For millions of people, the best way to get connected to high-speed internet is through a local cable provider. While companies are happy to provide a router-modem combo unit, often called a gateway, for a monthly fee, you’ll be stuck using their hardware and software which may not match your needs. If you’re looking to get rid of modem rental fees, or don’t want the hassle of setting up a separate modem and router, getting a combo unit is the way to go.
A cable modem uses a technology called DOCSIS to connect to the internet, with newer revisions allowing for faster speeds. You don’t want anything older than DOCSIS 3.0, and 3.1 is required for many internet providers' faster plans. When it comes to Wi-Fi, modern Wi-Fi 6 tech will help you make the most of your internet speeds throughout the house, although if your internet speeds are under 300Mbps, you’ll probably have no issues with solid Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) speeds.
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Arris Surfboard G34
The Surfboard G34 from Arris is good for connections up to 1Gbps with support for Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and more. The AX3000 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router has enough capacity at 2.4GHz and 5GHz for a medium to large family with coverage of up to 2,500 square feet. With four Ethernet ports on the back, you can also connect wired devices.
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Motorola MG7550
If you don’t need a ton of speed and just want to get online without wasting money on rentals, the MG7550 could be for you. It’s a step back from the rest with DOCSIS 3.0 and Wi-Fi 5, but it’s fine for internet speeds up to 300Mbps and the AC1900 Wi-Fi connection should have no trouble keeping up on multiple devices.
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Netgear Orbi CBK752
The Orbi CBK752 is a mesh kit with a fast DOCSIS 3.1 modem built into the main router. With a tri-band AX4200 connection, this mesh kit allows you to make the most of your gigabit cable internet connection. You set it up with Orbi’s simple app on your phone and can even use software features like Smart Parental Controls and Netgear Armor with a subscription.
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Netgear Nighthawk CAX80
The Nighthawk CAX80 is Netgear’s top-of-the-line modem with a fast AX6000 connection and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. It’s ready for the fastest cable internet connection you can buy and covers an estimated 2,500 square feet. It’s also easy to set up using the robust Nighthawk app with features like Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls available.
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Motorola MT8733
With DOCSIS 3.1 and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port on the back, this modem is ready for the fastest connection an ISP can throw at it. The AX6000 Wi-Fi has plenty of capacity for both 2.4GHz devices, like smart home tech, and 5GHz devices for a large family. It’s even certified for Low Latency DOCSIS with compatible providers. It also supports phone service.
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Arris Surfboard G36
The Arris Surfboard G36 has a lot in common with the G34 under the hood, but it comes with an extra 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and support for faster internet speeds. Its quick dual-band AX3000 Wi-Fi connection can easily support dozens of devices. It's also one of a handful of modems to support the latest multi-gig internet speeds from Cox and Xfinity.
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Arris Surfboard SBG8300
Cable providers are slowly but surely upgrading their networks with multi-gig speeds and this modem is ready for them with Wi-Fi 7 and 10Gbps Ethernet included. If you've got a 6GHz-capable device, the BE18000 speeds could be a real upgrade over Wi-Fi 6. Just don't expect it to make your older tech faster.
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Best Wi-Fi 7
Arris Surfboard G54
Cable providers are slowly but surely upgrading their networks with multi-gig speeds and this modem is ready for them with Wi-Fi 7 and 10Gbps Ethernet included. If you've got a 6GHz-capable device, the BE18000 speeds could be a real upgrade over Wi-Fi 6. Just don't expect it to make your older tech faster.
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Netgear Nighthawk CAX30
This 32x8 DOCSIS 3.1 modem from Netgear offers an AX2700 Wi-Fi 6 connection with support for gigabit internet speeds. You can also pick up the CAX30S variant with Netgear Armor included, but this verision gives you the option while saving you some money upfront.
Upgrade your internet speed and Wi-Fi with a new router-modem combo
If you’re looking to save money on your home internet service, eliminating modem rental fees can be a good starting point. While some providers in more competitive environments have eliminated rental fees, they’re still a reality for quite a few people. You can also check around to see if you have other internet options such as fiber, which can provide a faster internet experience, or perhaps even 5G with a carrier like T-Mobile or Verizon, which offers speeds that are similar to cable with no modem fees or data caps. You could even pair one of those providers' modems with one of the best Wi-Fi routers.
If you’re sticking with cable, the Arris Surfboard G34 is a good starting point. It supports internet speeds up to 1Gbps, which is plenty for most people, and has enough Wi-Fi capacity for most families. The Motorola MG7550 is an excellent value pick with its DOCSIS 3.0 tech supporting up to 400Mbps, so you can save some money there if you don't need a ton of speed. The Netgear Orbi CBK752 is a solid mesh system offering tons of coverage with two nodes in the box. Like all the best mesh routers, you can expand your coverage with more nodes if you feel the need to later on.
The right modem for you mostly comes down to how much speed you need. Cable internet providers have been working fast to upgrade their networks to offer speeds in excess of 1Gbps, but for many, a tenth of that will do just fine. Still, if you're ready for multi-gig speeds, you need to make sure your ISP supports those speeds on that router. For example, the Arris Surfboard G36 supports 2Gbps speeds on both Cox and Xfinity. The Netgear Nighthawk CAX80, on the other hand, supports multi-gig speeds at Xfinity, but not at Cox, so be sure to check with your ISP.
If you've got a big family with a lot of devices, the extra speed can be worth every penny, especially when paired with a router that can handle multiple connections at once with QoS software. And if you have one of the big cable providers, give your ISP a call or check their website to make sure the modem you're thinking about buying is supported by their system.