Best Cable Modems,Setting up your home network is a cinch with these cable modems
Best Cable Modems,If you don’t keep in mind yourself tech-savvy, networking hardware might be a bit intimidating — but cable modems are really surprisingly straightforward because they only hook up with one device: the Wi-Fi router, which routes your signal in your diverse devices, such as laptops, drugs, and smartphones. To assist you pick the perfect cable modem for you, we’ve compiled a list of the quality to be had models. We also despatched a few home with our thorough testers, who navigated the setup process and measured speeds.
Best Cable Modems,Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Motorola MG7700
The Motorola MG7700 pairs a 24X8DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem with an AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit Router to supply high-overall performance, high-speed Wi-Fi and a reliable connection which can strength all of your wireless gadgets in either a home or workplace putting. The included product, which removes annual modem apartment charges, allows for 24 statistics channels to carry data from the Internet, while 8 channels can convey statistics to it. With four 10/a hundred/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports, the Motorola MG7700 also can offer internet connection in your stressed products, whether or not the ones be computers, gaming consoles, or HDTVs. Performance and range are further superior way to AnyBeam’s beamforming generation, and Power Boost generation allows the signal to attain the felony restrict, further increasing velocity and range.
Additional functions include a firewall and parental controls, in conjunction with guest get entry to that permits site visitors to use your community with out getting access to your private or non-public statistics. The glossy appearance helps limit muddle while integrating seamlessly with your décor, and its vertical design lets in it to chill more speedy and amplify its existence.
Best Cable Modems,Best Splurge: NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900
Let’s say you’re an Internet seasoned. When it comes to the Web, you need the quickest Internet plan and the quickest modem to deal with all those HD video steams or 4K gaming you do. If this describes you, you want to examine the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 cable modem and router.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 is a pace demon with support for the fastest Internet services (as much as 960 Mbps) and it may cope with twin-band (2.Four GHz and five GHz) Wi-Fi speeds. On the returned, you’ll discover four Gigabit Ethernet ports and one USB 2.0 port, so that you can plug in directly for the quickest speeds or broadcast thru Wi-Fi. It’s additionally designed to broadcast Wi-Fi widely, so when you have a huge house or condo, you’ll be protected.
This version is well suited with Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and more cable carriers, and we’d endorse this if you have the best Internet tier from those companies, which includes the Comcast Xfinity Blast Pro, Extreme 250 or Gigabit Pro plans. However, keep in mind that this version does not guide bundled voice, however if you do not want that you may be greater than inspired with this feature.
Best Cable Modems,Runner-Up, Best Overall: TP-Link AC1750 DOCSIS 3.0
This -in-one device brings together a excessive-overall performance modem with a wireless AC router to build a dependable home network with a purpose to can help you circulation 4K on your heart’s choice. It’s a notable modem, so to name the TP-Link AC1750 a runner-up isn’t totally fair. It gives up to 1750Mbps Wi-Fi speeds with simultaneous 2.4GHz (up to 450 Mbps) and 5GHz (as much as 1300 Mbps) bands. It helps bonding of up to 16 downstream and 4 upstream channels to increase its throughput, and has six internal antennas and excessive-powered amplifiers to boost sign electricity and decrease interference. It claims to have a trouble-loose setup, however in case you revel in any hassle, you may name the 24/7 tech assist and relaxation easy with a two-yr warranty.
Best Cable Modems,Best Budget Modem: NETGEAR DOCSIS three.Zero Cable Modem (CM400-1AZNAS)
Simple, low-priced modems are not very hard to locate, and chances are they’ll all paintings more or less the equal. Whether you go along with the $forty five TP-Link TC-7610-E or the NETGEAR CM400-1AZNAS, you’re very possibly to have the equal networking enjoy. The specifications are greater or much less same: the latest DOCSIS 3.0 popular, which lets in for up to eight downstream channels and four upstream channels; up to 340 Mbps download speeds; and a Gigabit Ethernet port for quicker stressed out get entry to. It also includes a stand, which allows you to keep the modem in an upright role in case you’re brief on area. In both case, that is a superbly first rate 340 Mbps cable modem this is not going to cause many troubles.
