Best Gateway Modem – Most modern modem routers use 2 kinds of broadcast frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The difference between these two frequencies is their range and bandwidth. Specifically, each channel makes a trade-off between the two.
Generally, lower frequencies have less bandwidth and a wider range while higher frequencies have higher bandwidth and less range. This tradeoff is simply due to how information is encoded in wireless signals. Wireless signals encode information in the pattern of electromagnetic waves that they produce.
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1.NETGEAR Orbi
The future is now, friends. The NETGEAR Orbi CBK752 supports unbelievably fast internet speeds with the latest DOCSIS and Wi-Fi technology.
You’ll even get a satellite extender included with this device, so your Wi-Fi coverage will reach 5,000 square feet—and you can add on more satellites if your home is bigger than that.
But with the high price tag, don’t go for this one unless you have gigabit internet or plan to have it soon. Most homes won’t need this sort of technological overkill. Still, if that’s your jam, you’re looking at your new best friend.
2.ARRIS SURFboard SBG7600AC2
This ARRIS SURFboard doesn’t have fancy DOCSIS 3.1 technology like the NETGEAR Nighthawk C7800, but it will still support most cable internet speed—and at half the cost. ARRIS sweetens the deal with McAfee Secure Whole Home Internet so you don’t have to stress about viruses.
Just because you’re shelling out for fast internet doesn’t mean you have to empty your pockets for a cable modem with Wi-Fi too. Think of this modem/router as a cheaper gig solution that might not be relevant forever but will certainly last long enough to save you from leasing a device from your ISP.
3.NETGEAR C7000
Like most NETGEAR Nighthawks, the C7000 is a slick piece of machinery. Thanks to its 24 download channels, it runs smooth and fast for all your streaming and gaming needs. And that textured grate on the exterior adds an extra bit of panache.
Grab this combo box to get up to 400 Mbps of unhindered internet access—and look cool while doing it.
4.Motorola MG7550
This Motorola model is an excellent choice for speeds up to 375 Mbps. Unless there’s a major sale going on, it’s usually more affordable than the other options above. The only drawback is that it doesn’t have a USB port, which is a bummer if you need to connect a printer or add extra storage.
Go for this internet modem if you have the matching speed with your internet plan and don’t have a ton of devices running at once. While sixteen download channels should be enough for most households, you may want to go for something stronger if you’re trying to run an entire smart home on it.
5.NETGEAR C3000-100NAS
This DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem router device comes in handy if you’re streaming in HD and gaming daily. You can use it with cable internet plans of up to 2 Gbps and it has up to 6 Gbps WiFi speeds, while the maximum download speed is up to 1000 Mbps.
The 3 antennas and amplifiers boost the signal throughout the entire house. It is compatible with Xfinity, by Comcast, Spectrum, and COX. It covers up to 3000 square feet of your home.
6.Motorola MB7621
The Motorola MB7621 is reliable, supports the fastest internet speeds available to the vast majority of Americans, and offers compatibility with just about every non-gigabit plan from every cable internet service provider in the US—including Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum (formerly Time Warner, Charter, and Bright House), Cox, Suddenlink, Sparklight/Cable One, and WOW—which gives you flexibility if you move or switch ISPs.
The MB7621 works well for plans up to 600 megabits per second, because it’s a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that can handle 24 downstream channels and eight upstream channels. It also includes a two-year warranty.
7.NETGEAR CM600
The Netgear CM600 is a 24×8 DOCSIS 3.0 modem that supports the same performance levels as the Motorola MB7621, though it is slightly more expensive.
The biggest downside is that, although the CM600 has positive reviews from owners, it comes with only a one-year warranty, whereas most modems come with a two-year warranty.
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Best Gateway Modem – For higher frequencies, there are more waves passing through a given point each second, which means more information can be accessed per unit time. The higher frequency means that the signal is more likely to be absorbed or blocked by the environment, so it has less range.
Lower frequencies, by contrast, transmit information slower, but they are less likely to be absorbed by things in the environment, giving them better range.
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