Broadband deals with free gifts

Everyone loves a freebie. You can get some great broadband deals that come with free vouchers, reward cards, gadgets and more. Just don’t let a shiny special offer sway your decision completely – make sure your package has all the features you need, at a price to suit your budget.

Written by

Matthew Brewer

Broadband and mobile expert

Last Updated

21 DECEMBER 2022

5 min read

Can broadband come with free gifts?

Yes it can. Competition is fierce among broadband providers and many will try to entice you by throwing in freebies with their packages.

Whether you’re switching broadband or buying for the first time, an internet plan with free gifts can turn an otherwise standard deal into a much more exciting one.

Try not to let free gifts cloud your judgement, though. It’s more important to choose the right broadband package for your household by focusing on features like speed, contract length and overall cost, rather than what freebies you can get.

Another thing to remember is that not all broadband deals will be available in every area of the UK. So, before you get too excited about bagging a bargain, use our postcode checker to see what’s currently on offer where you live.

What free gifts can I get with my broadband deal?

If you’re prepared to shop around, you might be able to find perks including: 

Shopping vouchers and gift cards – these are a popular incentive added to many broadband packages. They might be for specific retailers like Amazon or John Lewis, or vouchers that can be redeemed in various high-street stores.
Reward cards and prepaid cards – these work like credit cards and come pre-loaded with a set amount of money. They can be used in any retail store that accepts them.
Bill credits – these give you money off your monthly bill. The discount is automatically applied by your provider until the credit is used up.
Free months – some providers will give you the first few months free for signing up to their broadband. You’re most likely to find this type of deal during sale events like Black Friday.
Free router – almost all broadband providers will include a router with their packages. Sometimes networks will go one step further by offering a more powerful router than a standard one.
Gadgets – on rare occasions, providers might offer broadband with a free TV, or laptop, games console, headphones, soundbar, Bluetooth speaker or other tech.

If you see a package you like, you’ll probably need to grab it quickly as most home broadband deals with free gifts don’t last long.

Which broadband providers offer free gifts?

Many providers offer free gifts to tempt you to buy their broadband packages – which you’ll be able to see if you do a comparison with us.

You can find deals with free gifts on standard ADSL broadband packages as well as fibre broadband. You can even get some broadband and TV deals with free gifts.

Big-name networks, including BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Plusnet, Sky, EE and Vodafone, regularly offer home broadband deals with free gifts. Smaller providers like Onestream, italk and NOW Broadband sometimes offer incentives too.

How do I find broadband packages with free gifts?

To find current broadband offers with free gifts, just type your postcode into our postcode checker and we’ll show you the latest deals available in your area. Scroll through the results and look for the ones with extra perks. Then just click through to the provider’s website to sign up or get more details.

Don’t automatically dismiss a deal if it doesn’t have a free gift. A low-priced package with all the features that matter to you could be better value than one that gives you lots of things you might not need.

How do I claim my free broadband gift?

Each provider is different, so the process for claiming a free gift varies. You’ll usually be allowed to claim once your new connection is live, and within a certain timeframe, typically between 30 and 90 days. You might be emailed details of how to log into your customer account, where you can claim your gift.

Some providers will ask you to complete an online form on their website, while a few types of gift, like free routers, could be sent to you automatically.

Read the terms and conditions carefully so you know exactly what to do and you’re aware of any time limits that may apply. Our page on how to claim broadband vouchers could help.

Are broadband free gifts worth having?

While a freebie might look good on the surface, some of its gloss might start to rub off if you later realise you’re paying over the odds for a contract you’re tied to for a long time. Yes, incentives can be great, but they should never be your main reason for choosing a broadband deal. 

Ask yourself these questions before committing to a deal:

Could I save money by getting a cheaper broadband deal and buying the reward myself?
Is the process of claiming the gift too long and complicated?
Is it clear how long I have to apply for the gift before it expires?

It’s best to find an affordable contract you’re happy with and view any freebies that come with it as a bonus.

Frequently asked questions

Will I get a free WiFi router with my broadband?

Most providers will throw in a free router – and perhaps even free installation – when you buy a broadband package from them. But they’re often pretty basic and may not give you the fastest speeds. And if your new router is being posted to you, some providers will expect you to pay for postage and packaging so, strictly speaking, it’s not 100% free.

When’s the best time to look for broadband deals with free gifts?

Deals vary from month to month, but typically you’ll always find freebies available from the main broadband providers. Special offers from smaller providers tend not to crop up as frequently, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for them.

Broadband deals with free months and free gadgets are often available during the Black Friday commercial events every November, so you might benefit if your contract comes to an end at this time of year.

How do broadband reward cards work?

Reward cards are like prepaid credit cards that come pre-loaded with credit. Unlike vouchers, they can be spent in a range of stores, although you might receive an e-card that you can only use online.