Which modems are the best

It promises speeds of up to 10 Gbps, increased download efficiency, and better queue management for large downloads.

This means that more cable operators will be able to offer gigabit speeds over the next few years, and many already do. In order to do so, you would need a router with WAN port aggregation or a 2. Gigabit fiber internet plans are growing more popular, too. Fiber is generally faster than cable, especially in upload speeds, but it involves added cost for companies because it requires new cables and network architecture. That installation cost is at least partially why Google Fiber dialed back plans for its broadband rollout.

Those who are looking to cut wires entirely out of the equation are starting to get excited about 5G wireless internet to the home and for mobile use. Future-proofing is good in theory but difficult in practice. It might sound smart to buy the best modem available, but the interplay between the technology, your location, and the ISP means your chances of wasting money on a device that might not work in the future are higher with modems than with other types of electronics.

We surmise new modems will feature a 2. As stated above, this is more of a future-proofing move, as most ISP plans top out at 1-gigabit internet. We'll evaluate them as they become readily available. Mark Bergen, Google Fiber is pulling back on its broadband rollout as pressure grows to cut costs , Recode, August 25, Daniel Frankel, Cox revises gigabit rollout plan, now targeting to go footprintwide: report , FierceVideo, July 12, Joel Santo Domingo is a senior staff writer covering networking and storage at Wirecutter.

Previously he tested and reviewed more than a thousand PCs and tech devices for PCMag and other sites over 17 years. Our pick. Budget pick. Upgrade pick. But you should call Suddenlink to verify compatibility before purchasing. Everything we recommend. What to look forward to Sources. Why you should trust us. Who this is for. Most current Spectrum plans do not have a separate fee. Fees current as of March 24, When to replace your old modem. How we picked. Check Price.

Widely Compatible Bottom Line. Best Bang for the Buck. Trusted Brand Bottom Line. Long-Lasting Bottom Line. Customer Favorite Bottom Line. Easiest to Set Up Bottom Line. Click here for testing insights. Models Considered. Consumers Consulted. Hours Researched. Updated October Written by Bob Beacham. We research the internal hardware of each modem to identify products with reliable chipsets and no manufacturing or design defects. We understand that many consumers are best served by a standalone modem connected to a router via Ethernet cable.

In our research, we look for this type of modem. Should you run into problems with your modem, we understand that access to quality customer support is crucial. Reliability matters when it comes to modems. We research the track record of the various modems on our list, carefully noting which ones can stand the test of time.

High Speed. Motorola MB Netgear Nighthawk CV. Best Value. Arris Surfboard SB Sleek Design. Netgear CM Related Stories. Motorola bestbuy. Easy setup Fast speeds. Large footprint. Nighthawk C Netgear frys. Included phone lines. Very expensive. Surfboard SB Arris amazon. Great ventilation 2-year warranty. A bit pricey.