Xumo Stream Box: Price, Spectrum vs Xfinity, Setup & Is It Worth It (Oct 2026)
By American TV ·
The Xumo Stream Box is a small 4K streaming box that plugs into any TV with an HDMI port. It puts streaming apps and your cable company's live TV app on one home screen, with a voice remote that searches across them. It comes from Xumo, the streaming company owned by Comcast (Xfinity) and Charter (Spectrum). You don't need a smart TV.
Prices as of Oct 9, 2026 (ET), checked against Xumo's store and Xfinity's and Spectrum's Xumo pages. Taxes are extra.
| Where you get it | What it costs | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Buy it from Xumo | $74.99 one time, free standard shipping | You own it. Works with any internet provider |
| Xfinity, with Xfinity Internet | First box included, plus a one-time $15 activation fee. Extra boxes $5/mo each | Up to 3 boxes. Not for current Xfinity TV customers. Leased; follow Xfinity's return instructions when ending service |
| Spectrum, with Spectrum TV | Pricing varies by offer | Comes with the Spectrum TV App preloaded. Ask about current offers when you order |
Who it's for: Xfinity Internet customers who want a near-free 4K streamer, Spectrum TV customers who'd rather not rent a traditional cable box, and anyone who wants live TV and apps on one screen. If you already have a Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV you like, you don't need one.
Want help deciding between Xumo, Spectrum and Xfinity, or picking a TV service to go with it? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
What the Xumo Stream Box does
Most streaming players make you jump between apps. Xumo's pitch is one screen for everything:
- Live TV up front: on Spectrum and Xfinity boxes, your provider's live TV app sits on the home screen next to the streaming apps.
- Apps preloaded: hundreds of apps come installed, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and Peacock. You sign in to the ones you pay for. Free apps like Xumo Play, Tubi and Pluto TV need no subscription.
- Universal search: search once, by typing or by voice, and see results from all your apps.
- My List: save shows and movies from different apps in one list. You can make up to five lists for different people in the house.
- Xumo Play built in: Xumo's own free channel service, with 350+ live channels and about 15,000 on-demand titles.
Xfinity's version also runs Amazon Luna cloud games with a paired controller. As of Oct 9, 2026, Xumo is also offering 6 months of Peacock Premium at no extra cost to eligible customers who sign up on a Xumo device. Existing Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers are excluded. It's a limited-time offer that renews at $12.99/mo.
Xumo Stream Box specs
| Feature | Xumo Stream Box |
|---|---|
| Video | 4K at 60 fps (HEVC 10-bit), AV1, 1080p AVC |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos (via Dolby Digital Plus), Dolby Digital, Dolby AC-4, AAC |
| TV connection | HDMI 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual band, 2x2 |
| Wired internet | 10/100 Ethernet port |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| Remote | Voice remote, Bluetooth and IR (IR range about 25 ft) |
| In the box (Xumo retail) | Box, voice remote, power supply, 6-ft HDMI cable, quick start guide |
| Replacement parts (Xumo store) | Voice remote $29.99, power supply $9.99 |
One spec most reviews skip: the Ethernet port is 10/100, so a wired connection tops out at 100 Mbps. That's enough for 4K streaming. But in a home with good Wi-Fi 6 coverage, Wi-Fi can be faster than the cable. Plug in only if Wi-Fi at the TV is weak or unstable. Test it with our speed test from a phone next to the TV.
The box supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 but not HDR10+, according to Xumo's spec list. If your TV only does HDR10+, you'll get HDR10.
Spectrum vs Xfinity vs buying it yourself
It's the same box everywhere. What changes is the deal around it and what shows up on the home screen.
| Xfinity | Spectrum | Bought from Xumo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service required | Xfinity Internet (postpaid) | Spectrum TV | None. Any home internet |
| Upfront | $15 activation, once per account | Varies by offer | $74.99 |
| Monthly | First box included, extras $5/mo | Varies by offer | $0 |
| Box limit | 3 per account | Ask at order | Buy as many as you want |
| Live TV on the home screen | Xfinity's streaming TV | Spectrum TV App preloaded | Your own app subscriptions |
| Who owns it | Leased. Follow Xfinity's return instructions | Depends on offer | You |
| Fine print | Not for current Xfinity TV customers. $15 fee refunded if you cancel within 30 days | Confirm the price after any promo period | Xumo store warranty and returns apply |
Xfinity: Xumo replaced the old Xfinity Flex box. For an Xfinity Internet customer, the first box is the cheapest 4K streamer you can get. You pay $15 once, and that's it for one TV. Prepaid Internet and Bulk TV accounts aren't eligible, and Internet Essentials customers are eligible for one box.
Spectrum: Spectrum offers the box with Spectrum TV plans, and the Spectrum TV App comes preloaded. Spectrum's pricing for the box changes with its promotions. Ask for the box price during and after any promo period before you order. For Spectrum TV plan prices, see our guide to how much Spectrum streaming costs.
Buying your own: at $74.99, the retail box makes sense if your provider isn't Spectrum or Xfinity, or if you want to own the box outright rather than lease it.
