Modem Router Combo or Separate Modem and Router?

[ButtStallion]

I'm getting 150 Mbps internet and am in need of a router and modem. I potentially may be sharing the wifi with a neighbor who lives about 12 feet away in his own separate house. 

Since I'm quite knew to the networking world I was wondering wether getting a combo modem and router or seperate ones would be better. Also what kind of benefits does each give. Also open to suggestions.

Trying to stay as far below $156 as possible. That of course is xfinity's combo rental fee per year. So far what I've found is something like this:

 

Separate (~$120):

Modem: Netgear CM500

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XH46MWW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Router: TP-Link AC1750 Archer A7

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1750-Smart-WiFi-Router/dp/B079JD7F7G/ref=asc_df_B079JD7F7G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309807187084&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3659775727156129638&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060383&hvtargid=pla-554948261959&psc=1

 

OR

 

Combo ($90):

Netgear N600 C3700

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Certified-Xfinity-Comcast-Spectrum/dp/B00IF0JAYE/ref=asc_df_B00IF0JAYE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309818716690&hvpos=1o17&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6024731816790607536&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060383&hvtargid=pla-569151510923&th=1

[scottyseng]

I would choose to have separate router and modem in case one of them goes bad in the future. However, the main point of concern is if the ISP even supports you having your own modem (You must choose from their list of approved modems).

[ButtStallion]

12 minutes ago, scottyseng said:

I would choose to have separate router and modem in case one of them goes bad in the future. However, the main point of concern is if the ISP even supports you having your own modem (You must choose from their list of approved modems).

On the modem page it says its been certified for xfinity so I assume it will work with xfinity

[Donut417]

21 hours ago, ButtStallion said:

On the modem page it says its been certified for xfinity so I assume it will work with xfinity

Yes the CM500 should be on Xfinity's supported device list. 

 

https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com/customerinfo

 

That is the supported Device list. You just put your speed tier in and it will show what modems are compatible.