Internet modems with wifi

7 Best Modems for Mesh WiFi in 2023 [Top Picks]

I did a survey and found out that 73% of 135 users who uses Mesh WiFi systems were actually on a high-speed internet plan. However, 35% of them were still not satisfied with the speeds they got. It was because they were using a cable modem that wasn’t suited for faster speeds.

So, if you’re looking for the best modem for your mesh system, you’ve come to the right place. Although you don’t need a special modem for mesh networks, make sure that the modem you pick is compatible with your internet provider.

That said, there are several other factors to consider, making it tough to find an ideal option. That’s why I tested 18 popular cable modems with mesh setup at my 3,700 Sq Ft two-story house, and finally, here to recommend the 7 best options for 2023:

1. Best Multi-Gig Modem: ARRIS S33
2. Best For Gig Internet: ARRIS SB8200
3. Best For Gaming: Motorola MB8600
4. Best For Streaming: Netgear CM1000
5. Best Voice Modem: ARRIS T25
6. Best For Mid-Range Plans: Motorola MB7621
7. Best Budget Option: Netgear CM500

Note: If you already have a modem compatible with the internet plan you’ve subscribed to, you don’t have to get a new one. However, if it’s slower than the plan you’re planning to subscribe to, you’ll need to upgrade to a faster one.

7 Best Modems for Mesh WiFi Systems in 2023

As a technical nerd, I have a knack for these things and quite an understanding of how they work. But to add credibility to my research, I interviewed 17 networking experts and asked them what makes a good modem for mesh WiFi. Based on their responses and my knowledge, I compiled a list of top modems suitable for mesh routers.

In this compiled review-based guide, I’ve covered offerings in every category, from high-tech to low-cost but dependable units, so everyone can get what they want. And these are sorted based on features they offer, from high to low.

1. Best For Multi-Gig Internet: ARRIS S33

Surfboard S33 is ranked #1 in my list of best DOCSIS 3.1 modems. Thanks to the amazing port setup and hardware capabilities, it’s one of the fastest modems available.

• Technology: DOCSIS 3.1
• Downstream/Upstream Channels: 32 x 8
• Suitable Internet Plan: Up to 2.5 Gbps
• Compatible ISPs: Suddenlink, Xfinity, Cox, Mediacom, Spectrum, RCN, Alice optimum, CableOne, WOW!
• Ports: 2.5 Gig-E + 1 Gig-E
• Processor: N/A
• RAM & Flash Storage: 1GB + 256MB

As soon as I upgraded my plan to 2.5 Gbps, I knew I had to get a multi-gig modem. With easy setup, advanced DOCSIS support, 2 high-speed GigE ports, and 1 GigE port, I had a multi-gig internet experience for bandwidth-intensive tasks like online gaming, 4K video streaming, and more.

Why Is it a suitable choice?

An advanced DOCSIS 3.1 support and 32 x 8 channels make this modem capable of handling speeds up to 3.5 Gbps. Such high-speed plans aren’t available yet, which makes the device future-proof.

Not only that, it’s backward compatible with previous DOCSIS versions, making it compatible with low-speed plans up to 200 Mbps. But since you’re pairing the unit with a mesh router, plans less than 500 Mbps aren’t worth considering.

I tested this modem with Xfinity’s 1200 Mbps paired with TP-Link AX6600 to receive download speeds up to 1192 Mbps, while upload speeds were nearly 196 Mbps. The unit further has 2×2 OFDM/OFDMA support that eliminates network congestion by establishing separate modulating subcarriers.

In layman’s terms, there’s a separate carrier for each data set, which leads to faster data delivery and greater network performance. As a result, I could stream 4K videos on my laptop and play all episodes of Far Cry 6 on my PlayStation 5 at minimal ping and smoother gameplay.

Ports & Connectivity

There are two multi-gig ports on the rear side, one 2.5 Gbps and another 1 Gbps, to which you can connect your devices to experience faster speeds. I plugged my PS5 into the modem, and my ping dropped to 15ms, better than I received connecting wirelessly.

Another interesting thing about these ports is they support link aggregation. Simply put, you can bond the ports using software and experience multi-gig speeds, provided it’s paired with a suitable internet plan.

ARRIS S33 is a high-speed cable modem for anyone with a reliable mesh system and Gigabit plan. Its high-speed GigE ports, OFDMA support, and other features make it stand out from the competition. And it provides value to internet users, performing various tasks like gaming, streaming, or web browsing.

You may also read my in-depth Surfboard S33 review for more details.

• Fast and reliable performance
• Supports multi-gig internet plans
• Compatible with major ISPs
• Excellent design
• Easy to set up

2. Best Gigabit Modem: ARRIS SB8200

The SB8200 costs $30-40 lesser than the ARRIS S33. But unlike the multi-gig ethernet port on S33, you only get gig internet ports on the SB8200, making it one of the best cable modems for Gigabit plans.

