Do you have a clutter of routers and modems along with connecting wires wrecking the aesthetics of your house? Well, the solution to that problem is having a modem/router combo at your house which can save space and the hassle of extra wires. A modem router combo is a modem that doubles as a router.
This single device can power the internet connectivity of your home network. Here are some best modem router combos in the market that deliver superior connectivity and reliable internet.
Product Highlights
Complete with a grey and black finish, The Motorola MG7700 is a compact modem and router combo. The device packs a bunch of features to improve your internet speed and reliability. The MG7700 can be considered as the best overall cable modem/ router combo.
Motorola aims to provide new and improved internet speeds for your smartphones, computers and HD TVs. This machine is approved by Comcast Xfinity and is compatible with service speeds up to 650 Mbps [megabytes per second]. The MG7700 houses a firewall and a special chipset to prevent your network from attacks, keeping your system secure at all times.
Best Features
The front of the device features multiple indicator lights. The lights are activated when it is powered up. It also indicates whether any traffic is flowing through your network and when people are connected to your wireless network. On the rear of the device, there are four LAN ports that help you connect the modem router combo directly to your computer.
Fitted with DOCSIS 3.0 technology, this modem router combo has 24 downstream channels and eight downstream channels. This allows the device to achieve a 1 Gbps download speed and a maximum of 246 Mbps upload speed.
The Motorola MG7700 features an inbuilt AC-1900 dual-band Wi-Fi gigabit router. Therefore, it is a modem that doubles as a wireless router. The AC 1900 dual-band means that you can benefit from faster internet speeds.
The machine is powered with wireless power boost technology. This bolsters the wireless signal for better performance for all the devices connected to the MG7700 network. The signal is further strengthened by Wi-Fi amplifiers.
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 a shorter range.
The device houses a built-in software that is customizable. After the router is 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.
What We Like About Motorola MG 7700
The Motorola MG 7700 accompanies a Broadcom Cables chipset which prevents your system from DoS [Denial of Service] attacks.
What We Don’t Like About Motorola MG 7700
The firmware of this modem/router combo is not updateable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast Internet Wide Range Can easily handle a dozen devices | Firmware not updateable |
Product Highlights
If you are looking for something that can handle your heavy bandwidth demands this modem router combo is your best option. The Nighthawk C7500 comes with looks and delivers perfect performance. The company describes the product to be, “blazing-fast, lag-free WiFi experience for gaming, video streaming or surfing’’.
Best Features
This is a popular modem router combo among gamers. It handles all your gaming needs efficiently by providing high Wi-Fi speeds. Equipped with a Wi-Fi Router with up to 3.2Gbps, it is built for 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. These 24 downstream and 8 upstream channels successfully handle heavy internet traffic. The device enables fast cable internet speeds that boost performance for streaming and gaming. Additionally, the device is fitted with DOCSIS 3.0 which allows high-bandwidth data transfer.
What We Like About Netgear Nighthawk C7500
The Nighthawk C7500 can handle a house of 6 people streaming HD movies, playing games, and the security camera constantly uploading simultaneously.
What We Don’t Like About Netgear Nighthawk C7500
If you are on the 2.4 GHz channel you do not get full speed, however, on the 5 GHz channel you get more than your subscribed speed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can handle high bandwidth Assists HD gaming | Expensive |
Product Highlights
The Arris Surfboard SB6190 is one of the cheapest modem router combos in the market. It is considered as a masterpiece from Arris as it packs a bunch of features at the price point. The combo is compatible with major internet providers including Comcast Xfinity and Cox.
Best Features
The ARRIS SB1690 is one of the well-built modems in the modem/router arena. It is packed with features to provide high functionality at a minimum price. Fitted with DOCSIS 3.0, it allows for higher maximum throughput with the help of multi-channel bonding technology. This technology helps in maintaining regular internet speed during peak hours.
The Arris SURFboard SB6190 supports up to 32 downstream, and up to 8 upstream channels. The modem/router combo can support a maximum of 1000Mbps downstream data, and up to 240Mbps upstream data.
A unique feature that makes the SB6190 praiseworthy is the RF Immunity technology. RF or Radio Frequency interference is caused by devices that use electromagnetic signals like smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, and even microwave ovens. The interference of these signals can make the Wi-Fi connection flaky. Arris has fitted this device with RF Immunity technology to shield it from RF interference.
What We Like About it
The device is IPv4 and IPv6 compatible making it versatile and accessible to a much larger audience.
