Cable modems are required for the modulation and demodulation of the signals with Aux cables as the interface. In layman’s terms, the modem (not to be confused with the router) changes the signal so you can receive internet.
Sadly, many internet service providers (ISPs) charge a monthly leasing fee– sometimes as high as $15– that can stack up after a while (not all ISPs have this fee though). Buying your own compatible modem, however, is a great way to eliminate this unneeded cost. Within a year, you will start recovering the cost of the modem.
That being said, there are some– tedious– things you should be aware of. For instance, modems are only supported by specific ISPs. For this article, we will be discussing the best cable modems for DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 in this article, which is the main protocol used for cable internet.
fastest transfer rates
ARRIS Surfboard SB82
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Cox Cable, Charter
- Channels: 32x8
- Download/Upload Rates: 10 Gbps / 2 Gbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1
best Xfinity compatible modems
NETGEAR CM1000
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Cox Cable
- Channels: 32x8
- Download/Upload Rates: 1 Gbps / 300 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1.
WiFi Router Capabilities
MOTOROLA MG7540
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Comcast Xfinity X1, Cox, Charter Spectrum, BrightHouse, WOW!, CableOne, RCN, Mediacom
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 262 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Router Capability: AC1600 Dual-Band WiFi
Great transfer rates
ARRIS Surfboard SB6183
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse), Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 131 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
most praised spectrum compatible
NETGEAR CM500
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 131 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
Best Budget
TP-LINK TC-7610
- Supported ISP(s): XFINITY by Comcast, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks), Cox, Suddenlink, Mediacom, and WOW!
- Channels: 8x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 343 Mbps / 143 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
For Low-End Users
LINKSYS CM3008
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 8x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 343 Mbps / 143 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
Table of Contents
1- ARRIS Surfboard SB82
Easily The Best Modem For Xfinity By Comcast and Cox
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Cox Cable, Charter
- Channels: 32x8
- Download/Upload Rates: 10 Gbps / 2 Gbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1
- Offers fastest transfer rates
- Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Horrible customer support
We are starting our list with ARRIS Surfboard SB8200, which is one of most reliable cable modems on the consumer market. Surfboard SB8200 supports the latest DOCSIS 3.1 protocol, which is ten times faster than DOCSIS 3.0. However, apart from Comcast, the supported ISPs send the data through DOCSIS 3.0, which is why the transfer rates of this modem are only better theoretically. This makes this cable modem a future-proof product that should be useful for other ISPs once they officially support the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol.
The modem provides 32 downstream channels along with 8 upstream channels for DOCSIS 3.0 and 2 OFDM downstream channels along with 2 OFDM upstream channels for DOCSIS 3.1, with maximum download speeds of 10 Gbps and upload speed of 2 Gbps. The two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the modem makes it great for esports gaming.
The customer support of Arris seems really bad, though. Even if the warranty period is 2 years, the company rarely accepts an RMA for the products.
However, this high speed modem offers the best of the best and is supported by major ISPs like Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Charter which makes it the best DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, although the cost of the modem can only be recovered after two years.
2- NETGEAR CM1000
NETGEAR provides one of the best Xfinity compatible modems.
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Cox Cable
- Channels: 32x8
- Download/Upload Rates: 1 Gbps / 300 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1.
- More reliable than other cable modems
- Provides great GUI controls
- Only compatible with a limited number of ISPs
NETGEAR CM1000 is also one of the latest cable modems, despite supporting DOCSIS 3.1, it’s not exactly a high speed modem offering quite slower transfer rates than the ARRIS SB8200. The company could have made this product better by using better Ethernet ports, as the current limitation for the DOCSIS 3.1 connection in this product is the 1 Gbps Ethernet ports.
If the Ethernet ports would have provided better transfer rates, then a maximum transfer rate of 6 Gbps could have been achieved. This isn’t a huge deal since internet speeds will still only rarely meet this standard, but all things being equal this costs more for less speed than the SB8200.
Like the Arris SB8200, this modem provides 32 downstream channels along with 8 upstream channels for DOCSIS 3.0 protocol, while 2 OFDM downstream channels along with 2 OFDM upstream channels for DOCSIS 3.1 protocol. Although the transfer rates of this modem are limited to 1 Gbps, the improvement will be quite noticeable for someone who is upgrading from an 8x4-channel cable modem.
This modem also only supports Xfinity and Cox, which is a major drawback. This high-speed cable modem is a great alternative to the SB 8200 if you are not planning to use a plan higher than 1 Gbps in the future.
