The Motorola MB7621 is dependable, and it helps the quickest web speeds obtainable to the overwhelming majority of Individuals. It is also appropriate with nearly each non-gigabit plan from each cable web supplier within the US, together with Xfinity, Spectrum (previously Time Warner, Constitution, and Vibrant Home), Cox, Suddenlink, Sparklight, and WOW (which supplies you flexibility when you transfer or swap ISPs). The MB7621 works effectively for plans as much as 600 megabits per second (Mbps) as a result of it’s a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that may deal with 24 downstream channels and eight upstream channels. And it features a two-year guarantee.
Funds choose
Our former high choose remains to be a good selection if saving cash is vital to you, and so long as you haven’t upgraded to a service plan quicker than 300 Mbps.
As of December 2022, America’s common web speeds measure round 193 Mbps, based on Speedtest.web. In case your plan is in that vary, and also you don’t intend to improve past 300 Mbps anytime quickly, we suggest the Netgear CM500. The CM500 has good ISP compatibility, however its most obtain and add speeds are decrease than these of our high choose (300 Mbps on the CM500 versus 600 Mbps on the Motorola MB7621). Whereas the CM500 has status for reliability, it comes with solely a one-year guarantee.
(We suggest 16×4 modems just like the CM500—even when your plan would work with a slower mannequin—as a result of ISPs are dropping assist for 8×4 modems. You’d save barely any cash up entrance, and also you’d have to switch your modem years earlier, so we don’t suggest it.)
When you’ve got a gigabit or multi-gig web plan and your ISP permits you to use your individual modem, the Motorola MB8611 is the very best of the DOCSIS 3.1 modems which can be extensively obtainable proper now, because of its comparatively low value and two-year guarantee. You want a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to ensure gigabit speeds from most cable ISPs, and a few ISPs like Sparklight suggest DOCSIS 3.1 modems for brand new cable modem activations.
Don’t get a gigabit modem until you have already got gigabit service or realize it’s obtainable. The added expense of a DOCSIS 3.1 modem isn’t value it till you’re on one in every of these new (and dear) plans—particularly since your ISP could roll out gigabit over fiber somewhat than cable. And so they could not even allow you to convey your individual modem as soon as they do roll out gigabit service.
Modem compatibility listing, up to date February 2023
Optimum “encourages” DOCSIS 3.1 modems with the corporate’s service, and DOCSIS 3.0 (24×8) modems are appropriate with their service below 500 Mbps. However it is best to name Optimum to confirm compatibility earlier than buying.
