Motorola MB8600 Vs Netgear CM1000 – which modem is faster?

With a wide range of cable modems to choose from, the Motorola MB8600 and CM1000 are some of the top choices to consider today. Take a look as we compare them and provide an insightful review to see which is the most suitable for you.

A good cable modem should not cost you a lot of money. Today, there are a lot of affordable options with decent speeds and performance. In fact, the best modems should have the following qualities: good streaming abilities and security encryptions. Two of such entries are the Motorola MB8600 and the infamous Netgear CM1000. These are mid-entry level performance modems designed for large households and small businesses such as cafes. With them, you don’t need to break the bank yet you get stellar and consistent performance throughout. The following highlights some of their top features.

What are the differences between the Motorola MB8600 and Netgear CM1000?

Netgear CM1000 vs Motorola MB8600- How do they compare?

Streaming capabilities

The best way to analyze a cable modem’s performance is by looking at its streaming capabilities. This is because, the stated speeds by the manufacturer are usually purely theoretical and do not apply in the real world. Here, the Motorola MB8600 excels by far than the Netgear CM1000. A test reveals that the Motorola provides speeds of up to 500 Mbps compared to the Neteagr’s 300 Mbps. Although both performances can be considered good, Motorola is much more reliable for high resolution and 4K streaming, gaming and everyday surfing. It is the perfect choice for pro gamers who need high bandwidth connectivity. Overall, Motorola MB8600 is a beast when it comes to streaming and handling large downloads

Ports

Cable modems work generally by being connected to a router which then provides Wi-Fi for the household. This means they rely solely on a wired connection. The more the number of ports on a modem, the more versatile and better performing it is. Again, the Motorola beats the CM1000 modem by a long range. With four gigabit Ethernet ports, the Motorola can be hooked up to an additional three devices other than the router. In addition, the speed is constant all through the four ports with up to 500 Mbps on every channel. Netgear’s product on the other hand has just one Ethernet port. This limits the connected devices and may put a strain on your Wi-Fi with all devices connected to it. Motorola once again impresses in this category

Security and encryption

Access to the internet means exposure to internet related attacks such as DoS and hacks. To prevent this, cable modems are fitted with security and encryption standards to protect the user from such attacks. Here, the modems give tough competition to each other but the Motorola is slightly ahead once again. While both are fitted with the same Broadcom chipset for security, Motorola’s chpset conforms to international safety standards while Netgear CM100 does not. The safety standard in question is the Bureau Veritas 60950-1 ITE. Motorola therefore is more secure and less prone to these attacks.

Setup and configuration

It is important to consider the ease of use of any cable modem you buy. Some modems are backed with a smartphone app for installation and configuration while others offer technical support. Netgear CM1000 is an easier device to setup than the Motorola. This is because it is a plug and play device while the Motorola requires you to call the internet service provider for installation. In just under five minutes the Netgear CM1000 is ready to roll making it the better choice here.

Motorola MB8600 vs Netgear CM1000– A comparison review

Motorola MB8600

Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem - Approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Charter Spectrum, Supports Cable Plans up to 1000 Mbps | 1 Gbps Ethernet Port

• Top Internet Speeds for all Multi-gigabit Speed Tiers - Wirecutter recommends this model as the best...
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The Motorola MB8600 is the best release by the intermediary company Zoom that manufactures cable modems. Although the company was acquired by Arris, this modem remains to be their best product yet. It is a powerful high performance modem that supports recent technology DOCSIS 3.1 and 3.2. With this, the user is guaranteed of top security, firmware upgrades for reliability and universal compatibility. What this means is, the modem works with all the major cable internet providers in the US from Charter, Comcast Xfinity and Cox. But the best feature about this modem comes from its streaming abilities. Being a high performance model, it provides superb speeds of up to 500 Mbps. This is more than enough for pro gamers, large file downloads and everyday surfing. To enable this performance, the unit comes with 32 down channels and 8 up channels.

Another wonderful feature of the MB8600 is its physical design. It features a bold grey and glossy black design that adds to its overall elegance. Furthermore, it comes with four gigabit Ethernet ports making it the most versatile modems there is. For security, it is fitted with a Broadcom chipset with international security standards. This eliminates the risk for hacks and other internet related attacks. Lastly, the unit is easy to setup taking just about seven minutes to get everything up and runnitn

Pros

• Excellent design that compliments the home décor
• The modem provides high speeds for gaming and 4K streaming
• It provides excellent security
• Compatible with all major cable internet providers

Cons

• Motorola MB8600 is quite expensive

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Netgear CM1000

NETGEAR Cable Modem CM1000 - Compatible with All Cable Providers Including Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox | for Cable Plans Up to 1 Gigabit | DOCSIS 3.1, Black (CM1000-1AZNAS)

• Compatible with all major cable internet providers with internet speed up to 1Gbps. Currently certified...
• Save monthly rental fees: Model CM1000 replaces your cable modem saving you up to dollar 168/year in...

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This Netgear offering is one of the company’s bestselling modems and it’s easy to see why. First, the modem provides high speeds of up to 200 Mbps against a theoretical 1 Gbps speed rating. This speed is enough for streaming in high resolutions as well as live gaming. On top of this, there are no compatibility issues with this modem with it supporting all major ISP in the US. These include Comcast, Brighthouse, Charter, among others. In addition, it supports the latest DOCSIS versions of 3.1 and is backward compatible with version 3.0.

Netgear CM1000 provides excellent value for money. In fact, it is said to be the best modem under $100. By buying it, it saves you lots of money in rental fees that your internet provider charges you for using their modem. Lastly, the modem is huge and features a solid build that ensures durability. The following are its benefits and downside

Pros

• CM1000 is affordable and offers great value for money
• The modem offers high speeds for small to medium sized homes
• It supports both DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 for fast connectivity
• Superb modern design that compliments your interior décor

Cons

• There’s only one gigabit Ethernet port
• The design does not allow for mounting

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Conclusion

Netgear’s CM1000 is a great choice for anyone looking for a decent performance modem, everyday usemodem on a small budget. But for pro gamers and high bandwidth use, the Motorola is the perfect choice.

Final Verdict -So which is better, Motorola MB8600 or Netgear CM1000?

All in all, the Motorola MB8600is the better modem all round. It is faster, more consistent and stable in performance and offers better security than the Netgear CM1000.

FAQs

1. Does the CM1000 suffer from overheating?

No. The modem has serrated sides for breathability and cooling

2. Do both modems feature link aggregation?

No, only the MB8600 supports this feature. This is because it has four gigabit Ethernet ports.