Best modem router combo in 2024 - our top picks in 2024 - PC Guide (2024)

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If you’re on the hunt for the best modem router combo, we’ve got you covered. Having a good internet connection is almost a necessity. We use the internet every day to work, play, get information, and stay connected. To connect devices to the web, a modem and router are required.

A modem connects to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and receives information from them. From there, a router distributes the signal to other devices, allowing them to connect to the same network. In the past, it was necessary to purchase the two separately. However, advancements in technology have made it possible to fit both into one machine, known as a modem router combo.

These days, you can find modem router combos that feature the latest WiFi 7 technology, but some also come with previous WiFi standards – which are still very capable for many needs. On top of that, you can find options with both DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1. As far as connectivity is concerned, these combos typically come with a few Gigabit Ethernet ports.

Best modem router combo

The Arris Surfboard G54 is an indication of the coming wave of WiFi 7-capable combo devices. It represents the pinnacle of WiFi standards and, given its overall capability and feature set, ranks as our best modem router combo should money be no obstacle.

As mentioned, this combo device comes WiFi 7 (802.11be) ready. Although still yet to be widespread, the standard offers the very fastest possible speeds in the router sector and is fully backward compatible too so will work with WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 devices. In terms of frequency bands there’s full support for 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.

When it comes to coverage, Arris rates the G54 as capable of servicing an area of up to 5,000 sqft. That’s huge, around double the square footage of Arris WiFi 6 options…although note that troublesome walls and stairs may still cause blindspots in your home or office space. Still, it’s as well suited for large areas or big properties as is currently possible.

Another huge change brought about by WiFi 7 is the maximum speed the G54 can handle WiFi speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is far and away beyond the capabilities of WiFi 6 combo devices – and unlikely to be matched by many homes’ current connectivity, yet – but the potential is there!

Crucially, the G54 supports DOCSIS 3.1 as you may expect. That makes more sense with WiFi 7, given the theoretical maximum speed on the 3.1 standard is…10 Gbps, the same as G54 offers. So there is a pleasing equilibrium being offered here, even if 10 Gbps is yet to gain wide use.

These combined specs speak to the future-facing nature of the G54 and its connectivity is excellent too. There are four 1 Gbps ports on the rear, alongside one 10 Gbps port. Arris states the G54 is compatible with ‘major US cable providers’ too, so you can be sure of Cox, Spectrum, and Comcast support here.

There’s no USB port though, should that be a deal breaker for you. But undoubtedly, it’s an impressive bit of kit, and so it deserves to be our best modem router combo without a doubt.

What users say

One owner of the G54 on Amazon stated that the setup was straightforward: “I have Xfinity. I installed the gateway, attached cable and power, and the gateway came up immediately. A login to the web interface brought up a page that called for the use of Xfinity app to finish set-up, which I have on iPhone. Used Add Service to punch in the MAC, the gateway restarted and service was established”.

They also noted that the G54 is fairly large: “BTW theG54is BIG! Even bigger than the G34 I previously had.” So do take note if space is a consideration

Best WiFi 6 modem router combo

If you’re looking for the best modem-router combo, the Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S just might be what you need. It boasts excellent performance and great ‘configurability’, which should establish a robust communication channel between your devices and the modem/router endpoint.

To begin with, this modem router combo comes with WiFi 6, which isn’t the latest WiFi standard, but is still very capable and is around 40% faster than WiFi 5. On top of that, it features dual-band functionality, so it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. The first band is great for range, while the 5GHz provides faster speeds in small areas.

As far as coverage is concerned, the modem router should be ideal for a three to four-bedroom house or apartment, as it offers a range of up to 2,500 sqft. Furthermore, it can connect with up to 25 devices simultaneously and supports WiFi speeds of up to 2.7 Gbps. So, if you have a high-speed internet connection, you can experience its full capabilities with the CAX30S.

It also sports four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. This should help establish a strong internet connection by eliminating radio wave interference that WiFi signals are prone to. There’s also a USB 3.0 port, which can help you connect your external storage device to the router to share files over the network.

The CAX30S also comes with DOCSIS 3.1, which has a maximum bandwidth limit of 10 Gbps. This means that you can get premium internet connections without worrying about whether this modem-router combo will be able to handle it or not. A great aspect of this device is that setting it up is simple, as the Nighthawk app helps you on each step by providing on-screen instructions.

Lastly, the router is compatible with major cable providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. What this means is that if you already have an internet plan with these ISPs or are planning on making the shift, you can do so without worrying about compatibility issues. Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S is the best WiFi 6 modem-router combo. Its support for WiFi 6, 2,500 sqft coverage, and DOCSIS 3.1 make it worth every penny. We even think it deserves to be one of the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems.

What users say

A reviewer of the CAX30s on Amazon points out the ease of setup: “Setting up the CAX80 router was easy enough with the Nighthawk app on my phone.”

They also commented on an improvement in speeds and range: “I noticed an increase in throughput with a wireless connection to my gaming laptop located about 30 feet away from the router (from 300-500Mbps to 600-900 Mbps averaged through the day).”

Best budget modem router combo

If you’re looking for something that delivers great performance but won’t break the bank, we’d recommend the Netgear C6250.

