Best Cable Modem

Our Pick

Motorola MB7621 Best modem. Compatible with most ISPs. The MB7621 can support internet speeds up to 600 Mbps. It is well supported with a two-year warranty. The modem can also be paid for in eight months.

$90* from Amazon $90 from Walmart $80 from Best Buy *At the time of publishing, the price was $78.

Motorola MB7621 provides reliable internet access and supports fast internet speeds for the majority of Americans. The Motorola MB7621 also works with nearly every other non-gigabit cable plan in America, including Spectrum, Cox, Suddenlink and Sparklight/Cable One. This allows you to move ISPs or change them. Because the MB7621 is a DOCSIS 3.0 Modem it can manage 24 downstream channels, and 8 upstream channels. This modem works great for 600 Megabits per Second plans. The warranty is two years.

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Buying Options

$160* from Amazon $150 from Walmart $169 from Staples *At the time of publishing, the price was $150.

The Motorola MB8600 modem is best for gigabit internet plans that allow you to purchase your own modem. It’s also affordable and comes with a two-year warranty. To get gigabit speeds with most cable ISPs, you need a DOCSIS 3.1 device. Also, the MB8600 works well on gigabit-speed internet networks that are still following the DOCSIS 3.1 standard. Sparklight/Cable One supports both DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.2 modems for their GigaOne services.

You should not get a gigabit connection unless you are already using gigabit or have heard about it. The added expense of the DOCSIS 3.1 modems isn’t worth it until you’re on one of these new (and pricey) plans especially since your ISP may roll out gigabit over fiber rather than cable. And they may not even let you bring your own modem once they do roll out gigabit service.

Arris

The

Our Pick

“>best cable modem probably isn’t something you think about all that often, but it should be at the front of your mind the next time you get your internet bill. You could save money by renting your equipment instead of paying for an internet service provider’s cable modem.

While equipment rental fees are ridiculously high, they’re not cheap. You might be charged up to $14 per month if you are using one of their modems. Overtime costs can increase as well. Cable modems that cost less than $70 are usually the most affordable. You will be paying off your modem costs with lower monthly internet bills in about half a year. You keep the money you paid to your internet provider for a modem rental, except that it is usually an older model.

How fast internet do you require? This is how much internet speed you need. Whatever modem you decide to purchase, ensure it is compatible and meets your requirements.

Which Cable Modem is the Best?

For most people, the best cable modem is the Motorola MB7420. It works with a wide variety of internet providers, including Comcast, Spectrum and Cox, and it delivers speeds that will serve the greatest number of people (anyone whose internet plan tops out at 300 Mbps). The two-year warranty covers twice the amount of the Netgear C500 warranty, which performed well in our testing. The CM500 is a good alternative to the MB7420 because it usually comes at a lower price.

If your internet service features speeds topping 300 Mbps, look to Netgear’s CM600, which is more dependable than its high-speed rivals.

Cable modems are rarely part of the best Black Friday deals , but that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck paying full price if you buy a modem during the holidays. We have noticed price drops in many of these top cable modems, so shop around until you find the best deal.

Why You Should Avoid These Things

We once voted the Arris Surfboard S6183 as our best modem. Its solid performance will please most internet users who do not pay high-speed services. However, this modem is becoming harder to find. (As of this writing, Best Buy is selling the SB6183.) A two-year warranty, which is available at a very competitive price for the SB6183, can also be a huge plus.

Best Cable Modem Vs. Best Router

Manufacturers of home networking gear tend to prefer modem/router combinations to standalone cable modems. One hybrid device can handle two functions, so it may seem tempting to get one. Modem-router combination are something we wouldn’t recommend.

First, let’s talk about the background. Our modem-vs.router comparision explains that they serve different functions. Cable modems provide internet connectivity in your home, while routers wirelessly distribute the internet connection to all of your smart-home devices, including phones and tablets. If you’re dissatisfied with the reach of your network, it’s a router, not a modem, that you should be in the market for.

It’s not a good idea to have the networking devices separated. A failure of any component in a hybrid device will result in both the loss of a modem or a router. Upgrades of individual networking devices are easier because routers allow for more features to be added at a quicker pace. As you can see, modems are slower to evolve.

How we Test Best Cable Modems

Each cable modem is tested on Comcast Performance Pro’s home internet service. To ensure that the modems deliver the download speeds promised, speed tests are performed. We then use modems in regular networking setup to assess their dependability.

We hook up each modem we review in our reviewer’s home, using it as part of our networking setup. By doing this, we can confirm the compatibility of a modem and gauge its dependability. Modem price is an important factor when shopping for modems. We monitor the retail websites to find the best prices for modems.

Image credit to Tom’s guide. We use modems to connect multiple devices, including tablets and smartphones, to test their visibility. The ease of setting up modems is what we focus on. Since the principal reason for purchasing a cablemodem is to avoid monthly rental fees from ISPs for modems that are not yours, we also weigh how long a modem’s warranty.

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These 7 Cable Modems Are The Best Of 2021

We tested cable modems and saved you money. Our editors research, test, recommend, and independently review the products. On purchases from the links we have chosen, you may earn commissions.

Many internet service providers (ISPs), rent you the modem that you need to connect to the Internet. Check your bill. You can buy your own cable modem and, in less than a year, come out ahead. Although you will need to get used to this type of equipment, it can save money.

The ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 is a good choice if it’s something you would like to experience. Before buying, make sure your ISP is listed on the product page (most of the ISPs are represented so you are likely good to go).

It can easily be stored anywhere and certified by the main cable providers.

