Best Docsis 3.1 Modem 2023

In this article, we chat you through our top five picks for the best Docsis 3.1 modems.

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In this article, we chat you through our top five picks for the best Docsis 3.1 modems.

We have carefully considered these choices, and have based our recommendations on the research we have carried out. We have taken into consideration aspects such as the cost, connection speeds, and compatibility.

All of the products on this page are great options to consider and will help you to have a faster internet connection, in addition to saving you money in the long run.

Best Docsis 3.1 Modem 2023: reviews

Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem

Editor’s Pick

Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem

Downstream speeds

up to 3.8 Gbps

Upstream speeds

Up to 1 Gbps

DOCSIS Channel Bonding

DOCSIS 3.1 plus 32×8 DOCSIS 3.0

Works With Any WiFi Router That Has an Ethernet WAN port

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• Compatible with the most ISPs
• Works with Wi-Fi routers
• Affordable

Cons

• Only features 1 Ethernet port

The Motorola MB8600 is our top choice for the best Docsis 3.1 modem. We love that it is reasonably priced, and is one of the more affordable options featured. It had a durable casing, and the LED lighting allows you to see everything on the modem clearly.

The modem has 32×8 capabilities, and it will help to save you a significant amount of money per year. It is compatible for use with Xfinity X1, Cox, Comcast Xfinity, and CableOne. The higher speeds are also available with the providers. As a result, this modem is compatible with most providers.

However, it cannot be used with services such as Verizon, CenturyLink, and Frontier. The compatibility with Wi-Fi routers is great, and it also features a proactive network security, which is so important to have.

The digital tuner allows you to increase speeds, and also save energy. The only downside is that it only features 1, 1Gbps Ethernet port, which is not ideal if you are looking to connect multiple devices.

NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem with Voice (CM1150)

NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem with Voice CM1150V

Best for Cable Internet Plan Speed

Up to 2Gbps

Works With Any Wi-Fi Router

Yes

Gigabit Ethernet Ports

4 x 1G (with multi-gig port aggregation)

Modem Technology

DOCSIS 3.1, 32×8 Channel Bonding, OFDM 2×2

How We Review

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Pros

• 4 1 gigabit Ethernet ports
• 32×8 channel bonding
• Wi-Fi compatibility
• Xfinity voice service

Cons

• Cannot be used with satellite, DSL, or fiber optic services

The Netgear Nighthawk CM1150 is an impressive modem, and it is easy to see why it is a popular choice. What is great about this modem is that it features 4, 1 gigabit Ethernet ports, which is fantastic. If you have a multi-console setup, this will be particularly useful.

It has a 2000Mbps max download speed, and can be fitted with 2 phone lines, which is useful. It uses 32×8 channel bonding, and 2×2 OFDM. Furthermore, it helps to lower your energy bills, and it features Multi-gig Ethernet which will help to further increase speeds.

As it is compatible with any type of Wi-Fi router, you will not need to replace your existing one. While it is the second most expensive modem featured, given its specifications, this is understandable.

This is a fantastic opinion to consider if you are looking for a great gaming modem. It’s also useful if you want to use Xfinity voice service. The only downside is that the modem cannot be used with DSL, satellite, and fiber optic services.

ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

Best for cable internet speed plans

Up to 2 Gbps

Downstream x Upstream Channels

32 x 8

DOCSIS 3.1 Advanced Technology

Yes

Gigabit Ethernet Ports

2

How We Review

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Pros

• Modem and Wi-Fi router combined
• Can be connected to the majority of cable providers
• 4, 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 2×2 downstream and upstream

Cons

• Expensive

A great budget-friendly option is the Arris SURFboard SB8200. It is not overly expensive to purchase, and will help you to save a significant amount of money over time.

It can be used with many of the most popular ISPs, such as Spectrum, and Xfinity. The modem is made from particularly durable materials, and comes with a 2-year warranty to cover any issues, should they occur.

This is a 32×8 cable modem, and the maximum download speeds are 2Gbps, which is great. There are 2, 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which is great if you need to connect more than one device. While it is not compatible with ATT, Verizon, and CenturyLink, this should not cause too many issues.

The connection is fantastic, and it will significantly improve your internet speed. The LED lights allow you to see the settings clearly, and the modem connects easily. The Ethernet speeds are particularly fast.

NETGEAR Cable Modem CM1000

NETGEAR Cable Modem CM1000

Installed Size

256 MB

Max Transfer Rate

1 Gbps

Line Coding Format

OFDM

How We Review

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Pros

• Can be connected to any Wi-Fi router
• Fast Ethernet port
• Great for HD streaming
• Good connections to ISPs

Cons

• Not as fast as the other modems featured

If you are looking for a reasonably priced modem on a budget, the Netgear CM1000 is a great option to choose. While it is not the most impressive modem overall, it is still a fantastic option to consider.

