Best Netgear Modems

Buying a high-quality cable modem instead of renting one from your ISP might be the one thing that saves you a good chunk of money.

Modems promise to save you a good amount of money, but only if you choose a modem fitted with features that will enhance your internet connectivity at home or in your office. Unfortunately, finding the right cable modem that matches your needs and ultimately saves you money might not be the easiest thing to do when the market is filled with a slurry of potentially good fits.

Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case for you, and we’ve reviewed some of the best options on the market for you, specifically the ones from Netgear, which is a leading brand of network/ internet devices.

Keep reading for details of the best Netgear modems.

Best Netgear Modems – Comparison Table

Best Netgear Modems	Best For	Features	Price
NETGEAR CM600	Best Overall Netgear Modem	DOCSIS 3.0 24×8 Channel Bonding 400Mbps	Check Price
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000	Best Gaming Modem	DOCSIS 3.0 24×8 Channel bonding 400Mbps	Check Price
Netgear CM500	Best Value for Money	DOCSIS 3.0 16×4 Channel Bonding 300Mbps	Check Price
Nighthawk Multi-Gig Speed Cable Modem (CM1200)	Best MultiGig Modem	32×8 Channel Bonding DOCSIS 3.1 2000Mbps	Check Price
Netgear Nighthawk Multi-Gig Speed Cable Modem (CM1150V)	Best Modem with Voice Support	32×8 Channel Bonding DOCSIS 3.1 2000Mbps	Check Price

Best Netgear Modems – Reviews

1. NETGEAR CM600 – Best Overall Netgear Modem

If you are looking for the best, high-speed, high-performance, reliable, and a modem that won’t break the bank, this modem would be a great option for you.

This CM600 boasts a simple, mid-grade design with one of the best features in terms of speed, affordability, and reliability. It’s based on the DOCSIS 3.0 technology, and you will be happy to know that this technology is compatible with all major cable providers around. It’s compatible with Cox, Spectrum, and Xfinity, among others.

This modem boasts 24×8 channel bonding, which means that the modem allows you to enjoy the highest internet speeds possible in download and upload speeds. The 24 channel refers to the number of channels, and also how fast your ISPs send information to your home network. The other number, 8, is the number of upstream channels, and it determines just how fast you send information to your ISP. Therefore, the 24×8 channel bonding system means that you get to enjoy solid and high-speed peak internet speeds. So, running on DOCSIS 3.0 with 24×8 bonded channels, this Netgear CM600 is one of the best modems on the market today.

It offers high internet speeds of up to 960Mbps, which is a lot of power even with the most demanding internet needs. Keep in mind that research indicates an average internet speed of approximately 34Mbps, making close to 1Gbps pretty impressive. Also, this modem works with cable internet providers offering high internet speeds of up to 400Mbps

Pros

• Great compatibility with most major cable providers
• High-speed internet access/ connectivity
• Affordable
• Reliable performance
• Modern technologies, including DOCSIS 3.0 and 24×8 channel bonding
• Works with all WiFi routers
• 1 Gigabit Ethernet port
• Ideal for urban professionals, mid-sized professionals, and even gamers

Cons

• Not optimized for the highest speeds

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2. NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 – Best Gaming Modem

Sometimes you need more power from your modem, and the thing that makes that possible would be investing in the modem that offers just as much power. And this Netgear C7000 is just one of the best modems you might want to give a try.

This modem is one of the best gaming options on the market, and it is the strongest link for your gaming setup. The high-speed setup of this modem and the incorporation of the latest technologies mean that you will be able to enjoy a low-latency performance. So, if you have been struggling with low internet speeds and high latency, it might be an excellent time for an upgrade, and this modem might be a great fit for you. And a deluxe modem-router combo, you get to enjoy a seamless connection and powerful gaming performance.

The main features that stand out from this modem-router combo include its compatibility with the main ISP cable providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. The modem is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that offers top speeds of at least 400Mbps, while the router offers great speeds of 1900Mbps. Thanks to the high-speed setup of the modem, it would be a great match for you if you need one of the best gaming modem-router setups in your home. It also comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which make for the best and the fastest wired connections. Its network coverage is pretty impressive too.

Pros

• Great gaming capacity
• High-internet speeds
• 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Cable compatibility with main cable providers
• DOCSIS 3.0 offers overall good performance
• 400Mbps for modems and 1900Mbps from your router
• 24×8 channel bonding engineering
• 2 USB ports
• Great way to save money

Cons

• Not cheap

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3. Netgear CM500 – Best Value for Money

The Netgear CM500 is one of the best modems on the market today, and it remains to be one of the leading cable modems on the market, offering great value for money.

