Best Modem Router Combo 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

If you’re looking to ditch the monthly fees of renting a modem from your ISP or looking to simply get faster download speeds, then you should seriously consider getting a modem router combo. Now.

Everyone should have a modem router combo, and here at GPUnerd we feel anyone who is looking to buy one needs to be properly informed to what are the best modem router combos for sale, as well as the fastest modem router combo and what is the best for gaming, best for streaming, or perhaps the most compatible modem router combo for ISPs such as Comcast XFINITY, Cox and Time Warner.

I recently got my first modem router combo to replace the router provided by my ISP (Comcast), and the difference in terms of internet speed, connectivity and reliability is truly black and white between the two. These things are great, and I feel it is important to get this across to you if you don’t know much about them.

Enjoy our comprehensive guide on the best Modem Router Combos in 2016/17. As usual, if you have any questions about modem router combos which aren’t answered in this guide drop me an email and ill be happy to help you out.

Benefits of using a Modem Router Combo?

Modem routers can transform your internet speed capabilities, and believe it or not can save you alot of time, money and hassle in the long term compared to using a regular ISP router.

• Many Modem Router Combos avoid the monthly charges of renting a modem from your ISP – this can lead to savings of up to $130/year. If you buy a modem router for around $100 (the average price),  you will make you money back in less than a year just from the money saved!
• Modem Routers offer higher download speeds and upload speeds than using a ISP modem. 
• Modem Router Combos typically offer improved signal reliability, leading to less dropout and internet being cut off.
• Modem Router Combos can lead to faster internet speeds during peak hours – the more data channels you have, the more you can avoid congestion during busy hours meaning you can maintain fast download speeds and reduce the chance of any dropped connection. 
• With modem router combos can easily get much greater download and upload speeds than what you ISP offers – for example observed 90MBP/s speeds up / 10MBPs down

Factors to consider when buying a modem router combo (to decide which is the best fit for you)…

• Your current internet usage 
• How much/often are you downloading large files – a modem router will speed up the time it takes to download large files SIGNIFICANTLY 
• Maximum internet download/upload speed – going for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem router is the best at the moment 
• Security features
• The number of devices that can be connected to the modem router
• Modem router signal reliability 

The top modem router combo manufacturers you should be considering in 2016/17 include:

• Asus 
• Netgear
• ARRIS 
• Linksys
• Motorola

Best Value Modem Router Combo (under $50) NETGEAR CM400

Starting with the best bang-for-your-buck modem router combo, we would advise getting none other than the popular NETGEAR CM400 modem router. Retailing in at $70 but often on sale for under $50, this modem router has 8 downstream and 4 upstream channels, offering download speeds of up to 343mbps. It’s a really simple modem router to setup and configure, and is a good option for someone who may not have any previous knowledge of setting up home networks. This modem router combo offers the latest docsis 3.0 certification, and will enable you to get faster potential cable speeds during peak usage hours – no-one enjoys having slow internet! All in all, the NETGEAR CM400 is the ideal option for those who want to get most of the benefits of a DOCSIS 3.0 of using a modem router combo, such as a large increase in upload and download speeds, but whilst on a tight budget, and don’t necessarily want the higher download speeds that more expensive modem router combos such as the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 offer.

What we love about the NETGEAR Nighthawk CM400:

• Offers download speeds of up to 343mbps 
• Docsis 3.0 certified
• Able to get faster potential cable speeds during peak usage hours – using 8 downstream and 4 upstream channels
• Often on sale for just under $50 
• Great option for those who want to get a modem router combo on a budget
• Extremely easy to setup – good for somebody who may not have any previous network knowledge 

Best modem router combo for under $100 ARRIS SURFBOARD SBG6400

​Best Modem Router Combo for under $200 – NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900

Here at GPUnerd we believe that you really don’t need to spend mega bucks to get the best performing modem router combo and the absolute fastest internet download speeds. Often on sale for just under $200, the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 is in our eyes the best modem router combo for sale, period. Boasting a monster 24 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels, this modem router allows for up to 960MBPs of download speed and up to 200MBPs of upload speed. If you want to link this to a great wireless router – we suggest the TP-link archer C5 AC1200 DUAL BAND wireless – a great combo.