What We Don’t Like About It
The modem/router combo is prone to latency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple channel bonding technology MoCA filter RF Immunity technology | Prone to latency A little bulky |
Product Highlights
This modem and router combination is a powerful device that requires minimal computing setup without the need for any additional patch cables. Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, and Comcast ISP’s, the machine is up to date with all modern standards and can support internet packages up to 300 Mbps.
Best Features
Equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 technology, this device supports channel bonding and comes with a 24 x 8 configuration. This means that it has 24 upload channels and 8 download channels and can support data plans of up to 400Mbps, 300 Mbps downstream, and 100 Mbps upstream.
There is an inbuilt router in the Linksys CG7500 that operates based on the 802.11ac standard, making it a Wi-Fi 5 router. It is a dual-band device that is capable of transmitting a combined throughput of up to 1,900Mbps. This speed is transmitted by the router on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels. The former transmits a 600Mbps throughput and the larger 5GHz band delivers a 1,300Mbps throughput. These channels together make up for the 1900 Mbps throughput.
What We Like About Linksys CG7500
The CG7500 employs Intel’s Puma 6 Chipset. This chipset is skilled at cleaning up your signal to make the most of a poor connection. If you are located in a rural area or if your home has old wiring, the relatively bigger antennas and the chipset will work together to improve your speed.
What We Don’t Like About Linksys CG7500
Although the modem router combo supports massive bandwidth, you could experience some lag if there are large number of users relying on huge amounts of bandwidth from the same network.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 24×8 Channels DOCSIS 3.0 Puma 6 Chipset | Less modular Not compatible with all Internet Service Providers |
Product Highlights
Netgear is a well-known name in the cable modem/ router industry. These devices boast fast and reliable internet speeds. Netgear’s Nighthawk C7800 is compatible with all major cable internet providers such as Comcast, Cox, Xfinity, and others. This is built for the internet needs of a large house of 3000 sq.ft area and can handle multiple devices simultaneously without any problem. You can stream a high definition picture on your TV and at the same time play a graphic intensive game on the same network.
Best Features
The Nighthawk C7800 consists of a high-speed DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and Nighthawk X4S Wi-Fi router. Equipped with dual-band AC3200 Wi-Fi, it can support cable internet plans up to 3.2Gbps. It grants up to 3200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed for 4K streaming, video, and movie downloading, and graphics-intensive gaming.
Netgear C7800 deploys double firewall protection DoS attack protection and Wi-Fi protected access. You can also enable parental controls for website filtering on every device connected to the network. You can also make use of a free URL to set up a personal FTP server.
If you need to setup remote access to manage your network while you are away from home, download the Netgear Genie App from AppStore or Google Play store on your computer or smartphone.
What We Like About it
The Netgear C7800 also features Beamforming technology. Beamformer allows the router to transmit radio signals to create a faster and more reliable wireless internet connection on both 2.4GHz, and 5GHz Wi-Fi.
What We Don’t Like About It
The device is expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast internet Beamforming technology High-end processor | Expensive Setup can be a hassle sometimes |
Buyer’s Guide
1. Modem or Modem/ Router
To avoid clutter and setup confusion most service providers pack 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 lag-free.
However, a standalone modem and a separate router give you flexibility because in case you want to upgrade your broadband speed, you just need to upgrade the modem. Or if you want to upgrade your home network for faster speed or more features, you just need to replace the router.
- DOCSIS Protocols
When you buy a modem you will find DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 written on the side of the box. Most modern modems use either the DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 protocols. DOCSIS stands for “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” 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 an 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.
- 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.
- 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, you will only get 25 Mbps if your subscription speed caps at 25 Mbps.
- 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 do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
- 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.
- 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 year, consider buying a cable modem that costs around $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 Wi-Fi devices on your home network. Routers connect smart devices including smartphones, smart TVs, other smart home products like Alexa and security systems. Wireless routers let you stream content to laptops and mobile devices through Netflix, Amazon Prime, and similar services, without having to use cables.
Conclusion
We believe that the Motorola MG7700 is the best modem router combo. It is a highly rated product on Amazon and has amassed numerous positive reviews. This modem router combo is a favorite because it can handle high bandwidth and provide lag free internet despite heavy traffic. It has 24*8 channels that achieve good download and upload speed.
Choosing a modem router combo depends on the size of the place you plan to place it. It also depends on how many devices you plan on connecting to the network. Always consider one with range and a higher number of upstream and downstream channels.
Buying a modem router combo can rescue you from monthly rental charges from your internet service providers. It can also save you from the poor internet services by strengthening the signal and boosting internet speed.
Hope our reviews on some of the best modem router combo helped you in making a decision according to your needs and requirements.
See related topic:
Best Routers for Spectrum for Insanely Fast Network Speed 2021.
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