Best Cable Modems for Cox in 2021 (Reviews and Guide)

Here are the best cable modems for Cox.

Cable modems are not created equal, and this means that you cannot buy just any modem if you wish to enjoy the services offered by Cox. You need to look out for modems that are compatible with Cox cable services, and this means carefully looking at the features offered by a cable modem, weighing those features against your needs, and choosing the modem that best meets those needs.

And with Cox being the third-largest cable internet provider across the US (it boasts support from over 6 million active subscribers), meaning that you could easily be one of Cox’s subscribers, you might want to tread with a little more care when it comes to your choice of cable modem. Keep in mind that although some of the cable modems are touted as the best on the market and buying one would save you money in the long run, the wrong modem will end up costing you more money.

With these in mind, we’ve reviewed some of the best cable modems for Cox.

Best Cable Modems for Cox – Comparison Table

Best Cable Modems for Cox	Best for	Price
MOTOROLA MB7420 16×4 Cable Modem	Best Overall Cox Cable Modem	Check Price
Arris Surfboard SB6183	Best Performance Cable Modem	Check Price
NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500	Best Budget-Friendly Cable Modem	Check Price
Motorola MB7621 24×8 Cable Modem	Best High-Speed Cox Cable Modem	Check Price
ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem	Best Future-Proof Cable Modem	Check Price
NETGEAR Cable Modem CM600	Best Streaming Modem	Check Price

Best Cable Modems for Cox comparison overview

1. MOTOROLA MB7420 16×4 Cable Modem – Best Overall Cox Cable Modem

Designed for use with Cox’s subscriber plans in the 10 – 150Mbps category, this Motorola MB7420 is one of the best cable modems for Cox. This modem offers a maximum throughput of 686Mbps, as it runs on the DOCSIS 3.0 protocol and boasts a 16×4 channel bonding for the best performance. The performance of this cable is further enhanced by the Full-Band Capture digital tuner, which allows you to enjoy fast internet speeds and the most reliable connections. It’s compatible with all plans offered by Cox and comes with one gigabit Ethernet port that connects to the router.

You might also like this cable modem because it boasts a compact and attractive design, and it will fit on your shelf perfectly. It also boasts a good cooling system, and you won’t have to worry about the unit running hot during use.

Pros

• Compatible with Cox and most of the leading ISPs
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Reliable, high-speed performance
• 16×4 channel bonding

Cons

• Not the smallest cable modem

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2. Arris Surfboard SB6183 – Best Performance Cable Modem

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If you are looking for a top-performance cable modem that will leave you with the best network performance, this  Arris Surfboard SB6183 cable modem might be the best option for you. It’s designed for internet plans with speeds of up to 400Mbps. Its performance is also enhanced by the gigabit Ethernet port, which allows you to connect to the router for wireless connectivity.

It is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 16×4 channel bonding, and it offers the best performance for home and small office use. The speeds offered by this cable modem are elegant, and you will be able to do pretty much everything you need the internet for. Just beware of the fact that this modem is hard to come by, and you shouldn’t buy the refurbished modem for whatever reason.

You might also like this modem because it boasts an unobtrusive design, and the vertical indicator lights make it easy to use.

It’s compatible with most other cable service providers, and you need cable internet service to use it because it doesn’t support WiFi.

Pros

• Solid, reliable performance
• Compatibility with most cable internet service providers besides Cox.
• 16×4 cable bonding for high-speed downloads and uploads
• The status lights are easily visible
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Placement of the coaxial cable is a little awkward

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3. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 – Best Budget-Friendly Cable Modem

For the best budget-friendly cable modem for Cox, you might want to try out this Netgear Cable modem designed to support cable internet plans up to 300Mbps. It is compatible with many other cable internet service providers, and it boasts an easy setup.

It is a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem boasting a 16×4 channel bonding, and you will be able to enjoy super-fast internet connectivity and overall excellent wireless internet access. It comes with a single Gigabit Ethernet port to connect with your router for WiFi, but you could also use the Ethernet port to connect the modem to your computer directly.

