Arris Surfboard 16 X 4 Docsis 3.0 Cable Modem Black
Best cable modems in 2021
Included in this guide:
The best cable modem probably isn't something you think about all that often, but it should be at the front of your mind the next time you get your internet bill. If you buy your own cable modem instead of using whatever device your internet service provider dropped off, you can probably save money on your internet service by eliminating a needless equipment rental fee.
Equipment rental fees may be ridiculous, but they're no joke. Some ISPs charge as much as $14 a month when you use one of their modems, and that cost can add overtime. Because the best cable modems often cost less than $70, you'll pay off what you spent on a new modem via a lower internet bill in half-a-year. From that point forward, the money you would dole out to your internet provider to rent a usually aging modem stays in your pocket.
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Here's a closer look at the best cable modems based on our testing. No matter which one you end buying, just make sure you're getting a modem that's compatible with your ISP and pick a device that delivers speeds in line with your service plan.
What is the best cable modem?
For most people, the best cable modem is the Motorola MB7420. It works with a wide variety of internet providers, including Comcast, Spectrum and Cox, and it delivers speeds that will serve the greatest number of people (anyone whose internet plan tops out at 300 Mbps). Its two-year warranty is twice as long as the warranty for the Netgear CM500, which also performed reliably in our tests. Since the CM500 usually costs less than the MB7420, it's a worthy alternative for bargain hunters.
If your internet service features speeds topping 300 Mbps, look to Netgear's CM600, which is more dependable than its high-speed rivals.
Cable modems are rarely part of the best Black Friday deals, but that doesn't mean you'll be stuck paying full price if you buy a modem during the holidays. We've noticed price drops on many of the best cable modems on this list so be sure to shop around for the best price.
The best cable modems you can buy right now
1. Motorola MB7420
The best cable modem you can buy
Specifications
Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/123 Mbps
Channels: 16 down, 4 up
Size: 6.9 x 4.1 x 2 inches
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
+Two-year warranty +Reliable performance +Compatible with most internet providers
Reasons to avoid
-Not as compact as some modems
The Motorola MB7420 is the best cable modem for most homes, capable of supporting speeds available to a majority of home internet plans. The MB7420 is ideal for internet plans that top out at 300 Mbps, which covers a wide swath of our household. In testing the MB7420 at my home, I enjoyed steady connectivity, and that's with multiple people stuck inside, all trying to hit the internet at once.
The MB7420 isn't as tall as the Netgear CM500, our previous pick for the best cable modem, though some people may prefer the more compact size of the Arris Surfboard modems. At least, the MB7420 looks stylish, with rounded corners and vented sides. Its gray color should blend in well with other networking equipment.
The blue and green lights on the MB7420 are bright enough to read at a distance without turning a dark room into a laser light show at night. I also found the modem easy to set up with a coaxial connector sticking out of the modem's backside at a comfortable distance from its lone ethernet port.
There's not much separating the Motorola MB7420 from the Netgear CM500 as both performed dependably when we tested each modem. But the edge goes to Motorola because it offers a two-year warranty to Netgear's one-year of coverage. That means better protection for your investment, as the best cable modems tend to last for several yeas. The MB7420 can sometime drop out of stock at retailers, but it's frequently available from Amazon, Best Buy and B&H Photo.
2. Netgear CM500
Best alternative cable modem
Specifications
Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/132 Mbps
Channels: 16 down, 4 up
Size: 7.3 x 4.9 x 2.4 inches
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
+Solid performance +Good compatibility +Often cheaper than comparable modems
Reasons to avoid
-One-year warrant shorter than rivals -Indicator lights are hard to see
The Netgear CM500 remains one of the best cable modems available, because it's easy to find at most retailers; you can also find it for a little less than the Motorola MB7420 most of the time, making it a good value. (Modem prices can fluctuate so keep an eye peeled for the best tech deals when shopping for a cable modem.) Anytime you can find a new CM500 for $50 or less, that's a good buy.
The Netgear CM500 works with the biggest cable providers and supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps, which should be enough for the vast majority of Internet users out there. (If you've got a high-speed plan, look for a faster modem.)
There's actually very little performance difference among the best cable modems in our testing, so it's seemingly slight distinctions that separate these devices. Opt for Netgear's CM500, and you'll get a modem that's just as capable as the Motorola MB7420 or the Arris SB6183. However, Netgear only offers a one-year warranty, compared with two years for those rival modems.
