Netgear's 16 x 4 modem enjoys wide compatibility with internet-service providers, and its design makes setup a breeze. However, Netgear only offers a one-year warranty, compared with two years for those rival modems. Opt for Netgear's CM500, and you'll get a modem that's just as capable as the Motorola MB7420 or the Arris SB6183. There's actually very little performance difference among the best cable modems in our testing, so it's seemingly slight distinctions that separate these devices. (If you've got a high-speed plan, look for a faster modem.) The Netgear CM500 works with the biggest cable providers and supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps, which should be enough for the vast majority of Internet users out there. Anytime you can find a new CM500 for $50 or less, that's a good buy. The Netgear CM500 remains one of the best cable modems available, because it's easy to find at most retailers you can also find it for a little less than the Motorola MB7420 most of the time, making it a good value. That means better protection for your investment, as the best cable modems tend to last for several years. But the edge goes to Motorola because it offers a two-year warranty to Netgear's one-year of coverage.
There's not much separating the Motorola MB7420 from the Netgear CM500 as both performed dependably when we tested each modem. I also found the modem easy to set up with a coaxial connector sticking out of the modem's backside at a comfortable distance from its lone ethernet port. The blue and green lights on the MB7420 are bright enough to read at a distance without turning a dark room into a laser light show at night. Its gray color should blend in well with other networking equipment. At least, the MB7420 looks stylish, with rounded corners and vented sides. The MB7420 isn't as tall as the Netgear CM500, our previous pick for the best cable modem - and still a good choice as you'll see below - though some people may prefer the more compact size of the Arris Surfboard modems. With the MB7420 at my home, I enjoyed steady connectivity, and that's with multiple people stuck inside, all trying to hit the internet at once. I've been using the MB7420 for nearly two years without a single complaint.Ĭapable of supporting speeds available to a majority of home internet plans, the MB7420 is ideal for internet plans that top out at 300 Mbps. The Motorola MB7420 is the best cable modem for most homes - including my own home. Since the CM500 usually costs less than the MB7420, it's a worthy alternative for bargain hunters. Its two-year warranty is twice as long as the warranty for the Netgear CM500, which also performed reliably in our tests.
It works with a wide variety of internet providers, including Comcast, Spectrum and Cox, and it delivers speeds that will serve the greatest number of people (anyone whose internet plan tops out at 300 Mbps). What is the best cable modem?įor most people, the best cable modem is the Motorola MB7420. We've tested many different modems, and these are our favorites. The trick is to find one that's easy to hook up, offers a generous warranty and - most important of all - works with your internet service. After six months of owning your modem, the purchase will have paid for itself in the savings on your internet bill.īut which modem should you get? Truth be told, there's not much separating the best cable modems from one another. That's a one-time expense, and with your own modem in place, you can banish the ISP-supplied modem and the monthly fee that comes with it. Our top-ranked pick can be had for $50 to $60 these days.
That's money that could be staying in your pocket if you buy one of our picks for the best cable modem.
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