To help you find the best WiFi modem and router combination, we evaluated our options using the following criteria: Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) protocols, WiFi compatibility, and internet speed.
The best product we researched was the Netgear CM500 cable modem, an exceptional choice for those who want to buy their own modem and save money as well. Equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 modem, it will make your home network connection fast, secure, and reliable. It also has great compatibility with US internet service providers. Read on to learn more about the Netgear CM500 and our three other favorites. For those who want to shop around, check the best routers available for purchase.
Top 4 Best WiFi Modems
#1 Netgear CM500 Cable Modem – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Netgear CM500 features cable internet speeds of up to 300 Mbps, high compatibility with major ISPs, 16×4 channel bonding, and high-speed internet access, making it significantly faster than other devices.
- Xfinity, Comcast, COX, and Spectrum certifications
- 300 Mbps speeds
- Compatible with most ISPs
- Not compatible with voice service bundles
- Some hardware issues
- Connection problems
The Netgear CM500 cable modem router is equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 technology, which can support fast HD streaming and other high-bandwidth activities. It has 16 download channels and 4 upload channels, making it ideal for people with 200 Mbps internet plans. It’s arguably the best WiFi modem on the market.
Out of all the modems we researched, the Netgear CM500 had the most impressive compatibility with US ISPs. It can support many of the major service providers, including Comcast and Spectrum. It isn’t, however, compatible with AT&T, Verizon, and so on.
Related: Find out key qualities of the best WiFi mesh systems.
It is compatible with any WiFi router. The setup is quick and minimal, and it should only take you about five minutes to get through. Plus, it stands vertically upright, so it won’t take up a lot of space on your shelf. Gamers may want something more specific to gaming with the appropriate specs, which is what our best router for gaming list is all about.
#2 Motorola MG7540 Modem Plus – Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: The MG7540 has internet speeds of up to 375 Mbps, giving wired devices stable, lag-free connections all day long. Although its functionality caters to all types of users, we’ve learned that its performance with Comcast is unrivaled.
- Best for Comcast
- Good security features
- Compatible with most internet providers
- Lacks a telephone jack
- Wireless signals may degrade over time
- Some connectivity issues with the 5 GHz channel
Motorola MG7540 is another modern cable modem that can help you save hundreds of dollars per month in rental fees. It can help you save approximately $156 a month. The modem has a DOCSIS 3.0 system with built-in AC1600 dual-band wi-fi technology, making it ideal for internet plans that reach up to 375 Mbps speeds. It can support high-bandwidth activities on a myriad of devices such as desktops, laptops, game stations, HDTVs, and many more. Perhaps the best thing about it is its AnyBeam WiFi beamforming technology, which enhances your wireless performance.
Related: If you are always on the move, we recommend the best travel routers.
Like our top pick, the Motorola MG7540 is compatible with multiple ISPs. This includes Comcast Xfinity, BrightHouse, RCN, and more. It also isn’t compatible with Verizon and AT&T. As it comes with a built-in WiFi router, you can save money, time, and space. No more messy wires and power cubes. This way, you can have a clean, simple, and easy single-user interface. Our second favorite modem has a two-year warranty. Speaking of an easy user interface, you have likely heard about the best mesh Wi-Fi systems, which are not only cutting edge, but also a great choice for ease of use.
#3 Netgear 6250-100 NAS modem – Best for Gaming
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Netgear 6250 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with an AC1600 router and two-gigabit wired switch that delivers 16x faster (and stable) download speeds.
- 680 Mbps speeds
- 16×4 channels
- Compatible with major ISPs
- Heats up easily
- Only two phone ports
- Some hardware issues
Netgear 6250 is a three-in-one modem that can give you 1,500 square feet of WiFi coverage. It’s perfect for large smart homes with multiple devices connected to the internet. It features dual-band AC1600 speeds and 16×4 channel bonding, giving you faster internet speeds than your standard connection. You can stream HD films or play online games without experiencing latency issues.
Unlike the other items on our list, it has special parental controls that allow you to manage your network from your smartphone or desktop using the Netgear Genie app. It even lets you set up a guest network in your home for visitors. It is compatible with most US cable providers, except for a few such as Verizon, AT&T, and CenturyLink. Don’t forget to keep in mind that the best network switch will help you to connect all of your devices, like this one, in a network. Another bit of advice is that if you want extra bandwidth, you may prefer the best AC router, which also gives you support for the latest 802.11ac networking standard.
Another model worth looking at is the Netgear Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router – a powerful router built with gaming, streaming, and mobile devices in mind. While you at it, you should also have a look at the Netgear DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem.
#4 ARRIS SBG10 Surfboard 3.0 – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Arris SBG10 is a combination of DOCSIS 3.0 technology, 802.11ac technology, and gigabit Ethernet port, which makes homes with fewer mobile devices easier to manage. It’s the best WiFi modem for consumers looking for an all-in-one device.
- Solid two-year warranty
- Three-in-one functionality
- Supports IPv4 and IPv6
- Lacks a telephone jack
- Not compatible with voice service bundles
- Some compatibility issues with Spectrum
The Arris Surfboard SBG10 is an all-in-one device that delivers fast wired networking as well as high-speed streaming. It has DOCSIS 3.0 technology and 802.11ac WiFi capabilities. It even has two one-gigabit Ethernet ports that deliver high-speed internet with no latency, giving you an excellent streaming or gaming experience. Using the modem on a Spectrum internet plan, you can reach speeds of up to 400 Mbps.
Although it is compatible with ISPs like Cox, Spectrum, and Xfinity, it doesn’t offer support for their voice service bundles. So it may not be the best home wifi for everyone if that is important to you.
How We Decided
We spent nearly a week researching and reviewing all kinds of modems from different brands. To find the best WiFi modem, we focused only on modems that work with any WiFi router. The last thing you want is to purchase a modem and find out the hard way that’s it’s not compatible with your W-Fi router. From there, we made sure that our top picks were all modern iterations with Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 3.0 or 3.1 protocols. Compatibility with US internet service providers (ISPs) was important in our search as well.
Finally, we selected modems based on their internet speeds. All four of our favorites have up to 300 Mbps internet cable speeds, which can support high-bandwidth activities on multiple devices without any latency issues.
Best WiFi Modem Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
The average internet user does not need the kind of performance level that modern WiFi modems deliver. There’s no reason to pay for features that you won’t use. However, in this increasingly digital world, it’s important to have a modem that meets your wireless networking needs. Here’s our best modem buyer’s guide to help you get started.
- ISP Compatibility
Much like how we chose our favorites, you ought to consider the modem’s compatibility with your internet service provider. Not all modems can support major ISPs. That said, some of the leading Asus routers and tri-band routers do have modem/router combo units that can handle ISPs with fast speeds. You may also be interested in WiFi routers for long-range devices, as well as WiFi routers for multiple devices. - Number of channels
Through channels, information is transported from your cable internet provider to you. If a modem is marketed with 8×4 channels, it means that it has eight channels for downloading content and four for uploading media online. The more channels the modem has, the more speed the ISP can bring to your home network. For a great recommendation, check out the ActionTEC GT784WN wireless N ADSL modem/router review.
Take note that the number of download channels will always be greater than the number of upload channels. To improve your network’s performance, always pick specs based on your internet speed. For instance, 8×4 channels are ideal for those with 100 Mbps internet plans. - Bonus features
Some modems have additional features like a telephone jack, which will allow you to use phones in your household. Other WiFi routers have parental controls, to help limit what your children see online.
