Xfinity Internet Review | 2021

Comcast’s Xfinity is the largest cable internet service provider (ISP) in the United States, and it is the most-used ISP with more than 31.5 million customers. The company introduced Xfinity in 2010 as a crossroads for its internet, phone and TV services. Does this mean that Xfinity provides reputable customer service and high speed internet connections, though?

We have conducted in-depth research of the best internet providers in the United States to help you decide. We named Xfinity the “Best Overall ISP” because of its wide availability, low starting price and good customer service. This review will closely examine Xfinity’s offerings in terms of connection types, speeds, bundles, products, services and more.

Xfinity is the largest internet service provider in the United States, and it is backed by Comcast Communications which has more than 55 years of experience in telecommunications technology. Xfinity offers its services in 40 states. It does not offer services in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Wyoming. Additionally, Xfinity’s available services will vary from ZIP code to ZIP code.

Xfinity offers two main connection types. A majority of its plans use a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable to provide internet services. This connection tends to resemble that of traditional cable plans. This means that speeds may drop during busy hours depending on your plan and where you live.

Xfinity also offers two fiber-optic plans: its 1,200 Mbps plan and 2,000 Mbps plan. The company may still be able to supply a DSL connection depending on your location.

Read over Xfinity’s plans and their connection types below:

• 50 Mbps: Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
• 100 Mbps: Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
• 200 Mbps: Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
• 400 Mbps: Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
• 800 Mbps: Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
• 1,200 Mbps: Fiber-optic
• 2,000 Mbps: Fiber-optic

Xfinity’s starting costs tend to fluctuate based on availability at your address and the speed you choose for your plan. Another important factor to keep in mind is that the prices listed are Xfinity’s starting prices for the first 12 months that you have one of its plans. After 12 months, Xfinity will charge you its standard rate on your internet bill, which can be significantly higher than the starting price.

Some plans with Xfinity require a contract and others do not. Its 400 Mbps and 800 Mbps plans require a one-year contract and its fiber internet plans stipulate two-year term agreements. If you have to cancel your contract early, Xfinity charges $10 per remaining month in early termination fees.

Learn about each Xfinity internet plan’s starting cost per month below:

Other additional costs to watch out for with Xfinity include equipment rental fees for its modem and router, the xFi Gateway, which are an extra $14 per month combined. If you require wiring or desire professional installation of your Xfinity system, it costs an additional $90. If you exceed Xfinity’s 1.2 TB data cap, the company charges you an extra $10 for every 50 GB in additional data usage.

Xfinity offers a wide range of speeds, so customers are able to receive internet speeds that work for how they use the internet. The company’s 50 Mbps plan is twice the industry minimum of 25 Mbps and supports browsing social media and checking email. Its 400 Mbps plan supports video conferencing, online gaming and streaming HD videos on multiple devices.

For those with larger households or who require incredibly strong internet, both of Xfinity’s fiber-optic plans provide fast speeds at 1,200 Mbps and 2,000 Mbps. Its 1,200 Mbps plan will work for any family that uses the internet to work from home, play multiplayer games online and stream on platforms like Netflix and HBO Max. YouTube content creators may appreciate the upload speeds of its 2,000 Mbps plan.

Here are each plan’s download and upload speeds:

Xfinity offers a user-friendly experience to help customers build packages that mix and match internet, TV and streaming, phone and home security services. 

Xfinity TV features more than 210 channels, popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Epix integrated into it via its Xfinity Flex box, 150 Hours of DVR Service and other unique features such as voice controls. Xfinity Voice features unlimited calling to nearly half the world, readable voicemail and three-way calling features.

The last service you can bundle with is Xfinity Home Security, which integrates with Xfinity TV and Xfinity Internet services. Like other home security systems, Xfinity Home gives customers access to 24/7 video recording and professional monitoring and allows them to combine Xfinity products with smart-home devices such as smart lights, locks and thermostats.

To give you an idea of what each bundle may look like, read over the some of the bundles we created with Xfinity below:

Xfinity provides a variety of customer service tools to make it easier for customers to get in touch with either technical support and customer service representatives. Tools include an online customer portal, an online chat, a smartphone app, a tech support line and a 24/7 customer service line.

The company has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).* Comcast, Xfinity’s parent company, is currently involved in a government action lawsuit for allegedly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unordered products and failing to deliver promotional Visa gift cards promised in exchange for signing up in the state of Minnesota.

That said, and considering how poorly ISPs often fare in customer reviews, Xfinity has rather good customer review scores across popular sites like the BBB and Yelp. Check out what Xfinity customers said they loved and what they didn’t care for about their experiences below:

Comcast has been our chosen provider for exceptional TV and internet at our home. We recently had them install underground services to our wedding venue, The Homeplace on Johnston Farm. Incredible service, from the corporate rep on the phone, Jessica, the installers of the line to our barn, and Rick, the installer who did [the] interior. Can’t say enough, very pleased and the cost was good, too. I can rely on great programming for my guests, no matter the weather! Thank you, Comcast! — Ginia J. via BBB

Be warned, they charge you $100 whenever they come [to] visit. They told us they needed to return to bury a cable…but it would be at no charge as they just didn’t have time to get to it. They then billed us $100 for the return visit. We called and explained, but they changed the story and said that there are two visits associated with these things, one is complimentary the second is chargeable…we paid the $100 but asked them to tell customers of that. If I had the choice, I’d have left the few feet of exposed line in the yard rather than pay $100. — Michael E. via BBB

I have the 800mbps [plan]. I have the newest router. I get literally [50mbps on a good day]. 50! Usually less. I have taken four days off of work so this company can come and fix the issue. — Tim Provo via Trustpilot

Xfinity has provided excellent service. Their technical options are great, the router worked well for me, I had to restore it once which took about eight minutes….The connection is extremely dependable, the bandwidth was above what I had booked, [and the] price is great. Also, when I wanted to get their service, I wasn’t able to get AT&T and they provided me with a connection the same day I called. When I had to cancel because of moving to an area outside their coverage, this was no issue either. — Alex via Trustpilot

*BBB information accurate as of August 2021

Our Advisor team has created a detailed methodology that we use when we rank and research internet service providers. We have analyzed ISPs on their cost, speeds, connection types, additional perks, service availability and more.

Here’s a breakdown of the factors we consider when rating companies. Our top picks score well across all these factors.