What is Xfinity Prepaid Internet?

• Xfinity Prepaid Internet is available in all Xfinity service areas
• Starting costs are $45 for the first 30 days with the starter kit, then $15 for seven days or $45 for 30 days thereafter
• Service comes with speeds up to 50 Mbps and 1 TB/mo. data
• “Refill” your service as needed online, in-store or using the Xfinity Prepaid mobile app 

If you’re looking for a simple, no-hassle way to get internet service for your home, Xfinity Prepaid Internet may be the solution. 

With no credit check, no deposits and no contracts, the service makes Xfinity internet accessible to anyone living in an Xfinity service area. It’s not totally free of catches, however, as speeds are slower, and the value is lower than you’d get with standard Xfinity internet service.

How does Xfinity Prepaid Internet work?

Xfinity Prepaid Internet uses the same cable network as their standard service and a refurbished Xfinity gateway router. 

To get started, new customers pay for the Xfinity Prepaid Starter Kit and first 30 days of service upfront, then can “refill” their service in seven or 30-day increments thereafter. Customers can order online and receive their Starter Kit in the mail, or sign up at a participating Boost Mobile location and pick up the router in-store. 

The Starter Kit comes with a refurbished router and all cables needed for quick and convenient self-installation.

Who could benefit from Xfinity Prepaid Internet?

• College students
• Smaller families
• Those who do not want a long-term commitment
• Consistent travelers

Xfinity Prepaid Internet eligibility requirements

To be eligible for Xfinity Prepaid Internet, you must be 18 years of age and have an address serviceable for Xfinity but no active Xfinity service. 

Seeing as how those are the only qualifications, it’s plausible to assume the service is available to former Xfinity customers who have an outstanding balance on their accounts. Xfinity does not explicitly say if previous customers are or are not eligible for prepaid service, however. 

Along with previous customers who have outstanding Xfinity balances, the prepaid service may also be enticing to those with a short or poor credit history as no credit checks or deposits are required. Temporary residents, such as students or those renting month-to-month, may also want to consider Xfinity Prepaid Internet since it comes with no contracts. 

How much is Xfinity Prepaid Internet?

The Xfinity Prepaid Internet starter kit is $45 for the first 30 days of internet service and includes a gateway device with the purchase.

To continue service, customers can add or “refill” days in seven- or 30-day increments. Seven-day refills are $15 while 30-day refills are $45. The 30-day refill is certainly the better deal since it comes with nine extra days compared to if you spent the same amount on three seven-day refills.

Since customers purchase their equipment upfront, there are no ongoing equipment fees. Taxes and government fees may still apply, but for the most part, you can expect to pay around $15 or $45 to continue your service, depending on which refill you choose.

Below is a price comparison between Xfinity Prepaid Internet and a few of Xfinity’s lower-priced regular internet service plans.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of 12 mo. contract. All other plans on 24 mos. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 11/28/22.

How fast is Xfinity Prepaid Internet?

Here’s where Xfinity Prepaid Internet loses a bit of its appeal. The service only offers download speeds up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps. These speeds are lower than most standard Xfinity plans.

What can you do with Xfinity Prepaid Internet?

Download speeds of 50 Mbps are best for browsing the web and social media, sending emails and streaming a show or movie in standard definition. Upload speeds of 10 Mbps are good enough to upload images to social media and support video conferencing or online learning for 1-2 devices.

Keep in mind that Wi-Fi speeds are often much slower than a wired connection, so the Xfinity Prepaid Internet Wi-Fi download speeds you get will likely fall below 25 Mbps. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend Xfinity Prepaid Internet for streaming services or online gaming, especially if you plan to connect multiple devices over Wi-Fi.

So is it worth the money?

Considering the many internet options available out there, probably not. 

At around $45/mo. for 50 Mbps, the cost per Mbps (an estimate of how much speed you get for the price) with Xfinity Prepaid Internet is around $0.90.  

For comparison, one of the lowest-priced Xfinity plans, Xfinity Connect Internet, comes with 75 Mbps for around $30/mo. That’s a cost per Mbps of $0.40, which is significantly less than the prepaid service. 

As you get into higher-tiered plans with Xfinity or other providers, the cost per Mbps will likely dip even further. Some plans come in at less than a dime per Mbps, which is a significantly better value than you’d get with Xfinity Prepaid Internet.

Refilling your Xfinity Prepaid Internet service

If you have Xfinity Prepaid Internet, refilling days is as easy as paying for standard Xfinity service.

You can prepay for service online with a credit or debit card at xfinityprepaid.com/refill or using your phone via the Xfinity Prepaid app. When paying online or using the mobile app, you also have the option to set up automatic refill payments.

If you prefer paying with cash, Xfinity retail stores and select Boost Mobile locations will accept your payment. For the best experience, have your Xfinity Prepaid Internet account number with you.

Xfinity does not accept payments by phone for Xfinity Prepaid Internet service.

The bottom line on Xfinity Prepaid Internet

Purchasing your equipment and service upfront with no credit checks, deposits, or contracts is a quick and easy way to get internet service. Xfinity Prepaid Internet is a decent internet option for those with less-than-perfect credit, outstanding Xfinity accounts (possibly) and those who may be moving soon and don’t want a contract. 

But ultimately, Xfinity Prepaid Internet does not come with the speed or value you’d get with standard Xfinity plans or plans available from many other major internet providers. Before signing up for any prepaid internet plan, we’d encourage you to shop around and explore your options.