It boasts compatibility with the leading cable providers, and though it runs of DOCSIS 3, the top speeds of 300Mbps, and the 16×4 channel bonding system makes this modem one of the best options on the market for your home internet needs.

Although it’s significantly taller than some modems on the market, it boasts a high level of flexibility, and the modem is very easy to setup.

Pros

• Great cable compatibility
• Solid overall performance
• Cheaper than other models
• High internet speeds up to 300Mbps
• DOCSIS 3.0
• 16X4 channel bonding technology

Cons

• Indicator lights could be better
• The year-long warranty is a little short
• Not compatible with AT&T, Verizon, DSL, Dish, CenturyLink, and DirecTV

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4. Nighthawk Multi-Gig Speed Cable Modem (CM1200) – Best MultiGig Modem

If you are looking for the next best thing in the modem world, then this CM1200 modem might be an excellent option for you as it features some of the most advanced technological features.

Designed to provide a multi-gig setup supporting high download speeds up to 2Gbs, and with support for 4 public IP addresses specifically for Comcast clients, the modem is one of the best options around.  This modem also boasts the best functions for link aggregation, and the multi-IP support means that you get to use the modem for a maximum of 4 home networks, hence the ability to have multiple servers running all at once.

To boost the performance of the modem, you will be happy with the DOCSIS 3.1 technological setup that offers the highest speed performance at all times. Also, it’s backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 systems.

This modem is also compatible with Cox, Xfinity, and Spectrum, meaning you get to activate the modem easily without having to make a service call.

Besides the 2Gbps Ethernet port, there also are Gigabit Ethernet ports for the best wired connectivity and overall ultra-high-speed performance. Then you have the 32×8 channel bonding and 2×2 OFDM that make this modem really stand out.

Pros

• Multi-Gig ports for high-speed wired connections
• Modem technologies for best performance
• 32×4 channel bonding
• OFDM 2×2
• DOCSIS 3.1
• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports for excellent wired connections
• Gigabit speeds
• Compatible with major ISPs

Cons

• Not compatible with Verizon, CenturyLink, Verizon, or DISH

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5. Netgear Nighthawk Multi-Gig Speed Cable Modem (CM1150V) – Best Modem with Voice Support

Last on our list is this Netgear CM1150V, a high-speed modem with phone support. It’s one of the best modems on the market that comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two phone lines, all designed to enhance your home’s internet connection.

Some of the features that make this one of the best Netgear modems on the market include DOCSIS 3.1 for high-speed connectivity, high speeds of 2000Mbps, and very high download speeds, as well as 32×8 channel bonding and OFDM 2×2 for consistently high performance.

It is versatile, and the voice phone support means that you can use Xfinity voice services and up to 2 telephone lines with caller ID functions, a 3-way conference calling, and call forwarding, among other functions. This modem is built for speed, and it offers the best internet performance.

Pros

• High internet speeds
• Voice support
• Multi-gig cable
• 32×8 channel bonding
• OFDM 2×2
• High download speeds
• High overall performance
• DOCSIS 3.1

Cons

• Expensive

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Buying Guide for the Best Netgear Modems

Netgear is one of the most reputable brands of modems, but like all other leading brands of networking and internet devices, you always have to look at more than the brand name. What this means is that you need to review the features offered by the device in question before you complete your order, and that is what we’ll look at in this section.

Here are the crucial features and considerations that you need to look out for in your search for the best modems. Remember that at the end of the day, a good modem will help save you money, and you won’t have to worry about paying ISP rental feels anymore, as you enjoy the best performance from your modem and router combination.

ISP Compatibility

Before everything else, the first thing you need to look out for in a Netgear modem is whether the firmware of the modem is compatible with your ISP or not ISP compatibility is crucial in your search for the right modem because you need to make sure that your ISP has given approval for the modem to be used in their network. Even with the best modem on the market, you always need to make sure that the modem works with your IPS. Don’t assume that modem will work with your ISP before confirming.

To find out if the modem you are interested in is certified by your ISP or not, you could call them to ask. Better yet, check out your ISP’s website for a list of the acceptable and certified modems that work with the ISP’s network.

At the very least, you need to look out for a modem that is compatible with leading ISPs like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cable One, Cox, and Mediacom, among others.