Netgear Nighthawk FM2000 is the most powerful cable modem available.

What are the benefits of using a cable modem?

You will often see DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) when you are looking for the best modem. It tells you how fast the modem can run, and is useful when searching for the fastest cable modem.

Why Not Stick with Isp’s Cable Modem instead? Here Are Your Options

Many internet users don’t know what a cable modem does. It is the additional device that plugs in to the wall and sits behind the router. That begs the question: “Why are we using it again?” The modem is responsible for managing all outgoing and incoming data over a cable connection. Unfortunately, this may be costing more than it should.

Cox, Cablevision Cablevision Time Warner Cable and Cox are all major internet service providers. They will often charge a monthly fee to you for using the original modem they gave you. It can cost you around $100 per month to replace the modem with your own. Not sure where to start shopping for the right modem? Then it’s a good thing we made this list highlighting the best around!

Netgear N600 C3700 “Wait, I need to worry about a modem and a router? It’s so annoying! For simple setups, the modem can also function as a router. It is also a dual-band N600 router, making it suitable for all home environments. The modem is compatible with all providers including Cablevision and Time Warner Cable.

Netgear also offers the latest 8×4 channel bonds under the DOCSIS3.0 standard. This is something that’s well worth a closer inspection for anyone not already familiar. The number of downstream channels is compared to the upstream channels. Download speeds tend to increase when there are more downstream channel. This eight-channel downstream channel setup allows for a maximum speed of about 343Mbps. The 8×4 arrangement is cost-effective and very popular in modern modems. Most modems that we reviewed have this feature.

It is better to have a high-speed, brand-specific router if your service offers speeds far above the average. While these high-speed modems might not be required for every household, it can prove to be very useful for multi-family households and businesses.

Get one today from:

Arris Surfboard SB6141

It is time to stop renting your modem from an internet service provider

Your cable provider is most likely charging you monthly for using the modem they supplied you with. Save yourself some money with one of our top picks!

You may be able to achieve faster internet speeds and save some cash each month in the process if you purchase your own personal cable modem, instead of renting one from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

ISPs and cable companies like Cable One, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Optimum, Spectrum (formerly Time Warner), Suddenlink, and WOW are all trying to make a profit. They charge around $10 per month for a modem rental fee.

To find the top 10 best modems, we looked at a variety of options. They are all less costly than annual rentals fees from an Internet Service Provider. While we selected cable modems which are compatible with most major Internet Service Providers’ networks, it is a good idea to check with local providers before making a purchase.

A modem, which is small and portable, brings internet access to your house. This is different from a router, because it brings internet access to your entire home (wireless for most). To connect to the internet, you need both a modem and a router as long as your internet service provider is not DSL or Fiber Internet.

What We Did

All DOCSIS 3.0 modems support at least four downstream channels and four upstream channels. Downstream channels are more important because they impact streaming and download speeds and your new cable modem should support at least eight.

An 8×4 cable modem with eight downstream channels and four upstream gives most people plenty of overhead to upgrade to faster service later. The 8×4 cable modem is more capable of handling congestion in your ISP’s network than a 4-channel model. Each channel almost acts as its own connection. If one channel becomes congested, another may be available. Comcast recommends that you buy a 16×4 model and Cox recommends that you get a 24×8 modem. Both are unnecessary for Internet plans less than 150 Mbps.

The research started with a review of all DOCSIS3.0 modems compatible with our eight largest ISPs: Comcast Time Warner Cable and Charter. Wireless routers can be doubled as modems, which we did not include and do not recommend.

Although nobody really reviews cable modems, this is hard because there’s no way of knowing if your modem or your internet service provider are responsible for slowing down speeds. Therefore the very few reviews you do find are not scientific. We are not able to test several modems using multiple ISPs. These modems have been reviewed on Amazon to ensure they are well-reviewed by customers.

SURFboard SB6141modems similar to this one had been co-branded before 2016 with Motorola. Newer ones only have the Arris branding. Photo: Grant Kindrick Arris SURFboard SB6141 cable modem is the best choice for most people because it’s compatible with six of the eight biggest US cable ISPs including the top three as well as Cox. You can get speeds up to ten times faster than the average Internet plan, it also has thousands of positive Amazon reviews and an excellent track record of reliability.

The SB6141’s 8×4 channel configuration means that it can be used with any Internet plan up to approximately 150 Mbps. It’s also less expensive than an a 16×4 modem, letting you recoup your money faster. You won’t get an increase in speed if you don’t have an Internet plan that requires a 16×4 router.

This is the top choice for Amazon’s Buy A Cable Modem customers. The SB6141 cable modem is currently rated at 4.4 stars out of 5, and has received 9,450 reviews. Though the SB6141’s one-year warranty seems short, cable modems are extremely reliable so much so that you could even buy a refurbished or used version of the SB6141 to save money. You can be sure that it works the first time it is used. There are no moving parts.

Which Cable Modem Is the Best Quality?

Our choice. Motorola MB7621. It is the most popular modem. The MB7621 works with many ISPs. It supports up to 600 Mbps internet connections.
Runner-up. Netgear CM600. Same speeds, longer warranty
Select your budget. Netgear CM500. You can get plans as high as 300 Mbps.
Upgrade pick. Motorola Motorola MB8600. For gigabit internet plans.

Are Cable Modems Worth It?

This means that you will need to change your cable modem every 4-7 years, if you wish to have the fastest and best connection. However, cable internet service providers don’t always adopt new standards immediately.Jul 7, 2021

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