No matter how wealthy you are, some expenses are not worth having, like paying rental fees for a modem and a router when you can get a top-of-the-range cable modem router to give you the same services or even better.
By buying the best cable modem router in the market to suit your needs, you end up with one efficient device, more space to play, less time wasted in configuring and monitoring two separate devices and still enjoy thrilling surfing experience. Less headache. More efficiency. Great fun!
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Do Cable Modem Router combo devices exist?
An average Wi-Fi router comes with two antennas, four LAN ports, WAN and two USB ports; 3.0 and 2.0.
A standard cable modem has a coaxial port and two LAN ports. Technology demands the best usage of every space available.
LAN ports recurrence and having WAN and Coax port in one equation is over-representing the input if the two devices sit side by side on a desk.
Imagine the number of LED lights you have to watch to make sense of what’s going on with the traffic. That’s not the best use of your time.
Marrying the router and cable modem brings a hybrid with four LAN, a Coax port, two USB ports and ample space for as many antennas as you wish. Theoretically, a cable modem router is formed!
Hang around for the next few minutes, not only will you know the best cable modem routers by name, cost, and specifications, but will learn why you should replace your current complex network with the combo.
NETGEAR N600 Cable Modem Router (C3700)
C3700 is built to serve small homes with moderate internet usage on all devices on the network; social media access, research browsing, email, moderate gaming, and video streaming.
Its modem runs on DOCSIS 3.0 and allows 340Mbps on data download while the simultaneous dual-band router delivers fine Wi-Fi speed of 300Mbps on each band; 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Devices on your network are treated to fast, reliable and efficient internet access courtesy of the 8×4 channel bonding; eight download channels and four upload channels.
It comes with two gigabit LAN connections suitable for wired devices in need of gaming and streaming.
Use a coaxial cable to connect to the last mile resource from the Internet Service Provider to the modem. ReadySHARE USB access enables you to access and share storage devices via USB 2.0 port at the back of the device.
When playing intense online games or binge-watching on Netflix, turn off Wi-Fi to concentrate the signal to the activity and save power. Otherwise, enjoy secure and extensive Wi-Fi coverage.
Setup is easy. Use Netgear Genie mobile app for easy installation and management of the cable modem router allows you to set parental controls, manage router and ReadySHARE settings.
Set a separate and secure network for your guest to avoid sharing resources you would rather keep for the network; like the storage devices on ReadySHARE.
The major problem with C3700 comes when updating the firmware; only your Internet Service Provider can do it. Many don’t, limiting its potential.
The operations speed goes low and data packets are dropped due to time mismatch on some online services when the firmware is not updated.
To save yourself the pain, consult with your ISP to see if they support the device before purchase.
MOTOROLA MG7315 Cable Modem Plus N450 Single Band Wi-Fi Gigabit Router
Before picking this cable modem router device, understand your ISP’s Speed Tiers; MG7315 delivers over 600 Mbps internet download speed. Upload speed stands at 246Mbps and the modem runs on DOCSIS 3.0 with 24×8 channel bonding.
While it is compatible with major Cable providers, confirm that yours works with this device. MG7315 doesn’t relate with those using fiber optics, satellite or DSL service; you are stuck with a coax connection.
Its modem has a Broadband cable modem chipset that provides security from Denial of Services attacks while the router uses WPA/WPA2.
The built-in router delivers up to 1.9Gbps Wi-Fi speed with extended coverage with Wi-Fi Power Boost, shared among client devices. The dual-band router uses beamforming technology on both bands; 2.4GHz and 5GHz to focus data streams to the devices instead of broadcasting hence wastage.
MG7315 has four gigabit LAN ports for your wired devices; PC, game console, Smart Tv, but no USB port. It allows the creation of a separate and secure guest network.
Arris SURFboard Cable Modem Plus AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router
Arris SURFboard crossed a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem running 16 channels downstream and 4 upstream channels with AC1900 802.11ac router to provide great Wi-Fi connection with wide coverage for your home network.
The modem’s maximum download speed stands at 686Mbps, supports Ipv4, Ipv6 and is compatible with major cable Internet Service Providers.
The router operates two bands of wireless signals with beamforming and wider coverage.
It comes with MCFee Secure Home Internet to prevent illegal access to the network, allows you to set parental control for the network and see what devices are part of it.
SBG6950AC2 comes with four gigabit LAN ports for your Smart Tv, PC, console among other wireless devices but no USB port. Use a coaxial cable port to bring in the internet service to the modem.
NETGEAR Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo C6250
Owning this cable modem router not only saves you unnecessary monthly expenses but brings you a strong, reliable Wi-Fi signal covering up to 1,500 square feet for more than 25 client devices. Now that’s massive for a solo device.
The cable modem runs on DOCSIS 3.0 with 16 downstream and 4 upstream channels giving you internet access you can count on. Expect up to 680Mbps download speeds; confirm with your Internet provider for the availability of such a package.
Netgear C6250 is armed with a built-in Dual-band AC1600 wireless router promising up to 1.6Gbps Wi-Fi speeds for multiple devices in your home network.