First, this modem-router combo is built to support cable plans up to 300 Mbps. However, this will vary from carrier to carrier. For instance, it supports up to 300 Mbps for Spectrum, up to 200 Mbps for Xfinity, and up to 150 Mbps for Cox. What this means is that your cable plan determines how this combination will work.

For example, if you have a 500 Mbps Xfinity internet plan, you most likely won’t be able to experience its full performance due to the limit on the modem/router. That said, it does feature a 16×4 channel configuration, meaning that it should be able to provide a decent amount of bandwidth for periods of heavy internet use.

When it comes to coverage, the modem/router combo has a range of 1,500 sqft, making it a solid choice for a two to three-bedroom house or apartment. In addition, it supports WiFi speeds of up to 1,600 Mbps and can connect with 25 devices. However, we won’t recommend connecting a lot of devices with any modem/router as the more devices there are, the more bandwidth will get divided between them, and that will result in a drop in performance.

Additionally, this router is a dual-band box, so you can switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz depending on your usage. 5GHz WiFi is better for purposes that require fast internet, like online gaming, while 2.4GHz is slower and prone to interference from other electronics but has a longer signal range.

On top of that, just like some of the best Gigabit modems, there are two Gigabit Ethernet ports for a wired connection, which is always great to get the full speed of your internet connection. As far as security goes, this modem router combo includes DoS protection as well as WPA/WPA2 and SPI/NAT firewalls

Overall, we think the Netgear C6250 is the best budget modem router combo. In terms of value and performance, this Netgear option could be a fantastic pickup.

What users say

Generally, users like the Netgear C6250, and one reviewer on Amazon stated: “It is a very solid product with simple configuration and robust features.”

Best mid-range modem router combo

If you were on the hunt for the best mid-range router combo, the ARRIS Surfboard SBG7400AC2 does not disappoint when it comes to performance.

To begin with, the combo is approved for cable plans up to 800 Mbps, and it works with major cable providers like Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity. This means that you can freely choose from a variety of cable internet plans, and this combo will handle them without a hitch. On top of that, it features dual-band connectivity and supports WiFi speeds of up to 2.3 Gbps. What this translates to is that you can switch between 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz bands for better performance and range while experiencing the full speed of your internet via WiFi. One thing to note is that 2.4 GHz is prone to interference from other electronics, and while 5 GHz doesn’t have this issue, it has a shorter range.

Regarding other connectivity options, there are four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back of the device, which offer wired connection capabilities and eliminate wireless interference issues. Since this router combo has a maximum data transfer rate of 2.4 Gbps, pairing it with a CAT6 or CAT6a Ethernet cable would be beneficial as they have a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps. Doing so should provide a seamless gaming, streaming, and browsing experience.

Lastly, setting up this modem router combo is pretty straightforward, as all you have to do is download the SURFboard Central App and follow the onscreen instructions. This not only adds a layer of accessibility but also provides insight into how your network is performing.

Overall, the ARRIS Surfboard SBG7400AC2 is the best mid-range modem router combo. It also comes with additional features like parental controls, which can help you block certain websites and promote healthy internet habits. However, do keep in mind that it comes with DOCSIS 3.0, which may be a dealbreaker for some.

What users say

Strong performance and compatibility are commented on by one reviewer on Amazon: “As someone who relies heavily on a stable internet connection, the ARRIS SURFboardSBG7400AC2has been a game-changer. With wired speeds of up to 1 Gbps and Wi-Fi speeds reaching 2350 Mbps, this modem-router combo delivers lightning-fast performance.”

How to pick the best modem router combo

A router/modem combo is a great way to reduce costs and clutter from cables and extra devices. Before buying a router/modem combo, make sure to take the following considerations into account.

ISP compatibility

First, you need to pick a router/modem combo that is compatible with your particular ISP. Generally, this is not a big deal as most larger ISP companies like Comcast or Cox are compatible with pretty much any router/modem combo. Even some of the best modems for Spectrum work with other ISPs. However, smaller ISP companies may not have support for different kinds of router/modem combos.

Security

Good router modem combos come with robust security systems. This can protect from malware, as well as provide customers with security options such as parental control and internet time limits.

DOCSIS protocols

DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) is a standardized interface that determines how your modem transmits data over the coaxial cables. Essentially, the DOCSIS protocol version tells you what the absolute maximum downstream and upstream capacities are. Currently, DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 are the most common versions. Most ISP providers offer average broadband speeds of about 60 Mbps, so a DOCSIS 3.0 protocol will be fine for most users.

Coverage

While choosing a router, make sure to go with the one that provides enough range to cover your entire house, apartment, or office. For a two to three-bedroom apartment, you’d be fine with a modem-router combo that offers a range of up to 1,500 sqft. However, for large homes or offices, you’d want to go with at least 4,000 sqft of coverage.

Ethernet ports

Modem-router combinations aren’t limited to providing wireless capabilities, so look for an option with at least one Gigabit port, but having more is always preferred. A Gigabit port allows you to connect your laptop or desktop directly to the device, meaning you’ll get the full speed of your internet plan without any disruptions.

Wireless standard

The wireless standard of the modem-router combination is an important factor to consider, as an outdated version might cause compatibility issues and cause your internet speed to exceed its limit. So, opt for a device that has 802.11be (WiFi 7), 802.11ac or 802.11ax (WiFi 6) wireless standards to ensure a level of future-proofing.