One for every type of Geek
If you’re sick of having a slow and unstable internet connection, one way to speed up your web browsing is to get a cable modem. You want something that can handle the speeds offered by your provider, plus the right features like better signal strength or built-in Wi-Fi.
So it’s worth investing in a good one. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our top 9 picks for cable modems. From budget options to high-end powerhouses, we’ve got something for everyone.
Table of Contents
1. ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit
Price: $170
- Channels: 32 downstream x 8 upstream
- Two 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Compatible with Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum, WOW, Mediacom, Micdo, and other major US cable providers
- Secondary IP if supported by provider
- DOCSIS Version 3.1
ARRIS SURFboard is a high-end modem that’s sold for a reasonable price. You really can’t go wrong with it. It supports both DOCSIS 3.1 and 3.0 traffic. That means you’ll easily achieve the fastest download speed your ISP offers. This ARRIS modem supports up to 2000 Mbps plans if your internet service plan allows it.
If you want an even faster connection, you can set up a wired connection with two devices. This is possible because ARRIS SB8200 comes with two ethernet ports. Furthermore, this unit also supports Link Aggregation. This will enable you to have higher speeds if your internet plan supports it. Plus, this cable modem also has a 128MB flash memory for storing updates and configurations.
2. Motorola MT8733 Modem Router Combo
Price: $406
- DOCSIS version 3.1
- Channels: 32 downstream x 8 upstream
- Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard
- AX6000 built-in router’s speed
- Compatible with Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Suddenlink, and more
- One 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet port and one 1-Gigabit Ethernet port
If you need a modem with built-in routing capabilities, Motorola MT8733 is a perfect choice. Sometimes, a stand-alone cable modem just doesn’t cut it. If you use many devices at the same time, you should consider a modem-router combo. With DOCSIS 3.1 and 32×8 channels, multiple ethernet ports, and up to 2.5 Gbps speed, this Motorola can easily take on network-intensive tasks on at least three different devices.
The MT8733 model has a built-in dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router, but the WiFi beamforming, power boost, and range boost let you connect multiple devices and experience lag-free internet. If you are into gaming, streaming, or video conferencing, you should have a lag-free experience during your sessions.
3. Netgear CM500
Price: $50
- DOCSIS version 3.0
- Channels: 16 downstream x 4 upstream
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more
- One 1-Gb Ethernet port
- Easy to set up
If you need a budget-friendly modem that would work with most major cable providers, Netgear CM500 could be a solution. It supports internet plans up to 680 Mbps, which is perfect for a home or a home office. Although it offers much lower speeds than some of the other modems on this list, Netgear can handle bandwidth-hogging activities such as VR gaming, HD video streaming, or lag-free video calls.
You can’t plug more than one device with Netgear CM500 as it has only one ethernet port. But you can pair this cable modem with any wireless router and connect as many wireless devices as you want. The efficiency of this device is enhanced with IPv6 support, which removes triangular routing. That means even if the network is divided between different devices, the browsing experience will be smooth.
4. ASUS AX6000 WiFi 6 Modem Router Combo
Price: $320
- High-efficiency Wi-Fi 6
- DOCSIS version 3.1
- CableLes, Comcast, and Charter certified
- Supports up to 6000 Mbps speeds
Asus AX6000 is another modem router combo and it’s an excellent choice if you need something small and compact. It even has an embedded WiFi antenna that doesn’t protrude, making it the smallest DOCSIS 3.1 WiFi 6 cable modem router on the market. The 802.11ax technology can achieve efficient, stable, and incredibly fast transmission, even when multiple devices use it. The total networking speed can reach 6000 Mbps if your internet subscription plan allows it.
This ASUS cable modem was designed for an incredible WiFi experience, but it also comes with four 1-Gigabit ethernet ports in which you can plug game consoles, smart TVs, NAS devices, and more. You can use the ASUS AX6000 as your personal digital hub for your home or office. What’s even better, it’s compatible with most major cable internet providers such as Comcast or Charter.
5. Linksys CM3024 High-SPeed DOCSIS 3.0
Price: $198
- DOCSIS version 3.0
- Three ethernet ports
- Supports ISP plans up to 300 Mbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision, and more
- Intel Puma 6 chipset
If you need a budget-friendly cable modem to stream HD media, for gaming, or for simple web surfing, Linksys’s Intel Puma 6 chipset can pull it off. It offers a constant 300 Mbps high-speed internet support, which is perfect for home or basic office use. Linksys CM3024 also offers worldwide compatibility, however, you won’t be able to use it with Verizon, AT&T, or CenturyLink.
