But which bundle is best for you? And are there other options out there? Let’s dig into the prices, channel counts, and internet speeds—plus all the bonus perks—to find out. Our resident TV expert called out Xfinity TV for its “decent dollar to channel ratio” and the spacious storage of its X1 DVR. We also highlight Xfinity as the best value internet service provider thanks to its strong internet speed performance, wide availability, and competitive prices. But before you make the splurge, double-check that Xfinity’s TV fees won’t cause you grief. And keep an eye on that internet data cap of 1.2 TB. Xfinity is also kind of an odd duck in that its bundles change depending on where you live in the US. So if you live in the Northeast you’ll see different bundle prices, channel counts, and download speeds than someone who lives west of the Mississippi. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular bundles in each Xfinity region.
$20.00/mo for 12 months (then $31.48/mo): Netflix and MGM+ membership 150 DVR hours $20.00/mo for 12 months (then $30.98/mo): HBO Max and MGM+ membership 150 DVR hours $40.00/mo. for 12 months (then $58.47/mo.): Netflix, HBO Max, SHOWTIME, and MGM+ membership 150 DVR hours
If you total the basic memberships of each streaming service, the total is $33.96: Netflix ($6.99), MGM+($5.99), HBO Max ($9.99), and SHOWTIME ($10.99). And since the most expensive add-on is $6 more than the services a la carte, your decision lies in how important DVR storage is to you. Of course, watch out for that price bump after your 12 months are up—no one likes a surprise on their internet bill.
Central US: Xfinity Voice also includes unlimited calls to American Samoa, Canada, China, Guam, India, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the US Virgin Islands. Northeastern US: Xfinity voice also includes unlimited calls to Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and South Korea.
If your Xfinity Voice plan doesn’t include unlimited calls to a country where you need to keep in contact with someone, check the international rates before you rack up a whopper of a phone bill. Or give Xfinity Mobile a look. View Bundles | Read Xfinity Internet Review | Read Xfinity TV Review But what about AT&T Internet? There are definitely better internet access options out there. DSL is an older technology and generally offers slower speeds than a cable or fiber internet connection. Thankfully, AT&T’s DSL features some of the newest technology available, so its speeds can rival cable or fiber internet depending on where you live. Though it’s not offered as a bundle deal, AT&T Wireless might be a better deal for you depending on your needs. View Bundles | Read AT&T Internet Review | Read DIRECTV Review We love this approach because it really gives you the power to choose the exact bundle you want. Here’s a quick look at a few of the Cox TV, internet, and phone combos you can build:
Your info available only through directory assistance (411): $3.50/mo. extra Non-published directory listing: $5.50/mo. extra
You can also add an international calling plan for an extra $2.99 a month. That gets you calls to more than 230 countries, but be sure to check those international rates too. (You’ll need to scroll down and select the country you’re calling.) Of course, you may live in an area where Frontier DSL is all you can get. If so, you’re at least not going to miss out on scrolling through hundreds of TV channels. Not to mention that DISH doesn’t punt your price sky-high after a few months, plus its Hopper DVR is one of the best on the market. Here’s a quick look at how you can bundle DISH TV with Frontier internet, and we’ll touch on some other ways to pair your internet service with DISH in just a minute. Other ways to bundle DISH satellite TV with internet:
CenturyLink internet + DISH TV Viasat satellite internet + DISH TV
We’ve also heard that Windstream, Earthlink, and Verizon can pair internet with DISH TV, but couldn’t confirm. If you have one of these internet service providers, give them a call and ask if they offer DISH TV bundles. The main difference between these phone plans is that Freedom Essentials and Regional Essentials are available in California, Florida, and Texas, while Digital Phone Unlimited is available everywhere else you can get Frontier service. View Bundles | Read Frontier Internet Review | Read DISH TV Review Actually, Verizon takes that channel lineup one step further if you get its Your Fios TV package. With Your Fios TV, you get a recommended channel list based on your five favorite channels. So long, TV channels we don’t care for. And hello binge-watching favorites. Here’s a look at some of the ways you can bundle Verizon Fios TV and internet together. Don’t forget that Verizon is also home to one of the biggest wireless networks in the US. And you’ll save $10–$20 a month on your bundle bill if you have a Verizon Unlimited plan too. View Bundles | Read Verizon Fios Home Internet Review | Read Verizon Fios TV Review There’s no sense in paying for channels you won’t watch or speed you don’t need. Similarly, you don’t want to pay a low price only to turn around and not have your favorite channel or run into frustratingly slow internet speeds. As for phone service, most phone plans come with unlimited calling within the US. If you regularly call family members or friends in Canada or Mexico, make sure those calls are included in the plan or come at a low minute-by-minute cost. Most providers have a channel guide on their websites. If you can’t match your bundle to the TV package, try matching channel counts or give your provider a call.
Xfinity channel guide DIRECTV channel guide Cox channel guide DISH channel guide Verizon Fios channel guide
1–2 people: 40–100 Mbps 2–4 people: 75–300 Mbps 4+ people: 500+ Mbps
You should also estimate your internet speeds based on what your household does online:
Working/studying from home with video calls: 100+ Mbps Using home security cameras: 100+ Mbps Streaming 4K video: 75+ Mbps Gaming: 40+ Mbps for most games
If you need more help figuring out your internet speed needs, our guide on how many Mbps is best should help.
Best Xfinity Bundles Best DIRECTV Internet Bundles Best Cox Bundles Best Cable TV and Internet Bundles Best DISH + Internet Bundles Best Verizon Bundles
We also paid special attention to Cox and Verizon Fios, which allow you to customize your bundle selection. This approach makes it more likely you’ll get a TV and internet combo that you’ll be satisfied with. As for phone service, unlimited nationwide calls is a pretty standard feature—but some providers, like Frontier, Cox, AT&T, and Xfinity, also include unlimited calls to Canada, Mexico, and US territories. And don’t forget cell phone service. Xfinity and Verizon both give you a discount on your monthly bill if you bundle and also have their wireless service. Spectrum bundles include internet speeds that range from 300–1000 Mbps, and over 140 TV channels.
