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 around $50, that's a good buy. The Netgear CM500 remains one of the best cable modems available, and you can usually find it for a $5 to $10 less than the Motorola MB7420 most of the time. 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. We 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 home, Phil has enjoyed steady connectivity, and that's with multiple people stuck inside, all trying to hit the internet at once. If you can find the MB7420 for $60 or less, it's hard to track down a better value.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. In fact, managing editor at Tom's Guide Philip Michaels has been using the MB7420 for nearly two years without a single complaint. The Motorola MB7420 is the best cable modem for most homes. Whether you have a more modest plan, gigabit internet or even multi-gig internet, there's something here for every budget.

The quick listīelow you'll find everything you need to know about the best cable modems at a glance. Here's what we'd recommend based on testing assorted cable modems over the years. So really, all you need to do is find a modem that's easy to hook up to one of the best Wi-Fi routers or even the best mesh Wi-Fi systems that comes with a generous warranty. All of the best cable modem contenders we've assessed work with major ISPs in the U.S. You'll need to find a modem that works with your internet service, but that's not a huge challenge. And since the best cable modems will set you back $60 or so, it's an expense that pays for itself in less than six months. Most cable modems also have a lifespan of two to three years. Over the course of a year, that's potentially $168 that could have stayed in your pocket if you used your own modem. That fee for renting a modem is nothing to sneeze at - it's as much as $14 a month with some internet providers.

Time warner modem and router combo