Cable internet service providers are still the become-to for people who don't take admission to fiber-to-the-dwelling (FTTH) or LTE. And while you can merely hire modems from cable companies, there are certain benefits to buying one instead.

Since cable ISPs operate differently to other ISPs, the things you accept to have into account when choosing a cable modem are not the same as for other types of modems.

Here are the acme things you should consider when buying a new cablevision modem.

1. Is It Better to Buy or Rent a Cable Modem?

Your get-go consideration is whether ownership a cable modem is the best decision for your own state of affairs. If you think you'll switch from cable internet to FTTH relatively before long, renting may be your best bet. Only if you're planning to stick with the account for over a twelvemonth, ownership a modem will end upwardly saving you money.

You can buy decent modems for the same cost as the cost of several months of rental payments. After two years, it's likely you would take saved a meaning chunk of greenbacks.

There's likewise the benefit that if y'all alter your net connexion type, yous can sell off your old cable modem and make some money back. If you just change your ISP, you don't take to deal with the hassle of returning and getting a new rented modem.

Information technology's likewise important to check whether your cablevision provider allows customers to use their own modems in the first place. Depending on where you alive, sure cable companies may not allow you to apply a 3rd-party modem for their services. In this instance, you would have no option merely to rent a modem from your ISP.

2. Is the Cablevision Modem Compatible With Your ISP?

Most cable modems piece of work with most cable ISPs, just there are a few exceptions. Before committing to a specific production, you should check whether it is compatible with your specific provider.

You can find this information on most cable ISP websites. If you're struggling to find the correct page, just do a quick search on Google for modems for your specific cable Internet service provider. You'll not only find the compatible device listing on your ISP'southward website more hands, but yous'll also detect specific recommendations from retailers.

Production descriptions for cable modems will likewise ordinarily identify whatsoever incompatible ISPs.

3. Does the Cable Modem Back up Your Plan's Speeds?

Y'all should make certain that your modem has the right speed capabilities for your internet programme. If your modem is as well slow, information technology will essentially cap the speed of your plan and cause wearisome speeds in your home network.

At the same time, there'due south no point in getting a lightning-fast modem if y'all just use a 100Mbps program, since your modem speed cannot increase the speed of your plan past its maximum assart.

DOCSIS is the standard that'southward used by cablevision companies to send data over the wires, and at that place are iii unlike tiers: 1.10, ii.x, and 3.10. More often than not, the higher the tier, the higher the performance and speed of the cablevision modem.

For example, a mid-range DOCSIS 3.0 modem will offer download speeds of up to 340Mbps and upload speeds of 130Mbps. High-finish modems offer higher download speeds.

The number of channels on the modem will too give you an idea of how fast the modem is. Channel numbers are often listed equally a number showing how many channels are dedicated to downloading versus uploading.

For example, "8x4" means that the modem has eight downstream channels and iv upstream channels.

The more than channels at that place are, the faster the speed of the modem in each category.

Compare the DOCSIS tier and channel numbers with the download and upload speeds of your plan. Y'all'll desire to brand sure your modem is fast enough to get the most out of your internet plan. But there's no signal is overcompensating dramatically, since high-speed modems come up with higher costs.

4. Do You Need a Combined Modem + Router?

Nowadays, many modems come with a built-in router. This removes the need for two standalone devices and means fewer cables. Only a router/modem combination comes with both benefits and drawbacks, so you'll need to decide whether y'all prefer two separate devices or 1 combined device.

A combination device limits your flexibility in some cases. You can't just upgrade one part of the device if you want a faster router, for example. You lot'll need to buy an entirely new combination device. At the same fourth dimension, it is frequently cheaper and easier to just buy a unmarried combined device.

Consider your upkeep, whether you're likely to demand a new router anytime soon, and other factors unique to your situation to decide whether to buy a combined cable modem and router.

5. Is Your Router's Ethernet Port Speed Fast Plenty?

If yous have a standalone router, you'll need to make sure your modem's Ethernet port speed is fast enough or run a risk creating a chokepoint in your network.

The Ethernet port and the Ethernet cable is how your internet connectedness gets from your modem to your router. If this port doesn't suit the speeds of your net plan, the connection will substantially exist throttled.

No affair how fast your router is, if you lot have a slow Ethernet port, you'll slow downwardly the rest of your connection significantly. And so make sure the port is fast enough for your connection.

A number of factors will affect which modem suits you the all-time. Merely there are a few standout brands and devices that are recommended by cablevision internet users.

Here are the best modems co-ordinate to Amazon'southward Verified Expert recommendations for each category.

The Best Cable Modem Overall: Netgear CM600

NETGEAR-cm600-cable-modem

Dubbed "the best modem for most people", the Netgear CM600 balances performance with affordability. Information technology likewise has the benefit of being compatible with most cable companies, making information technology a skilful choice for cable internet users in full general. However, it is not uniform with Verizon, AT&T, or CenturyLink.

With DOCSIS 3.0 and download speeds of up to 960Mbps, the modem also accommodates almost cyberspace program speeds.

The Best Upkeep Cablevision Modem: Netgear CM500

netgear-cm500-cable-modem

The Netgear CM500 is the more budget-friendly cousin to the CM600. While it sacrifices speed in favor of affordability, its maximum download speed of 686Mbps is neat for customers on cheaper cablevision plans.

Still, information technology's recommended for people who have cable internet plans of 300Mbps or lower. With DOCSIS three.0 functionality and 16 downstream channels, information technology also won't lose ISP back up, which is a risk for sure lower-end devices.

The Best High-Performance Cablevision Modem: Motorola MB8600

motorola-MB8600-cable-modem

If yous want a cable modem with high speed and functioning, the Motorola MB8600 comes highly recommended.

Because that it accommodates speeds of upwardly to 1000Mbps, you don't have to worry most it slowing your connection down. The modem is compatible with gigabit internet plans such equally Comcast Gigabit and Cox Gigablast.

High functioning comes at a college price, but this modem will exist future-proof for at least a few years.

Should Y'all Upgrade Your Wireless Router?

Now that you lot know what to consider when buying a cable modem, yous should consider whether a router upgrade is a adept option too.

While the modem is the main facilitator of your internet connection, your router is where near of your network's coordination takes place.

If yous however need to be convinced of the benefits of a new router, check out our guide on why yous should consider upgrading your Wi-Fi router.

We hope you similar the items we recommend and hash out! MUO has chapter and sponsored partnerships, then nosotros receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won't affect the price y'all pay and helps u.s. offering the best product recommendations.

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About The Author

Megan Ellis (127 Articles Published)

Megan is a Junior Editor at MUO. In 2016, she decided to unite her qualification in New Media and lifetime of geekiness to pursue a career in tech and gaming journalism. Yous can usually detect her writing near a variety of topics and drooling over new gadgets. She has a BA Honours in Linguistics and Applied Linguistic communication Studies in addition to her Available of Journalism.

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