Xfinity Flex is a 4K TV streaming box at no additional cost with all Xfinity internet-only plans. That's right, your first Xfinity Flex TV streaming box is free. It plugs directly into your TV and offers access to your favorite streaming apps and free live content. Flex offers entertainment includes all the most popular subscription-based apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Discovery+, as well as many more. Think of it like an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku, but exclusively available to Xfinity customers.
The service is a great perk from one of the largest internet providers in the country, but is it right for you? Let’s explore the features of Xfinity Flex, what we like about it, and how it stacks up against the competition to find out.
Is Xfinity Flex right for you?
If you are an Xfinity internet customer looking to centralize your TV’s entertainment options, Xfinity Flex might be for you.
What we like
- First box free to Xfinity internet customers
- Free Peacock Premium
- Tons of streaming services
80/100
Xfinity Flex Deals
Since Xfinity Flex is a perk, you won’t find a deal specifically for the box. Instead, your best bet is to track Xfinity’s internet deals. Check out our favorite Xfinity internet plans or monitor the most popular plans below to figure out when there’s a deal.
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#1
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Xfinity
300 Mbps
$40/mo
5 year price guarantee
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#2
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Xfinity
1.2 Gig
$100/mo
5 year price guarantee
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#3
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Xfinity
500 Mbps
$45/mo
5 year price guarantee
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#4
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Xfinity
1 Gig
$50/mo
5 year price guarantee
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#5
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Xfinity
300 Mbps + Unlimited
$80/mo
5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months
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Make sure to read the fine print of every Xfinity internet plan. Some non-contract plans, like Xfinity Prepaid Internet, don’t include Xfinity Flex.
Why We Recommend Xfinity Flex
There’s a lot to love about Xfinity Flex. The fact it’s free to Xfinity internet customers makes it a useful tool for cord-cutters who still want to use their TVs. Throw in the free subscription to Peacock Premium and access to all the top streaming apps, and you can see how it’s a winning option.
That said, there are some things Xfinity could do better. Only the first Flex box is free. You have to pay to stream on more than one TV in your home. The interface is also widely panned for being confusing. Customers report struggling to find their favorite content and accidentally subscribing to services they don’t want.
What we like: First box free to Xfinity internet customers
The biggest thing to love about Xfinity Flex is that it’s completely free to internet-only customers. There are no hidden fees here. It’s a perk for simply signing up. Unfortunately, each additional Flex streaming TV Box is $5 per month.
Xfinity is known for its internet and TV bundles, but not everyone needs a cable TV subscription anymore. With cord-cutting on the rise, Xfinity wants to keep internet-only customers from getting their entertainment elsewhere. Xfinity Flex is free because it keeps internet-only customers within the Xfinity ecosystem.
What we like: Free Peacock Premium
Like the Xfinity Flex, Peacock Premium is another perk that comes with almost all of Xfinity’s internet plans. These two services work together seamlessly. If you’re a recent cord-cutter and don’t have a way to stream Peacock to your TV, Xfinity Flex is a free option you can use.
What we like: Tons of streaming services
You have access to a ton of content with Xfinity Flex. Peacock is certainly not the only free service. You can also find free streaming apps like XUMO, Tubi, and Pluto TV—plus, access to all your paid subscriptions like Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and music apps like Spotify and Pandora.
If you decide you want live television, you can upgrade your Xfinity Flex to include Choice TV Select. This service comes with a monthly subscription cost and includes a limited number of popular TV channels. It’s not a cable hookup, so while the channels are live, it still runs off your internet connection
What we don’t like: Charge for additional Flex boxes
Only the first Xfinity Flex box is free. That can be a problem if you have more than one television in your home. You can order additional Xfinity Flex boxes, but each one adds an extra $5 per month to your internet bill.
What we don’t like: Confusing interface
Probably the top customer complaint for Xfinity Flex is that the interface is confusing and sometimes hard to navigate. For example, the “Free to me” section pulls content from every service on your box and mixes them up. This makes it difficult to figure out where a particular show or movie comes from. And the apps themselves are sometimes clunky and difficult to switch between.
The chief interface concern: some customers have reported accidentally signing up for subscriptions they don’t want. This is usually because they tried to sign in to that service but couldn't figure out how.
