Netgear CM600 Review

Are you looking to upgrade your home’s internet speeds and have been wondering what to use? You might want to ditch your rented modem and purchase one of your own. The Netgear CM600 promises great speeds and versatility.

Apart from wanting to increase internet transmission speeds in my home, I needed to save up on the amount of money I spent on renting a modem from my Internet Service Provider on a monthly basis. I did my calculations and discovered that I spent upwards of $150 every year to rent a modem. A little research on buying guides and modem reviews led me to the Netgear CM600, a cable modem that does an exceptional job at increasing home internet speeds. I decided to do a review of my own, and it is detailed below.

Netgear CM600 Breakdown and Review

MOTOROLA 16x4 Cable Modem, Model MB7420, 686 Mbps DOCSIS 3.0, Certified by Comcast XFINITY, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable, Cox, BrightHouse, and More

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The Netgear CM600 is ideally a mid-range modem when it comes to performance. There are many devices that are far much better, but it is considerably more powerful and reliable than a good number of modem devices in the market currently. It gets its great performance from the updated technology it uses.

The Netgear CM600 supports the DOCSIS 3.0 technology which gives modems the capacity to achieve lightning fast speeds, especially during intense activity. Being an improvement from the DOCSIS 2.0, the former bears the ability to facilitate speeds that are up to 16 times faster than older technology. For this reason, the Netgear CM600 makes a great acquisition for homes that have a data plan of 400Mbps.

Aside from the DOCSIS technology used, a modem’s channel bonding configuration determines its ability to support high download and upload speeds. This particular modem has a 24 x 8 channel bonding configuration, meaning that it provides 24 download channels and 8 upload channels. With this configuration, the Netgear CM600 comes with a top download speed of 960Mbps and an upload speed of up to 131Mbps. With such speeds, you will enjoy high intensity activity such as high speed gaming on two or three consoles and 4K video streaming across multiple devices.

One of this device’s most impressive characteristics is its ability to connect with many Internet Service Providers like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Xfinity, Cox and many others. Also, it is compatible with all router devices and delivers great speeds with all of them. As an added advantage, you get to save a good deal of money when you purchase your own since you eliminate the rental fees for a modem that is often times slower from your service provider.

What we liked;

• Transmits at high speeds
• Supports DOCSIS 3.0 technology
• Can be connected to many Internet Service Providers
• Compatible with all router types
• Saves you a good deal of money

What we did not like;

• It comes with only one WAN/ LAN port

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Netgear CM600 Specifications

Netgear CM600 Features

Design and Build

When it comes to looks, the Netgear CM600 comes with an incredibly simple yet sophisticated design. It features a beveled shape that adds to its unique look. The outer casing is made using rigid plastic that is both light and hardy, characteristics that give it excellent durability and portability. Since it measures 8.7 inches high by 5.3 inches wide by 2.4 inches deep, it becomes largely easy to install since it can go into small spaces. Thankfully, it has a flat base and large footprint that allows for good stability when set on a flat surface.

The Netgear CM600 gets part of its uniqueness from small triangular holes on both of its side panels. Unlike most modems that have a regular look due to circular cutouts, the triangular punctures on this router make for an interesting sight. On top of this, these tiny punctures help to keep the modem cool and prevent any form of damage from excess heat.

On the side panel of the router, there are 5 LED indicator lights that depict Power ON/ OFF, downstream and upstream, internet activity and Ethernet connectivity. When compared to other Netgear devices, the CM600 comes off as a little conservative since most others have 7 to 8 LED indicator lights.

For connections, this modem uses a coaxial cable to receive internet from the public domain. From here, you can connect other devices in your home via a LAN port that supports Gigabit transmissions.Devices that can be connected to the Netgear CM600 include a router, smart TV, laptop and desktop computers, gaming consoles and other internet compatible devices.However, it would have been of great advantage if this device came with more LAN ports.

Speed and Performance

The Netgear CM600 was developed to facilitate high speed internet connections in the home front. Since it uses the DOCSIS 3.0 technology, it manages to deliver speeds that are quite decent, especially for domestic settings. This is because the DOCSIS 3.0 standard delivers speeds that reach 8 to 16 times faster than the previous DOCSIS 2.0 standard.

When it comes to channel bonding, the Netgear CM600 comes with a 24 x 8 configuration which results in fast transmission speeds. With its 24 downward streams and 8 upward streams, this modem delivers maximum download speeds of 960Mbps and maximum upload speeds of 131Mbps. When it comes to data plans, this modem is best suited for internet speeds that reach 400Mbps.

Have in mind, though, that the speeds you experience are largely determined by your service provider. For instance, Cox and Xfinity deliver 300Mbps each while Spectrum delivers a higher speed at 400Mbps. When receiving such speeds, you can be able to manage high speed activity such as gaming on as many as three consoles and 4K video streaming across several devices at the same time.

Notably, this modem boasts high compatibility and can be connected to a number of Internet Service Providers. Also, you can use any kind of router since it is compatible with all router models. Even though it can be connected to many ISPs, it is incompatible with bundled voice services such as AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink and others.

The Netgear CM600 is also compatible with many operating systems such as Windows Vista, 2000, 7, 8, 10 and Mac OS. Additionally, this modem supports IPv6 technology which is considered nextgen as far as tech goes.

Ports and Connectivity

To receive internet from the public domain, the Netgear CM600 makes use of a coaxial cable located at the back of the device. To distribute to other devices, it is fitted with one WAN/ LAN port that supports Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. All connections are achieved via this port, and you can connect such devices as gaming consoles, computers and smart TVs.

You are going to notice that this modem does not come with a Power ON/OFF button. Once plugged into a power source, the Netgear CM600 turns on automatically, and the only way to switch it off is by unplugging it.

Who is it best suited for?

This device makes an excellent investment for people who want to increase internet speeds in their homes and save a good amount of money while at it.The Netgear CM600 allows for high intensity activity such as gaming and 4K video streaming.

Are there alternatives to the Netgear CM600?

Yes, there are. In place of the Netgear CM600, you can use the Netgear CM400, Netgear CM500 to Motorola MB7420. They also deliver good speeds and great compatibility to other ISPs and routers.

Features of alternative cable modems

 Verdict: So, should you buy the Netgear CM600?

Most definitely. This modem delivers lightning fast speeds and allows users to save a good amount of money on an annual basis. For good reliability and a new incredible experience, you should go on and buy the Netgear CM600 modem.

FAQs

1. Does the Netgear CM600 have an inbuilt router?

No, it does not. It only works as a cable modem.

2. Can I install the Netgear CM600 on a wall?

There is no need for this. It comes with a flat footprint that allows for stable installation on a flat surface.