What is the newest cable modem?
Rachel Newton
Updated on April 24, 2026
- Best for Most. NETGEAR CM600. Price: $89.44. Download speeds: 400 Mbps.
- Best for Speed. MOTOROLA DOCSIS 3.1. Price: $169.98. Download speeds: 1,000 Mbps.
- Best Router Combo. ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC. Price: $109.97.
- Best for Budgets. TP-Link DOCSIS 3.0. Price: $41.79.
- Best for Gaming. NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000. Price: $189.65.
In this regard, what is the latest cable modem?
The Arris SURFboard SB6190 and Netgear CM700 are the most widely supported options for plans that are faster than 300 Mbps but not DOCSIS 3.1. These 32×8 modems are significantly more expensive than the 16×4 modems and are overkill if you have a 600 Mbps or slower data plan.
Also Know, when should I replace my modem? Cable modems, based on how they work, are kind of a "wear item", and generally do need to be changed out at a minimum every five years. (Those SB6141 8x4 DOCSIS 3.0 modems that everybody and their brother had, those are developing "bad caps" around now, so should be replaced anyways.)
Herein, what is the best cable modem?
The best cable modems you can buy right now
- Motorola MB7420. The best cable modem you can buy.
- Netgear CM500. Best alternative cable modem.
- Netgear CM600. Best cable modem for high-speed service.
- Arris Surfboard SB6183.
- TP-Link TC-7610.
- Arris Surfboard SB6141.
- Linksys CM3008.
- Arris Surfboard SB6910.
What is the best Docsis 3.1 modem?
- Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem: ARRIS Surfboard Gigabit Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem. Sale. ARRIS Surfboard SB8200.
- Best For Compatibility: Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Modem. Motorola Docsis MB8600.
- Best Docsis 3.1 Modem for Comcast (Xfinity): Netgear CM1150V (Certified for Xfinity) Sale.
- Netgear C7800. Sale.
- Netgear CM1000. Sale.
- Netgear CM1200. Sale.
Related Question Answers
What is the most powerful modem?
The Best Cable Modem- Our pick. Motorola MB7621. The best modem for most people. Compatible with the most ISPs, the MB7621 supports Internet plans up to 600 Mbps.
- Runner-up. Netgear CM600. Same speeds, shorter warranty.
- Budget pick. Netgear CM500. For plans up to 300 Mbps.
- Upgrade pick. Motorola MB8600. For gigabit Internet plans.
What is the fastest modem?
Best Cable Modems 2020- Best for Most. NETGEAR CM600. Price: $89.44. Download speeds: 400 Mbps.
- Best for Speed. MOTOROLA DOCSIS 3.1. Price: $169.98. Download speeds: 1,000 Mbps.
- Best Router Combo. ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC. Price: $109.97.
- Best for Budgets. TP-Link DOCSIS 3.0. Price: $41.79.
- Best for Gaming. NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000. Price: $189.65.
Should I buy my own cable modem?
If you have a fee on your bill, you could save between $60 and $120 per year by buying your own modem instead of renting. Sure, you'll have to pay more up front—most modems cost between $50 and $100—but within a year, you'll have recouped the cost of those fees, and you'll begin saving $10 a month.How do I know which modem to buy?
Cable modem buyers guide summary Make sure the modem is at least DOCSIS 3.0 compatible. DOCSIS 3.1 modems are future-proof, but they cost more. Choose a modem that supports your internet download speed. Double-check that the modem you want works with your cable internet provider.Will changing my modem make my Internet faster?
Buying a new modem can offer faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. It can also be the answer if you're experiencing frequent drop-outs. But it probably won't speed up your physical internet connection. Slow internet may be caused by other issues too, like the NBN speed tier you're currently running.How do I choose a cable modem?
Cable modem buyers guide summary Make sure the modem is at least DOCSIS 3.0 compatible. DOCSIS 3.1 modems are future-proof, but they cost more. Choose a modem that supports your internet download speed. Double-check that the modem you want works with your cable internet provider.Can a bad cable modem cause slow speed?
That's a serious problem because that old, outdated modem will often throttle their Internet connection down to a speed that's often a lot slower than the speed they should rightfully be enjoying. And in case you're wondering, the speed lost due to an outdated modem can be quite substantial.Should I buy a Docsis 3.1 modem?
Most consumers won't see speeds that high right now, but in the future, they could. Some providers offer 1Gbps plans over DOCSIS 3.0, while others require a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. DOCSIS 3.1 modems are backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0, so even if your provider doesn't require it yet, you can use it with your plan.Which modem brand is best?
The best cable modems you can buy right now- Motorola MB7420. The best cable modem you can buy.
- Netgear CM500. Best alternative cable modem.
- Netgear CM600. Best cable modem for high-speed service.
- Arris Surfboard SB6183.
- TP-Link TC-7610.
- Arris Surfboard SB6141.
- Linksys CM3008.
- Arris Surfboard SB6910.
How long do cable modems last?
about 3-4 yearsHow much is a good modem?
Sure, you'll have to pay more up front—most modems cost between $50 and $100—but within a year, you'll have recouped the cost of those fees, and you'll begin saving $10 a month.What is the best modem router combo?
