Modems are an important part of the network setup. In fact, if you have a good modem, you can have a fast, steady, and secure connection.
While a good connection is important for daily life tasks, it is even more important for gaming. Your performance is directly affected by the speed and steadiness of your internet connection.
That is why, today, we will be reviewing some of the best modems for gaming to see which one is best suited for you. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Modems For Gaming
- OUR TOP PICK: MOTOROLA MB8600
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ARRIS Surfboard SB6190-R
- MOTOROLA MG7540
- NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900
- NETGEAR Nighthawk C7100V
Comparison Chart of the Best Modems For Gaming
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Can Any Modem Be Used For Gaming?
Technically, yes. It’s not like the average modem will stop working if you run a game. However, if you want a lag-free and smooth gaming experience, then you should probably invest in a gaming modem. Gaming modems are built to work with a higher-tiered internet plan that allows you more speed and more stability.
All these, as mentioned before, are absolutely necessary if you want a good gaming experience. While a regular modem may work, it may not be equipped enough to deal with the load of the game. Multiplayer games especially need a good connection and minimum connection latency to enjoy.
What to Look For When Buying a Gaming Modem
This section details a few features that an ideal modem should have. These features will make sure that you enjoy your game to the fullest.
Modem Speed
This is a very important feature, and perhaps the first feature anyone would look for. Usually, data transfer speeds vary from modem to modem. But you should opt for a range that allows you to game comfortably. A major factor that influences modem speeds is the type of connection the modem offers. While wireless connection can provide a speed of up to 2.5Gbps, wired or Ethernet connections offer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Compatibility
Another important aspect to consider is compatibility. Your modem should be compatible with your internet service provider. Otherwise, the modem will not work. While most modems nowadays are compatible with mainstream providers, you should always check before deciding which device to invest in.
DOCSIS 3.0 or Greater
If you're opting for a wired connection, make sure to choose a modem that is equipped with at least DOCSIS 3.0. This can provide you with higher speeds as it allows for higher bandwidth data transfer. A DOCSIS modem is also more secure, and it keeps your connection and all your confidential data safe.
Quick Take - Best Modems For Gaming
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best modems for gaming:
Review of the Best Gaming Modems
In this section, we'll review our top picks for the best gaming modems. Let’s get started, shall we?
Best Overall and Best Cable Modem for Gaming:
MOTOROLA MB8600.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Reviews of this device show that most users are pleased with their investment. It offers a stable connection as well as top internet speeds. Apart from that, buyers report that this device is more feasible in the long run as now they do not have to pay the monthly rental costs.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Well, this outstanding device would catch the attention of anyone. It has an amazing performance and is equipped with the latest DOCSIS 3.1. Apart from that, it offers a total of four Ethernet ports, which is amazing. Not only that, but the setup process of this device is very easy as well, so you can even set it up by yourself.
Who Will Use This Most
Considering the price tag of the device, this would be best suited for professionals or those who are really passionate gamers. It has all the features that would please both groups of people. Moreover, the speed it has to offer will be best utilized by professional gamers.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Motorola MB8600 is a spectacular device if you are looking for a cable modem specifically for gaming. Yes, the price tag is a shocker, but it saves you a lot in the long run as it is durable and will free you of those monthly rental costs.
Runner-up:
ARRIS Surfboard SB6190-R
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Overall, the performance of this device is great, as reported by many of the reviewers. It is dependable and does well on all of the speed tests. One thing to be careful of is buying original products instead of refurbished ones. That is because a lot of users faced issues with connectivity and accounts when they opted for a refurbished model. Other than that, users loved this unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Needless to say, Arris Surfboard SB6190 is an amazing device. Everything from the design to the performance is great. It has a small footprint, which allows it to set in nicely. The status lights are placed right in the front and are visible, so it’s easy to tell if there is a problem. Apart from that, it offers 32x8 bonded channels, which is certainly an attractive feature.
Who Will Use This Most
This device is able to cater to large audiences as it offers quality, and the price tag is quite reasonable, as well. Those looking for a gaming modem or a modem that can handle heavy-duty data transfer will gravitate towards this device. Plus, it comes with a two-year warranty, which would also appeal to a lot of people.
Bottom Line
Arris has a good reputation when it comes to networking devices. This device lives up to the name and provides great performance. In addition to that, it is equipped with DOCSIS 3.0, which makes your connection better and safe from potential threats.
Best for the Money:
MOTOROLA MG7540
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The overall response to this device is positive. Buyers are happy with their purchase, and many have seen a noticeable difference in the stability and the speed of their connection. Moreover, this device is a modem/router combo, which is an added bonus for buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Motorola MG7540 is a very well designed device. From the outside, it is slim and smart with a chic black body. On the inside, it is equipped with some of the latest technology and a variety of features. The advanced firewall is something that cannot be ignored, as is the DOCSIS 3.0.
