The 5 Best Modems for Spectrum Reviewed
Spectrum is a leader in providing high-quality and high-speed Internet services to consumers in the United States. But while they may be one of the very best, their rental equipment may slightly miss the mark.
Unlike other service providers, Spectrum does not have any charges on modem rentals, but some additional hidden costs might take you by surprise. There is a $5/month rental charge for a router and a $9.99/month fee for Wi-Fi activation. These costs combined may end up causing you to spend roughly $160/year in addition to your subscription just for these devices.
The good thing is that Spectrum customers can choose to buy a third-party modem instead of relying on the often low-quality devices available for rent. Purchasing your modem will not only save you money but will optimize your internet’s speed to make streaming, browsing, and gaming more enjoyable.
Let us check out some of the best modems for Spectrum subscribers on the market:
Best Modems for Spectrum
1. ARRIS Surfboard SBG6900
The ARRIS Surfboard SBG6900 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that consists of three major products: a Wi-Fi router, modem cable, and a four-port Gigabit Ethernet router. It is one of the best Surfboard products in its line-up.
This modem comes with 16 downloaded channels and four additional uploaded channels, and based on your internet subscription, its download speed can go up to 686Mbps. The ARRIS Surfboard SBG6900 is simply one of the best modems for streaming HD videos, gaming, and general internet browsing.
This modem does not require much to set up, but while it is easy to figure out, it also comes with a user guide should you have any issue. Additionally, there are also installation videos for those who would like a visual demonstration. For the most part, all you will need to do is plug it in to get started.
Overall, the ARRIS Surfboard SBG6900 is an excellent modem to purchase. At $255, it might cost more than your annual payment plan should you continue to use your service provider’s modem and router. It is a one-time payment, so you will get more value for your money, making it cost-effective.
- 3 products in 1: 16x4 Cable Modem, AC1900 WiFi Router and Gigabit 4 port Wired Router
- Ceritified on Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse Networks), Mediacom and many other US Cable Internet Providers. Requires Internet Service.
- Cable Modem is 16 Download and 4 Upload Bonded Channels with Internet Download speeds up 686 Mbps based on your Internet Service Plan. Approved for plans up to 300 Mbps.
- Compatible with major U.S. Cable Providers and supports IPv4 and IPv6-the latest Internet standard. Wi-Fi beamforming – max coverage and performance
- 2 year warranty with US based customer service. Refer to the Quick Start Guide and Installation video.Router is AC1900 dual band WiFi with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Great for streaming HD Videos and gaming.
2. NETGEAR C3000
The NETGEAR C3000 is a modem and router combination, and while it is certainly much better than the rentals provided by your service provider, it is not entirely the best on the market; but it gets the job done.
Compared to its other competitors, it is relatively small in size, weighing just 0.8 pounds and is about 0.8 inches tall.
Setting up this modem should not be a problem; all you have to do is plug it in and activate your internet service. It takes just a few minutes to be up and running.
In terms of its connectivity, it is pretty much limited. There are two Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB port, and a port for Coaxial input. There is a Wi-Fi connection, but it is only available on a single antenna that provides a limited speed of 300Mbps.
Furthermore, its software is relatively easy to use. Like most other NETGEAR products, it uses the same Genie backend; it appears as a series of six tiles that show information like your network’s performance, the number of connected devices, as well as your online status. You can click on any of these tiles to adjust your settings. You can also choose to download the Genie app through the Apple Store or Google Play Store. It has the same controls, but you will be able to adjust your settings via your mobile device.
The NETGEAR C3000 costs $94.99 in many retail centres, which is quite pricey for a modem of its size and capabilities. But then again, it is significantly less than what you will have to pay for your rented devices in a given year.
It is an ideal choice for people who live in much smaller homes or apartments because of its limited connectivity, not so much if you are more concerned about speed.
- Compatible with Xfinity from Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, CableONE & more; Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT firewall)
- Three in one DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem + N300 WiFi Router+ 2 Gigabit Wired Switch. ELIMINTE MONTHLY CABLE MODEM RENTAL FEES Up to $156 per year
- DOCSIS 3.0 unleashes 8x faster download speeds than DOCSIS 2.0
- NETGEAR Genie App Content filtering Parental Controls allow you to manage your network from anywhere
- Note check your cable internet service provider web site for data speed tier compatibility. Ieee 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz. Not compatible with cable bundled voice services
3. TP-Link TC-W7960
The TP-Link is one of the best user-friendly combinations of a router and modem. It comes with eight downloaded channels, as well as four uploaded channels. It has an exemplary user interface with a website that can allow you to make changes to your Internet settings. Plus, the modem can enable you to separate your network for guests. That way, you can set a limit to how much data your guests can use.
This modem is also easy to set up. Like other modems/routers, it only requires plugging to activate it, but if you want more information, the TP-Link also comes with a user manual.
