Xfinity Internet Plans for Seniors, Tested and Reviewed in 2024

Xfinity Pros and Cons

Xfinity Internet Plans at a Glance

Xfinity’s plans differ from competitors like Spectrum’s internet plans, as you must sign a contract (either for one or two years) to get the best deals. However, I appreciate that Xfinity still offers contract-free options. Below are a few of Xfinity’s most popular plans that we recommend for older adults. Remember the plan pricing below excludes taxes, and plan names, details, and prices may vary by location.

*Plans are only available to low-income households that can provide proof of participation in select financial assistance programs.

**Plan requires a one-year contract to secure these rates.

***Introductory prices for 24 months include up to a $10 auto-pay and paperless billing discount.

Which Xfinity Internet Plan Is Best for Seniors?

Below, I’ll explain the details of my favorite Xfinity Internet and bundled plans for seniors.

Xfinity Internet Essentials: Best for Low-Income Households

Xfinity doesn’t offer age-based senior discounts but has an Internet Essentials plan designed for low-income customers. The Internet Essentials plan includes unlimited data and enough speed to handle emails, web browsing, and even streaming — all for just $9.95 per month.

» Find a Deal: Cheap internet for seniors

Customers eligible for the government's now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program2 may qualify for this plan. Additionally, those qualifying for programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, and SNAP may qualify. This plan is only available to new Xfinity customers who have not had an account with Xfinity or Comcast in the past 90 days and who do not owe a debt to Xfinity or Comcast.

The Internet Essentials plan includes:

• Download speeds up to 50 Mbps (good for email, social media, and web browsing)
• No activation or installation fees
• Option to purchase a low-cost computer starting at $149.99
• Free internet skills training online or in print
• Unlimited data usage
• Free installation
• No long-term contract
• No credit check required
• Unlimited access to Xfinity hotspots

While the Xfinity Internet Essentials plan is a solid option for many seniors — especially those who do not need to keep multiple devices or people connected concurrently — it is not limited to older adults. For comparison, AT&T Access offers a free alternative for the same speeds; however, Xfinity has a larger coverage area than AT&T, so you’ll want to see what’s available in your area before deciding. If you’re eligible for the plan and are looking for a budget-friendly computer, Xfinity Internet Essentials is the way to go.

Xfinity Internet Essentials Plus: Best for Light Internet Users or Those on a Tight Budget

Xfinity’s Internet Essentials Plus costs $29.95 and is only available to those meeting the eligibility requirements as Internet Essentials. The primary benefit of Internet Essentials Plus is that you get double the speed: 100 Mbps. Equipment and activation fees are included in the monthly premium, and there’s no credit check. Plus, unlike most higher-speed plans from Xfinity, you don’t have to worry about data caps or overage fees. That means you can use as much data as you like and still pay the same monthly price.

» Helpful Resource: Internet for seniors on low and fixed incomes

Internet Essential’s Plus is best for low-income seniors who want to get more out of their plans. For comparison, this plan’s internet speeds and monthly costs are similar to Frontier Fiber 200 ($30 per month for the first year) and Wow Internet (up to 300 Mbps for $35 per month). Xfinity’s Internet Essentials Plus plan is much cheaper than starter plans from AT&T and CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet, which cost $60 and $55 monthly, respectively.

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements of this plan or want more speed, check out the plans below.

Xfinity Connect: Best for Moderate Internet Users on a Budget

Xfinity’s Connect 150 Mbps plan costs $20 monthly for 12 months, with no term contract. It’s a basic internet plan that works on up to four devices simultaneously. This plan is best for older adults who are not eligible for the Xfinity Internet Essentials plan but still want a low-cost internet plan. It features 150 Mbps download speeds, which should be sufficient for most tasks but may slow down with heavy use. Overall, it’s a decently priced basic internet plan.

Remember, however, that you must sign a one-year contract for the best rates. If you don’t want a contract, rates increase to $54 monthly. Additional equipment fees may also apply. If you wish to save on equipment rentals, bring a modem/router.

Xfinity Connect More: Best for Heavy Internet Users

For households using more than the 150 Mbps internet plan allows, the Connect More 300 Mbps plan might be cost-effective; it starts at just $30 per month. This plan is best for older adults who use the internet regularly for various activities, including streaming TV from services like Netflix or Hulu or using multiple devices simultaneously. It has up to 300 Mbps download speeds.

My partner has this plan, and it has more than enough speed for Zoom calls, watching YouTube videos, and many data-heavy activities. I often binge-watch Netflix while my partner plays online games, and we’ve never had any issues with lagging. You should have no problem performing most tasks on this plan. It’s great for video chatting with the grandchildren, catching up on your favorite show, or online shopping.

