Best for Comcast, COX, or Spectrum subscribers who want the fastest connection possible.
Impressive download speeds up to 2 Gbps. Works with all WiFi routers and boasts a quick setup. Features 4 gigabit ethernet ports. Compatible with all major cable providers.
This is a fairly pricey model.
A great model that provides high internet speeds.
Tops speed up to 1 Gbps. Works with all major cable providers and is simple to set up. Works with all WiFi routers and contains an ethernet port. Great investment for Comcast and COX subscribers.
Problems are rare, but Motorola’s support processes are lackluster.
This cable modem has been designed for speed and is ideal for 4K HD streaming.
Quick and easy setup. Compatible with major cable providers. Works with all WiFi routers. Supports different internet plans to deliver fast and reliable internet speed.
Technical support is not always reliable.
A sturdy and capable DOCSIS 3.0 modem that's easy to set up with the major internet providers.
Recommended for most households not requiring gigabit speeds. DOCSIS 3.0 attains real-life speeds up to 650 Mbps. Compatible with Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, BrightHouse and others. Built-in power surge protection.
Problems are rare, but Motorola’s support processes are lackluster.
This compact option supports great top speeds.
Excellent top speeds up to 2 Gbps. Has a small desktop footprint. Compatible with major cable providers. Features 2 gigabit ethernet ports. Boasts a simple setup. Provides reliably fast connection.
With only 2 ethernet port options, it’s not especially future-proof.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
The secret is out: renting a cable modem from your internet service provider (ISP) is a huge waste of money. Each month, thousands of subscribers pay for these devices that bring the web into their homes, spending enough to buy two cable modems each year.
Whether you’re ready to break free of the tyranny of cable modem rental fees or you're just in the market for an upgrade, you need to know the specs that matter, the features not to miss, and the right price to pay.
Most cable modems look the same: little black boxes that accept a coaxial connection and make the internet available as a standard network connection. Under the hood though, there are some pretty important details. Pay close attention to these factors as you shop:
The single most important thing about any cable modem you buy is that it has to be compatible with your internet service provider’s network. Luckily, most ISPs support a wide variety of modems, so it isn’t typically a huge concern, but you should still consult your ISP’s documentation for a list of officially supported modems and stick to that list as you compare different models.
Cable modem standards are pretty complicated, but at the end of the day you really only need to know three things:
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standards reflect data transfer speeds, that is, how fast a given modem can bring you the internet.
The vast majority of users get high-speed internet from modems using the older DOCSIS 3.0 standard, and that’s plenty fast.
Most ISPs offering premium gigabit speeds require the use of a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. If you subscribe to an internet plan that supports gigabit speeds, get a DOCSIS 3.1 modem; otherwise, buying a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will do just fine (and save you a decent amount of money).
A lot of cable modems have begun to blur the line between modems and routers, offering “all-in-one” devices that do the work of both the cable modem (making the internet available to wired devices) and a wireless router (setting up a WiFi network). If you don’t already have a wireless router, this can be a perfect way to establish WiFi for the first time — just make sure that it’s situated in a place where it can provide wireless coverage to as much of your home as possible.
Most modems can last for years without needing to be replaced – in fact, you’re more likely to upgrade your modem than you are to repair it – but low-quality models can fail within a year. Stability is worth investing in, especially when it comes to getting internet coverage, so make sure to read user reviews of different modems to find one that will last you for years.
In the cable modem market, there are two main price ranges to consider.
Most standard, DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems fall in this price range. These models are fairly straightforward and support the same internet speeds. The big differentiator at this price point is brand. If you just need a basic cable modem that’s fast enough to support multiple users and a home full of devices, you don’t need to spend more than $100.
If you need a faster, gigabit-friendly DOCSIS 3.1 modem or a cable modem that includes a built-in wireless router, you’ll need to spend more. Modems in this price range come with a lot more features, and gigabit speeds are unquestionably faster, so if you’re looking to upgrade your connectivity speed or your wireless network, the investment may be worth it.
Use an independent internet speed-testing tool to get a sense of the speed of your internet connection. Most ISPs will direct you to their own proprietary internet speed-testing tools, but they may be biased. Run internet speed tests at a time when no one else on your network is using the internet, and compare results from different speed-testing websites; this will give you a sense of how fast your internet connection is so you can make sure to buy the appropriate cable modem.
Remember that your ISP ultimately sets the limit for how fast your internet connection is based on your subscription. Your internet speeds are affected by a variety of factors, but the two most important ones are what internet speeds you pay for and what internet speeds your cable modem can support. If you’re paying for speeds that your current modem doesn’t support, that’s the best time to upgrade your cable modem. (Conversely, if your ISP speeds are on the low side, buying a new cable modem won’t solve that problem; you’ll need to upgrade your account.) For more information about what speeds you’re paying for, check your ISP billing statements.
Buy a separate network switch if you want to use multiple wired connections with your cable modem. Most cable modems have one standard RJ45 network port, meaning they can only provide wired internet access to a single device at a time unless you get a network switch, essentially a “splitter” for your internet signal so you can wire multiple devices for connectivity. Wired connections are much faster than wireless, so it can really pay off to hard-wire as many of your devices as you can.
A. Most cable modems are easy to install, so long as the building is properly wired for cable internet, but you’ll still need to register it with your ISP in order to get internet service. If you plan on installing it yourself, call your ISP’s technical support team beforehand and ask them to walk you through the process and complete the necessary hardware registration. If you’re not comfortable setting up technical gear, you can make an appointment with an installer from your ISP, although fees may apply.
A. Yes. Many ISPs offer bundles of internet, TV, and digital phone service, all of which are delivered to your home through your cable modem. If you get phone service through your ISP and you want to buy a new modem, you’ll need to get one that explicitly supports telephony.
A. If you already own your cable modem, it might still be worth it to upgrade. For example, some users are still connecting to the web with DOCSIS 2.0 modems, which can feel incredibly slow by today’s standards. To put it in perspective: if your current device is a DOCSIS 2.0 modem, by replacing it with a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, you could potentially be getting internet speeds that are 32 times faster.