher monthly bill.
- Extra fees: Most Xfinity cable TV plans have extra monthly fees such as broadcast TV fees, regional sports fees, and equipment fees. These will be added to your monthly bill.
- Price hikes:Many of Xfinity's TV packages will rise in price after the first two years of service.
Xfinity Cable Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Price* | Channels | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Choice TV | $30 per month with no contract | 10+ |
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| Xfinity Popular TV | $70 per month with no contract | 125+ |
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| Xfinity Ultimate TV | $90 per month with no contract | 185+ |
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| Xfinity X1 | Free with the purchase of an Xfinity internet plan | 100+ |
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| Xfinity Flex | Free with an Xfinity Internet plan; $19.99 per month or $59.99 for 12 months with a one-year agreement | Thousands of shows and movies |
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*Pricing will vary slightly by the subscriber’s region.
Xfinity Choice TV
Xfinity’s cable TV plans are easily customizable. If you don’t plan on watching a lot of TV, then Xfinity Choice TV is a good basic cable TV option starting at $30 per month. You’ll have 10 channels to choose from like CBS and NBC. With this plan, you can add additional channels like HBO Max for $14.99 per month or Cinemax for $12 per month, or you can add an additional TV box for another television for $8.50 per month. With Xfinity Choice TV, you’ll also receive one DVR system, which lets you record up to six shows.
Xfinity Popular TV
For $70 per month, Xfinity Popular TV gives you access to over 125 channels like ESPN, A&E, and Bravo. This package includes one DVR system, which can record up to six shows simultaneously. You can customize your plan and add channels like Showtime for $12 per month or international channels for $6.99 per month.
With Xfinity Popular TV, you’ll have access to a variety of sports, kids and family, and entertainment channels across the board. If you are bilingual or enjoy watching international shows, you can also add-on international channels to your existing plan without buying a separate package.
Xfinity Ultimate TV
For frequent TV watchers, I’d recommend the top-tier entertainment package: Xfinity Ultimate TV. With over 185 channels, Xfinity Ultimate TV includes popular channels like A&E and CNN. For $90 per month, you’ll get one DVR, along with the option of adding additional channels like EPIX or FOX Nation for $5.99 per month. This package is great for seniors who want to watch live TV, sports, news, and other cable channels.
Xfinity X1
Xfinity X1 is an excellent choice for seniors who want to watch live TV, music, and sports in 4K Ultra HD. This package also includes free access to Peaco*ck Premium for streaming movies and shows. One voice remote is included, and you can choose from three packages: Basic, Extra, and Preferred, which offer 200 channels or more. If you want to bundle TV and streaming, I’d recommend bundling with Superfast and Popular TV, which offers internet download speeds of up to 600 Mbps and over 125 channels, respectively.
Xfinity X1 is perfect for seniors who enjoy streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, and other subscription-based services. If you enjoy recording your favorite shows, then I’d recommend adding their DVR service, which lets you record up to five shows at once when you’re on the go. Xfinity X1 is available to customers who have Xfinity TV and Xfinity internet service.
Xfinity Flex
Free with an Xfinity internet plan, Xfinity Flex is a 4K streaming TV box that lets you enjoy thousands of shows and movies. One voice remote is included with Xfinity Flex, along with one 4K TV box. One of the perks of Xfinity Flex is that you can get access to Peaco*ck Premium without having to pay for the subscription.
All you need to do is plug Xfinity Flex into any TV and connect to your Xfinity internet to stream your shows and movies. Keep in mind that certain streaming services like Netflix and Hulu may require separate subscriptions. If you were to get Xfinity Flex, you’d pay as little as $25 per month for Xfinity Connect internet with a one-year agreement.
Xfinity Cable Senior Plans and Discounts
Xfinity doesn’t offer any discounted plans for seniors; however, we’d recommend looking into Xfinity Choice TV, which offers over 10 channels at an affordable monthly price of $30. If you opt for paperless billing, you can potentially get an additional $10 off per month, which brings the price of basic cable TV down to just $20 per month. The plan also offers Streampix for free (a value of $4.99 per month) and a DVR to record live shows and rewatch them at later times.
Xfinity Extra Features
Xfinity offers other features such as additional TV boxes and add-on channels. While these are included in their premium packages, they can be added on to any plan.
Xfinity Home Security: Xfinity offers home security solutions for seniors who may live alone. Their Self Protection Plan starts at $10 per month with an existing Xfinity internet plan. If you’re looking for more advanced professional monitoring solutions, you may want to look into their Professional Monitoring plans, which start at $30 per month and come with 24/7 monitoring and real-time alerts.
Xfinity App: If you need further assistance with cable TV, internet, or home security, you can download the Xfinity app for free on your phone. With the app, you can get 24/7 support, restart your modem, or watch television on the go.
Xfinity Rewards: You can get rewarded for being an Xfinity customer. With reward tiers such as silver, gold, platinum, and diamond, you have the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards, which include discounted tickets to theme parks, a free movie night, and special perks with Xfinity mobile.
Xfinity Latino TV: In addition to its diverse international channels, Xfinity also offers Latino TV in English or Spanish through their free Flex 4K streaming box with an Xfinity internet plan or their X1 livestreaming package.
Add-on Channels: You can add additional channels to any cable TV plan. A few examples of premium channels are HBO Max, STARZ, and Showtime. For sports enthusiasts, you can also add sports packages with Xfinity sports subscriptions.
Affordable Connectivity Program: For low-income seniors, you can apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program and qualify for free internet through Xfinity. Eligible customers may receive a $30 monthly credit to cover the cost of Xfinity internet.
Final Thoughts
Although Xfinity is one of the more expensive cable TV and streaming providers out there, we still appreciate their wide selection of sports, news, and entertainment channels. With highly customizable plans and useful equipment like voice remotes and DVRs, we think they’re one of the best cable options for seniors.
To learn more about other cable options, check out our other guides:
- Best Internet Providers for Seniors
- Spectrum Cable for Seniors
- DIRECTV for Seniors
- Cox Cable for Seniors
Xfinity Cable Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the cheapest Xfinity cable plan?
The cheapest Xfinity cable plan is Xfinity Choice TV, which starts at $30 per month; however, this cost may vary by location.
- Does Xfinity require long-term contracts?
Most Xfinity cable plans require one-year term agreements for the best pricing. While you can opt out of these commitments, you’ll end up paying more.
- What is Xfinity Flex?
Xfinity Flex is Xfinity’s 4K streaming TV box that’s included with Xfinity internet plans at no extra cost.
- Where is Xfinity available?
Xfinity is available in 40 states. To find coverage in your area, check the “Service in my Area” tab on the Xfinity website.
- If I move, how can I keep my Xfinity cable service?
You can keep your Xfinity cable service when you move to another address that is within their service area. You will need to contact Xfinity first, confirm your moving dates, and provide them with your new address.
- Does Xfinity have a cable plan for seniors?
Xfinity does not offer a specific cable plan for seniors, but they do offer discounted internet options. They also participate in the FCC’s Lifeline program, which gives affordable internet to low-income households.
