If you’re looking to make your life easier with a device that gives you the function of a two-in-one unit, then a modem router combo is what you are looking for.
It provides you with the function of a modem as well as a router, allowing it to connect with a number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices, which we all realize is essential in the present era.
To ensure you pick the best of these devices, this article will serve as your complete guide.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Modem Router Combos
- OUR TOP PICK: NETGEAR C6250
- NETGEAR C7000
- ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC
- NETGEAR Nighthawk Combo
- MOTOROLA MG7540
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: NETGEAR C3000-100NAS
Comparison Chart of the Best Modem Router Combos
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Our Top Pick |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
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| 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 |
What is a Modem Router Combo Best Used For?
A modem router combo can be one of the most essential devices that you have around your home, office, or workspace. It serves a number of functions, making your life easier in a number of ways. If you aren’t sure if you need to invest in one of these devices, here are a few reasons why you might need one.
Avoid The Confusion
Those who aren’t very familiar with these devices may not be able to differentiate between a router and a modem, and without the right sort of knowledge, buying the two separately may lead to the purchase of the wrong products altogether. While investing in a modem router combo, you can easily avoid the confusion altogether.
Save The Price of Two
A modem router combo may not be as cheap as an individual modem or router, but it is definitely cheaper than purchasing both of them separately. So, while it may look like you’re spending more, you are actually still saving money by investing in a cheaper unit that offers the function of two.
Easier Set Up, Fewer Hassles
One of the greatest things about using a modem router combo is the convenience that it offers. Setting up these units and their configuration is way easier with fewer wiring hassles. Since the single unit allows Wi-Fi access for multiple devices, you don’t need to worry about different ISPs and cable service providers either.
How to Choose a Modem Router Combo
For those that do not have a lot of knowledge about modem router combos, picking the right device may seem like a real struggle, but it isn’t. There are just a few features that one needs to keep in mind. With those, almost anyone can choose a good quality modem router combo.
Performance
The performance of the unit is one of the most important aspects of these devices, and should never be overlooked. To ensure that the performance of the model that you pick is excellent, you should look at its features like DOCSIS version, speeds for downloading and uploading and channel bonding.
ISP Compatibility
The device that you invest in needs to be compatible with your internet service provider. In case it isn’t, you will be stuck with a unit that serves no purpose for you at all. So, it is important that before you invest in any unit, you ensure that it has sufficient compatibility with your ISP.
Price Range
A lot of products come with a fancy label, which charge consumers with extra dollars for nothing at all. You need to ensure that you are not paying more than what you need to for the device. For this, ensure that you compare a few products to check if they are priced appropriately.
Quick Take - Best Modem Router Combos
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best modem router combos:
Review of the Best Modem-Router Combos
With all the basics out of the way, it is now time to get down to business. Let’s not waste time on anything else and get to the products themselves. Below we have listed and reviewed some of the best modem router combos that you’ll find on the market. You only need to find one that fits your needs best.
Best Overall:
NETGEAR C6250
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
One of the reasons why we think this product is better than any other is because of its user reviews. Those who had recently invested in this report said that it is an outstanding unit that offers a lot more than what one expects from such devices. From build to functionality, users have found nothing to complain about with this.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit has great features that put it on the top of this list, but one of our favorites is the number of connections that it provides. Its design allows about 25 connections at once, which is a good number to ensure that everyone gets to connect to the internet without anyone being left out.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit by NETGEAR is an absolute masterpiece, and better than about any other that you may come across. It has all the features that one would need to look at and is lacking in no way. This makes this ideal for anyone and everyone. Anyone looking to invest in a modem router combo would find this to be a perfect choice.
Bottom Line
This unit tops this list for a reason, and the reason is excellence. From the quality of the build down to the efficiency of performance, it provides the users with the best of everything, and there is absolutely nothing more that one could ask for from this device.
Runner-up:
NETGEAR C7000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to users, this unit is definitely one of the best modem router combos that you can invest in from all the products available on the market. Recent buyers have been greatly impressed by the compatibility and the convenience that it has to offer for all its users and regard it as the winning features of the device.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Out of all the reasons that this unit has given us to consider it the best, the one that really stands out to us is the beamforming technology that it is equipped with. This high-tech design greatly increases not only the Wi-Fi coverage for devices but also boosts the speed.
Who Will Use This Most
Unlike many other units, this device is packed with features that ensure safety and security for you. With its double firewall protection, separate guest network access and DoS attack prevention, this unit serves to be the ideal model for all those that have greater security concerns.