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Works well
• Easy setup and network management
• Affordable

Cons

• The positioning of the LED indicator lights could be better

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4. Motorola MB7621 24×8 Cable Modem – Best High-Speed Cox Cable Modem

If you need a cable modem that will support high-speed activities like gaming or streaming, you might want to try out this cable modem. It’s designed to support speeds of up to 1Gbps, and besides compatibility with Cox, it also offers support for most of the other cable service providers on the market.

This modem is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 24×8 channel bonding, which means that you will be able to enjoy the fastest internet speeds at all times. It is a preferred choice for most people, and it will work well with Cox plans above 500Mbps, as it supports the 650Mbps plan seamlessly. Its performance is enhanced by the Gigabit Ethernet port, which allows for the best connection to your wireless router, computer, gaming consoles, and video streaming services. You could also use it with your mesh whole-home WiFi system.

You might also like it because of the simple setup, the compact space-saving design, and the highly functional cooling system that will enhance the life of the modem.

Pros

• Highest-speed cable modem
• Reliable performance
• Fast setup
• Easy to use
• Durable, compact design
• Nice cooling system
• DOCSIS 3.1, 24×8 channel bonding
• Versatile

Cons

• No telephone ports

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5. ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem – Best Future-Proof Cable Modem

Arris is one of the leading brands of network devices on the market, and it is known for several modems. This ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is one of the best cable modems on the market by Arris, and it might be the best cable modem for you if you are looking for the best future-proof cable modem.

It is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem compatible with Cox, and it allows you to enjoy blazing-fast wireless speeds of up to 2000Mbps. The download and upload speeds from this modem are also impressive, thanks to the 32×8 channel bonding.

Its cable-only setup means that you can only use this cable modem by connecting it to a device via an Ethernet port. To meet this need, this modem features one activated Gigabit Ethernet port that allows you to connect to the router and other digital devices with ease. It is backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 modems.

Pros

• Best speeds
• Versatile setup
• Ease of use
• DOCSIS 3.1
• 32×8 channel bonding for the best speeds
• Excellent performance
• Powerful design for gaming and streaming

Cons

• Expensive

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6. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM600 – Best Streaming Modem

To enjoy buffer-free 4K UHD streaming, you might want to invest in this CM600 cable modem. It is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that features one Gigabit Ethernet port for high-speed wired connections. It also boasts fast download and upload speeds thanks to the 24×8 channel bonding.

The modem is also compatible with several cable service providers besides Cox, meaning that you will be able to use this cable modem in the future if you decide to switch service providers.

Pros

• Affordable
• Great speed
• Solid performance
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Works with most ISPs
• DOCSIS 3.0
• 24×8 channel bonding

Cons

• Taller than most other modems
• The warranty is only for one year.

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Buying Guide for the Best Cable Modems for Cox

Cox is one of the leading cable service providers on the internet with a subscriber base of at least 6 million users. The company offers numerous broad service plans for its subscribers, and there is something for everyone, starting with the cheaper 10Mbps plans to the Gigabit plans (1Gbps). Unfortunately, all these plans come with a monthly fee, which is why the idea of owning your own modem is quite appealing because you won’t have to pay these charges anymore. Besides the monthly savings, investing in a Cox-compatible third-party modem often means that you get to enjoy the best network performance, even as you enjoy a lower demand for electricity. There is also the fact that repairing a Cox modem costs more than repairing a third-party modem.

Seeing all that is in store for you when you choose to buy a cable modem for Cox, you obviously want to find and buy the best Cox-compatible cable modem. To do that, there are features that you need to look out for/ consider, and we look at all these features below.

Things to look out for in Cox-compatible Cable Modems

For most of us, the price of the modem will be the first thing that we look out for, but it would be a good idea to take a step back and delve into all the features that the modem offers because you want to be sure that the selected modem offers the best value for money.