Two-year cost: what you'd really pay
We added up 24 months for the common setups, using the Oct 9 prices and before taxes.
| Setup | Upfront | Monthly | 2-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy 1 box from Xumo | $74.99 | $0 | $74.99 |
| Xfinity, 1 box (with Xfinity Internet) | $15 | $0 | $15 |
| Xfinity, 2 boxes | $15 | $5 | $135 |
| Xfinity, 3 boxes (the limit) | $15 | $10 | $255 |
| Buy 3 boxes from Xumo | $224.97 | $0 | $224.97 |
| Spectrum | Pricing varies by offer. Ask for the monthly box price after any promotion and multiply by 24 | ||
Rent or buy? Our break-even math. An extra box at $5 a month costs as much as buying one ($74.99) after 15 months:
| Months | Leased extra box at $5/mo | Bought at $74.99 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $30 | $74.99 |
| 12 | $60 | $74.99 |
| 15 | $75 | $74.99 |
| 24 | $120 | $74.99 |
| 36 | $180 | $74.99 |
If you plan to keep the extra TV going more than about 15 months, buying is cheaper. If you might move or switch providers within a year, leasing is cheaper. For those extra TVs, a Roku or Fire TV stick on sale can cost less than either. Compare today's prices on our streaming stick deals page and our Roku Stick HD vs Plus vs Fire TV Stick 4K comparison.
How to set up a Xumo Stream Box
- Pick the spot. Put the box where the remote can reach it. The remote uses Bluetooth, so the box can sit behind a cabinet door, but IR works best within about 25 feet and in line of sight.
- Connect it. Plug the HDMI cable into the box and into an HDMI port on your TV. Plug in the power supply. If Wi-Fi at the TV is weak, also connect an Ethernet cable from your router.
- Switch the TV input to the HDMI port you used.
- Pair the remote and join Wi-Fi. Follow the on-screen steps to pair the voice remote and pick your Wi-Fi network.
- Activate it. Spectrum and Xfinity boxes walk you through activation on screen. Xfinity's $15 activation fee shows up on your first bill and doesn't affect setup.
- Sign in to your apps. Start with your provider's TV app, then the streaming services you pay for. Set up My List profiles for each person in the house.
- Check picture settings. If you have a 4K HDR TV, make sure the HDMI port you used supports 4K HDR. On many TVs, only some ports do.
Is the Xumo Stream Box worth it?
Worth it if:
- You have Xfinity Internet. For $15, the first box is one of the cheapest ways to add 4K, Dolby Vision and Atmos to a TV.
- You have Spectrum TV and want live channels and apps in one place without a traditional cable box.
- Your household argues over the remote. Universal search and separate My Lists help.
- Your TV is older, slow or not smart.
Skip it if:
- You already have a streamer you like. Xumo doesn't add apps that Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV lack for most people.
- You don't have Spectrum or Xfinity and a stick on sale costs less than $74.99.
- You want to record live TV on the box itself. Recording comes from your TV service's DVR, not from the box.
For more on Xumo's free service and costs, see what channels you get with Xumo, how much Xumo costs a month, the disadvantages of Xumo and our Xumo vs Roku comparison.
From Xfinity Flex to Xumo Stream Box
Xumo Stream Box replaced Xfinity Flex for new Xfinity Internet customers. Xumo TV is a related smart TV platform built into televisions, rather than a separate box you plug into an existing TV. Both bring streaming apps, live TV options and free content together; the apps and subscriptions available depend on the device and service.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Xumo Stream Box cost?
As of Oct 9, 2026, Xumo sells it for $74.99 with free standard shipping. Xfinity includes the first box with Xfinity Internet for a one-time $15 activation fee, and extra boxes are $5 a month. Spectrum offers it with Spectrum TV, and its pricing varies by offer.
Do I need Spectrum or Xfinity to use a Xumo Stream Box?
No. You can buy one from Xumo and use it with any home internet provider. You need a TV with an HDMI port and an internet connection. Spectrum and Xfinity customers get their provider's live TV app on the home screen.
Does the Xumo Stream Box work with other TV providers and apps?
Yes. Hundreds of apps come preloaded, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and Peacock, plus free apps like Xumo Play, Tubi and Pluto TV. You sign in with your own subscriptions. Separate subscriptions are required for paid apps.
Can I pause or record live TV on a Xumo Stream Box?
The box has no recording storage of its own. Pausing and recording live TV depend on the app you watch through and the DVR included with that service or plan.
Do I need a smart TV for Xumo?
No. Any TV with an HDMI port works. To get 4K, Dolby Vision or HDR10, your TV and the HDMI port you use need to support them.
Does Xfinity charge a monthly fee for Xumo?
Not for the first box. It's included with Xfinity Internet after a one-time $15 activation fee, which is refunded if you cancel within 30 days. Each additional box is $5 a month, up to 3 boxes. The offer isn't available to current Xfinity TV customers.
Questions about Xumo with Spectrum or Xfinity, or about TV service to pair with it? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Prices, specs and terms reviewed Oct 9, 2026 (ET) against Xumo's product page and online store and Xfinity's and Spectrum's Xumo Stream Box pages and support articles. The two-year totals and break-even figures are our own math. Prices, offers, eligibility and app lineups change and vary by location. Xumo, Xumo Stream Box, Xumo Play, Xfinity, Spectrum and related marks belong to their owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.