Netgear's 16 x 4 modem enjoys wide compatibility with internet-service providers, and its design makes setup a breeze. At 7.3 inches, the CM500 is a little taller than the SB6183, and I found its indicator lights difficult to see, although at night, you may appreciate the lack of a light show.
3. Netgear CM600
Best cable modem for high-speed service
Specifications
Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 960/240 Mbps
Channels: 24 down, 8 up
Size: 8.7 x 5.3 x 2.4 inches
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
+Reliable performance +Lower price than other high-speed modems +Compatible with many ISPs
Reasons to avoid
-One-year warranty -Tall footprint
While most homes opt for internet plans that promise speeds of around 100 to 300 Mbps, some people prefer higher-speed service. If your plan promises download speeds that top 300 Mbps, you'll want a cable modem that can take advantage of that greater performance. Netgear's CM600 is the best cable modem for those higher speeds, though you'll pay a little bit more than you would for the CM500.
Netgear's modem doesn't use the same Intel Puma 6 chipset that's been blamed for latency issues with some other high-speed modems, such as the Arris Surfboard SB6190. (There's a firmware update that resolves this issue, though ISPs roll out such updates on their own schedule.) Because of that, you can expect reliable performance from the Netgear CM600 without the lags reported by users with Puma-6-powered modems.
The CM600 is a little on the tall side, but it's got a funky futuristic look. Like other Netgear modems, it has a one-year warranty.
4. Arris Surfboard SB6183
A top cable modem if you can find it
Specifications
Top Cable Providers Supported: Comcast, Spectrum, Cox
Listed Download/Upload Speeds: 686/131 Mbps
Channels: 16 down, 4 up
Size: 5.2 x 5 x 2.1 inches
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
+Dependable +Two-year warranty +Compatible with most internet providers +Visible status lights
Reasons to avoid
-Awkward placement of coaxial cable
The Arris Surfboard SB6183 was once our pick for the best cable modem thanks to its solid performance that will satisfy most home internet customers who don't pay for high-speed service, though this older modem is harder to find these days. (As of this writing, Best Buy is selling the SB6183.) If you can track down the SB6183 at a competitive price, its two-year warranty also is a big plus.
At 5.2 x 5 x 2.1 inches, the all-white SB6183 can be tucked unobtrusively next to a router, cable box and whatever other hardware you have on hand. The coaxial-cable connector is a little too close to the power connector for my taste, but you're likely to have to deal with that only when setting up the modem.
The SB6183 favors a simple row of vertical indicator lights that are easy enough to spot, though the yellow lighting can be a little hard to see if your modem's in direct sunlight. Still, it's pretty easy to glance at the SB6183 to see if there's any issue with your internet connectivity.
How to choose the best cable modem for you
We focus on DOCSIS 3.0 modems, though you'll also find DOCSIS 3.1 modems rolling out that are capable of delivering speeds that top 1Gbps; if you're receiving DOCSiS 3.1 service, look for a device that can take advantage of those faster speeds. If you don't get speeds greater than 1 Gbps with your internet service, you can still go with a DOCSIS 3.0 device like the ones reviewed above.
We haven't tested DOCSIS 3.1 modems yet, but we can point to a few models with strong word of mouth. Netgear's CM1000 is backward-compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 for internet users who want to upgrade early. The modem has been certified by Comcast for use with its internet service. Arris bills the Surfboard SB8200 as a future-facing modem, capable of handling streaming ultra HD and high-performance gaming with its 32 download and eight upload channels. Motorola's MB8600 modem also has 32 download and eight upload channels with Active Queue Management for speeding up page loads and gaming.
DOCSIS 3.1 modems are more expensive than the DOCSIS 3.0 devices, though we've started to see some price drops. Typically priced around $180, you may be able to find a good DOCSIS 3.1 modem for less.
As for DOCSIS 3.0 devices, here's what to consider so that you can choose the right modem:
• Compatibility: Confirm with your ISP that the modem you're looking at will work with the service you're paying for. Most DOCSIS 3.0-certified modems should work with DOCSIS-based internet service, but it always helps to confirm. Among the top ISPs, Comcast, Cox and Spectrum all offer sites for checking cable compatibility.