• Technology: DOCSIS 3.1
• Downstream/Upstream Channels: 32 x 8
• Suitable Internet Plan: Up to 800 Mbps
• Compatible ISPs: Cox, Xfinity, Suddenlink, WOW!, Mediacom, Spectrum, Sparklight, and Midco
• Ports: 2 Gig-E
• Processor: Broadcom BCM3390
• RAM & Flash Storage: 3GB + 128MB

Arris SB8200 is a reliable and capable modem to pair with any ISP available in your locality. And technologies like DOCSIS 3.1 makes it future-proof and a great option for Gig-level internet plans. If you’re an Arris SB6190 user and it isn’t working for you anymore, then treat yourself to this upgrade.

Why Is it a suitable choice?

Considering it’s a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 32 x 8 channel bonding, theoretically, it can support plans with speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. But, since such a high-speed plan isn’t available yet, I tested it with an Xfinity Gigabit plan paired with a Netgear Orbi mesh system. And the speeds it clocked were quite impressive.

Testing with a laptop, its maximum download and upload speeds clocked at 795 Mbps and 190 Mbps, respectively. Even connecting with 15 devices at a time didn’t drop the speeds by much, and I could easily stream 4K videos, host video calls, and play VR games with minimum latency. And with such a highly efficient router, the network was extendable by 3000 Sq Ft.

Besides that, the cable modem also supports DOCSIS 3.0, enabling you to run low-speed internet plans between 400 and 700 Mbps. You can even pair it with lower plans, but that’d be a waste of the modem’s potential.

Ports & Connectivity

Compared to its successor, Arris S33, two GigE ports provide the flexibility to connect the devices directly and experience greater speeds. I did the same with my gaming console and received unmatched speeds to play high-duty online games like Minecraft and Fortnite without any latency or lags.

Apart from that, it also supports Link aggregation, so if you’ve got the facilities like a suitable internet connection and Ethernet cables, bond the two ports to experience multi-gigs of speeds.

To sum up, I have a positive user experience with this device and could perform most of my tasks without any issues. I feel people needing a higher bandwidth, like professional gamers, telemarketing firms, and major businesses might benefit from this device. But with lesser speeds and weaker throughput than my previous recommendation, it’s ranked second on my list.

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The 9 Best Cable Modem/Router Combos of 2023

Jesse Hollington is a tech writer with 10+ years’ experience. He has written for iLounge, Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent, and iDropNews, among others.

Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire.

The best cable modem/router combos will do the same job at a fraction of the cost of two devices, and in a far more straightforward way, with fewer cables and power plugs.

However, it’s not quite that simple. Not all modems work with all providers, and you’ll need to ensure the unit you buy is compatible with your cable company (such as Spectrum, Cox, or AT&T). Compatibility information can usually be found on your cable provider’s website. If not, it’s best to call and check before you buy.

Here are the best cable/router combos to help you make the best choice possible.

Are you looking for a basic cable modem and router? If you’re a Comcast Xfinity, Cox, or Spectrum customer, buy the Motorola MG7700 Cable Modem and Router (unless you have a huge home or pay extra for a superfast connection).

Best Overall

Motorola MG7700 Cable Modem and Router

• Combo unit limits placement locations
• Only approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum

If it’s time to upgrade your modem and your router, the Motorola MG7700 is likely the right one for you if you’re a customer of Comcast Xfinity, Cox, or Spectrum and don’t pay extra for a superfast plan. Your cable company (or even your monthly bill) will be able to tell you what speed connection you have. Still, as a rough guide, if you’re on a basic plan, it almost certainly won’t be what’s known as a 1-gigabit connection, and if it is, we’ve got picks for you below.

One of the best features of the Motorola MG7700 we like most has nothing to do with its technical prowess: It’s not terribly ugly. To get the best range from its wireless signal, you don’t want to hide the modem/router behind furniture or in a closet. But this unit is just inoffensive enough that you can put it on a side table in the living room and not be embarrassed.

Crucially for when things go wrong, the light indicators are also easy to see and understand—something you don’t typically find in a modem from a cable company.

The MG7700 has four ethernet ports for you to hook up some equipment via a physical cable for better speed and reliability, which is often a good idea for devices like a games console, Smart TV, or Apple TV. It can easily stream your movies and TV in 4K, also called Ultra HD. It’s the standard for really, really sharp pictures. It’s also more than capable of doing a great job with Zoom or FaceTime calls.

One more caveat is that if your internet connection includes a voice package (confusingly called VOIP, you’ll know if you have it as you will have a phone number as part of your internet package), you’ll need to look at this model’s older brother: the Motorola MT7711.

Once we got the Motorola MG7700 up and running, it delivered outstanding speeds, reliably maxing out our 100 Mbps Spectrum plan when we were hard-wired via the LAN ports. When we went wireless, performance varied greatly.

We tested the Motorola MG7700 in our 4,500-square-foot home while connected to a couple of dozen devices (including tablets, gaming consoles, computers, and smartphones). The router offered a strong Wi-Fi signal on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands on both floors of our home. Everything from surfing the web to streaming video was solid within an approximate 2,000-square-foot radius. In the basement and more distant locations of the house, the signal was weak, but that’s to be expected.

Overall, if you live in a large apartment or a modestly-sized home, you won’t be disappointed by the performance of the MG7700.— Don Reisinger, Product Tester

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