This modem sports Active Queue Management (AQM), which significantly reduces Internet latency and further improves usability. The only downside to this modem’s port array is that they cannot be used to send Gigabit signals to separate devices. With a Gigabit router in your network, the MB8600 delivers flawless video streaming, gaming, and web browsing over wireless. This is still is enough to support the most demanding Internet tasks. Until then, it is future-proofing and you will only get 1 Gbps up and down. Unfortunately, it will be a while yet until any ISP adopts this new tech. If you use four ethernet cables to connect this modem to a router, it can potentially handle downstream up to 3.8 Gbps.
#The wirecutter modem download#
Still, this modem stands on its own, offering the highest potential download speed, assuming you are able to utilize its four ethernet ports for link aggregation. In fact, the Motorola MB8600 offers almost identical hardware specs to Arris’ SB8200, which should come as no surprise considering Motorola is partially owned by the Arris Group. Motorola may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think networking equipment, but their first entry into Gigabit compatible hardware competes closely with established players in this market. Unless you get your Gigabit Internet from one of these ISPs, then the CM1200 is a great pick.Ĭompatible services: Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrumįind more Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 information and reviews here. It does not work with Verizon, AT&T, or CenturyLink. The CM1200 works with major cable providers like Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and more. Its list of compatible ISPs is respectable, though a little smaller than that of the Arris modem. Setup for this Netgear modem couldn’t be easier.
#The wirecutter modem install#
It is quite bright in a dark room, so you may want to tuck it out of sight if you install it where this might bother you. This modem is well-ventilated and it has a prominent LED display for troubleshooting. For the user, this means fewer hiccups and faster page load times. It has reduced signal interference thanks to 2 OFDM (a digital data encoding method that reduces latency in DOCSIS 3.1 devices). The biggest bummer about this is that every second ethernet port is only for bonded use, so the CM1200 functionally only has two ethernet ports.ĭespite this limitation, the CM1200 is still a high-performing modem and works fantastically for HD streaming, gaming, and file sharing. That means this modem will be capped at 1 Gbps but it is future-proofed for when networking technology improved. Unfortunately, the reason this is a theoretical function is that no ISPs currently support this technology.
Simply connect the top two bonded ethernet ports to your router. It stands out from other DOCSIS 3.1 modems by offering four 1-gigabit ethernet ports to achieve as theoretical max downstream and upstream of 2 Gbps. Netgear is one of the most reliable brands in networking and their Nighthawk CM1200 represents their latest and greatest in gigabit modem technology. And without having to rent any gear.Ĭompatible services: Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouseįind more Arris SURFboard SB8200 information and reviews here. Once paired with a Gigabit router, will allow you access to the fastest consumer Internet speeds around. This issue aside, the SB8200 is definitely one of the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems, and that’s not even because of how few there are. The modem runs a little hot, though this can be alleviated by placing it somewhere on a desk, where it will get better airflow. Setup is assisted by a simple LED display that provides indicators for power, receive, send, and Internet. As usual, the hardest part will be getting ahold of a representative to return your rented equipment. Setting up this modem is as easy as the next. Compatible ISPs include Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Charter, Time Warner, and Brighthouse. This can be easily enabled with a future firmware update, but until then, the device is only capable of 1 Gbps. Unfortunately, and to no fault of this router, link aggregation is not currently supported by any of the ISPs it is compatible with. The modem supports link aggregation, allowing you to connect both ethernet ports to one source to achieve the aforementioned 2 Gbps transfer speeds. But is this level of future-proofing necessary? Probably not.
Combine this with a Gigabit-speed Wi-Fi 6 router and it will be years until the cable Internet infrastructure will catch up to your performance. With max download and upload speeds of 2 Gbps each, the SB8200 will be able to handle any top-tier Internet plan for years to come. Arris networking gear like the Arris SB8200 comes recommended by pretty much every ISP out there, making them the default pick for most setups.
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