Speed

Once you’ve figured out that the modem is compatible with your ISP, you need to consider the speed of the modem next. Speed is just as important as the ISP compatibility, and you need to make sure that the internet speeds offered by the modem are fast enough to meet your needs.

For instance, a modem offering top speeds of 300Mbps on an 8×4 channel bonding model might not offer the high speeds you wish for if your ISP’s maximum speed isn’t as high as what’s promised by the modem.

However, some ISPs would increase your maximum internet speeds if you wish for improved performance. But for the best speeds and overall great performance from your modem, you might want to opt for a 16×4 channel modem with higher speeds for the best performance, allowing you to attain full-speed modem capabilities.

But there’s more. For a modem that offers very high-speed performance, you need to check out the modem’s specifications; specifically, the DOCSIS standard – DOCSIS 3.1 modems are faster than the DOCSIS 3.0 modems. Also, the DOCSIS 3.1 modems are future-proofed, and they come with several other beneficial features.

The other important consideration you need to keep in mind about speeds is that there are several cases where brands will advertise inaccurate numbers for their device speeds. It’s worth noting that in as much as some modem manufacturers state high internet speeds from their modem boxes, the stated speeds are often unobtainable and even unrealistic. To make sure that you have an accurate picture of what the maximum speed is, you need to take into account factors like total users on your network, the type of server used, your computer equipment, as well as the ISP services and all other factors that would throttle the modem’s top speeds’ full output. These factors play an important role because the speed you get from your modem is only a percentage of the speed specified on your package specifications.

Finally, always bear in mind that the maximum theoretical speed specified is only the theoretical maximum download or upload speeds. So, in as much as your DOCSIS 3.1 modem will come with an advertised speed of 10Gps or even 6Gbps, your ISP will often limit your cable modem’s speed to about 1Gbps, depending on your network capabilities.

DOCSIS 3.0 vs. DOCSIS 3.1

We’ve mentioned DOCSIS a couple of times here, but do you really know what the terms means and its effects on the performance of the modem you are choosing from.

DOCSIS, a term that stands for Data Over Cable Services Interface Specification, refers to the technology that allows for the transportation of data over your coaxial cables/ internet service. It is one of the most commonly used formats that is used by the cable ISPs. DOCSIS 3.0 is the most common standard, and DOCSIS 3.1 is the newer version used in modems today.

The difference between these two formats is their capable speeds. For instance, DOCSIS 3.1 is said to have a high maximum speed capability of up to 1Gbps while DOCSIS 3.0 modems reach impressive high speeds of between 650 and 700Mbps. What this means is that DOCSIS 3.1 boasts higher internet speeds of up to 30% higher than DOCSIS 3.0 for gigabit internet.

Besides the differences, DOCSIS 3.1is backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.1, which means that if your ISP hasn’t upgraded to DOCSIS 3.1 as your modem, the modem you’ve purchased will still work with your ISP.

Channel Bonding

Channel bonding is the other important factor for you to keep in mind when shopping, as it determines a lot about the performance of the cable modem. Some of the best modems have a 16×4 channel bonding specification, which means that the modem comes with 16 download channels and 4 upload channels. Generally, the higher the number of channel models, the faster the data download and upload speeds.

The best, high-speed modems have more data channels, and they boast a higher speed performance. These modems will push your home to the highest level of a home network.

Chipsets

Most cable modems come with chipsets, but before you buy the modem, ensure that the chipsets isn’t defective and that it will help you get rid of issues like network jitters and network latency matters.

FAQs

Which should you buy, modem, or a modem-router combination?

To determine what you need, first, answer the question – are you happy with your current router? Well, here’s a guiding point – if you recently upgraded your router but haven’t ever thought of the modem, and when it was bought, it might be the right time for you to buy a new modem. But if you have been using your ISP’s modem and wish to save some money in the process, then it would be an excellent idea to buy a new modem and router combination. The good news is that despite the initial high cost of the new modem, you will make back the money used in a year or less. A combination might be a good option for you if your router needs a bit of digital touch and if you only need one device to do the job.

What is DOCSIS?

DOCSIS or Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification refers to the standard that determines how fast/ quickly information will travel from your ISP to your home network and back.

What is channel bonding?

With information flowing between your cable ISP and your home network, channel bonding is the technology that combines a number of channels to allow more information to pass through all at once, hence a higher level of performance.

Conclusion

The modems above are only some of the best modems on the market, and with Netgear being a leading brand on the market today, any of the modems reviewed might be a great option for you. These modems are fast; they promise significant savings and provide the most powerful performance for your home network.