• Price and Warranty: You don't necessarily need to get the cheapest modem, but you should consider devices that pay for themselves within a year with what you save in rental fees. A year-long warranty is the bare minimum you should accept; two years of coverage is even better. As for price, make sure to do some comparison shopping before you buy. Retailers often offer deals on modems, so you could find the model you want — or a reasonable alternative — at a lower price than you'd normally expect.
Monthly cable rental fee by internet provider
- Comcast: $14
- Spectrum: Included with service
- Cox: $7-$10
- Frontier: $10
- Suddenlink: $10
- Sparklight: $8
- Wow: $14
- Mediacomm: $11.50
A 16 x 4 cable modem delivers enough speed to effectively serve the majority of cable customers. That kind of modem typically costs $70 or less, and if you keep an eye out for deals, you might be able to find a top-rated modem for $50 to $60. Modems that support the emerging DOCSIS 3.1 standard start typically cost $180 or so.
| DOCSIS 3.0 modem type | Maximum download speed | Compatible service tier (Cox, Spectrum, Xfiinity) |
| 16 x 4 | Up to 300 Mbps | Cox Internet Preferred 150, Spectrum Internet, Xfinity Performance Pro+ |
| 24 x 8 | Up to 600 Mbps | Cox Internet Ultimate 500, Spectrum Internet Ultra, Xfinity Extreme Pro+ |
| 32 x 8 | Up to 900 Mbps | Cox Gigablast, Spectrum Internet, Gig, Xfinity Extreme Pro+ |
• Design: There's not much to differentiate the features on cable modems, which generally sport the same set of indicator lights. You'll want one with easy-to-spot lights, though if they're too bright, they can really light up a room at night.. Also, consider the size of a modem, since a compact design blends in more easily with your other networking equipment.
• Speed: A 16 x 4 modem (that's 16 download channels and four upload ones) should do the trick for homes receiving service capped at 300 Mbps. Any faster, and you should go with a 24 x 8 or 32 x 8 modem, or a DOCSIS 3.1-compatible model if your ISP has upgraded to the new standard.
• Security: When shopping for a cable modem, check to make sure that the model you're considering isn't vulnerable to the Cable Hunt software flaw found in the Broadcom chipsets that power many popular modems. If your modem is vulnerable, make sure a software patch is available from your ISP.
Note that the modems we've reviewed just provide internet connectivity. If you also get your phone service bundled with your internet, that requires an eMTA or telephony modem — an entirely different type of device.
Best cable modem vs. best router
These days, makers of home networking gear seem to favor modem-router combinations over standalone cable modems. It may be tempting to buy one of these hybrid networking devices instead of a separate modem and router, as you can take care of two tasks with one device. We'd advise against modem-router combos, though.
First, some background: as our modem-vs.-router comparison explains, the two devices serve very different purposes. A cable modem brings internet connectivity into your home while the best routers distribute that internet connection wirelessly, so that all your devices — laptops, phones, and smart-home gadgets — can hop on the internet. If you're dissatisfied with the reach of your network, it's a router, not a modem, that you should be in the market for.
So why keep the two networking devices separate? If any part of a hybrid device fails, you're out both a modem and a router. It's also easier to upgrade individual networking devices, as routers add support for new networking features at a more rapid pace. Modems evolve more slowly, as you can see from the number of older models still available.
How we test the best cable modems
We test each cable modem on Comcast's Performance Pro home internet service. After running speed tests to make sure the modems are delivering their promised download speeds, we use the modems as part of regular networking setup to gauge dependability.
We hook up each modem we review in our reviewer's home, using it as part of our networking setup. That allows us to verify a modem's compatibility as well as to get a sense of its dependability. Since price is also an important consideration when modem shopping, we also monitor retail sites for the best deals on the modems we've tested.
In addition to using the modems in a home with multiple connected laptops, smartphones and tablets, we also evaluate the indicator lights on each modem to see that they're visible. We look at how easy the modems are to set up. And because the primary reason to get your own cable modem is to save on monthly rental fees for ISP-supplied modems, we heavily weight the length of a modem's warranty.
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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.
Arris Surfboard 16 X 4 Docsis 3.0 Cable Modem Black
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-modems,review-2832.html
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