The cost of renting a modem is not small; with certain internet service providers, it might reach $14 per month. If you had used your own modem, you might have saved $168 over the course of a year by doing so. The best cable modems cost around $60, so the cost is one that pays for itself in less than a year.
Finding a modem that is compatible with your internet provider will be necessary, but it shouldn't be too difficult. The best cable modem competitors that we have evaluated are all affiliated with the major ISPs in the country. Therefore, all you actually need to do is choose a modem that is simple to connect and has a long guarantee. Based on our testing of many cable modems throughout the years, here is what we would advise.
Our Top Picks
We've done a lot of research on the Best Cable Modems, and these are the ones that stand out from the rest. Our top pick of the best reviews, based on features, performance, and ease of use:
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Best cable modem overall: Motorola MB7420
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Runner Up: Netgear CM500
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Best value cable modem: Arris Surfboard SB6183
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Best performance cable modem: Netgear Nighthawk CM2000
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Best cable modem for Multi-Gigabit Internet: Motorola MB8611
Detail Reviews Of Top 5 Best Cable Modems
The best cable modems alleviate consumer problems while also improving the overall user experience. Our suggestions focus on the best solutions that are largely future-proof yet are compatible with more antiquated hardware and software.
1. Motorola MB7420
(Best cable modem overall)
Product’s Specifications
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Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
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Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/123 Mbps
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Channels: 16 down, 4 up
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Size: 6.9 x 4.1 x 2 inches
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Warranty: 2 years
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Reliable performance.
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Uses reliable, efficient, and fast DOCSIS 3.0.
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Ease-of-use features.
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Easy to set up.
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Two-year warranty.
Reasons to avoid
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Only one LAN port.
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High-speed internet users shouldn't go with it.
Product Summary
The best cable modem for the majority of homes, including mine, is the Motorola MB7420. I haven't had a single issue with the MB7420 in almost two years of use. It's difficult to find a better deal than the MB7420 if you can get one for $60 or less.
The MB7420 is best for internet plans that have a maximum speed of 300 Mbps because it can accommodate the speeds that are offered by the majority of home internet plans. Even with several individuals confined inside and simultaneously trying to access the internet, I experienced consistent connectivity with the MB7420 at my house.
The MB7420's blue and green LEDs are sufficiently bright to read far away without turning a pitch-black room into a nighttime laser light display. With a coaxial connector protruding from the modem's backside a reasonable distance from its lone ethernet port, I also found the modem to be simple to set up.
2. Netgear CM500
(Runner Up)
Product’s Specifications
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Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
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Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/132 Mbps
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Channels: 16 down, 4 up
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Size: 7.3 x 4.9 x 2.4 inches
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Warranty: 1 year
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Excellent performance.
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Great compatibility.
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A lot more affordable than comparable modems.
Reasons to avoid
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One-year warranty.
Product Summary
One of the best cable modems still on the market is the Netgear CM500, which is frequently available for $5 to $10 less than the Motorola MB7420. It's a terrific deal whenever you can get a new CM500 for around $50.
The Netgear CM500 supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps and works with the largest cable providers, which should be sufficient for the great majority of Internet customers worldwide. (Consider getting a faster modem if you have a high-speed plan.)
The 16 x 4 modem from Netgear is widely compatible with internet service providers, and installation is simple thanks to its layout. The CM500 is a bit taller than the SB6183 at 7.3 inches, and I found it challenging to see its indicator lights, though at night you might prefer the absence of a light display.
3. Arris Surfboard SB6183
(Best value cable modem)
Product’s Specifications
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Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
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Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/131 Mbps
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Channels: 16 down, 4 up
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Size: 5.2 x 5 x 2.1 inches
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Warranty: 2 years
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Dependable.
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Two-year warranty.
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Compatible with most internet service providers.
Reasons to avoid
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Coaxial cable positioning that is awkward.
Product Summary
Due to its reliable performance that would suit the majority of home internet users who do not pay for high-speed service, the Arris Surfboard SB6183 was previously our choice for the best cable modem. Similar to the CM600, some stores are charging extra for this more difficult to find modem, but if you can get the SB6183 for under $60, it's a good buy.
Although the yellow lighting can be a little challenging to detect if your modem is in direct sunlight, the SB6183 has a straightforward row of vertical indicator lights that are easy to spot. However, checking the SB6183 to determine whether there is a problem with your internet connectivity is rather simple.
4. Netgear Nighthawk CM2000
(Best performance cable modem)
Product’s Specifications
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DOCSIS Standard: 3.1
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Channels: 2×2 / 32×8
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Speed: 2.5Gbps / 800Mbps
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Voice Support: No
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MOCA: No
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Wired Ports: 1 (2.5Gbps Ethernet)
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Sleek design.
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2.5Gbps Ethernet Port.
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Speedy DOCSIS 3.1.
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive.
Product Summary
The Netgear Nighthawk CM2000 cable modem is the fastest one you can get if you want the highest performance and budget is no object. Keep in mind that in order to benefit from this performance, you must have a router that can deliver information to your other devices at the highest possible speed and a high-speed connection from your ISP.
5. Motorola MB8611
(Best cable modem for Multi-Gigabit Internet)
Product’s Specifications
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DOCSIS Standard: 3.1
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Channels: 2×2 / 32×8
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Speed: 2.5Gbps / 800Mbps
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Voice Support: No
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MOCA: No
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Wired Ports: 1 (2.5Gbps Ethernet)
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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2.5Gbps Ethernet Port.
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Speedy DOCSIS 3.1.
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Minimal latency.
Reasons to avoid
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Lack of voice capabilities.
Product Summary
The Motorola MB8611 is a wise choice if you want the best performance but every dollar counts. The Netgear Nighthawk CM2000 should offer similar lightning-fast speeds, but for a little bit less money.
The same warnings still stand: You require a router that can transmit a very fast connection to the devices on your network.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a router and a modem?
Analog signals are converted into digital signals that are received by your devices using a modem.
Additionally, it converts digital signals into analog signals that are returned to your ISP.
On the other hand, a router establishes your home network by combining ethernet and Wi-Fi. It functions by allowing data transfer between connected devices and the internet.
Do I get faster internet speed with a better cable modem?
It may happen or it could not. Numerous factors affect internet speed. What you pay for is by far the biggest.
Because a faster modem won't enhance your speed if you currently have 100 Mbps and have a 100 Mbps internet plan.
However, if you have an 84 DOCSIS 3.0 modem (a slow modem) with a 1000 Mbps internet plan.
Then, a modem upgrade will significantly boost your speed.
Final Thought
These days, cable modems are essential. A cable modem is necessary if you want to use internet services that are uninterruptible and have minimal lag. You can connect many devices to a router and modem set, which will give your home or office wireless internet access.
