Introduction
Did you buy the best gaming laptop only to find that your favorite games are still stuttering? This might be due to your modem’s shoddy data transfer rate or its other features. Consider upgrading your modem to a future proof one that would assist you in all your virtual reality games.
A modem with the right features can help you get the necessary speed and traffic control required to play a graphic intensive game without any lags. This device can improve your frame rate while playing a game if it has the required number of channels and the necessary data transfer rate. This will prevent your games from stuttering and your videos from buffering.
Have a look at the best gaming modems that you can invest in to make your gaming experience stutter-free.
Our Top 3 Picks
Best Gaming Modems – Comparison Table
| Model | Download Speed | Speed and Range | Channels |
| Netgear Nighthawk C7500 | 3.2 Gbps | DOCSIS 3.1 | 24×8 |
| Motorola MG7550 | 1 Gbps | DOCSIS 3.0 | 24×8 |
| ARRIS SB8200 | 10 Gbps | DOCSIS 3.1 | 32×8 |
| 1024 Mbps | DOCSIS 3.0 | 24×8 | |
| Netgear CM700 | 1.4 Gbps | DOCSIS 3.0 | 32×8 |
| Arris SB6170 | 1.4 Gbps | DOCSIS 3.0 | 32×8 |
| Motorola MG7540 | 686 Mbps | DOCSIS 3.0 | 16×4 |
1. Netgear Nighthawk C7500
Do you have a clutter of routers and modems along with connecting wires wrecking the aesthetics of your house? Well, then you should take a look at the Netgear Nighthawk C7500 a modem/router combination that will help you save money and space.
The Nighthawk C7500 comes with looks, fewer wires, and clutter and delivers perfect performance. If you are looking for something that can handle your heavy bandwidth demands, this modem/router is your best option. This device will give faster data transfer rates than regular modems.
If you are a serious gamer and want to upgrade your current WAN [Wide area network] setup at home we suggest you give some serious consideration to the Netgear’s Nighthawk C7500. It handles all your gaming needs efficiently by providing high wifi speeds. Equipped with a WiFi Router with up to 3.2Gbps, it is built to facilitate extreme gaming and streaming. Moreover, it is Gigabit wired to assist HD gaming.
The device possesses a dual thread 1GHz processor coupled with 24×8 channel bonding the device enables fast cable internet speeds that boosts performance for streaming and gaming. 24×8 channel bonding means that there are 24 downstream and 8 upstream channels that successfully handle heavy internet traffic.
Additionally, the device is fitted with DOCSIS 3.0 which allows high-bandwidth data transfer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can handle high bandwidth Assists HD gaming | Expensive |
2. Motorola MG7700
Like the Netgear Nighthawk C7500, the Motorola MG7700 is a modem that doubles as a router. It can skillfully handle a dozen devices and successfully control the traffic on your home network to deliver 1 Gbps download speed. The modem has four gigabit-ready LAN ports and dual-band Wi-Fi which exhibits great performance in homes of 2,000 square feet.
The MG7700 features 24 downstream channels and 8 downstream channels. The 24 downstream channels let the modem hit a download speed of 1 Gbps and the eight upstream channels provide a maximum of 246 Mbps upload speed.
The router in the device has dual-band support. It can beam wireless signals over two frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is slower but has a longer range, while the 5GHz band is faster and less prone to interference from other wireless devices. However, this comes at the cost of shorter range.
The device has built-in software that is customizable. After the router is the setup you can go to a specific IP address according to the given instructions in your web browser. Here you can change the settings, including the name of the default network, enable password protection and toggle the channels your router will communicate on. There is also an advanced page that can set up a firewall on enabling parental controls.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy setup Good upload and download speeds | Might not be apt for houses larger than 2,000 feet |
3. Arris SB8200
Arris SB8200 belongs to the first wave of cable modems to support both the DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.0 standards. If your internet provider supports the DOCSIS 3.1 standard then you can enjoy faster internet speeds and excellent frame rates for all your games.