This is by design. Xfinity wants you to bundle all your subscriptions with your monthly internet bill, so they make it easy to sign up for new services. That typically means that the sign-in option for preexisting subscribers is hidden behind a menu or in a screen corner. Some Xfinity apps have reportedly improved this issue, but it’s still something to be aware of.
Xfinity Flex Features
Xfinity Flex features everything you need to self-install the service, a voice remote, and software compatibility with the xFi Gateway router.
Hardware
Each Xfinity Flex is shipped with a streaming box, HDMI cord, and power cord. To install, plug the HDMI cord into your television and the power cord into the wall. Follow the on-screen instructions, and you’re ready to start streaming.
Xfinity Voice Remote
Another feature of Xfinity Flex is the Xfinity Voice Remote. This remote navigates your Flex’s interface, and its voice capabilities allow you to simply tell the remote what you want to watch.
xFi Gateway router
The xFi Gateway is the standard router that comes with any new Xfinity internet installation. It doesn’t come with the Flex itself, but they have software compatibility features. This means you can control your router and Wi-Fi directly from your television.
Xfinity Flex vs. Competitors
Xfinity Flex is not the only streaming box out there. Let’s see how it stacks up against services like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Xfinity Flex vs. competitors
| Xfinity Flex | Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $49.99 |
$49.99 |
| Free subscriptions | Peacock Premium |
None | None |
| Voice remote | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4K streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Xfinity Flex vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
| Xfinity Flex | Amazon Fire Stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Free subscriptions | ||
| Voice remote | ||
| Software integration | ||
| Interface |
The Xfinity Flex beats the Amazon Fire TV stick easily with its price and free subscriptions. Xfinity Flex is free for Xfinity internet customers and comes with Peacock Premium. The Amazon Fire stick is $49.99 and doesn’t offer free access to any premium subscriptions, including Amazon Prime Video.
These two streaming devices are evenly matched when it comes to hardware and software. Both have easy-to-use remotes with voice capabilities. Both also have software compatibility with other products made by Xfinity and Amazon. Xfinity Flex can control the xFi Gateway modem. The Amazon Fire Stick can connect with most Amazon Echo, Alexa, and Smart Home devices. That means you can operate your Ring doorbell, lights, and climate control all from your television.
Where Amazon shines is in its interface. The Amazon Fire Stick is easy to use and operates smoother than Xfinity Flex.
Xfinity Flex vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K
| Xfinity Flex | Roku Streaming Stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Free subscriptions | ||
| Voice remote | ||
| Software integration | ||
| Interface |
When it comes to value, the Xfinity Flex is undefeated. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K costs $49.99 and doesn’t include free premium subscriptions. It is possible to get less expensive Roku models, but they lack features like 4K streaming and voice remote.
Like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Roku and Xfinity Flex are evenly matched with hardware and software. Both come with voice remotes and can connect with other devices from the same brand. Xfinity Flex can connect to the xFi Gateway Router, while Roku can connect with other Roku smart home devices.
However, the Roku has a superior interface to the Xfinity Flex. It’s easy to navigate and simple to use.
Xfinity Flex Recap
If you’re already an Xfinity Internet subscriber and don’t have another streaming box service, Xfinity Flex is a great option. It’s free, comes with Peacock Prime, and is compatible with Xfinity’s other services. However, if you have a big family or might eventually leave Xfinity for a cheaper internet plan, you might want to think twice.
Remember, only the first Xfinity Flex box is free. Each additional box is $5 a month. So, if you have a house with three televisions, you’re looking at an extra $120 per year tacked onto your internet bill. Other streaming devices, like the Amazon Fire Stick and Roku, are one-time payments.
Those other sticks also aren’t reliant on a specific service to operate. You can take them wherever you want, pick different subscriptions, and change internet providers with no issues. Xfinity Flex is designed to lock you into Xfinity. If you’re happy, that’s no problem. But if you want cheaper internet service, it makes it more difficult to leave.
Methodology
When analyzing Xfinity Flex, we compared it to similar products. We looked at options and prices to determine which products offered the most value. We also dove into the features included with each product, including hardware, voice remotes, and software compatibility. We will update our findings as necessary.
Xfinity Flex: FAQs
FAQs
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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