Netgear Nighthawk C7000 Review

This device delivers exceptional speeds at all times of day and night and remains unaffected by peak hours. The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 proves exceptionally reliable, especially in large households that require high speed internet transmission for multiple devices.

Netgear as a company has long been known for developing and creating high performance devices for home and commercial use. I have been a Netgear device user for a good deal of time, and I am yet to come across devices that make me as happy as these ones do. That said, I decided to eliminate my monthly rental fees for a modem from my service provider and as you expected, I got myself a Netgear device – the Netgear Nighthawk C7000, to be precise. I am impressed by its speeds, compatibility and a whole range of other features detailed below.

Netgear Nighthawk C7000 Breakdown and Review

NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo C7000-Compatible with Cable Providers Including Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox for Cable Plans Up to 800Mbps | AC1900 WiFi Speed | DOCSIS 3.0

• Save monthly rental fees: Model C7000 replaces your cable modem and Wi-Fi router, saving you up to 168...
• Speeds by carrier: Xfinity (up to 800Mbps), Cox (up to 500Mbps), Spectrum (up to 400Mbps).

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One of the Netgear Nighthawk C7000’s most outstanding features is the fact that it works as a modem and a router at the same time. Such devices are commonly referred to as Gateway devices. With the Netgear Nighthawk C7000, you do not just get to save on the cost of saving money on a rented modem, you also get to eliminate the need to get a separate router for internet connectivity.

Perhaps its most significant ability is the internet speeds it delivers for home devices. These speeds are largely attributed to its ability to support the DOCSIS 3.0 technology. This technology or standard gives modems speeds that are at least 8 times faster thanthose which use older technology. Additionally, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 supports channel bonding and comes with a 24 x 8 configuration. This configuration translates to 24 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels.

When it comes to internet speeds, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 makes for an excellent device for internet users that have a 400Mbps data plan. Since it operates as a modem and router, it works within the AC1900 standard which supports speeds of up to 1,900Mbps. Additionally, it covers a range of up to 1,800 square feet. You can connect up to 30 devices at the same time without experiencing lag or downtime during high intensity use.

The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 also boasts great compatibility. This device can easily connect to all Internet Service Providers including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Xfinity and many others. Have in mind, however, that this device does not bear the ability to connect to voice bundle services such as AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink, DSL providers and others.

What we liked;

• Supports DOCSIS 3.0 technology
• Supports channel bonding
• Transmits at high internet speeds
• Works as both a modem and router
• Compatible with all Internet Service Providers

 What we did not like;

• It is not compatible with voce bundle services

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Netgear C7000 Specifications

Netgear C7000 Features

Design and Build

The Netgear C7000 bears a similar look with most other Netgear modems and gateway devices. It has a beveled shape that makes for an intriguing look, especially when set up. Interestingly, this device bears a small physique, measuring 9.6 inches highby 8.3 inches wide by 1.7 inches deep. With this kind of size, this device will fit into even small and trim spaces. As an added advantage, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 comes with a flat base and large footprint that gives it good stability when installed.

This device has wide side panels that have small triangular holes which make for an even more interesting look and design. These small holes also make sure that your gateway device does not overheat, especially during intense use and extremely hot conditions. The fact that they let air in and out allow for timely cooling.

For connectivity, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 comes with a coaxial port which is fitted on the back panel. This coaxial port is mainly the channel through which the device receives internet from the main domain. To distribute internet throughout your home and to other devices, it comes with 4 LAN ports which support Gigabit ethernet transmission. Through these ports you can connect such devices as your smart TV, multiple gaming consoles, your laptop and desktop computers and other devices that are internet compatible. Additionally, this gateway device comes with 1 USB port that adds to its level of accommodation.

On the side edge of the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 are 9 LED indicator lights that indicate Power ON/ OFF, upstream and downstream transmission, 2.4GHz and 5GHz transmission, internet connection, ethernet connection and others.

Speed and Performance

The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 was built for speed and high intensity internet use, and it does a stellar job at delivering. As a modem, it supports the DOCSIS 3.0 technology which gives it the ability to support exceptional speeds. Additionally, it has a channel bonding feature which gives a 24 x 8 channel bonding. This configuration results in 24 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels.

The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 makes for a great gateway device for people who have a 400Mbps data plan. Since this device is able to support speeds that reach an impressive 1,900Mbps, users can easily and conveniently enjoy high intensity activity such as gaming on several consoles and 4K video streaming on multiple devices.

As a router, this device operates on the 802.11ac standard which makes it a Wi-Fi 5 device. It is an AC1900 router, meaning that it supports transmission speeds of up to 1,900Mbps. When it comes to transmission range, this device is able to amply cover a home that spans a range of 1,800 square feet. Also, it operates as a dual band router, meaning that speeds are normally transmitted from two bandwidths. A smaller 2.4GHz band transmits 600Mbps speeds while a 5GHz band delivers speeds of up to 1,300Mbps.

Setup and User friendliness

The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 proves quite easy to set up. It comes with a well detailed user guide that is quite easy to follow. Once powered up, connect the device to your computer via one LAN port and proceed to the C7000 website to activate your device. Key in all required data such as usernames and passwords to begin using your device.

It comes with many user friendly features such as parental controls, guest network management and easy control via the NETGEAR App which can be downloaded to your mobile phone.

Who is it best suited for?

This device makes for an ideal acquisition for people who have a 400Mbps data plan and a house that spans 1,800 square feet. Additionally, it makes for an economical purchase for persons who would like to eliminate rental fees for a modem. As an added advantage, this device allows users to have a 2-in-1 modem and router which further reduces purchasing costs fortwo separate devices.

Are there alternatives to the Netgear Nighthawk C7000?

Yes, there are. In place of the Netgear Nighthawk C7000, you can use the Netgear CM1200, ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 and the ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300. They do an exceptional job at transmitting fast speeds and they also support the latest DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 technologies for reliability.

Features of alternative cable modems and gateway devices.

So, should you get the Netgear Nighthawk C7000?

You most definitely should. With this device, you will save up on a good deal of money in a number of ways. For starters, you will get rid of expenses that come from renting a modem from your service provider on a monthly basis. Secondly, you will not have to buy a separate router since the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 is a 2-in-1 device. Most importantly, you are going to enjoy exceptional speeds on up to 30 connected devices at a go.

FAQs

1. Does the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 support any security protocols?

Yes, it does. It supports the WPA/ WPA 2 security protocols.

2. Does the Netgear CM1200 have an inbuilt router?

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