I‘ve been working in home networking technology for over 15 years, so I‘m always excited when friends or readers ask me for advice on improving their internet connectivity.
There are some really compelling reasons I recommend folks buy their own modem instead of renting from their cable provider month after month…
In this guide you‘ll learn:
- How much money you‘ll save long term
- Why a new modem equals faster speeds
- How to future proof your home network
- The convenience of modem/router combos
- How it improves security and troubleshooting
We‘ll also cover the top-rated cable modems on the market right now. I break down exact specs and help compare models across different price points.
Let‘s get you better WiFi and more money back in your wallet!
A Quick Refresher – What is a Cable Modem?
Before we dive into reasons for buying your own, let‘s refresh what a cable modem actually does in plain English:
Purpose: Connect your home network to your Internet Service Provider
How: Converts analog signal to digital for your devices
So essentially it‘s the bridge between the coaxial cable coming into your house and transmission of data across your personal devices like laptops, tablets, streaming gadgets, smart home equipment, etc.
Most modern cable modems are a 4-in-1 combo unit, integrating:
- DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
- Dual or Tri Band Wireless Router
- 4, 8 or 16 Ethernet ports
- Built-in Firewall Security
This means one single device to provide everything you need for blazing fast internet speeds both via cables and WiFi throughout your home!
Reason 1: Save $500 or More Over 3 Years
Let‘s get this one out of the way up front…
Money talks! 💰
Renting a modem + router from your Internet Service Provider seems convenient upfront.
But hidden ongoing fees add up quick…
Most providers charge $10 – $15 per month.
- Over 12 months = $120 to $180 per year
- Over 3 years = $360 to $540 down the drain
Meanwhile, a high quality DOCSIS 3.1 modem + WiFi 6 router combo costs around $200 to buy.
Within the first year alone your rented fees would cover purchase of your own equipment!
And anything beyond 12 months puts cash directly back in your wallet.
Let‘s say rental fees are $15/month over 3 years at $540 total.
If you purchased your own modem + router combo for $200 upfront – you‘ll save $340! 🤑
That‘s money much better spent elsewhere…
And that savings will continue year after year. Over 5 years we‘re talking over $500 added back to your bank account.
I don‘t know about you, but an easy $500+ makes this an obvious choice!
Reason 2: Get Faster Speeds You Actually Pay For!
Here‘s an all too common story I hear…
A friend signed up for the 1 Gig Fiber plan from their cable provider thinking they‘d get lightning fast downloads and smooth 4K Netflix streaming.
But reality turned out different…
- Buffer icons constantly interrupting shows
- Lag trying to work from home over VPN
- Sluggish video game ping
- Smart home devices failing to connect
So what gives? Did the ISP lie about 1 Gig speeds?
Well, not exactly.
The missing link is usually an outdated modem + router rental unit that can‘t actually deliver the throughput provided from the fiber line running into their house!
You end up with an ultra fast highway on-ramp but just a narrow residential street exit on the other end.
The rented equipment becomes the bottleneck 🧐
DOCSIS 2.0 modems = Max 100-200 Mbps
DOCSIS 3.0 modems = Max 500-900 Mbps
But DOCSIS 3.1 modems support multi-gigabit speed tiers now widely available!
By upgrading to your own modern cable modem + high performance router:
- Eliminate bandwidth congestion
- Reduce latency and lag
- Stream 4K/8K without interruptions
- Take full advantage of speed you pay for
Don‘t flush money down on overpriced internet packages your rented hardware can‘t even handle anyway!
Reason 3: Get Ready for the Future Now
Here is great wisdom I learned after getting burned myself early in my career…
The best technologies complement future advancements, they don‘t require scrapping for the latest and greatest again soon after.
Nowhere does this apply more than home internet connectivity advancements!
WiFi speeds have increased exponentially in recent decades:
- WiFi 4 = 54 Mbps (legacy)
- WiFi 5 = 300 Mbps
- WiFi 6 = 960 Mbps
- WiFi 7 = A blistering fast 10,000 Mbps!
Meanwhile broadband internet packages continue pushing into previously unimaginable territories:
- Early 2000‘s = 3-5 Mbps 🐢
- 2020 = 1 Gbps
- 2025 Projection = ~7 Gbps
Think your rented modem + router can keep pace? Think again…🙅♂️
Most equipment supplied by cable companies lacks necessary hardware upgrades to take full advantage of these advancing standards.
You‘ll inevitably need to replace modems 2 or 3 times at $100-150 each instance.
OR…make a one-time investment in high-capability equipment now for long term savings and enjoyment:
- DOCSIS 3.1 – Supports multi-gigabit download AND upload speeds
- WiFi 6E – Next gen wireless home connectivity
- Multi-Gig Ethernet – Future-proof wired speeds throughout home
Get what you need for enjoying the full benefits of emerging technologies without needing constant piecemeal upgrades!
Reason 4: All-In-One Modem + Router Combos
Quite possibly the best advancement in home networking is the all-in-one cable modem + router in a single unit.
Look back not that many years ago at what a headache it was connecting everything:
- Cable line from outside into standalone modem
- Separate wireless router
- Possible ethernet switch to add more wired ports around house
- Multiple ethernet cables strung throughout
- Exposed blinking lights and wires everywhere!
What a complete eye sore! 😆
Thankfully as technology improved, integrating everything into one unit became viable:
- Single cable modem + router combo device
- Built-in 4, 8 or 16 port ethernet switch
- WiFi antennas inside (no visible wires)
- Small, sleek, minimalist footprint!
Talk about making life easy!
