The 8 Best Modem-Router Combos to Upgrade Your Home Office or Gaming Setup
Eliminate monthly internet equipment rental fees with these all-in-one boxes.
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If you’re looking to cut down on your utility bills, investing in your own internet modem and router is often a surefire way to save money. They might seem like an expensive luxury, but once you buy one, it’s yours for life, untethering you from unnecessary equipment fees that can build up over time.
Internet service providers, or ISPs, often lease out this essential internet equipment as part of your contract. But renting them costs you around $15 every month—and you have to return it when you move, or spend upwards of $100 (and sometimes closer to $400) to keep it for your next home. These stock routers are typically pretty basic, meaning you might be missing out on important functions such as advanced security or privacy features. They also might not provide spotless coverage throughout your home like an aftermarket router can, and many of them aren’t future-proofed with the newest specs.
To get cable internet service, you need a modem, and to get Wi-Fi, you need a router. While you can get these separately, you can save even more money (and space) with a modem-router combo, which is a single box that receives your cable internet from your ISP and distributes Wi-Fi internet throughout your home or property.
Check out our best modem-router combos for your consideration, plus advice to consider before you shop.
The Best Modem-Router Combos
- Best Overall: Arris Surfboard G34
- Best Budget: Netgear C6250
- Best Long-Range: Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S
- Best for Plans Up to 2.5 Gbps: Arris Surfboard G36
- Best for Gaming: Netgear Nighthawk CAX80
What to Consider
Before purchasing a modem-router combo, there are several details to take into account, including how large your space is and how many devices are typically online at once. Here’s a shortlist of the most essential.
Speed
You need a modem-router combo that’s at least as fast as your internet speed, measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). If you already have internet set up in your home, you can check your bill or contract to find your max speed. While we don’t recommend spending extra for the fastest box if your speed is nowhere near that capability, consider whether you’ll be upgrading your package in the near future, perhaps to cope with a larger household or changing needs, such as Zoom calls or online gaming. Follow these guidelines for speed based on what you typically use the internet for:
- 25 Mbps: Web browsing, streaming music, emailing, scrolling social media
- 50 Mbps: Streaming standard definition video, online video conferencing
- 100 Mbps: Streaming 4K video, online gaming, sharing large files
Compatibility
Not all modem-router combos work with all ISPs. The devices we recommend below won’t work with fiber internet, for example.
Most service providers have a list of pre-approved modem-routers and the speeds they’re approved for—make sure to double-check your ISP’s compatible routers list before you purchase.
You might notice that the ISP-approved speeds are lower than your modem-router’s capability. This is because the ISP has to accommodate lots of customers on one network, so it can’t guarantee super fast speeds for each user unless you pay for the next fastest internet plan.
Number of Channels
Count up the number of devices that’ll typically be connected to your Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) simultaneously, and don’t forget to include smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, and gaming consoles. Then, look at the number of channels that the modem-router can support.
Downstream refers to the internet you’re downloading, or receiving, and upstream refers to data you’re uploading, or sending. Chances are most of your devices will be mostly downloading content as opposed to uploading it.
You’ll notice the number of downstream and upstream channels in modem-router combo product listings. This generally refers to the number of connected devices that can download or upload at once—16/4 means you have 16 downstream channels for 16 devices and 4 upstream channels. We recommend at least that much, and ideally 32/8 for a home of four people or more.
But keep in mind that your overall downstream and upstream speeds are more important, since the data speeds spread out evenly over each connected device unless you prioritize certain connections in your router settings.
Range and Coverage
If you mostly use the internet in one area of your home or if you live in a small apartment, the range of your device is not much of a concern—all of the modem-routers we recommend below cover at least 1,500 square feet. But if you have a large house and want to use Wi-Fi throughout, check the coverage area of the device you are considering so you don’t end up with dead zones.
While mesh networks and boosters can help strengthen signals across larger areas and eliminate dead zones, it’s often cheaper to buy an extended-range modem-router combo to help fill smaller spaces like attics, garages, and patios. The devices covered here claim to cover a range of 1,500 to 5,000 square feet, depending on the model.
For getting internet outdoors (Netflix and pool, anyone?), you can try plugging a range extender into the socket closest to your yard. If you have a large backyard, you may need a mesh network to help ensure wider coverage.
DOCSIS
The Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard indicates the maximum speeds your modem can reach. Many last-gen modems feature DOCSIS 3.0, which allows for maximum speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) downstream and 200 Mbps upstream.
Most ISPs require a DOCSIS 3.1 modem for 1 Gbps speeds and above. The newest standard, DOCSIS 4.0, has been rolled out in limited areas, and is set for a full national rollout by the end of 2025.
Wi-Fi 5/6/7
Routers that are more than a few years old typically use Wi-Fi 5 technology, which is a standard for wireless networking protocols. Today’s devices and routers have jumped on to the Wi-Fi 6 bandwagon, which utilizes speeds of up to 10 Gbps compared to last gen’s 3.5 Gbps, and some routers incorporate the incremental upgrade of Wi-Fi 6E, which further boosts speed and security while helping minimize latency over Wi-Fi 6.
Currently, next-gen Wi-Fi 7 is rolling out, offering speeds of up to a blistering 40 Gbps, though not many smart devices currently support it. So unless you’re future-proofing your home network, save some cash by sticking with Wi-Fi 6.
Bands
Most routers are dual-band, meaning they use both the 2.4- and 5-Gigahertz (GHz) frequency bands. The newer 5GHz frequency provides more reliable and faster connections. Tri-band routers feature an additional 5GHz channel, allowing for more connections without interrupting their speed—think of it as having an extra lane on a highway.
Right now, a few of the newest routers offer quad-band, which adds a fourth channel at 6GHz, meaning many more connections and speed. However, the more bands you have, the more expensive your router, so do consider the number of users before you opt for the most bands you can find.
How We Selected
We researched and consulted a wide range of specialist sources and scoured hundreds of user reviews to compile this list of the best internet modem-router combos. In addition, we’ve had thousands of hours of experience using a host of internet equipment, having tinkered with modems, standalone routers, booster hubs, and modem-router combos. As we unveil the best devices below, we chose the best in a number of categories to make it easier to find the one that’s right for your ISP and living space.
Looking for more devices to cover your home? Check out our stories on the best mesh Wi-Fi systems, the best modems for gaming, and the best Wi-Fi extenders.
Matt Ng is a writer and editor who specializes in gaming, tech, and movies, so he’s usually writing about the next shiny gadget or triple-A PS5 title. He also has experience as a copy editor within the healthcare sector. When he’s not fawning over the latest MCU release, he can be found on a softball pitch chasing after flyballs.
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