Are you looking for the best Comcast Xfinity modem or router? Home networking devices are notoriously difficult to understand. We’ll help you decode Comcast’s jargon and find the best router or modem for the Xfinity cable broadband service.
What’s the Best Wireless Router or Modem for Comcast Xfinity?
The best router is one that can fully use your subscription plan’s maximum speeds while providing reliable coverage throughout your home. Numerous technologies that can achieve this. However, not new tech is not always cost-effective.
There are three product types you should avoid: mesh routers, routers that can’t use custom firmware (DD-WRT), and modems with telephone compatibility.
Mesh routers are the newest home networking technology. They have the advantage of being able to extend superfast speeds at great distances. On the downside, for what they do, they are overpriced. Most consumers are better off buying a Wi-Fi extender instead. At most, I recommend buying a Mesh-compatible router or an inexpensive Wi-Fi extender rather than a complete Mesh system.
Avoid buying a modem-router combination unit. They’re less secure, and users cannot upgrade their firmware to Tomato or DD-WRT. Firmware like DD-WRT extends the lifespan of your device while also improving performance, security, and allowing for VPN server installations.
The Best Comcast Xfinity Routers
All routers work with Comcast, but some will not deliver the speeds guaranteed by your subscription tier. Here are the best routers available for Comcast Xfinity users.
Fastest Router: Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Buy Now On Amazon $369.21The Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 comes in two forms: Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. Consumers with fast internet speeds will want to buy a Wi-Fi 6 router as it can hit extremely fast speeds. Wi-Fi 6 routers are today’s fastest wireless standard and can max out the fastest of Comcast Xfinity’s service plans.
On the downside, almost no wireless consumer devices fully support the standard as yet. So if you buy a Wi-Fi 6 router, you won’t be able to use its blistering speed without a Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless card. It also allows for the use of Mesh Network devices, which function as Wi-Fi extenders. The Rapture also costs more than most routers on the market, and its antennas aren’t upgradable.
All Wi-Fi 6 routers lack Tomato or DD-WRT custom firmware compatibility. However, even with its shortcomings (which all Wi-Fi 6 routers suffer from), if you subscribe to one of Comcast Xfinity’s premium plans and need a fast wireless router, the Rapture may be for you.
Who Should Buy It?
- If you subscribe to Comcast’s Gigabit Pro plan
- Those with Wi-Fi 6 devices
- If you own a lot of smart devices that are all simultaneously connected to the internet
- VPN users
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
- If you’re on a budget
- For those needing custom firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato
Best Value: TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 Router
The TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 is one of the fastest Wi-Fi 5 routers on the market. It also includes the option to install DD-WRT or Tomato, and VPN-compatibility. The Archer C7 series is renowned for its performance, range, and customization options. There are no other routers with the C7’s reputation for excellence and value.
That said, TP-Link has manufactured a not-as-good derivative of the C-series, known as the A-series. If you see the A7 model, I’d suggest not buying it, as it’s incompatible with custom firmware, like DD-WRT. Unfortunately, it is physically identical to the C7.
Who Should Buy It?
- Everyone except those on the Gigabit Pro plan
- Those looking for near-best Wi-Fi 5 speeds
- Homes with lots of connected devices
- Those looking for good range and signal reliability
- People who want DD-WRT or Tomato compatibility
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
- Anyone using Wi-Fi 6 devices
- Those who want great customer service
Best Cable Modems for Comcast Xfinity
Unfortunately, Comcast does not update its list of compatible modems. However, all of the devices on this list were confirmed to work on Comcast’s network through customer service representatives.
For the most part, modems differ mostly in their price and the following three characteristics: speed, Network Attached Storage (NAS) compatibility, and digital telephone capabilities.
Best Modem for Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro Plan: Netgear Nighthawk CM1200
Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 Buy Now On Amazon $179.99If you’re into 4K video, gaming, or transferring large amounts of data, the Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 modem achieves a whopping 2Gbps download speed.This means it’s one of the few modems officially recommended by Comcast that can fully utilize its Gigabit Pro plan, which has a download speed of 2Gbps. The CM1200 is overkill in that it can hit transfer speeds up to 6Gbps.
It’s pricey compared to Comcast’s other modems, like the Motorola MB8600 or Arris SB8200. However, none of these come close to the performance of the Netgear CM1200. With 32 downstream channels and eight upstream channels, it’s the best modem you can buy for Comcast.
Unfortunately, the CM1200 lacks a dedicated RJ11 phone jack, which means it cannot be used with Comcast’s Digital Voice service. However, the CM1200 Voice includes RJ11 phone jacks for telephone service. The CM1200’s two Ethernet ports are for Link Aggregation, which allows two Ethernet sources to boost a single computer’s internet speeds. These ports cannot be used independently of one another.
Who Should Buy It?
- People using the Gigabit Pro plan
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
- People on any plan other than Gigabit Pro
- Comcast Digital Voice customers
- If you’re on a budget
- If you need two separate Ethernet ports
Best for Comcast Digital Voice: Arris Surfboard SBV2402
Arris Surfboard SBV2402 Arris Surfboard SBV2402 Buy Now On Amazon $104.99The Arris Surfboard SBV2402 provides a phone line jack for use with Comcast’s digital phone lines. It’s also one of the fastest lower-tier modems you can buy for Xfinity, hitting DOCSIS 3.0 speeds of 400Mbps, which makes it capable of handling the Blast! Pro plan.
Unfortunately, Comcast doesn’t offer any tier of service between 275Mbps and 500Mbps so while this is the fastest modem in its
The Surfboard SV2402 is one of the best modems for those who subscribe to Comcast’s low or midrange plans and have one of their Digital Voice subscriptions.
Who Should Buy It?
- Digital Voice subscribers with speeds up to its Performance Pro (175Mbps)
- Subscribers to Comcast’s Digital Voice internet telephone service
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
- Subscribers to Comcast’s Blast! Pro, Gigabit, and Gigabit Pro plans
- If you need two or more Ethernet ports on the modem
Best Cheap Cable Modem: Netgear CM500
Netgear CM500 Netgear CM500 Buy Now On Amazon $61.30The Netgear CM500 is the cheapest Comcast-compatible cable modem you could buy that covers the widest range of plans. There are cheaper modems available, but these are limited to the first two tiers of service, which are relatively slow and overpriced plans.
The CM500 includes DOCSIS 3.0 support, which means it can fully utilize the speeds of the Performance Starter, Performance Plus, and the Performance Pro. Those using the Blast! Pro plan should consider the Netgear CM700 modem. Unfortunately, there is a large price jump between the CM700 and the CM1000 series.
Who Should Buy It?
- Subscribers to the Performance Starter, Performance Plus, and Performance Pro plans
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
- Comcast Digital Voice subscribers
- Those with Blast! Pro and faster subscriptions
The Best Routers and Modems for Xfinity
In many cases, the router you already own may be the best choice. However, if you don’t own your router and modem, you need to buy it. It’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.
Comcast’s rental fees are around $15 per month. The average cheap router and modem combined cost about $120. That means within the first year you make your money back. The second year represents pure savings.
However, before you run off and buy a new device, consider attempting to improve the performance of your current router with a few simple tweaks.
Read the full article: The 5 Best Routers and Modems for Comcast Xfinity
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