Online gaming demands real-time and requires immediate responses. You require multiple ethernet ports to give you the desired frame rate and high-resolution graphics. The Arris SB8200 has two Gigabit Ethernet ports for fast throughput while you game. Reserving one ethernet port for your gaming console guarantees excellent gaming performance.
Also, there is no software to deal and the firmware updates are applied by your service provider. The setup is also basic. When we hardwired Xbox One X we could play games without any lags and the 4K HDR content was flawless. Wireless performance is also fast with modern devices hitting a download speed of 500 Mbps.
If DOCSIS 3.1 standard is offered by your providers, you can enjoy future-proof and ready to stream next-generation virtual reality games with the Arris SB8200.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximum download speeds of up to 10Gbps Two Gigabit Ethernet Lan ports | Doesn’t support bundled voice services |
4. TP-Link TC7650
TP-Link is a famous brand for networking devices. TP-Link’s TC7650 is a budget-friendly modem which comes under $60. Even though it is an inexpensive modem it can handle multiple devices and support heavy gaming and streaming.
This cable modem has a 1.0 GHz dual-core processor and is equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 technology. The dual-core processor makes sure that the high-speed data transfer channels on the DOCSIS 3.0 platform transfer data fast to allow seamless flow of data when gaming online. This gives you a lag-free experience while gaming, keeping your frame rates high.
It has 24 downstream channels and eight upstream data transfer channels. TP-Link boasts a downstream rate of up to 1,029 Mbps and an upstream rate of 216 Mbps. However, these are just theoretical speed rates. Using a 300 Mbps data plan, the TP-Link TC7650 was able to reach a peak downstream speed of 300Mbps.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can easily handle high internet plans of up to 500Mbps and above Easy setup | No Gigabit ethernet ports |
5. Netgear CM700
The Netgear CM700 is one of the most rated modems on Amazon. The device provides high-speed internet connectivity with maximum data transfer speeds of up to 1.4 Gbps. If you are a gamer, movie buff or have multiple IoT devices at home, this modem cum router is a great option.
The Netgear CM700 is a DOCSIS 3.0 high-speed cable modem. It offers 32×8 channel bonding. The maximum download speed that the modem can support is 1.4 Gbps which is incredibly fast. This data transfer speed can let you download 4K movies and videos almost instantly.
Whether you are a Windows, Apple, Android, or Linux user, this modem cum router is compatible with all the systems. But make sure that your device is running on a TCP/IP network. It is also compatible with all kinds of gaming consoles and therefore is a great choice for gamers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Data transfer speeds of upto 1.4 Gbps Compatible with all gaming consoles | It gets warm after prolonged use |
6. Arris SB6170
The Arris SB6170 is the first consumer class Gigabit Cable modem in the market. Boasting a speed of 1.4 Gbps download and 262 Mbps upload speed, the device is the best option for you home network setup.
Are you new to cable modems and wireless routers and struggling to set up a home network? Then this is the right product for you. The SURFboard SB6190 is a mid-entry level device that you can invest in. It is reasonably priced, reliable and has all the necessary features that a modern-day modem needs to have.
The device features 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. Although there is one-gigabit ethernet port, the actual download speed lies somewhere around 300 to 400 Mbps and the upload speed is around 262 Mbps.
Since it can handle internet speeds of more than 300Mbps it is future proof and can play all your virtual reality games stutter-free.
However, one major gripe with this cable modem is that it uses the Puma 6 chipset from Intel. This chip is prone to high latency troubles. High latency causes pages to load slower and video streaming to buffer. It can also cause the modem to disconnect.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can easily handle multiple devices Mid entry level device | Sometimes faces high latency issues |
7. Motorola MG7540
Motorola’s MG7540 is a combination of modem and a router helping you save space and time of installation. This has a built-in AC1600 Wi-Fi Gigabit router and has a download speed of 686 Mbps. This device is approved by major US internet service providers like Comcast XFINITY, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable and BrightHouse.
Featuring 16 downstream and 8 upstream channels latter exhibit a data transfer rate of 123 Mbps. The actual speed will depend on the speed of your cable service. Equipped with a full-band capture digital tuner the modem cum router can handle tons of TV channels and provide high-speed broadband at a lower cost.