With 24 download and 8 upload channel bonding, you can get the most out of your cable broadband. Although it relies on the older DOCSIS 3.0 technology, it can pull high bandwidth transfer rates over already existing cable lines. As for connectivity, it comes with an F-type female 75-ohm coaxial cable and a power adapter.
6. Netgear Nighthawk CM1150V
Price: $115
- DOCSIS version 3.1
- Channels: 32 downstream x 8 upstream
- Compatible with Xfinity (Internet + Voice), Cox, Spectrum, and other major providers
- Four gigabit Ethernet ports and two telephone lines
- Compatible with any Wi-Fi router
Designed to deliver gigabit speeds, and with four ethernet ports plus two telephone line ports, the Netgear Nighthawk is perfect for medium-sized environments such as large family homes or offices. But you must know you get the best service if you pair this modem with Xfinity internet plans. If you want to stick to Comcast’s voice services such as basic caller ID, three-way conference calls, or call forwarding, Nighthawk also has two phone line ports.
With four Ethernet ports, you can easily connect multiple devices to this modem, and DOCSIS 3.1 will ensure high internet speeds across all of them. Be warned that Netgear Nighthawk is incompatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, Dish, DirecTV, and non-Xfinity voice services. Although it’s an excellent cable modem overall, you’ll have to pass on it if you connect through one of these service providers.
7. TP-LINK16x4 AC 1750 WiFi Cable Modem Router
Price: $100
- Channels: 16 downstream x 4 upstream
- Six internal antennas
- Two USB ports
- Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
- DOCSIS version 3.0
TP-LINK 16×4 AC1750 is a modem-router combo device with six hidden antennas. You can connect multiple devices to this modem using Wi-Fi without the need to invest in a separate router. TP-LINK ensures a reliable home network and fast internet speeds. It can achieve up to 1750 Mbps Wi-Fi speeds with simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
This TP-LINK modem is compatible with major IPS providers such as Xfinity, Spectrum, Time Warner, and Bright House. However, certification with WOW, Charter, and Cox is still in progress, so don’t rush to buy this modem if you have a plan from one of these providers since you might encounter connection issues.
8. ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Price: $100
- DOCSIS version 3.0
- One 1-Gigabit Ethernet port
- Compatible with major US cable providers such as Cox, Charter, and Xfinity
- Supports internet plans up to 800 Mbps
- Channels: 32 downstream x 8 upstream
ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 was designed for home use. It’s compatible with most US cable internet providers, and it’ll allow you to save money you would spend on renting a cable modem from your internet service provider. With Intel chipset and DOCSIS 3.0 technology, it can easily deliver high-speed internet to your home or home office. However, make sure that your plan is up to 800 Mbps to get the most out of it. This is enough for online gaming, and streaming Ultra High Definition media.
This ARRIS modem model is very easy to set up. All you’ll have to do is plug it into your device, and make sure to download SURFboard Central App. Follow the instructions on the app to activate the modem. This modem can be also paired with any wireless router.
9. ARRIS SURFboard S33
Price: $200
- DOCSIS version 3.1
- Four OFDM channels
- Compatible with Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, and more
- Channels: 32 downstream x 8 upstream
- Designed for multi-gigabit internet plans
If you want to take full advantage of your multi-gig internet connection, you’ll need a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. ARRIS S33 is designed for such internet plans, and it’s compatible with Spectrum Cox, Comcast, Xfinity, and other major US cable network providers. In fact, the producer boasts that this modem can reach up to 2500 Mbps internet speeds.
Such a high-speed internet modem demands proper cooling. ARRIS equipped its S33 model with plenty of vents on the device’s top, back, and front. It also has a large status light that changes color depending on the connection. Blue is for DOCSIS 3.1, Green means DOCSIS 3.0 connection, and red means it’s disconnected.
Boost Your Internet with a Cable Modem
Having a slow and unreliable internet connection can be incredibly frustrating and make it difficult to accomplish day-to-day tasks. So finding the best modem for your needs is essential to a pleasant online experience.
Hopefully, this post has shed some light on the nine best cable modems available to increase your internet speed and stability quickly. From Netgear, Arris, Linksys, TP-Link, Motorola and more, each of these modems have its own unique features that will help you upgrade your home network. Which one did you pick? Let us know in the comments below!
