Xfinity Comcast Cable TV for Seniors in 2024 (2024)

Xfinity is one of the largest cable TV providers, offering several packages and prices to fit most budgets. My parents have been Xfinity cable customers for years, and we’re big fans of the company’s service. In addition, Xfinity has senior-friendly products such as voice search, a large-button remote, and bilingual channels. All of that adds up to a great value for older adults, regardless of which plan you choose.

While Xfinity does not offer a discount specifically for seniors, we’ve narrowed down the most popular cable TV packages, prices, features, and available savings for you. Read on to learn about my experience with Xfinity and why the company is one of our picks for the best cable TV for seniors.

Xfinity’s pricing and packages vary based on where you live and what you need (TV, internet, or phone). Additionally, Xfinity’s website has a handy channel lineup comparison tool to help you decide which package to purchase.

All Xfinity Plans Include:

• HD capability
• On-demand access
• Ability to download TV shows and movies with the Xfinity Stream app

*Basic package price listed, additional broadcast and sports package fees may vary depending on location.

DIRECTV streaming packages start at higher rates than Xfinity’s. For example, DIRECTV Choice offers access to 125+ channels for $85 a month.

Xfinity: The nation's most widely available cable TV provider

Xfinity offers excellent value, straightforward plans, and widespread availability nationwide, making them one of our top picks.

If you’re an Xfinity customer already, you may have both DVR and non-DVR cable boxes. DVRs came standard with my parents’ TV package. What the DVR can handle depends on the version. Consider an Xfinity internet plan with the free Xumo Stream Box to stream on-demand programming if you don't watch much live TV.

You can compare DVR differences on Xfinity’s website while you shop, but generally, Xfinity DVRs include:

• Up to 20 total hours of HD or SD recording capacity on the hard drive (box)
• Up to 500 hours of cloud DVR storage for an additional fee
• Pause and rewind up to 60 minutes of live TV
• Can record up to six shows at once with X1 DVR service

I am always impressed by the number of on-demand movies and shows Xfinity offers. Whether we want to rent the latest box office hit or watch an old favorite, there are thousands of options to scroll through. My parents and I often watch one of the countless free movies Xfinity offers – a huge perk!

While there are no senior-specific discounts, Xfinity offers multiple bundles and promotional offers throughout the year. Bundling (combining more than one service, such as TV, internet, and phone) is one of the best ways to get the most for your money. This list notably includes home security, a feature few other providers have. Xfinity offers several bundle deals just for TV and internet, for the same price as TV-only, in some cases.

The company also offers internet and mobile deals for people who want a new phone carrier. You can build your own bundle or select one of Xfinity’s advertised options. These customizable bundles vary by location and the packages available in your area.

As with most companies, such as AT&T, CenturyLink, and Cox, there are no equipment fees with Xfinity. Below are our top picks for older adults.

Xumo from Xfinity

Best overall streaming deal for seniors

If you want to try “cutting the cord,” Xfinity offers the Xumo Stream Box, a voice-controlled 4K streaming box with access to more than 10,000 free movies and TV shows, plus popular streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. (Note: Some streaming channels might require additional subscriptions.) You can also rent and buy your favorite movies and shows.

Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity combines internet and TV through a “streaming dashboard” box with DVR. While it might have more bells and whistles than you need, the Xumo Voice Remote might appeal to customers 65 and older who are experiencing some problems with dexterity. You can control almost anything on your TV with the Voice Remote. I use it to open apps, change the channel, or search for a show. It can be finicky if there are other loud noises in the room, but otherwise, it works great!

If you’re an Xfinity customer already, you may have both DVR and non-DVR cable boxes. DVRs now come standard with most new TV packages. DIRECTV offers unlimited DVR recording (at a higher cost), for comparison’s sake. What the DVR can handle depends on the version. For basic TV watching, consider choosing an Xfinity internet plan with the free Xumo Stream Box to stream on-demand programming.

400 Mbps Internet + Popular TV (125+ Channels)

This bundle offers excellent value at around $120.80 a month with a one-year contract, depending on your location. It has 400 Mbps internet speeds, which is plenty for most older adults. At those speeds, you can play games, stream movies, and make video calls simultaneously on different devices. The bundle comes with the same number of channels as the Popular TV package, which costs $55 to $70 per month alone, depending on your location. By comparison, AT&T’s 500 Mbps internet plans start at $65 a month, while Xfinity charges $55 a month for the same internet speed.

This bundle is cheaper than a TV and internet package from DIRECTV, which starts at an introductory rate of $125 a month. Frontier, Cox Cable, and Verizon Fios also offer TV and internet bundles starting at over $100 a month. For a more specific example, one of our tech experts in Florida bundles Spectrum high-speed (500 Mbps) internet with a TV package of 155+ channels and pays $179 per month. The list price for Spectrum’s TV Select service is $90, and internet service costs $88. (The $179 monthly cost includes discounts for bundling services but also equipment fees.)

Keep in mind that Xfinity’s prices will increase after the first year. The package may also include broadcast TV or regional sports fees. However, there are no included taxes. Prices may also vary by location.

