
- Best cable modem for comcast high speed internet series#
- Best cable modem for comcast high speed internet tv#
Once you decide on the router, pay attention to speed and capabilities. Also note that some standalone routers, such as the AX6000 I use, can serve as mesh base stations as well you can add satellites later. Among the brands to explore are Amazon’s Eero, Netgear’s Orbi, TP-Link’s Deco and Google’s Nest Wi-Fi. They can start around $200 and go up depending on their capabilities and the number of satellites required. These are used in larger houses, or in spaces where radio signals are blocked by walls or other objects.
Best cable modem for comcast high speed internet series#
Mesh routers, which use a primary base station along with a series of satellite devices strategically placed in different rooms. By contrast, TP-Link’s AX20, which would be just fine in my home, sells on Amazon for $80. It’s probably overkill for my 1,400-square-foot swankienda. I use a TP-Link AX6000 router, which sells on Amazon for $280. These work for small-to-medium-sized homes and apartments, and can start as low as $75 but can run several hundred dollars. Standalone routers, in which one device broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. You can simplify the process by thinking of them in two categories: If you think the cable modem landscape is confusing, wait until you start exploring the world of routers. Keep in mind that the speeds on the modem you buy won’t be what you get if you choose a router that can’t keep up. In researching this column, I discovered that my Netgear CM-1000 is now considered “not supported” because it can’t hit the speeds I’m paying for.

And it’s a good idea to occasionally check even after buying a modem. Comcast’s modem compatibility page is at. For example, Motorola’s well-reviewed MG8611 modem is rated for plans of up to 2.5 gigabits per second and sells on Amazon for $180.īefore you choose, check with your cable provider to make sure a particular modem is compatible. But faster-rated models many cost up to twice that or more. Lower-cost DOCSIS 3.1 modems start at about $100 and can handle speed tiers up to 1 gigabit per second downloads. On : Faster cable internet speeds are coming, even if you don’t really need them

This is the standard you should choose, even if you think you don’t need that kind of speed now. You’re better off shelling out for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, which allows for speeds up to and sometimes over 1 gigabits per second. The current version is 3.1, although there are plenty of modems for sale that use the older 3.0 standard. You then plug an Ethernet network cable into it and connect it directly to a router, which lets you share the connection with multiple devices.Ĭable modems use a standard called DOCSIS, or Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.
Best cable modem for comcast high speed internet tv#
The modem connects to the outlet used by cable companies such as Comcast to bring TV and internet into your home. If something goes wrong with either component, you don’t have to get rid of the entire combo box. This lets you take independent advantage of updated tech in each category. Combination modem/routers are available for consumers, but it makes more sense to separate them.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Motorola-MT7711-fa1683b6830c4f7da0902e0fa8806ef0.jpg)
If you want to use your own equipment, you’ll mostly likely want to split those up. The device for which you pay monthly combines the modem and router into one package. If you want to let someone else worry about troubleshooting and are interested in the security and home-networking features included in the newer Xfinity Gateways, renting may be your best bet.īut for those who want to save over the long haul and have more control over their home networks, read on. But now, for some it may be worth paying monthly for Comcast’s box. In the past, I’ve been all-in on owning your own modem and router. And routers come in a dizzying variety of models, types and prices. There are modems from two existing standards available now one is a much smarter choice than the other, but the speeds it can accommodate will vary. That said, some aspects are more complicated, particularly choosing which modem and router to buy. Equipment has gotten friendlier and Comcast’s process for activating it is more streamlined. Setting up your own network hardware is a lot easier than it used to be with cable internet providers.
