Buying guide for Best cable modems

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.

If your modem includes a wireless router, you can disable the wireless functionality and use your own separate router, many of which include advanced features like port forwarding or quality of service (QoS) controls not found on combo units.

Key considerations

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:

Compatibility

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.

DOCSIS 3.0 vs. DOCSIS 3.1

Cable modem standards are pretty complicated, but at the end of the day you really only need to know three things:

1. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standards reflect data transfer speeds, that is, how fast a given modem can bring you the internet.

2. The vast majority of users get high-speed internet from modems using the older DOCSIS 3.0 standard, and that’s plenty fast.

3. 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).
    

   

   When shopping for cable modems, finding a model that is supported by your internet service provider (ISP) is crucial. We consider whether each model we research is supported by top-tier ISPs.

   

   Some users prefer a modem that is discreet and compact so it blends into a room. When considering cable modems, we look at their size, weight, color, and shape.

   

   Many cable modems are easy to set up and register. When evaluating a cable modem, we consider ease of setup and whether users have reported any issues with registering the devices with their ISPs.

   

   Some modems are “all-in-one” devices that function as both cable modem and wireless router. We research a variety of these devices and assess their overall functionality and wireless coverage capabilities.

   

   When shopping for a cable modem, most users look for high data-transfer speeds. When researching cable modems, we look for and assess both speed and consistency.

   

   Cable modems should be built to last for years. When considering models for recommendation, we assess whether they are well-made and durable.

   

   Users who want cutting-edge internet speed often subscribe to an internet plan that supports gigabit speeds. These plans will require a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. We evaluate many models in this category as well as standard DOCSIS 3.0 modems.

   

   For many users, one of the most important factors in their purchasing decision is reliability. When researching cable modems, we assess the reliability and consistency of each model’s connection.

   

   When shopping for electronic devices, brand is an important consideration for many consumers. We research products from the top brands in the industry and consider how models across brands compare.

   

   In our evaluation process, we consider whether each modem has any notable features or capabilities, such as digital phone service.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

    

Integrated WiFi

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.

Durability and longevity

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.

Cable modem prices

In the cable modem market, there are two main price ranges to consider.

Between $50 and $100

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.

Between $150 and $300

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.

Tips

• 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.

• Watch the word “gigabit” closely as you’re comparing models. The term can be deceptive. When a connection is described as “gigabit,” it means that data can travel at speeds of up to 125 megabytes per second. Gigabit connectivity to the internet is typically the fastest service you can get, and it usually requires a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. However, some slower DOCSIS 3.0 modems also include WiFi routers, which can transfer local traffic at gigabit speeds, but their internet connectivity is still limited to sub-gigabit speeds.

Try to avoid used or refurbished cable modems. While it’s tempting to score a deal on slightly used gear, cable modems last a long time, so you never know how close a used one is to failing. A new cable modem will pay for itself in less than a year compared to your ISP’s modem rental fees.

FAQ

Q. Can I install a cable modem myself or do I need to schedule an appointment with an installer from my ISP?

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.

Q. Do I need to buy a special cable modem if I also subscribe to phone service through my ISP?

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.

Q. My existing cable modem seems okay. Why would I upgrade?

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.