The MG7540 has a quick and easy setup. You can find four-gigabit ethernet ports for optional connection to computers, HDTVs, tablets, and game stations. You can stream videos on your computer using the wireless connection and play Assassin’s Creed or any of your favorite games online using an Ethernet connection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| In-built AC1600 dual-band router Full band capture digital tuner | Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, and Centurylink. |
Buyer’s Guide
1. Modem or Modem/ router
To avoid clutter and setup confusion most service providers combine a modem and a Wi-Fi router into a single box and call it a gateway. This saves space and time. Some of these combinations are future proof allowing you to play your favorite games stutter free.
However, a standalone modem and a separate router gives you the flexibility need. This is because in case you want to upgrade your home network for faster speed or more features, you just need to replace the router. Or if you want to upgrade your broadband speed, you just need to upgrade the modem.
2. DOCSIS protocols
When you buy a modem you will find DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 written on the box. Most modern modems use either the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification ) 3.0 or 3.1 protocols. DOCSIS is an international telecommunications standard that allows high speed data transfer to existing cable TV systems.
DOCSIS 3.1 is the newer version of the DOCSIS 3.0. DOCSIS 3.1 offers increased number of channels and better speed. Your choice boils down to what speed your ISP offers. If your ISP offers internet speeds of more than 1 gigabit then a DOCSIS 3.1 router is a better investment.
3. Upstream and downstream channels
When you spot two numbers with a multiplication symbol in between, for eg; 16×4, 24×8, this denotes the number of upstream and downstream channels. The first figure represents the number of upstream channels.
These channels signify how much download and upload data your ISP can provide at any given time. Almost every modem provides more downstream channels than upstream ones. This is because ISPs and end users are more concerned with downloading content than uploading it.
4. Upload and download speeds
This is a major aspect to consider while buying a modem. Usually, a modem advertises its download speed. If a modem advertises a speed of 1 gigabit that means it can get up to 1000 Mbps from your cable provider. Upload speeds tend to be much slower compared to download speeds.
Although high speeds may seem like the way to go always note that you can’t draw more data than you pay for from your ISP. Even if your modem can pull up to 1.4 Gbps, if your subscription speed caps at 25 Mbps, you will only get 25 Mbps.
5. Compatibility
Before you buy a modem always check with your ISP whether the modem you chose is compatible with their service. Big companies like Comcast and Cox support just about any modem, but smaller networks may not be the same.
FAQs
1. What is a gaming router?
A gaming router is specifically built for gaming needs to prioritize incoming traffic for your game. Gaming router attempts to divert all the other traffic to separate streams.
2. What does a modem do?
A modem is a device that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone or cable lines. The sending modem modulates the data into a signal that can be supported by a phone line, and the receiving modem demodulates the signal back into digital data.
3. What is the difference between a modem and a router?
A modem connects the source of your internet from your ISP and the devices on your home network. ISPs rent out modems to subscribers for a monthly fee, however, cable modems are available for sale at lower prices. If you plan to keep the same service for over a year, consider buying a cable modem that costs about $100 instead of paying a monthly rent that will end up costing you more.
A modem connects to the router which in turn connects to wifi devices on your home network. Routers connect smart devices including smartphones, smart TVs, other smart home products like Alexa and security systems. Wireless routers lets you stream content to laptops and mobile devices through Netflix, Amazon Prime, and similar services, without having to use cables.
Conclusion
We chose the Netgear Nighthawk C7500 as the best gaming modem. With a download speed of up to 3.2Gbps, it is built to withstand extreme gaming and also assist HD gaming. It is also a great upgrade for your home network setup. Coupled with 24 upstream and 8 downstream channels the device is a beast when it comes to graphic-intensive gaming.
Picking a modem would depend on your requirements. If you are looking for better wire management to avoid clutter, a modem cum touter combination would be better. However, standalone modem and a router are better because you can troubleshoot the modem or the router in case problems crop up. Always check the data transfer rate and the number of channels offered while picking up a modem because this can affect your gaming requirements.
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Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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