Secure Wi-Fi is assured through WEP, WPA/WPA2 and setting parental control to ensure access to safe sites. Further protection is provided through the double firewall; SPI and NAT Firewall, and Denial-of-Service attack prevention.
Use the two available gigabit LAN ports to connect wired devices such as Smart TV and laptop for HD streaming and online gaming; all others can stay on the wireless network.
The USB 2.0 port is suitable for connecting a network storage device. Though Netgear C6250 is supported by major internet providers.
TP-Link TC-W7960 Wi-Fi Cable Modem Router
TC-W7960’s cable modem runs on DOCSIS 3.0 delivering 8 downstream channels of up to 343Mbps and 4 upstream channels of up to 143Mbps.
It uses Coax cable, no telephone jack available.
Its router is a single band, 2.4GHz, equipped with two antennas for extended coverage while providing 300Mbps Wi-Fi signal to your network. It allows the sharing of the Wi-Fi signal with guests in a separate but secure network.
The entire Wi-Fi network is set behind NAT firewall and with parental control, you can set what kind of content is allowed on the network, when to access it and which devices can access the internet.
T P-Link TC-W7960 Wi-Fi Cable Modem Router comes with four gigabit LAN ports to connect your laptop, PC, 4K HDTV and other wired devices needing heavy traffic such as video streaming and gaming. It also has a USB 2.0 port for your camera, printer or storage devices.
ARRIS Surfboard Cable Modem Plus Wi-Fi Router (SVG2482AC)
The cable modem router is a perfect combination of cable modem, Wi-Fi router with a few wired ports and telephony.
It supports providers using telephone cables or coaxial cables. It is approved for Xfinity Internet and Voice service, no other Internet provider.
It has a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 24 download channels and 8 upload channels and works best for 400Mbps internet packages. The built-in router promises 1.7Gbps dual-band Wi-Fi signal and runs on 802.11ac standard.
Manage the Wi-Fi network using Arris SURFboard manager; decide what devices can access the network, those that are prohibited and what those who can access can do.
SVG2482AC comes with two telephone ports for Xfinity voice support, four gigabit LAN for your wired devices in the network but no USB port.
MOTOROLA MT7711 Cable Modem Router
MT7711 is meant for Comcast Xfinity services providers alone.
Its modem provides a download speed of up to 600Mbps hence the need to subscribe for the right tire before use.
To ascertain the speed, it allocates 24 channels for download and 8 for uploading data. It is powered by Broadcom cable chipset guaranteeing protection from Denial of Service attacks.
With the provision of two voice compatible phone ports, there’s no need for extra landline from a different company. The modem ensures a high-quality voice.
MOTOROLA MT7711’s built-in AC1900 dual-band router with Wi-Fi Power Boost and beamforming operates at 1.9Gbps to connect wireless client devices to the internet.
Expect strong, high speed and focused Wi-Fi signal for all devices on the network. Wired devices connect to the internet via four gigabit LAN ports.
NETGEAR C7800 Cable Modem Router
Not so many manufacturers dare to venture into new grounds where technology is concerned, most regurgitate the same old standards awaiting risk-takers to venture into the unknown waters before they can follow.
But Netgear is different; evidenced by C7800, an ultra-high-speed cable modem router for heavy traffic users.
Its modem runs on DOCSIS 3.1 providing 32×8 channel bonding on DOCSIS3.0 and 2X2 OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) channel bonding on DOCSIS 3.1 hence delivering up to 1Gbps on downloads. It is compatible with major internet providers around the world.
The router is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor boosting LAN, WAN and WAN-to-LAN connection. It provides a simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi signal with each band producing four data streams.
The 5GHz band is supported by 801.11ac to run at up to 2.2Gbps while the 2.4GHz, 1024QAM at up to 1Gbps.
From the combination of the modem and router specifications, the device guarantees extreme Wi-Fi speed and increased network efficiency.
It comes with four external high power antennas for improved signal range and four gigabit LAN ports to connect wired network devices.
This enables VR gaming, streaming high-quality videos and huge downloads on various devices all at once. No lagging or buffering expected.
The dual router promises a combined Wi-Fi speed of 3.2Gbps from both bands.
Asus CM-32 AC2600 Cable Modem Router
If your home network consists of multiple devices running data-hogging applications such as 4K streaming, online gaming, and endless heavy downloads, you need Asus CM-32 AC 2600 cable modem router to lead the troop.
Asus CM-32 is powered by Intel 1.6GHz combined processor, 512MB RAM, and 256MB Flash. That allows it to support a data rate of up to 1.7Gbps on 802.11ac standard.
The modem functions use 32×8 channel bonding, DOCSIS 3.0 and deliver up to 1.3Gbps download speeds.
Confirm that your internet provider has such a package and can support your device.
The routing services include dual bands; 2.4GHz band at 800Mbps data rate and the 5GHz band at 1.7Gbps.
Each band runs three data streams to supply the entire network with a wireless signal.
It has four high power external antennas using beamforming for focused communication with client devices. They also increase signal range and sensitivity.
The router further uses MU-MIMO technology for the simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices.
The cable modem router comes pre-configured with the SSID and password accessible from the bottom of the device.