Best Cable Modem/Routers- NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – Best speeds over 1,000 Mbps/1 GB.
- ARRIS SURFboard SBG7580-AC – Best for speeds up to 1000 Mbps/1 GB.
- NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 – Best for speeds up to 500 Mbps.
- Motorola MG7550 – Best for speeds up to 200 Mbps.
- NETGEAR C3000 – Best for speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Should I buy my own router and modem?
Buying a modem and router will increase your upfront costs, but lower your monthly internet bill. Most tech experts suggest buying separate devices, but a combo unit will get the job done if you're trying to keep things simple. Either way, you'll save money in the long run. And that's always a smart decision.Is it better to have a separate modem and router?
The technical answer is no, but the practical answer is yes. Because a modem can only connect to one device at a time, you'll need a router if you want to be able to access the internet from multiple devices.What modem do I need for 1000 Mbps?
Best Cable Modem/Routers- NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – Best speeds over 1,000 Mbps/1 GB.
- ARRIS SURFboard SBG7580-AC – Best for speeds up to 1000 Mbps/1 GB.
- NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 – Best for speeds up to 500 Mbps.
- Motorola MG7550 – Best for speeds up to 200 Mbps.
- NETGEAR C3000 – Best for speeds up to 100 Mbps.
What is the best cable modem with phone jack?
Best Modems With a Phone Jack – 2020 Complete Buyer's Guide- OUR TOP PICK: ARRIS Surfboard (32x8) Docsis 3.0.
- MOTOROLA MT7711 24X8.
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ARRIS Surfboard Docsis 8X4.
- MOTOROLA DOCSIS 3.1 MB8600.
- MOTOROLA 24x8 Cable Modem MB7621.
Is my cable modem outdated?
Check with your cable company and see if they're made the switch. Then, Google the model number of your current cable modem and see if it's a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. If it is, you're good to go and you don't need to upgrade.When should I get a new cable modem?
Cable modems, based on how they work, are kind of a "wear item", and generally do need to be changed out at a minimum every five years. (Those SB6141 8x4 DOCSIS 3.0 modems that everybody and their brother had, those are developing "bad caps" around now, so should be replaced anyways.)How do I know my modem is bad?
How to Tell if Your Cable Modem is Bad- When to Know a Cable Modem is Bad. If your internet seems to be having a problem, it's best to start with the easiest potential solutions first.
- Check the Diagnostics.
- Try Unplugging and Re-Plugging.
- Try a Wire.
- Check for Outages or Billing Errors.
- Plug in Somewhere Else.
- Try New Cables.
- Attempt Multiple Devices.
Do modems go bad?
Yes, modems do go bad, but it may not be the modem. Contact your ISP and start the problem solving from there.Do modems wear out?
"It is normal for an electronic device like a router or modem to wear out after 2 years since it's continuousy used and accumulates static. The functionality is at peak within 1-2 years and declines after that."Should I upgrade my router or modem?
Getting a separate router and modem gives you a lot of flexibility because if you want to upgrade your home network to have faster speed or more features, you just need to replace the router. Or when you want to upgrade your broadband speed, you just need to upgrade the modem.What is the difference between a Docsis 3.0 and 3.1 modem?
DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 are just version numbers. The exact differences between them basically boil down to speed and the number of simultaneous channels. The bottom line is that if your ISP offers internet speeds of more than 1 gigabit (1,000 Mbps, or megabits per second), a DOCSIS 3.1 router is a better investment.Is Arris or Netgear better?
From all of the specifications we have gone through, the Arris SB8200 is definitely superior compared to the Netgear CM1000. We say this because the Arris modem gives you maximum download speeds of 2 Gbps in contract to the 1 Gbps offered by the Netgear modem. Not only that, but the streaming speeds are better.Does Docsis 3.1 make a difference?
DOCSIS 3.1 features significantly higher speeds than DOCSIS 3.0. DOCSIS 3.1 also uses data spectrums more efficiently, increasing the amount of data that can be sent over your network.Is Netgear better than Arris?
From all of the specifications we have gone through, the Arris SB8200 is definitely superior compared to the Netgear CM1000. We say this because the Arris modem gives you maximum download speeds of 2 Gbps in contract to the 1 Gbps offered by the Netgear modem. Not only that, but the streaming speeds are better.What is the fastest cable modem router combo?
Best Cable Modem/Routers- NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – Best speeds over 1,000 Mbps/1 GB.
- ARRIS SURFboard SBG7580-AC – Best for speeds up to 1000 Mbps/1 GB.
- NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 – Best for speeds up to 500 Mbps.
- Motorola MG7550 – Best for speeds up to 200 Mbps.
- NETGEAR C3000 – Best for speeds up to 100 Mbps.
What is the best 3.1 modem?
- Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem: ARRIS Surfboard Gigabit Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem.
- Best For Compatibility: Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Modem.
- Best Docsis 3.1 Modem for Comcast (Xfinity): Netgear CM1150V (Certified for Xfinity)
- Netgear C7800.
- Netgear CM1000.
- Netgear CM1200.