Xfinity does not offer senior discounts. But it does offer bundle deals and some handy features for older adults that set it apart.

• Voice Remote: Change channels, search for shows, or find out what song is playing. This remote requires an X1 TV box or Xumo Stream Box. Both include integrated streaming so you can access apps such as Prime Video or Netflix in the same place.
• Download Xfinity Stream: You can stream your favorite on-demand shows and movies by downloading the Xfinity Stream app on your mobile devices. I often use this app to watch my favorite shows when I’m on vacation.
• Reliability: Xfinity is consistently ranked among the most reliable cable providers, with few outages. And J.D. Power ranked the company third in the north central region and in the west in terms of customer satisfaction with wireless internet in 2023. Good to know if you’re bundling services!
• Internet Essentials: If you are on Medicaid, have a VA pension, or have other qualifying circ*mstances, you can get free internet through Xfinity’s Internet Essentials program. The 50 Mbps speeds with this plan, which currently costs $10 a month, are fast enough for email, social media, and streaming the occasional show or movie.
• No-penalty agreements: While some of Xfinity’s plans require contracts, there are no extra charges to get out of them early. Remember that monthly rates go up after the typical 12-month contract period.
• Initial trial period: Xfinity offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, making their plans relatively low-risk as long as you decide (and cancel) within that time.
• Additional senior-friendly accessibility options:Customers with visual impairments can request to receive a free, large-button remote at no additional charge.3

Good news: Xfinity is (mostly) up-front about its fine print. Tap the “Pricing & other info” button on their website to quickly see what lurks in the wee font. Bad news: You may have to read it three times to understand it fully. Here’s what stands out:

• Monthly service rates go up after the 12-month contract period. Even if other discounts apply for 24 months or more, they’ll apply to the higher “regular” rate that kicks in after a year.
• Enroll in autopay and paperless billing within 30 days. This one’s easy to forget, so mark your calendar and set an alarm. To get the $10 monthly discount, you must enroll (it’s not automatic when you join) in both autopay and paperless “ecobilling.” If you don’t do it within 30 days, you lose the discount.
• Budget for extra fees. TV-only customers may have to pay for installation. Most cable packages include a broadcast TV fee (up to $32.20 per month), a variable regional sports fee (which could be less than $2 a month or up to $26.85 per month, depending), and monthly taxes, depending on your state.
• Speeds may vary. Remember that internet speeds may vary depending on your location. To check some of the factors that may affect your internet speed, Xfinity recommends visiting their network management guide.

Xfinity is best for entertainment-loving seniors who want multiple channels and services and an easy, all-in-one solution. It’s especially great for those with emerging or ongoing hearing, sight, or dexterity challenges. Features (many free) such as voice-led search, large-button remote controls, and extensive closed captioning and braille services can go a long way in making everyday viewing easier.

While cable TV plans start at just $20 monthly, Xfinity stands out from the competition if you need multiple services or live in a multigenerational or larger household. Our tech experts appreciate Xfinity’s broad availability, offering service in 41 states, and its reliable high-speed internet service as well. You can also add additional channels to customize your entertainment package. If customization is important to you, our experts have found that Cox Cable has many TV-streaming and internet bundle plans starting at $55 a month.

I spent a week testing Xfinity’s cable service, comparing costs, features, and reliability in an evaluation that took into account my long-term experience with this company. I also tried out the senior-friendly features Xfinity offers, such as voice search, a large-button remote, and bilingual channels. Here is more about the factors we evaluated in this review:

• Contracts: I took note of which Xfinity cable packages required signing a contract, as well as their duration, pricing changes, and cancellation policies.
• Cost: I carefully evaluated Xfinity’s monthly costs, equipment fees, installation costs, any additional fees, and seasonal promotions. I appreciate that Xfinity also offers Internet Essentials, which provides affordable service for military veterans and lower-income seniors.
• Channel selection and plan features: I considered the number of channels and extras, such as DVR features, for each Xfinity plan.
• Plan customization and flexibility: A company that offers flexibility in picking channels and services is a big plus that enables customers to get exactly what they want. I found Xfinity allows for a good amount of customization.
• Accessibility features: I paid special attention to accessibility features in Xfinity’s equipment and in the user experience, such as Voice Remote, closed captioning, braille bills, and sign language support.
• Service reliability: I considered my testing experience, along with online reviews and ratings, to accurately gauge the overall reliability of Xfinity service in different geographic areas.
• Available perks and discounts: New-customer specials and bundling discounts can have a big impact on your monthly cable and internet bills, so I took note of any specials that can cut costs or add value to your service.
• Customer service: The importance of good customer service can’t be overstated! In my testing, I always considered how easy it was to get ahold of customer service reps and how courteous and helpful they were when help was needed.

Read About Our Panel of Experts

As SeniorLiving.org’s tech expert and editor, Taylor has years of experience reviewing products and services for seniors. She is passionate about breaking down stigmas related to seniors and technology. She loves finding innovative ways to teach seniors about products and… Learn More About Taylor Shuman