3- MOTOROLA MG7540
The Best Cable Modem With WiFi Router Capabilities
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Comcast Xfinity X1, Cox, Charter Spectrum, BrightHouse, WOW!, CableOne, RCN, Mediacom
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 262 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Router Capability: AC1600 Dual-Band WiFi
- Provides built-in dual-band router
- Offers speeds fitting most of the users
- Router signals degrade over time
This product provides the functionality of both the modem and the WiFi router, which makes the Motorola MG7540 attractive to many consumers. After all, not a lot of people want to use two devices. The modem is bundled with an AC1600 dual-band WiFi router, i.e. it works in both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz mode.
This DOCSIS 3.0 modem provides 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels, which is enough for most of the users. As far as the router interface is concerned, it provides four Ethernet ports along with the listed dual-band WiFi and also has other router features like Firewall.
As for the router portion of the product, we observed that the WiFi signals degraded after a few days, although this was somewhat fixed after a complete reset.
This is an impressive product overall. While it isn’t outstanding in any way (modems rarely are) it features normal transfer rates along with good router capabilities, which is exactly what you’d want.
4- ARRIS Surfboard SB6183
The Best DOCSIS 3.0 Modem Offering Great Reliability
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse), Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 131 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- One of the best modems in terms of reliability
- Great transfer rates for the price
- Runs a bit hot
If you want the best modem for DOCSIS 3.0 and are confused about various products, then you have come to the right place. Arris Surfboard SB6183 is among the best DOCSIS 3.0 modems due to its great reliability and high transfer rates. The modem is priced very nicely as well and costs a lot less than an average DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
The modem provides 16 downstream channels along with 4 upstream channels, which is the usual specification for high-end DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems. While this version doesn’t come with a built-in router, there is a slightly more expensive version that does (although we can’t directly speak to its quality).
The modem runs a bit hot during intensive operation, which is why you should make sure that you install it in a well-ventilated place.
Overall, this modem is compatible with Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, and Cablevision which are the major ISPs and it is one of the best DOCSIS 3.0 modem, which will serve you well as long as you take care of the modem’s ventilation.
5- NETGEAR CM500
The CM500 is also one of the most praised spectrum compatible modems
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 16x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 686 Mbps / 131 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Compatible with most of the ISPs
- The cost can be recovered in 6-7 months
- Quality-control issues
The NETGEAR CM500 is a great alternative to the Arris SB6183. The two trade blows since they are similarly priced and have similar specs/performance. The Netgear has a superior GUI. While the CM500 has a better warranty-- two years as opposed to one. Then again, ARRIS has pretty bad customer service, so you might have tough luck taking advantage of that better warranty.
This modem provides 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels, with a maximum download transfer rate of around 680 Mbps and upload rates of 131 Mbps.
This modem would have been the best modem for Comcast Xfinity if it had better quality control; as is, it poses a lot of issues and it seems that it’s not at all uncommon for people to receive defective units.
We recommend this modem to people who like the web GUI of Netgear and since the transfer rates of this modem are comparable to SB6183, this modem is among the best DOCSIS 3.0 modems.
6- TP-LINK TC-7610
The Best Budget Cable Modem For DOCSIS 3.0
- Supported ISP(s): XFINITY by Comcast, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks), Cox, Suddenlink, Mediacom, and WOW!
- Channels: 8x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 343 Mbps / 143 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Offers the best compatibility
- Concerns about longevity
- The connection is not always stable
TP-LINK TC-7610 is a modem which is suitable for people who use a low-end internet plan. The modem supports DOCSIS 3.0 protocol and provides downstream rates up to 343 Mbps and upstream rates up to 143 Mbps, however, it only provides 8 downstream channels, which is disappointing. Modems with channels lower than 16 can get congested when there are a lot of users.
If you are planning to buy a modem that will last you years, then you might want to invest in a different modem. Still, if your ISP charges $15 per month for their modem/router, then this will be paid for within about 4 months. If it only lasts 2 years, it still would have more than paid for itself.
Overall, we recommend this modem if you are not very much interested in downloading and your major focus is surfing the web, in which case, this modem will serve you well.
7- LINKSYS CM3008
For Low-End Users
- Supported ISP(s): Comcast Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox, Cablevision
- Channels: 8x4
- Download/Upload Rates: 343 Mbps / 143 Mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Quite cheaper than other cable modems
- Uses the buggy Puma Chipset
- Packet loss issues
LINKSYS CM3008 is among the cheapest modems (that we’d still recommend). The modem supports 8 downstream channels along with a maximum downstream rate of 343 Mbps, which is fine for this price point. The modem is also small, so if you struggle to find a good spot for your modems usually, then this might be a good option.
That being said, as you would expect, its cheap price comes a cost: its buggy Puma chipset which is known for having connection issues and greatly affects the latency of the connection. As such, things that are particularly reliant on a solid internet connection, like gaming, are perhaps best left to other modems.