To manage, monitor and protect the network, use the ASUSWRT user interface to interact and set various settings needed to allow it to serve you well.
The cable modem router is able to switch devices to the strongest and fastest access point for better reception.
For a consistent ultra-high-speed connection all the time, updating the CM-32’s firmware often is vital.
ARRIS Surfboard Cable Modem Plus Router (SBG10)
Arris SBG10 is a combination of DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, AC1600 simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi router, and 2-port gigabit Ethernet router.
While the modem provides 686Mbps download speed, the Wi-Fi router ensures 1.6Gbps; a guarantee of blazing-fast speeds in the wireless network!
How does this work?
The cable modem provides 16 download channels and 4 upload channels to ensure fast movement of traffic to and from the outer world through the coaxial cable connection.
It supports both Ipv4 and Ipv6. The router takes over to serve client devices with the much-needed traffic according to the applications in use.
Beamforming makes it possible for each device to receive special attention from the router instead of the fatiguing broadcast of a Wi-Fi signal. That increases coverage and performance.
To manage Arris SBG10’s Wi-Fi network, use the SURFboard Manager App to set rules by which your network devices should operate.
Macfee Secure Home Internet App enables user profile management and restricts users attempting to join the network without your permission.
Before settling on decluttering your home office by reducing the number of devices on your desk and replacing them with a cable modem router, new questions come to play.
Does cable modem router combo compromise quality of service at any one time?
From the list of cable modem router above, it is clear that specifications take center stage where performance is in question.
Compressing two or three devices into one should not compromise the overall performance; consider all the devices that a smartphone replaced and added effectiveness to the game.
The combo device should deliver improved overall results.
What matters most is the ability of the manufacturer to merge repeated functions and improve the resultant device to take advantage of the ever-growing technology.
That explains the arrival of amazing cable modem routers like NETGEAR C7800.
What’s the future of Cable Modem Routers?
Current cable modem standards go up to DOCSIS 4.0 delivering 10Gbps upstream and 10Gbps downstream, but such sound theoretical and are not yet available in the cable modem neighborhood at the moment.
It may take a few more years to get the combo device running as such; an independent cable modem will get there first.
As for the Wi-Fi routers, the speed, security, and coverage come first. Then there are the governing standards; 802.11 family.
As long as Wi-Fi Alliance lives, expect the implementation of Wi-Fi 6 in new routers and progression to Wi-Fi 7!
The name of the game is in the integration of modem’s chipset with that of the Wi-Fi router. Such require more research than is put in the creation of solo devices.
Good thing is, as soon as one manufacture attempts it, the rest will follow suit. Cable modem routers are here to stay.
Better still, soon you will witness the emergence of cable modem routers with Wi-Fi range extender capability in the market. They are only a few amplifiers and antennas away.
What to watch out for before purchase?
Three vital things; technology and standards, Service Provider’s muscle and your needs.
Every cable modem router named above has specifications against it.
Before settling for one, whether you are technical or lay, research on what it is bringing on board.
Trust this website to always have the up-to-date data you need before committing your dollars to the process.
On the router’s side, observe the router’s processor speed, memory (RAM and flash), the existence of antennas and amplifiers, number of Gigabit Ethernet ports, availability of USB ports, number of bands the router manages, Wi-Fi speed and number of streams each band handles.
Make sure updating firmware is left to you and not the ISP.
The router should also use beamforming; focusing the Wi-Fi signal in a particular direction where the client device is.
Best cable modem routers begin by tracking the devices on the network before sending the stream of data to them.
It also must embrace MU-MIMO, Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output which enables simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices.
This removes lagging and buffering during gaming and video streaming hence increasing network speed and efficiency especially where multiple devices are data-hogging all at once.
SmartConnect Intelligence is another aspect to desire; where network devices are shifted to the fastest Wi-Fi connection possible.
It also allows slower devices to use separate Wi-Fi bands from fast devices.
On modem specifications, find out the DOCSIS, (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) version. This explains the cable modem router’s potential of uploading to and downloading content from any server on the internet you connect to.
The current version is DOCSIS 4.0. Also, consider the number of downloading and uploading channels the modem has.
A 32×8 channel bonding modem has 32 channels for downstream and eight for upstream. The more the merrier.
Before opting for the larger figures on modem specification, talk to your ISP to find out if they have what it takes to support your cable router-modem of choice.
See the case of MOTOROLA MT7711 Cable Modem Router; it is built for Comcast alone.
Study their Internet packages and find out if your combo device is too good for them; some ISPs offer very low data rates that waste the combo device’s resources.
Consider also the kind of connection that they will avail at home; coaxial or the telephone jack.
Finally, decide what you want to use the internet for; everyday surfing, social media and emailing, gaming, video streaming or massive downloading of files.
If interested in one or a permutation of some services, evaluate the resources offered by the cable modem router.
The list above gives intimate details on such allowing you to make intelligent decisions.
The networking industry has all your needs in mind, that’s why as a gamer, you should research the best gaming routers first before settling for an amazing router like Asus CM-32 AC2600 Cable Modem Router.
That should help you compare specifications against costs before buying the devices.