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Comcast and Spectrum are shifting away from traditional cable boxes with the Xumo Stream Box. While the device offers an innovative mix of cable and streaming services, its performance delivers mixed results.
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Pricing and Accessibility
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The Xumo Stream Box is priced at $60 and provides access to both companies’ cable TV services and popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Max.
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Comcast’s Xfinity internet customers can receive the box free of charge, even without a TV subscription. Charter offers it free for six months to new Spectrum TV customers, with a $5 monthly fee after that.
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Performance and User Experience
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The Xumo Stream Box merges cable and streaming into a single interface but struggles with performance. The device can feel sluggish, and some menus are difficult to navigate.
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It’s a reasonable option if provided for free, but other streaming platforms offer a smoother experience, even for cable subscribers.
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Design and Setup
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The Xumo Stream Box is smaller than traditional cable boxes but larger than streaming sticks like the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
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It connects to TVs via HDMI and requires Wi-Fi or ethernet, eliminating the need for a coaxial cable. Its compact design allows it to be set up anywhere in your home.
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The device is user-friendly to install, and no technician is required. Setup involves connecting to Wi-Fi, linking a cable provider account, and programming the remote to control TVs, soundbars, and other devices.
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The process is straightforward and similar to other streaming devices.
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Video and Audio Features
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The Xumo Stream Box offers 4K HDR video, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support. However, it does not include Bluetooth, so wireless headphones or earbuds for private listening are impossible.
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Features and Interface
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Streaming and Cable Integration
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Comcast and Charter have designed the Xumo Stream Box to create a modern interface for streaming and cable services.
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The home screen includes apps like Netflix and Hulu and offers content recommendations from multiple providers.
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The device supports features like:
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- Universal Watchlist: Add shows from various apps.
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- Continue Watching Row: Resume where you left off across supported platforms.
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- Voice Search: Use the remote’s microphone for content searches.
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Unlike other platforms like Fire TV and Roku, Xumo’s interface is free of intrusive banner ads.
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Cable-Like Features
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The box retains some cable functionalities:
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- The box turns on and plays live TV right away.
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- Users can access a grid guide and DVR library.
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- The remote includes number keys for direct channel input.
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Some cable features, like Spectrum’s DVR list, are hidden in menus, and the remote has no shortcuts for tasks like opening the guide or recording.
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App Support and Limitations
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The Xumo Stream Box offers a wide range of apps, including major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Max, along with several niche services. However, some notable apps are missing:
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- Unavailable Apps: Regular PBS (though PBS Kids is available), Acorn TV, and Crunchyroll.
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- Limited Live TV Services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV are supported, but FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and others are not.
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These omissions may reflect the priorities of Comcast and Charter, as they are less likely to promote alternatives to cable services.
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Performance and Speed
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The Xumo Stream Box lags behind modern standards in terms of speed. App loading times are slow, with delays of up to 10 seconds in some cases. For example:
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- Paramount+: Extremely sluggish with delayed button responses.
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- Pluto TV: Similarly unresponsive and frustrating to use.
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Even the Spectrum app feels slow when switching tabs or loading guides. Animations are often jerky, and navigation feels less fluid than competing streaming devices.
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Does the Xumo Stream Box Support DVR?
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The Xumo Stream Box does not include a built-in DVR like traditional cable boxes. Instead, it relies on cloud DVR services provided by Spectrum and Comcast.
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You can get Spectrum’s cloud DVR service for $5 per month. It lets you save 50 recordings for 90 days.
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The $10 “Enhanced” DVR plan lets you store up to 100 recordings annually. On other devices, you can access your recordings online through Spectrum or Xfinity TV apps.
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The Xumo box does not show a preview when fast-forwarding recordings (at least with Spectrum). Skipping commercials becomes more complex as a result.
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Also, the home screen has no direct link to the DVR list. You need to open the Spectrum app to find it.
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Is the Xumo Stream Box a Better Option Than the Apple TV 4K?
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Comcast and Charter encourage using the Xumo Stream Box for cable TV, but they also provide free apps for other streaming platforms.
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Comcast offers apps for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TVs, and LG TVs. Spectrum apps are available for Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TVs, and Xbox consoles.
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Based on experience, the Spectrum TV app works best on Apple TV, outperforming the Xumo Stream Box. Spectrum TV customers can purchase an Apple 4K for $90 upfront or in 18 monthly installments.
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Though the Apple TV 4K costs $30 more than the Xumo Stream Box, it’s faster, has better app compatibility, and integrates well with Spectrum’s app.
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Features include tuning live channels via voice and using Apple’s “TV” app to find shows quickly. Unlike the Xumo box, Spectrum’s Apple TV app shows visual previews during fast-forwarding, making it a superior choice for cable customers.
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Should You Choose the Xumo Stream Box?
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For Comcast Xfinity internet users, the Xumo Stream Box is appealing because it’s free. Although it may lag occasionally, it organizes streaming content effectively for no cost.
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If purchased, the Xumo Stream Box offers less value. It’s not as user-friendly as the Apple TV 4K or a traditional cable box, and it lacks the functionality of cheaper streaming devices like the $40 Roku Express 4K+ or the $20 Walmart Onn 4K Stream Box. Its limited app library is another drawback.
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While Comcast and Charter are bringing new competition to the streaming device market, there’s still much to improve.
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Update: Spectrum provides only six free months of the Xumo box to new TV customers, not all.
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