Overall, we recommend this modem if you mainly use your internet to surf the web. Heavy streaming or gaming? Not so much. Moreover, one can easily recover the cost of the modem within 3 to 4 months of purchase.
Buyer’s Guide
There’s a saying in football: the best long snapper is one you never notice. If you’re saying,”I don’t watch football. I don’t know what a long snapper is!” then you get it. That is exactly my point. If you don’t get what this analogy is referencing though, I’m basically saying that the best modem is one you can buy, setup, and never think about again until you have to switch ISPs and then the installer insists you can’t use it even though the lady on the phone said you could when you’d first made the phone call and it becomes overwhelming and everything starts to get out of hand… just like this sentence/metaphor. Let’s talk about cable modems.
Cable Modems Vs DSL Modems
First of all, I think it is important to note that there are two main types of internet in the US: cable and DSL. Cable internet is provided via the same types of cables as, well, cable. That’s why companies try to bundle their satellite TV packages with their internet packages.
DSL is provided through the phone lines, although it shouldn’t be confused with the old school Dial-Up from the 90’s (or 2000’s if your grandparents refused to upgrade, like mine.)
Modems and Routers
Modems and routers are both essential components for using internet. In drastically simplified terms, modems take the incoming signal and “decipher” it while routers push that signal out across your house. You will need both a modem and a router.
Most ISPs give you a modem/router combo when they install your internet. This means that you will need to replace both if you are trying to get away from pesky equipment leasing fees.
While modem/router combos can be extremely convenient, they are also usually more prone to losing data packets or having signal issues. However, if you don’t have demanding internet needs, this will likely not be a big problem.
Modem/router combos usually provide a few Ethernet ports along with WiFi support. They also provide other router features such as a firewall, MAC filter, port forwarding, etc.
If you are intending to use a separate device for routing, then make sure that the WiFi transfer rates or the Ethernet port transfer rates are higher than the transfer rates supported by the modem, else your transfer rates will be limited to the router’s limit. If you’re interested in this route, then check out our favorite routers.
Supported Cable Providers
Now that we have gotten some of this other stuff out of the way, the first thing you should look for in a modem is compatibility. If the modem does not support your ISP, it will be completely useless.
DOCSIS 3.0 based modems usually support most of the major ISPs like Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Cablevision, etc and should work very well without any issues.
However, if you are willing to buy a DOCSIS 3.1 based modem, then make sure that your modem officially supports your ISP.
DOCSIS 3.0 VS DOCSIS 3.1: Transfer Rates
So, what is DOCSIS 3.0? Well, it’s basically just the protocol that most cable based ISPs use to deliver your internet. For the end user, the specifics are largely unimportant.
That being said, you will need to know some of the differences between version 3.0 and 3.1. DOCSIS 3.0, the current most common implementation for the cable service internet, offers speeds up to 1 Gbps downstream and 200 Mbps upstream. DOCSIS 3.1 is the improved version of DOCSIS 3.0 and offers ten times the transfer rates of DOCSIS 3.0. And in both situations, these upper limits are rarely actually met.
Ten times performance might seem great but the important thing to note here is that only Comcast Xfinity provides DOCSIS 3.1 based connections and all other ISPs use the DOCSIS 3.0 standard. Interestingly, Comcast Xfinity’s biggest data plan provides 1 Gbps downstream rates, which can be supported on the DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
That is why a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is only good for future-proofing, but considering most ISPs in America are regional monopolies, it’s hard to argue there is much incentive for them to do this anytime soon. (DOCSIS 3.0 has been the standard for a longtime and came out in 2006. The first iPhone launched in 2007.)
Downstream and Upstream Channels
Modems provide a certain number of channels for downloading and uploading. The specification is listed as two numbers separated by an ‘x’ where the number before ‘x’ specifies the number of downstream channels and the number after ‘x’ specifies the number of upstream channels. Downstream represents download speeds while upstream represents upload speeds.
The higher number of channels not only leads to faster transfer rates but helps when the connection is congested. It’s also worth noting that, since we usually download more stuff, download speeds from our ISPs are faster than upload speeds (although there are some types of internet where this isn’t the case). As such, modems reflect this by including more downstream channels than upstream channels.
Customer Support and Warranties:
Modems are one of those devices which malfunction relatively often. In these cases, it is always preferable to buy a modem from a company with great customer support. This is especially important since 1) many people don’t know alot about internet and 2) there are several factors that could cause your connection to mess up and it can be hard to pinpoint.
Most of the times, the issues are from the ISP but the issue can only be identified once both the ISP and the modem manufacturer cooperate with the customer.
For this same reason, a good warranty is also useful. Most of the manufacturers provide a 1-year warranty for their modems while some of the companies, such as Arris provide a 2-year warranty. Always make sure to read the terms of the warranty, though; not all warranties are made equal.