With a single modem + router unit centrally located in my house:
- 1 power cable
- 1 coaxial line from wall
- Small footprint
- Apps to manage from anywhere
That‘s my kind of clean and simple network bliss! 😊
Reason 5: Take Charge of Your Network Security
Over years of installing countless home networks, I continued noticing a unsettling pattern…
Rental routers supplied by Internet Service Providers often had:
- Weak default passwords
- Minimal firewall protections
- No automatic firmware updates
- Unpatched software vulnerabilities
For companies focused on network security, they sure didn‘t practice good security themselves!
And as our homes get more and more connected with IoT devices – from refrigerators to baby monitors to sprinkler controllers – the threats continue growing exponentially.
These intelligent gadgets become backdoors for hackers to steal data or launch bigger network attacks if not properly protected!
That‘s why I always urge clients to purchase their own equipment…
You regain control to protect all your connected devices:
- Latest WPA3 encryption on WiFi
- Advanced firewall safeguards
- Automatic firmware updates for patches
- Antivirus and anomaly monitoring
- Activity alerts to identify threats
Don‘t wait until you see "ransomware attack" wrecking havoc on your home network…
Take security into your own hands now!
Reason 6: Resolve Issues Faster When You Own It!
Finally, a less touted but equally important benefit of owning your cable modem + router…
No more painful tech support calls to your Internet provider! 🙌
Think about what normally happens during an outage or connectivity slowdown:
- Call customer service hotline
- Navigate annoying phone menu options
- Get placed on excruciating long hold times
- Plea for basic troubleshooting steps you‘ve already tried
- Ultimately results in submitting a ticket and waiting days for fix or replacement
What an absolute time drain! 🤬
Now imagine handling problems yourself:
- Reboot system with one button push
- Adjust settings to test theories
- Review status lights for quicker clues
- Push firmware updates immediately
- Perform reset without approval delays
I can‘t tell you how many times I had modems up and running again in under 5 minutes once owning the equipment myself.
Don‘t waste any more hours of your life pleading for basic support…
Take back control and resolve network issues quickly!
Alright, by this point I‘ve hopefully sold you on going out and buying your own modern cable modem + router rather than renting an older unit!
Now let‘s cover top models that I install for clients seeking the best wired and wireless performance across different budgets.
I break down key details on speed, features and real world reliability.
1. Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 – Fastest WiFi 6E
Key Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| WiFi Generation | WiFi 6E |
| Max Download Speed | 10 Gbps |
| DOCSIS Compatibility | 3.1 |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 5 |
| Multi-Gig WAN Port | 2.5 Gbps |
Netgear‘s premium Nighthawk series constantly pushes boundaries on the latest network standards while maintaining their reputation for robust signal reliability.
This model leapfrogs most consumer units by integrating WiFi 6E support – next generation wireless technology boasting blazing fast theoretical throughput up to 10 Gbps! 🤯
Meanwhile the DOCSIS 3.1 modem delivers multi-gig wired speed tiers now widely rolling out.
I‘m impressed by 5 dedicated ethernet ports for expanding wired backhaul connections without a switch.
Given bleeding edge feature set, expect bleeding edge price tag of $500+. But dollar-for-dollar an incredible value for unrivaled future-proofed speeds.
If budget fits, can‘t go wrong with legendary Nighthawk gear!
2. Motorola MG8702 – Most Reliable Tri-Band
Key Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| WiFi Bands | Tri-Band Router |
| Max Download Speed | 6 Gbps |
| DOCSIS Compatibility | 3.1 |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 4 |
| Multi-Gig WAN Port | 2.5 Gbps |
Motorola has 30+ years experience manufacturing ultra reliable network equipment for homes and businesses worldwide.
This versatile cable modem + AC3200 tri-band router combo continues that sterling legacy – all for under $300!
I consistently install the MG8702 for clients with over 100 devices needing simultaneous stable connections across multiple floors.
Motorola‘s hardware engineering combined with intuitive software for monitoring and troubleshooting can‘t be beat. Parents love the fine grained parental controls too!
For powerful future-proofed speeds at a reasonable price, Motorola delivers the goods.
3. Netgear CM2000 (Modem Only)
Key Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| WiFi Built-In | No (modem only) |
| Max Download Speed | 10 Gbps |
| DOCSIS Compatibility | 3.1 |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 2 |
| Multi-Gig WAN Port | 2.5 Gbps |
If you want flexibility choosing your own WiFi router or already have existing equipment, Netgear‘s CM2000 cable modem is a top pick.
No router built-in allows this to shine as an affordable modem-only option at under $150.
It still packs a punch with DOCSIS 3.1 compatibility, 32 downstream channels and multi-gig 2.5 Gbps port.
Pair with mesh routers or your custom WiFi build!
As always, Netgear makes it extremely easy to get set up and online within minutes out of the box.
Most Common Questions
Let‘s wrap up by covering some frequently asked questions I receive about cable modems:
What is the difference between a cable modem vs router?
-
A cable modem provides the bridge between your Internet Service Provider connection to the internet and your home network. It converts analog signal to digital.
-
A wireless router takes the signal from modem and turns it into a WiFi network your devices can connect to. Also allows wired ethernet connections.
Will a newer cable modem increase my speeds?
- Yes, upgrading to DOCSIS 3.1 modem allows multi-gigabit Internet speeds, reducing congestion and bandwidth issues. It likely supports newer faster WiFi versions too.
How long should a cable modem last?
- Average life is 3-4 years as technology rapidly advances. Investing in a high quality future-proof model now pays off long term.
I don‘t know about you, but I‘m ready to throw my rental back to provider after learning:
- Save $500+ over just 3 years
- Get full value of speed I pay for
- Own equipment compatible with future gigabit packages
- Convenient all-in-one modem + router option
- Beef up network security protections
- Resolve problems quickly on my own
Check out my modem recommendations and let me know if any questions pop up along the way! Here‘s to better connectivity and keeping more hard earned money in your wallet. 🥂
