Picking A Cable Modem

[Mike Soda]

After moving & dealing with that mess I found myself having to switch from CenturyLink to Sparklight. The speed increase is nice but I do miss my unlimited data, although that's not currently an issue. I'm renting one of their Hiltron modem/router combos & it's range is just terrible. There also aren't any QoS features & well honestly I'd just rather own my own, preferably by Netgear. Upon browsing Sparklights list of modems & comparing features I've narrowed it down to 3. Unfortunately none of them have QoS, apparently there aren't any cable modem/router combos that do. What all 3 of these models do have though is better range & performance when it comes to handling multiple lanes of data. I only have the 100mbps plus plan right now but may upgrade in future so that's why these combo units can handle 300+. What I'd love to know are all your opinions on them, I've read reviews but it seems there's very few experienced techy users on Amazon. Netgear isn't the best at listing the actual rated range on these models either except for the Amazon page for C7500 @ 3000 sq ft. Ultimate range or best suited for large homes is too vague for me, I want sq ft listings. I'd like to just be able to get the Netgear C6300 since it's the cheapest but besides range concerns. The only Amazon listing for it doesn't totally match Sparklights page. I'll include all those links below so hopefully someone can point me in the right direction because this is getting kinda overwhelming. If any of you have other modem/router recommendations besides these that could offer 1800+ sq ft coverage I'd love to see em, thanks!

 

Sparklight Recommended Netgear C6300

 

First Amazon Listing For C6300

 

Sparklight's Netgear C7000 Page

 

C7000 On Amazon

 

Sparklight's Netgear C7500 Page

 

C7500 On Amazon

[Donut417]

4 hours ago, Mike Soda said:

What I'd love to know are all your opinions on them

Your better off buying seperate modem and router. A decent cable modem will last practicly forever. Hell my old SB6141 is likely to be upgraded when Comcast tells me they no longer want it on their network. Ive replace my router twice since buying my modem. 

 

My generally advice for cable modems is this, for Docsis 3.0 you want a 16x4 or 24x8, Or just buy a Docsis 3.1 modem if its compatible with their network. Router wise any Wireless AC router will do. That being said TPLInk is good for budget, or look in to ASUS, Netgear or even Synology (the router I have but its expensive). 

[Mike Soda]

6 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Your better off buying seperate modem and router. A decent cable modem will last practicly forever. Hell my old SB6141 is likely to be upgraded when Comcast tells me they no longer want it on their network. Ive replace my router twice since buying my modem. 

 

My generally advice for cable modems is this, for Docsis 3.0 you want a 16x4 or 24x8, Or just buy a Docsis 3.1 modem if its compatible with their network. Router wise any Wireless AC router will do. That being said TPLInk is good for budget, or look in to ASUS, Netgear or even Synology (the router I have but its expensive). 

All the supported modems sparklight lists are combo units as seen here https://support.sparklight.com/hc/en-us/articles/115009158227-Supported-Cable-Modems-Residential-Only

 

I wanted 2 separate units because then I could get QoS & many other features but I haven't been able to find any listed as compatible with this company. I've checked Amazon & nothing unless I'm just searching for it wrong, suggestions?

[Donut417]

1 minute ago, Mike Soda said:

suggestions?

Go with the Arris modem? Honesly Modem/Router combos in my opinion are hot garbage. I can recommend the SB6183, OR you can get a 24x8 modem the CM600 its netgear and highly recommend. 

[Mike Soda]

14 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Go with the Arris modem? Honesly Modem/Router combos in my opinion are hot garbage. I can recommend the SB6183, OR you can get a 24x8 modem the CM600 its netgear and highly recommend. 

Thanks, I'll compare em both now & decide!

[Mike Soda]

48 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Go with the Arris modem? Honesly Modem/Router combos in my opinion are hot garbage. I can recommend the SB6183, OR you can get a 24x8 modem the CM600 its netgear and highly recommend. 

Wow despite how closely I thought I looked before, that Sparklight page does list modem only models lol. Now I can get whichever Nighthawk router only I want to pair with it.