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If you get the best cable modems, you won’t have to worry about unexpected charges showing up on your internet bill. That’s because if you buy your own modem, you won’t have to pay the equipment rental fee that your ISP might charge you if you use the modem they gave you when you signed up for service.
It’s also a good way to get better internet and network performance if you choose a better model than what your cable company offers. And if you’re paying for a super-fast internet connection, using one of the best cable modems can give you the speed you wouldn’t get with a slower model.
As for speed, you can choose between Docsis 3.0 modems and Docsis 3.1 modems right now. The technical differences aren’t that important, but you should know that most high-speed internet plans up to 200, 300, or 400Mbps can be used with 3.0 modems.
Best Cable Modems
ARRIS SURFboard S33
Specifications
| Top Cable Providers Supported | Comcast, Spectrum, Cox |
| Listed Download/Upload Speeds | 5,000/2,000 Mbps |
| Channels | 32 down, 8 up |
| Size | 5.14 x 1.8 x 4.74 inches |
| Warranty | 2 years |
If you have gigabit or even multi-gig internet, you’ll need a modem that works with DOCSIS 3.1 to get the most out of the speeds you’re paying for. One of these modems is the ARRIS SURFboard S33, which works with Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, and most of the other major U.S. cable internet providers.
However, you can usually get it for around $200. For the price, you get a device that is ready for the future and works well with high-speed internet plans because it has both gigabit Ethernet ports and multi-gig Ethernet ports.
Pros
- Multi-gig speeds
- Warranty for two years
Cons
- needs at least a gigabit internet connection
Arris Surfboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 32×8
Specifications
| Dimensions | 1.75 x 5.13 x 5.25 inches |
| Weight | 1.13 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Commscope |
| Connectivity Technology | Ethernet, Coaxial Cable |
| Brand | ARRIS |
The SB6190 is Arris’s follow-up to the very popular SB6183. It keeps up the company’s reputation for making some of the most reliable best cable modems on the market.
Most of us have regular internet connections that are slower than 1Gbps, so the Arris Surfboard SB6190 will work well for you. There’s a good chance you’ll take this out of the box, swap it with the modem from your cable company, and never think about the modem again.
Pros
- Very fast times
- Great for games and HD movies
Cons
- Not the best place to put a coaxial connection
NETGEAR Cable Modem CM1000
Specifications
| Weight | 2.14 pounds |
| Dimensions | 8.8 x 5.4 x 5.9 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Voltage | 120240 Volts |
| Manufacturer | Netgear Inc |
Even though the NETGEAR CM1000 supports DOCSIS 3.1, it is not a high-speed modem. In fact, it transfers data more slowly than the DOCSIS 3.1 ARRIS SB8200. This product could have been better if the company had used better Ethernet ports.
If the Ethernet ports had better transfer rates, it would have been possible to reach a maximum transfer rate of 6 Gbps. This isn’t a big deal, since internet speeds will still rarely meet this standard.
Pros
- More trustworthy than other choices
- Great controls on the UI
Cons
- Only Xfinity and Cox can offer it.
Motorola MG7700
Specifications
| DOCSIS version | 3.0 |
| Supported internet speed | 800 Mbp |
| Ethernet ports | 4x Gigab |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 52.4, GHz, 5GHz |
| Phone jack | No |
The Motorola MG7700 is one of the most popular third-party modems you can buy because it has great features, can work as both a modem and a router to make connecting to the internet easier, and costs less than some other modems.
Even though the newest modems say they can support Gigabit+ internet speeds, not everyone has access to that, so you don’t need to pay for something you can’t use. That doesn’t mean, though, that the MG7700 is slow.
Pros
- It has Wi-Fi 5 and four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- Fast internet speeds of up to 800 Mbps are possible.
Cons
- Doesn’t work with DOCSIS 3.1.
Motorola MB7621
Specifications
| Dimensions | 7.25 x 2.25 x 7.88 inches |
| Weight | 1.1 ounces |
| Item model number | MB7621 |
| Manufacturer | MTRLC LLC |
The Motorola MB7621 is a bit more expensive than some of the other Docsis 3.0 modems we’ve looked at, but it gets high marks for being easy to set up, reliable, and offering a full 24-channel downstream and 8-channel upstream.
Online reviews of the MB7621 are very good, but keep in mind that it is often confused with the fancier (and more expensive) MB8600, which is a full Docsis 3.1 modem.
Pros
- Fast Docsis 3.0 support
- Simple to manage
Cons
- No router included
TP-Link 16×4 AC 1750 WiFi
Specifications
| Connectivity Technology | DOCSIS 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.3 x 9 x 1.5 inches |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 |
| Weight | 2.64 Pounds |
The main reason we like the TP-Link 164 AC 1750 WiFi Cable Modem Router is that it works well as both a router and a modem. This device comes with a reliable home network that lets you get fast internet speed.
The TP-Link 164 AC 1750 Wi-Fi best Cable Modems Router is another great device you’d want to have if you want your 4K video resolution to stay the same. This product has 16 x 4 channel bonding, which should increase the throughput and overall internet speeds.
Pros
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet.
- 2x USB ports.
- 6 antennas on the inside.
Cons
ARRIS SURFboard G36
Specifications
| Max upload speed | 800 Mbps |
| Max download speed | 2,500 Mbps |
| Dimensions | 10 x 3 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 2.99 pounds |
| Manufacturer | CommScope |
If you need a solution that does everything, the ARRIS SURFboard G36 is for you. Want WiFi? Check. Want to connect quickly? Check. Need a lot of speed on the internet? You paid a fair price for that, too.
According to the specs, the fastest wired speed you can get is 2,500 Mbps. And don’t be fooled by the Wi-Fi everywhere. Most Wi-Fi 6 phones and tablets get around 830 Mbps in real life at close range, and on a good day, laptops might get over 1,400 Mbps.
Pros
- Multigig speeds
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6 router
Cons
- High price
FAQs
What is the best cable modem for internet?
- Motorola MG7700.
- Arris Surfboard SB8200.
- Netgear CM500.
- Motorola MG8702.
- Netgear Nighthawk CM2000.
Can I buy a cable modem instead?
Most Internet service providers let you choose whether to buy your own modem, router, or a device that has both. You can connect to the Internet in both ways. If you buy a combined device, keep in mind that if one part breaks, you will have to replace the whole thing.
Does cable modem matter for speed?
The same idea applies to a modem as it does to a router: low-end or old modems will have speed limits. If you have an older modem, it might not be able to handle the speed of your internet plan.