It is made with durable materials, and is compatible with the majority of cable providers, such as Comcast, Spectrum, and Xfinity, which is great. The data transfer rates run at 300Mbps, and the speeds can reach up to 1Gbps.

This modem will help you to save a significant amount of money, and it will work with any type of Wi-Fi router. This means that you do not have to worry about upgrading your existing router.

This modem is a great option for HD streaming, and it has 32×8 channel bonding. The LED lights are clear to differentiate, and the 1 gigabit Ethernet port featured is particularly fast.

ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

Connectivity Technology

Ethernet, Wireless

Download Speed (Internet)

Up to 10+ Gbps

Gigabit Ethernet Port

4

How We Review

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Pros

• Modem and Wi-Fi router combined
• Can be connected to the majority of cable providers
• 4, 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 2×2 downstream and upstream

Cons

• Expensive

Last, but not least, we have another Arris SURFboard modem. This modem is the SBG8300. While it is the most expensive option featured, when you take into consideration its features and specifications, this is understandable.

What we love about this modem is that it is combined with a Wi-Fi router, which is brilliant as you will not need to purchase one in addition to this. It has 4, 1 gigabit Ethernet ports, which is great for many connections.

The SBG8300 can be connected to the most popular ISPs, such as Cox, Xfinity, and Spectrum. It is 32×8, and can be suitable for plans up to 4Gbps. The Wi-Fi router is dual-band, and it has a 2×2 downstream and upstream.

While the majority of people may already have a Wi-Fi router, if you do not, this is a great option to consider.

How We Choose

There is a lot that we take into consideration before choosing and recommending products.

We always ensure that we are choosing the best possible products that feature good specifications for gaming. In addition to this, we aim to choose a range of both high end, and reasonably priced options to suit all budgets.

We always thoroughly test the products we recommend, to ensure that they are of a good quality, and perform as expected. When we tested these modems we checked the connectivity, the connection speeds, the max download speeds, and also their durability.

Our team of experts look into each product carefully, and research them in detail, while also taking into consideration the opinions of customers. All the modems featured will help to lower your internet payment costs, and are great for use when gaming.

Things To Consider

Before deciding to purchase a Docsis 3.1 modem, here are six different aspects that you will want to keep in mind when choosing.

Price

The first aspect to take into consideration is the cost. The cost of the modem is important, as you will want to choose an option that is within your budget. When it comes to Docsis 3.1 modems, they are not always the cheapest options.

However, when you take into consideration their overall specifications, and the quality of the modems, the cost is often justified. This is especially true when they help to improve your internet speeds and gameplay.

While they do come with an upfront cost, they will save you money in the long run, and you will make this money back. This is because by purchasing your own modem, you will not have to worry about renting a modem monthly from your internet service provider. This requirement will then be removed, and you can choose a less expensive contract deal.

Internet Speed

The second aspect you will want to consider is the internet speed. When changing modems, the last thing you will want to happen is your internet speed declining. All the options we have chosen will help to increase your internet speed, especially when you connect via the Ethernet port.

The great advantage of choosing a Docsis 3.1 modem is that it stops the capping or throttling of your internet speed to very low amounts. The upstream caps for these modems are 2 Gbps, and downstream its 10Gbps.

This means that even if you are running on the lowest internet speeds, it will still be faster than an older modem, which can be as slow as 100Mbps. To receive the highest speeds, you will need to have 2 IP addresses registered, which is worth keeping in mind.

Compatibility

When choosing a new modem, you will need to take into consideration its compatibility. The last thing you want to happen is to connect the modem up to your internet, only for it to not be compatible.

Thankfully, all the options we have featured are compatible with the majority of ISPs, such as Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. However, they do have some limitations when it comes to fiber optic services, so you will need to take this into consideration.

Wi-Fi

You will also need to check the compatibility of the Wi-Fi router and the modem. While all of these options are compatible with the majority, if not all, of routers, other modems may not be.

The majority of routers will need to have a Wi-Fi router connected, however, some will have the Wi-Fi built into the modem itself. While the Ethernet port provides the fastest internet connection, if you are connecting other devices in addition to a gaming PC, such as smartphones, Wi-Fi is useful to have.

Durability

You will want to ensure that the modem you are purchasing is made from good quality materials. You want it to be sturdy enough to not fall apart if it does get knocked over.

As it is an investment, you do not want to have to replace it after a year or two because it is damaged. In the same vein, many companies will offer a warranty on the modem. This will give you peace of mind should anything happen to it within this time.

Security

Last, but not least, you will want to take into consideration the security of the modem. Some modems have been vulnerable to attacks in the past, mainly because of the cable haunt software flaw.

You will want to carry out research to ensure that the modem is safe from this. However, you can potentially receive a software patch from your ISP if there are any security issues. This will help to prevent any breaches from occurring.