One of my favorite things about Xfinity is how easy it is to set up your package. My partner and I called to order his plan. Once we signed up, we made a same-day appointment at a local Xfinity store. There was no wait, and our equipment was ready to be picked up when we got there. Previously, I’ve experienced long wait times at internet provider retail stores, even with an appointment, so I appreciate this. Once we returned to his house, we downloaded the Xfinity app and followed the set-up instructions. Everything was up and running in about 10 minutes. It’s a piece of cake!

Xfinity Fast

The Xfinity Fast plan lives up to its name, offering advertised speeds up to 500 Mbps. If you just want internet, the Xfinity Fast plan costs $55 per month without a contract. However, you can add NOW TV to bundle television and internet. It includes 40+ channels and access to thousands of on-demand titles for an extra $20 per month. That’s a great deal for seniors who want fast speeds for streaming but aren’t ready to ditch traditional cable TV. The only downside is that the bundle requires a two-year contract.

If you bundle your internet with Xfinity NOW TV, you ll get access to thousands of free shows and movies, as seen on my Xfinity mobile app.

My parents have Xfinity Fast, and I’ve always been impressed with the speed and reliable connection. I took a speed test and found they were getting download speeds of about 367 Mbps. While this isn’t the top speed their plan advertises, it’s still plenty of speed for connecting to several devices simultaneously. My dad can take Zoom calls, I can work on my laptop, and my mom can stream Netflix without issue!

Xfinity offers fast and reliable speeds, which you can see from this speed test conducted at my parents house that shows speeds of 367.46 Mbps.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Always place your Xfinity router in an open, central location away from the walls, and don’t put it in a cabinet or behind a door. My parents used to keep their router in an upstairs closet, and they experienced much slower speeds.

Xfinity Prepaid Internet: Best for Seniors Who Don’t Want Contracts

While some of Xfinity’s standard internet plans don’t require contracts, you’ll often have to commit to a year or more of service to get the best prices. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Xfinity Prepaid Internet. If you don’t want to be locked into a contract or a monthly bill statement, Xfinity Prepaid Internet starts at $30 per month for 100 Mbps or $45 per month for 200 Mbps. Either one is a fantastic value for a no-contract plan. They’re also great for seniors who want limited access to the internet for a short time. You can also “refill your service” online, using the Xfinity mobile app or visiting a local retailer.

Add-On Services to Get the Best Xfinity Has to Offer

Xfinity offers a full range of products and services to help seniors get the most out of their internet.

Xfinity Flex Streaming Device

You probably already understand Xfinity Flex if you’ve used devices like Roku. It’s another way to stream television to your TV through your internet connection. The Xfinity Flex device is compatible with notable streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Plus, it includes Peacock Premium for free, which is NBC’s exclusive content app. Xfinity Flex comes with any Xfinity internet plan at no additional cost. When my partner purchased his plan, it included the streaming device with his equipment package.

» Related Reading: Best cable TV for seniors

Before spending money on a third-party streaming device, check if this add-on (including the Xfinity Voice Remote) is available with your internet package. I tested my parents’ Xfinity Voice Remote and think it’s a fantastic option for seniors with dexterity, mobility, or vision issues. I could just hold the blue button and say what I wanted to do or watch. It’s that easy!

Using Xfinity's voice remote

xFi Advanced Security

Elder fraud is rampant, meaning older adults are frequent targets of scammers. Customers can get extra peace of mind with xFi Advanced Security. It only requires a compatible xFi Gateway, with no additional hardware or software to install. Once xFi Advanced Security is enabled, you can benefit from enhanced security features. To learn more about how xFi Advanced Security works, read the provider’s support page.

xFi Complete

Boost your current internet package with added security, unlimited data, and expanded in-home Wi-Fi coverage for $25 per month. This add-on is good for seniors who live in a large house and want to stay connected throughout the home. Sometimes, the primary router fought to reach bedrooms or basements in bigger houses. With xFi Complete, you can get additional equipment, called xFi pods, that extend your Wi-Fi coverage throughout the house for the most reliable connection possible. Plus, the unlimited data is great for those worried about data caps.

Xfinity Storm-Ready Wi-Fi

Xfinity’s new Storm-Ready Wi-Fi helps keep your devices powered during a power outage. This device costs $252 (or $7 per month for 36 months) and comes with a backup battery to power your devices for up to four hours after an outage. It operates on 4G LTE for backup power and requires Xfinity Internet and a compatible Gateway. Power outages may reduce speeds to 30 Mbps.

While my partner hasn’t experienced any major storms that caused outages, he has had a few outages during exceptionally hot summer days (likely due to power grid issues beyond Xfinity’s control). Fortunately, Xfinity was proactive about notifying him when outages occurred and getting things up and running in less than 24 hours.