Who Will Use This Most
This device would be best suited for small to medium setups. People who have home setups would definitely benefit from this. The Motorola MG7540 is great for younger users as well as it has a parental control option. Parents can make sure that their child enjoys their game and surf the internet safely.
Bottom Line
This model is perhaps one of the best from Motorola. Everything from its design to its performance is absolutely wonderful. The safety feature of this device is also amazing. Above all, it is budget-friendly, which is an added plus.
Best DSL Modem for Gaming:
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many reviews have mentioned the great connectivity of this device. In addition to that, the speed of the connection is praised as well. Some users find this to be less expensive than renting out equipment from cable providers. The setup is the only thing that was a bit difficult; otherwise, a majority of the buyers are happy with their purchase.
Why it Stands Out to Us
NETGEAR is considered as one of the most popular and well-known brands on the market. It produces equipment with designs that catch your eye. The same is the case with AC1900. It may be big, but it sure catches your eye. The dual-core processor does an amazing job, keeping speeds and connectivity. It can also connect to multiple devices without the performance being affected.
Who Will Use This Most
This device would be great for setups that are used by a few people. So it would work well for a home network as well as a small office or gaming area. Apart from that, it would also appeal to people looking for a modem/router combo as it offers many different features wrapped up in one device.
Bottom Line
This model from NETGEAR was a must mention in the review. It has some great features, which make the device a very good option for those looking for gaming routers. It can connect multiple devices with ease, and it also has the DOCSIS 3.0, which gives it a greater bandwidth.
Best Gaming Modem for Xfinity:
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7100V
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers absolutely love the NETGEAR Nighthawk C7100V. The installation process is quite easy; in fact, you can do it online. The device performs well on all the speed tests, and it also provides multiple connections. It is a little pricey but saves more in the long run.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This amazing piece of technology just pulls you towards itself. Equipped with the DOCSIS 3.0, this modem/router combination will give you an incredibly fast connection. The performance is kept up by the 1.6GHz processor. Apart from that, it has 4 Ethernet ports as well as USB ports that can be used to connect printers, etc.
Who Will Use This Most
This device will work best for people using internet plans of 200-500 Mbps. It is a modem/router combination, so those who want to invest in one device instead of buying them separately would also enjoy this device.
Bottom Line
All in all, this device by NETGEAR has some amazing implications. It has a lot to offer, and the fact that it works both as a modem and a router is like the cherry on top. It offers high speeds that allow you to enjoy gaming to the fullest.
Best Gaming Modem for Spectrum:
MOTOROLA MB7621
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
On average, buyers love the Motorola MB7621. A couple of buyers even referred to it as a beast in the sense that it provides a fast internet connection. The modem has a two-year warranty as well, so it lasts a long time. The easy setup process was also mentioned in many reviews.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Even though we picked this device for Spectrum, it still is compatible with other internet service providers. This means more people can benefit from it. Apart from that, it is a reliable device that delivers, and that is what we love about this modem by Motorola.
Who Will Use This Most
Considering the speeds it provides, it would be best suited for professional gamers or those who play more frequently. It would also work great for people with high-tier internet plans as they would make the most out of the device.
Bottom Line
Motorola never disappoints, and the MB7621 is proof of that. It has an easy setup process and offers great performance for its users. It is compatible with major networks, which means it is not limited to a certain amount of people.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
The following are a few aspects that you should keep in mind while buying a modem, specifically for gaming.
Combination Devices
A combination device is a router and a modem in one. If you do not want to invest in two separate devices, then a combination device will work very well for you. They have their own advantages as they save space and save you from extra rental fees. Some of the newer devices, like the ones from NETGEAR, also offer stellar performance. However, you should be careful as combination devices can be difficult to upgrade and are a bit pricier as well.
Warranty
You should check if a modem is offering a warranty or not. It is better if the modem has at least a two-year warranty as some of the products have on our list as well. This can save you repair costs if your modem faces any problems.
Budget
Keep your budget in mind. Just because it is expensive does not mean it is the best option for you. You need to weigh out your options and see which modem fits into your criteria the best. Remember, a sensible purchase is better than an expensive one.
Conclusion
A gaming modem should offer you top speeds and a stable connection as the modems mentioned in this review do. So with that, we hope that you find the modem that best suits your needs and lets you enjoy your games without any lag or interruption. Happy Gaming!
People Also Ask
The last section of this review is reserved for some frequently asked questions. These can clear out any confusion you might have had.
Is 100 Mbps Fast for Gaming?
Each game has its own specific requirements. However, a speed of 100Mbps would be fast enough for you to enjoy your game as well as streaming, etc.
Can a Better Modem Increase Internet Speed?
Yes, it can. However, you must make sure that your internet problem is related to the modem. Sometimes, there are other factors like the performance of the router that is actually the cause of slow internet. So if you change your modem when the problem lies somewhere else, it will do nothing to speed up your internet.