Here are the features that you must look out for:

• Channel bonding

Channel bonding is one of the most important features to consider and look out for in cable modems because it determines the download and the upload speeds you will enjoy from the modem. The bonded or aggregated channels work like the lanes on the highway, with highways with more lanes having the capacity for more cars, hence high-speed transportation and movement from one end to the other. This principle applies to the channels bonded together in the cable modems, and the modems with a large number of aggregated channels will offer high-speed downloads and uploads.

To understand the channel bonding statistics of your cable modem, it is important to note that different numbers are used to describe the downstream and the upstream channels. The downstream channels are shown by the first digits, while the second set of numbers describes the total number of upstream channels. The downstream channels are always more than the upstream channels, specifically because we download more content than we upload, and most of what we do on the internet requires high download speeds.

That said, the best of the Cox-compatible cable modems will feature a large number of downstream and upstream channels that ensure support for maximum speeds supported by Cox.

To choose a plan from Cox, you need to keep in mind that the 10Mbps, 50Mbps, and the 150Mbps plans all feature the 16×4 channel bonding and they run on the DOCSIS 3.0 protocol, and all the other high-speed plans with 32×4 channel bonding or higher will fall in Cox’s ultimate plan.

• DOCSIS

The other important consideration to keep in mind in your search for the best cable modem for Cox is the DOCSIS standard. This is something important to note because, for you to enjoy the gigabit speeds offered by Cox, you must have a DOCSIS 3.1 modem.

DOCSIS technology stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, and it refers to the specification or technology that allows you modem to effortlessly pass/ move information from and to your cable ISP to your devices.

That said, you also need to consider the compatibility of the cable modem with the service/ plan you are paying for. Basically, most of the DOCSIS 3.0 modems for Cox will work with the plans offered by this cable service provider. But if you are unsure, you might want to head over to Cox to review compatibility. The good news is that the modems reviewed above are all compatible with Cox.

• Warranty

Besides being careful not to waste your hard-earned money, you also need to check the warranty of your modem because buying a modem is an investment into an important part of your network infrastructure, and you want to know that the manufacturer will replace or fix the modem in case it stops working after some time. Keep in mind that the best modem is designed to last.

• Design

Besides buying a modem that is built to last, you also need to look at the design features incorporated into the modem and how they will help you enjoy the best level of connectivity/ network management. We are talking about important features such as the indicator lights – you need these indicator lights to be easy to spot, but not blinding or just too bright. You should also opt for the modem that is more compact and just the right size to fit the designated spot in your home, whether on the shelf or your working desk.

• Speed

If you’ve subscribed to a plan capped at 300Mbps, a 16×8 channel bonded modem will work fine for you, but if you need higher speeds, you’d need a modem with more download channels.

FAQs

How can I protect my Cox-compatible modem?

One of the best security solutions offered is the Cox Security Suite Plus, which is powered by McAfee, and it allows for the best protection for at least 5 devices. But you don’t have to subscribe to this service always because some of the third-party modems you are considering feature advanced security features that you will like.

What is an End of Life modem?

End of Life modem or modems that come with the End of Life designation refers to the modems that were at some/ one point recognized as service-compatible modems but are no longer regarded as the best or the most compatible, either because they are unstable on some networks, they are no longer supported by the manufacturer, have reached the end of production, or they use outdated technologies. While some sellers still sell some of the End of Life modems, you should avoid them.

What is an internet modem?

Internet modems are the modems that providers need to be able to receive internet service. These have the traditional cable wire connected to the modem (the cable goes into the house, and the internet signals them shared/ transmitted via a router wirelessly or via wired connections.

Conclusion

Cox-compatible cable modems offer the best way for you to enjoy cable internet access from Cable, and the cable modems above are some of the best options for you. Keep in mind that although the rental fees for cable modems appear low, these monthly charges add up so fast, and you’ll end up with a big bill year after year. To keep down costs and to enjoy the best internet performance, you might want to find a good cable modem. Opting for a cable modem based on the latest technological standards is also an advisable option, and you won’t have to worry about an upgrade after a year or two. The standalone cable modem also means that you will be able to upgrade your router easily, should the need arise in the future, and it will cost less than replacing both the router and modem in the case of combined router-modem units.