Bottom Line
If you don’t think that our number one product is for you, then this unit will serve as the perfect substitute for it. If features almost all, if not the same, features as the top-most product, with similar functionality that stands to be unchallenged by any other standard unit.
Best for the Money:
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you are the kind of person to consider user reviews before investing in a unit, then you will be sure to choose this as your final pick. Almost everyone that has invested in this unit has only sung its praises, telling us about how well it works, beyond the user’s expectation, and that too at an unbelievable price point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We all have had issues with downloading and know how much of a struggle slow downloading speeds can be. This unit completely gets rid of that struggle for us by providing with download speeds up to 686 Mbps, and this is what truly stands out about it.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit not only excels in its function, but it does so while ensuring that you get the worth out of your money. That makes it ideal for anyone that is looking for a modem router combo, under a limited budget. This unit will be sure to provide them with the best, without paying extra.
Bottom Line
Gone are the days when good things only came with a higher price tag. This product is designed to provide you with the best while ensuring you don’t pay more. It gives you the perfect run for your money with all the features that you could possibly ask for.
Best Modem Router Combo for Gaming:
NETGEAR Nighthawk Combo
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Investing in this unit has, so far, only brought great joy to users because of its smooth functioning. The unit is not only efficient with its performance but also exceptionally easy to configure, which has proved to be the winning feature for a lot of customers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you ask us why this unit deserves to be on this list, we would tell you it’s because of the connectivity that it provides. With its 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and the 2 USB ports, you can connect to a number of devices with a wired connection, such as your printer, computer, storage drive or even game box.
Who Will Use This Most
The wired connection that this unit provides works exceptionally fast and smooth. Such a connection is ideal in all situations where good internet connection is needed, such as while gaming. This unit is, therefore, the ideal pick for all the gamers out there who are looking to enhance their gaming experience.
Bottom Line
Be it gaming with a wired connection or simply surfing the web with a wireless one, you will be sure to get the best of your internet plan with this modem router combination. It is designed to provide great speed and smooth functioning that will ensure that you do not regret your choice.
Best Modem Router Combo for Comcast:
MOTOROLA MG7540
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you go through what the users have to say about this particular unit, you will find nothing but good words. Recent buyers have been greatly impressed by its performance and convenient functioning. What they absolutely loved is how much better it performed with Comcast.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Most modem router combos only provide up to 4G Wi-Fi signals, but this unit is a step ahead of all others. It also provides 5G Wi-Fi signals which may not be useful for everyone, but more than ideal for those that have devices compatible with 5G signals. This feature is what makes it stand apart from the rest.
Who Will Use This Most
This modem router combo is designed to provide ideal functionality for all of its users, but its performance with Comcast has been proven to be simply on another level. This is what makes this device ideal for all users of Comcast that are looking to invest in a modem router combo.
Bottom Line
If you're a Comcast user, you'll fund the functioning of this device to be simply outstanding. But even if you are not, we assure you that you will not be disappointed by its functioning. It is geared with a number of useful features that make it a device that simply works to impress its users.
Best Modem Router Combo for Spectrum:
NETGEAR C3000-100NAS
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For those that have tried and tested this unit, it serves better than most of the previously used devices. It provides great service and a very low price point that had greatly impressed the users. They claim that that is not where the features end, and there is still a lot more that would greatly impress anyone that invests in it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
For us, the best part of this modem router combo is the NETGEAR genie app that it comes with. It's not just another app that links with the device, but one that allows parental controls. Filter the content for your kids using this genie app from anywhere.
Who Will Use This Most
While most of the people who used this unit were content, those that used Spectrum were exceptionally satisfied. This proves the high compatibility of the device with Spectrum, making Spectrum users more likely to invest in this device than the rest.
Bottom Line
You do not necessarily need Spectrum to observe the ideal performance of this modem router combo. It is designed to provide you with nothing less than the absolute best, and that is exactly what you will experience, Spectrum or not.
Best Modem Router Combo for Cox:
ARRIS SURFboard AC1750 DOCSIS 3.0
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This unit is one of those that are simply designed to impress users. That's not what we think, but what those who have used this modem router combo think. According to those that have invested in this unit, it is completely worth the investments, providing users with all the features that they need and more.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of all the features that this unit offers, the one that we like the most is the DOCSIS 3.0 modem that it is equipped with. The high-tech modem ensures that users are provided with a speed that is unmatched by other standard products.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is designed to provide an ideal capability with most of the internet service providers, but that function is enhanced when it comes to Cox. For this reason, it makes it the ideal modem for all the Cox users that are looking to buy a modem router combo.
