April 2021
Modem Rankings Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Modem rankings posted by key online experts, as of April 2021.
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Modems.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Modems, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for April 2021 ranking
Tom's Guide
Lifewire
The Strategist
Wirecutter
Popular Mechanics
Reviews.org
HighSpeedInternet
BestCovery
We ranked Motorola MB8600 #1 in April 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Motorola MB8600 as #1.
Lifewire
Best for Gigabit Internet
|
Pros
DOCSIS 3.1 Support
Low latency
Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
|
Cons
No support for bundled voice services
Additional Ethernet ports are hidden
|
HighSpeedInternet
Best overall
|
Pros
Four gigabit Ethernet ports
Excellent Broadcom chipset
|
Cons
Bulky design
Limited compatibility with providers
|
Reviews.org
Best high-speed cable modem
|
Pros
Ultra-fast speeds
2-year warranty
Decent compatibility
|
Cons
Pricier than slower models
|
We ranked Motorola MB7621 #2 in April 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Motorola MB7621 as #1.
Lifewire
Best Value
|
Pros
Affordable
Compact design
Easy setup
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Cons
No voice capabilities
|
We ranked Netgear CM500 #3 in April 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
Lifewire
Best Budget
|
Pros
Easy setup
Good compatibility
Great speed for price
|
Cons
Gets hot
|
Tom's Guide
Best alternative cable modem
|
Pros
Solid performance
Good compatibility
Often cheaper than comparable modems
|
Cons
One-year warrant shorter than rivals
Indicator lights are hard to see
|
We ranked Arris SURFboard SB6190 #4 in April 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Arris SURFboard SB6190 as #1.
Lifewire
Best Overall
|
Pros
Impressive speeds
Great for HD movies and gaming
Convenient LED indicator lights
|
Cons
Coaxial connection placement isn't ideal
|
We ranked Netgear CM600 #5 in April 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Netgear CM600 as #1.
Reviews.org
Best for most
|
Pros
Compatible with all major cable providers
Fast enough for most households
Relatively affordable
|
Cons
Not optimal for super-fast internet connections
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Tom's Guide
Best cable modem for high-speed service
|
Pros
Reliable performance
Lower price than other high-speed modems
Compatible with many ISPs
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Cons
One-year warranty
Tall footprint
|
We ranked Arris SURFboard SB8200 #6 in April 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
Lifewire
Best Compact
|
Pros
DOCSIS 3.1 Support
Compact design
Two Gigabit Ethernet ports with link aggregation
|
Cons
Pricey
Awkward coaxial connection placement
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HighSpeedInternet
Best value
|
Pros
No more Puma 6 chipset
Multiple color options
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Cons
Fewer Ethernet ports
Limited compatibility with cable providers
|
We ranked Motorola MB7420 #7 in April 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Motorola MB7420 as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best cable modem you can buy
|
Pros
Two-year warranty
Reliable performance
Compatible with most internet providers
|
Cons
Not as compact as some modems
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 #8 in April 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
Lifewire
Best Performance
|
Pros
DOCSIS 3.1 Support
Four Gigabit Ethernet Ports
802.3ad Link Aggregation
|
Cons
Pricey
No voice features
|
HighSpeedInternet
Best look
|
Pros
Slick, unobtrusive appearance
Easy setup
Lots of Ethernet ports
|
Cons
Costs more for average features
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk C7100V #9 in April 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
We ranked Arris SURFboard SB6183 #10 in April 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Modems” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A top cable modem if you can find it
|
Pros
Dependable
Two-year warranty
Compatible with most internet providers
Visible status lights
|
Cons
Awkward placement of coaxial cable
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