Why we like the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900

• Up to 960MBP/s Download Speed!
• 3000+ >4.5+ reviews , such as…   no dropped connections, no reboots + see below
• Docsis 3.0 certified 
• Certified for use with xfinity comcast, time warner cable, cox + other ISPs 
• Highest download/upload speeds of any Modem Router Combo
• VERY Easy to setup 

Best Modem Router Combo forHigh Usage  = NETGEAR AC1750

Best Modem Router Combo for Gaming – Motorola 16​https://amzn.to/2h917KU​​​×4 MG7550

If you’re looking to get a modem router combo to increase your gaming experience, reduce latency and random dropouts of connection, then the best modem router combo has to be the Motorola 16×4 MG7550. Download speeds are up to an impressive 686 mbps – 16x faster than the previous DOCSIS 2.0 technology. The Motorola MG7550 it is great fit for gamers as it has a power boost that provides internet access for wireless networks, game stations, Xbox One’s, PS4s – you name it. 

This gaming-focuses Motorola modem router combo features 4 gigabit ethernet LAN ports providing a wired connection to your gaming console. This prevents any downtime and keep a reliable connection which even the best of wireless networks cannot always guarantee – a great feature for the hardcore gamers out there. 

One little gripe about the Motorola 16×4 MG7750 is that it doesn’t have a phone connection for landline (although who uses them nowadays anyway?!)

All in all, the Motorola MG7750 is a good option for those who want to have superfast internet connected to their gaming consoles/PCs and connect many devices to the modem router combo, with no problem streaming even up to 4 HDTVs to this with no problem or connection issues. The modem even boots up in less than 30 seconds! (Your typical docsis modem would take 2-3 minutes to boot).

What makes this perform so well is the built quality and use of components in the MG7550, such as a dedicated heat sink for the main processor, 3 thermal sinks on radios and the chip, as well as 3 internal dual band antennas for improved performance. 

Find the Motorola MG7550 Modem Router Combo here

Best Modem Router Combo for ISPs (Comcast Xfinity/Time Warner/Cox) – ARRIS SURFboard SBG6400

If you are looking for a modem router combo to specifically work with your internet service provider (ISP), such as Comcast, Xfinity, Time Warner or Cox, then the best modem router combo which works extremely well with all of these ISPs is the ARRIS Surfboard SBG6400 Modem Router Combo.The Surfboard SBG6400 is a great budget modem router combo with download speeds of up to 343 mbps thanks to its 8 download channels and 4 upload channels. This modem router from ARRIS is easy to setup and fully compatible with Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Xfinity, as well as most small regional cable providers. The ARRIS surfboard features the latest DOCSIS 3.0 certification, but is backwards compatible with DOCSIS 2, DOCSIS 1.1 and 1. This 2.4GHz modem router combo uses 802.11 n WiFi, a 2 port gigabit ethernet router and a 2 year limited warranty. Not bad for just under $90.If you are in the market for a modem router combo that is compatible with the most ISPs, very easy to set up and comes in at a very reasonable price

What we love about the ARRIS Surfboard SBG6400

• Perfect Modem Router Combo for use with Time Warner/Cox/Comcast Xfinity
• Backwards compatible with DOCSIS 2/1.1/1
• Has a 2 port gigabit ethernet router
• Up to 343MBP/s download speed
• 2 year limited warranty
• Under $90
• Good Mid-level performance Modem Router Combo

Modem Router Combo Buying Guide – How to Pick the Best Modem Router Combo

Factors to consider when buying a modem router combo

• if you are buying a typical modem router combo, you will need to call your cable company (comcast etc) and check that they have the provisioning for that specific modem?
• You need to ask if the modem is on the providers approved modem list. 
• if the modem you are looking to purchase says it is ‘certified’ for your cable company, it basically means it meets DOCSIS 3.0 requirements
• if it doesn’t have this, it means you’ll get a standard provisioning set up – and mean you may come across some connectivity problems when setting up and the cable provider will not be able to help you out with those problems trying to connect your non-certified router
• other questions you may ask when buying a modem router combo:
• is the modem rated for your internet speed
• are you looking to buy a new or a used modem router combo? – occasionally refurbished modems cannot be added to a new account if the previous owner didn’t fully close their account
• what are the warranty terms and return policies? 
• go for docsis 3.0 certified modem rather than a docsis 2.0 – 8x faster speed  

TL:DR – as long as the modem is DOCSIS 3.0 compliant and is certified by your ISP (comcast etc) then you’ll be good. Typically, the more premium modem router combos offer greater upload and download speeds. 

GPUN Administr@tr