Best Versatility: ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 DOCSIS three.0 Cable Modem
If you propose on constructing out your own network, possibilities are you either already know a bargain approximately networking, or you’re in the process of learning. Either manner, you likely want to get some thing that’s flexible — as in, it’ll let you effortlessly switch between Internet provider companies. Of course, you furthermore mght need something that’s speedy and reliable. Routers are one of those products classes that consist of pretty complicated generation, but for which there are only a few key specifications you need to focus on — specifically, pace.
Most available cable modems meet some of these demands, but the ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 possibly strikes the fine stability of all of them. It has some thing referred to as DOCSIS 3.0 era, which unites up to 8 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels, taking into account information speeds of up to 343 Mbps (down) and 131 Mbps (up), depending in your ISP, connection and different factors. While there are some sorts of DOCSIS cable modems, the three.Zero model is usually the first-rate option in terms of speed.
It additionally is available in a spread of bundle speeds, hues, and alternatives, together with a modem/router mixture.
Runner-Up, Best Budget Modem: D-Link DOCSIS three.Zero Cable Modem (DCM-301)
As you’ll begin to see from this list, there’s a honest quantity of redundancy in terms of cable modems. They are for the maximum component constructed the identical, simplest various in layout and speed, depending on your character networking setup. With that stated, in case you’re at the hunt for something that’s no longer simplest easy however additionally low cost, you’ll do simply great with a sub-$50 modem. In that range, we notably endorse the D-Link DCM-301.
Also enlisting DOCSIS three.0, it’s up to eight times faster than a DOCSIS 2.Zero system, with download speeds of up to 343 Mbps and upload speeds of up to one hundred fifty Mbps. If you combine it with a cloud router or community connected garage device, you’ve were given a complete-fledged domestic networking solution. It also has a small footprint, which comes as a pleasing relief in case you’re changing an older, bulkier unit.
Runner-Up, Best Modem/Router Combo: Motorola MG7750
The MG7750 provides the velocity you’d assume from a present day unit, plus some cool proprietary skills. First the modem: this DOCSIS three.0 device gives you sixteen downstream channels along four upstreams and a Wireless Power Boost to make bigger the wireless signal to growth pace and variety. The wireless router isn’t any slouch either, presenting two bands at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus AnyBeam technology that focuses the connection primarily based for your wi-fi customer so everyone seeking to connect could have a reasonably customized cognizance for a extra solid connection. The router also functions a firewall and parental control features. There are four ethernet ports at the lower back and the indicator lighting are extraordinary vibrant to higher display while it’s running or no longer.
Interested in analyzing greater opinions? Take a observe our selection of the pleasant cable modem/router combos.
Best for High-Speed Internet: ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0
If you’re linked a fiber-optic community, chances are you have got access to gigabit speeds. For the majority, 1 Gbps is greater than they’ll ever require and in all likelihood no longer well worth their money. But for hardcore on-line gamers or households with many customers all sucking up large information streams — or if you truly want to have the modern tech — gigabit Internet is like an oasis in a barren region of sluggish connectivity.
Of route, you need to be willing to pay extra to get it, both for the modem and the ISP subscription — and that’s also supplied your neighborhood provider has fiber optic lines walking to your property. If you meet these kinds of standards, the ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 might be the fine modem you’ll discover. It offers download speeds of up to one.Four Gbps, with a much less powerful option for cable hastens to 686 Mbps. The gigabit modem will cost you a pretty penny, but if you’re making the switch to fiber it’s just something you’ll ought to take delivery of.
Best Value: NETGEAR DOCSIS three.0 Cable Modem (CM500-1AZNAS)
The CM500-1AZNAS is a simple, but clever modem that can manage quickens to 680 Mbps, which means that it is able to handle nearly any connection you throw at it. Compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, eight, 10, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS, this modem can paintings with pretty much any OS. It also is well suited with most cable Internet providers, inclusive of Comcast Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox and extra. It does no longer, but, paintings with bundled voice offerings that some human beings nevertheless use with cable bundles.
When it involves raw functionality, the CM500-1AZNAS can support sixteen downloads and four uploads simultaneously. It can aid HD and 4K video streaming, too. And all of this is available in at a fee tag of less than $70.