Additionally, it has a great download and upload speed of 343Mbps and 143Mbps, respectively. It is not the most robust connection, nor does it have the broadest range, but you can seamlessly stream videos and upload large documents or files. Remember that the speed mostly depends on what type of data plan you have with Spectrum.
At $89.90, the TP-Link is reasonably priced and provides a decent internet connection. However, it might slow down a bit if there are too many people on a network.
- Eliminate rental fee: eliminate your cable Modem monthly rental fee - up to $120 per year
- Cable Modem Router: item is Cable Modem Router and this will serve as both your cable Modem and Wi-Fi router
- Fast speed: up to 343Mbps download and 143Mbps upload speeds (based on cable provider’s service); game, stream, and download at Wi-Fi speeds up to 300Mbps
- Industry leading support: 2-year warranty and free 24/7 technical support; J. D. Power Ranked TP-LINK "highest in customer satisfaction for wireless routers in 2017"
- Isp Certified: Certified for Xfinity from Comcast, spectrum (including Charter, time Warner Cable, and bright house networks), Cox, Sudden link, Mediacom, and wow
4. ARRIS Surfboard SB6190
The ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 is one of the most reliable and fastest modems available on the market. However, it is not a router and modem combo, so it does not have a wireless connection. There is an Ethernet port that allows you to connect to a router.
Because of its high internet speed, it is one of the perfect choices for people that rely on speed when interacting online. However, how fast you want to go depends on you. The minimum rate for this device is 250Mbps, but it can go up to as high as 1.6Gbps, which is more than what other modems can provide!
Online gamers would enjoy using this modem to play video games and download large-size games. Aside from it also being compatible with many cable providers, it is widely compatible with all PC systems as well.
Additionally, the ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 is very easy to set up. All you will need to do is log in to your service provider’s network portal and input the relevant details required to activate it. Your modem will come to life in a matter of minutes. There is an app that will help you control your modem and adjust your settings.
It will cost you roughly $85 for this super handy modem, which is the best value you can get for such a high-performing modem. It is significantly less than the cost of rented modems from your service provider. The ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 is a perfect choice for larger homes and families since it has a broad connection range and can support multiple users at once.
- Power your home network with the SB6190 to deliver fast speeds and a reliable connection to the Internet. The SURFboard SB6190 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that's capable of download speeds up to 1.4 Gbps.
- Get internet speeds up to 1.4 Gbps for downloads and 262 Mbps for uploads based on your cable ISP subscription.
- Gigabit Ethernet port connects to your computer or router for fast downloads.
- Stream HD video and games on multiple devices at the same time.
- Download 32 channels and upload 8 channels to future proof your modem as your Cable ISP enhances service offerings.
5. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500
The NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 is best known for its high-speed capabilities and is compatible with a broad range of service providers, including Spectrum. Like other NETGEAR modems, it has one Gigabit Ethernet port and cable, as well as a power adapter.
However, there are a few missing features. For example, there is no power button or a port for a coax cable connection. Nonetheless, it should work just fine.
Design-wise, it has a sleek and sophisticated look with a glossy finish. Its design also allows it to be placed upright so that you can position it in various parts within your home. The NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 also has cooling vents at both the top and bottom edges to prevent overheating.
It takes about 10 minutes to set up the CM500. You can opt for technical support, but it is also easy to self-activate. Unlike the other modems on this list, it does not merely involve plug and play. You will still need to be in touch with your service provider, but it does not require much and should relatively remain unproblematic.
For such a small device, this modem can support internet speeds as high up as 680Mbps, making it an excellent option for HD streaming and video gaming (including downloading and online gaming).
Upon connecting to the CM500, it is easy to manage and monitor your modem’s activities. It does not have the richest software, but it gets things done. You can track connection performance and your internet speed and how many people are connected to your network.
The NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 might be small, but it is pretty impressive, and it can be yours for about $100, which is a great deal in the long run.
- Save monthly rental fees: Model CM500 replaces your cable modem, saving you up to $168/yr in equipment rental fees.
- Speeds by carrier: Spectrum (up to 400Mbps), Xfinity (up to 200Mbps), Cox (up to 150Mbps).
- Works with any wifi router: Connect any WiFi router to this modem's Ethernet port to support all your wireless devices.
- Ethernet connections: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port connects to your computer or separate WiFi router.
- Modem technology: Engineered with 16x4 channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.0.
Spectrum Modem Setup
This video by Spectrum shows how to set up internet with your new modem:
Conclusion
When it is time to select the right modem, there are a few factors to consider. One of the most motivating factors is, of course, the price. Depending on what you would prefer, these costs can run high but, it is good to remember that they are one-time payments and may eventually spare you from pricey annual rental charges.
The only downside is that you would not be able to contact your service provider should you have any issues with your third-party modem. If that is not an issue for you, then, by all means, you can opt for it.
You must ensure that you choose the right cable that best suits your needs and would make browsing a breeze for you. There are more modems out there, but these are some of the very best on the market.