How to Get the Best Deal With Xfinity

We’d recommend calling Xfinity to learn about current promotions that could help you save on your internet plan. When we called to order my partner’s plan, the representative informed us that the Connect More plan was on sale for the same price as the Connect plan and that the equipment fees would be waived. Getting twice as much speed for the same price was a no-brainer!

Another great way to save is to bundle with services you would otherwise purchase separately. Xfinity offers a variety of TV, internet, and even home and mobile phone bundles. You can often save on monthly rates by signing up for two or more services simultaneously.

Bundling TV, internet, a landline phone, and home security services could save you up to $60 per month compared with what those services would cost separately. For comparison, overall savings are lower with a Spectrum TV, internet, and landline bundle.

Xfinity Customer Service

My family and I have always had pleasant experiences with Xfinity’s customer service team. I rarely have to wait more than five minutes to connect with a representative, and the people I speak with are always kind, patient, and helpful. I’ve connected with representatives on the phone, in person, and with the company’s online chat feature – and had similar experiences. As mentioned, when my partner purchased his plan, the representative we spoke with helped us score a great deal without us even asking!

I often use Xfinity s online chat feature to get quick answers to my questions and address issues.

Xfinity vs. the Competition

In the table below, we’ll see how Xfinity stacks up to some of its top competitors.

When it comes to customers, Xfinity ranked a little lower in customer satisfaction compared with AT&T, Cox, and Spectrum, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).1 Factors determining these rankings include plan variety, frequency of service outages or interruptions, easily understanding your bill, and call center satisfaction. Among non-fiber internet providers, Xfinity scored higher than Optimum, CenturyLink, and Frontier.1

I’ve found that Xfinity offers some of the best introductory rates, the lowest starting prices, and the fastest speeds in the industry. Xfinity’s Connect More 300 Mbps plan is about $20 less monthly than a comparable plan from AT&T. (That said, AT&T is a great choice to avoid pesky equipment fees.)

If you’re eligible for a low-income internet plan, you can get twice as much speed for the same price when you choose Cox Internet. The issue is that Cox doesn’t have nearly as much availability — Xfinity is available in more than twice as many states as Cox.

Xfinity rivals Spectrum in terms of availability, serving customers in 41 states. By comparison, CenturyLink only offers internet service in 16 states, AT&T offers service in 22 states, and WOW Internet is only available in six states.

Unlike AT&T and Spectrum, Xfinity puts data caps on many of its plans, which we don’t particularly like. At least the data cap for Xfinity is high (1.2 TB) and would be difficult to exceed for most senior households. My partner, a heavy internet user and gamer, has never hit that limit. However, if you want a provider that doesn’t institute any data limits, Spectrum is a solid option.

» You Might Like: Spectrum internet for seniors

Our Methodology: How We Tested Xfinity Internet

Our Methodology: How We Tested Xfinity Internet

Our tech team spent nearly 100 hours researching and testing internet plans for seniors. Accounting for our personal experience, plus industry research and customer reviews, we evaluated each internet provider’s costs, speeds, customer service, and reliability.

Here’s additional information about the criteria we used in our evaluation:

• Pricing: We prioritize affordability when evaluating each internet provider we review. That includes researching whether companies offer discounts for veterans, seniors, or low-income households. We also note companies’ extra fees, including taxes and equipment fees.
• Contracts: Some companies require a service contract, sometimes for one or two years, to get the best deal. We carefully evaluate related costs and terms of long-term contracts to help you decide whether one might be worth it.
• Coverage: We do our best to give you an accurate picture of a company’s network service nationwide and how to find a company’s coverage in your area.
• Plan variety and flexibility: We like to see multiple options in service plans that fit the needs and budgets of most older adults.
• Reliability: No one wants to pay for slow or spotty internet service, so we rigorously test how reliable a provider’s service is to help you pick the best internet service plan for you.
• Customer service: Everyone needs customer service and tech support that is accessible, helpful, and courteous, but it’s a critical factor for older adults less experienced with technology. We noted how easy or difficult it is to reach a company’s customer service representatives and how helpful agents were when we spoke to them on the phone, via email, or in an online chat.
• Industry rankings: We check market reports and business performance rankings to gauge how each company we review stacks up against the competition.

The Bottom Line

In my experience, Xfinity offers fast and reliable speeds, great deals, and excellent customer service. However, always consider the drawbacks: You may need to sign a contract for the best deal, and most plans have data cap limitations (though these caps are very high).

With prices starting at $20 per month or even less for eligible low-income seniors, Xfinity offers several affordable options. Their robust add-on features and bundles featuring TV, internet, and phone services are great for those who want even more entertainment at home.