Bottom Line
All in all, this unit provides ideal functionality for Cox as well as other providers. It not only functions well, but it does so beyond the expectations that users have for it. Thus, it is one of the best units to invest in, earning it a place on this list.
Best Modem Router Combo for Centurylink:
Motorola MG7700
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have invested in this router have not only found it to be ideal for their own use but have been impressed to an extent where they would recommend it to anyone looking for a modem router combo. Everything from its design to its performance has greatly impressed the users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you ask us why this unit deserves to be on this list, we would say it is because of its built-in power boost and Wi-Fi amplifiers. These features allow you to experience a Wi-Fi service that is exceptionally better than that provided by all other units.
Who Will Use This Most
This model has proven that its ideal performance is best experienced with a Centurylink connection. This is why we figure that those that use Centurylink would find it to be the perfect choice for them. It provides greater compatibility for this provider than any other unit.
Bottom Line
Motorola provides some of the best devices for its users, and this unit is the perfect example. It is one that is designed with great features with the simple intention of providing users with the best, and it successfully does so, which gives it a place on this list.
Best Modem Router Combo for Mediacom:
TP-Link 16x4 AC1750
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This is one of those products that have simply failed to ever disappoint any of its users. Almost all the people that have bought and used this have found it to be perfectly functional and ideal for use in almost every way, and it's not just one feature that has impressed the users, but every single one that the unit has.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of all the reasons that this unit gives to make it a perfect one, the one that stands out to us is the channel bonding that it comes with. The unit provides users with 16 downstream and four upstream channels, which allow them to experience download speeds up to 680 Mbps.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit provides exceptional compatibility for Mediacom. It serves to provide functionality that hasn't been matched by any other unit so far. For this reason, it's perfect for those with a connection from Mediacom, since it allows them to experience the best of their service plan.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a good quality modem router combo, then you would be missing out if you don't take a look at this one. It is designed to allow you to experience the better side of your service plan, ensuring that slow speed and poor connection are none of your worries.
Best DSL Modem Router Combo:
ARRIS Surfboard (16x4) DOCSIS 3.0
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to those that have recently bought this unit, it was worth the investment. For almost everyone that has used this modem router combo, it has served to provide them with the best of its features, just as the manufacturers had advertised. It is a unit that stands tall on the expectations that the buyers had from it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What we absolutely love about this unit is that it allows support for IPv4 and IPv6. These two serve to be the latest standard for internet and support for these to ensure better functionality of the unit, which provides users with an even better experience.
Who Will Use This Most
The functionality and design of this unit make it ideal for use for anyone that's looking for a modem router combo, but if we talk specifically, then those looking for a DSL unit would find this to be a perfect match for their needs, providing them with everything they're looking for.
Bottom Line
All in all, this unit may rank the last, but it is definitely not the least. It provides great features that put it at par with all the others listed here. It is a unit that will never fail to impress you. If you doubt its functionality, then you need to try it for yourself.
Pros and Cons of Modem Router Combos
Like every other device, modem router combos too have their own pros and cons. For some, the pros surely outweigh the cons, while for others, it is vice versa. Before you decide to invest in one of these, it is important that you take a look at both the sides and decide if investing in one would be worth it for you or not.
Pros of Modem Router Combos
- As mentioned earlier, modem router combos are a cheaper alternative to buying the two devices separately. The services that one receives, either way, are the same. It is, therefore, smarter to invest in a single unit that costs less than purchasing two individually.
- If you invest in two separate units, they both will have to be set up and configured separately. On the other hand, with a modem router combo, you will only need to go through the entire process once, which, too, is considerably easier.
- If, instead of buying the two devices separately, you consider renting a device, it will still be considerably more expensive. Therefore, by investing in a combo and not paying your internet cable provider, you will be able to save on the monthly rental fee too.
- Since you are using a device that serves the purpose of two separate units, you will save not only money but also shelf space.
Cons of Modem Router Combos
- These combos may be easier to set up and use, but they often present a great deal of difficulty when it comes to upgrading. For someone that does not have sufficient knowledge about these devices, professional help may be necessary.
- Finding the right location to place these devices can also be a great hassle. Since wireless signals can be disrupted in a number of ways, it is tricky to find a spot that allows no interference.
Conclusion
Modem router combos may have a couple of drawbacks to them, but they do have their fair share of advantages too and serve to provide a crucial function in any setup. From homes to offices, these devices can be extremely useful as well as advantageous. You only need to consider the right aspects and make the right pick for yourself.