Best Modem for Optimum – You can make a search and you’ll find an endless list of Optimum compatible modems or modem/router combos, but if you end up picking the wrong device, you’ll go through endless connectivity issues. One of my readers have gone through this, that’s why after spending 11 weeks testing various modems with different service packs from Optimum, I’ve made this list of 8 best options.
While you need to get a modem that’s compatible with Optimum, you’ll also need to make sure that it’s also suited for the service pack or internet plan you’ve subscribed to. For instance, you can’t expect a low-end modem to handle gigabit speeds of the Optimum 1 Gig plan.
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1.NETGEAR Orbi
Features
- Delivers seamless internet connectivity and creates a Mesh Wi-Fi network that blankets your home in super fast, seamless Wi-Fi — replaces both your cable modem and router—saves money (up to $168/year in equipment rental fees)
- Eliminates Wi-Fi dead zones and buffering — 4,000 square feet of consistent coverage — at speeds up to 2.2 Gbps (gigabytes per second)
- Cable modem is up to 32X faster internet for smooth uninterrupted connections and max download speeds, (thanks to DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 32 x 8 channel bonding)
- Maintains speed even as more devices use your Wi-Fi at the same time — the difference is tri band technology, others use dual band
- Simple setup with the Orbi app — create guest network, access parental controls, and run speed tests right from the app
- 4 Ethernet ports on modem/router and 2 on satellite provide a wired connection to your Smart TV, game console, and more
- NETGEAR Armor Powered by BitDefender: The world’s leading cybersecurity protects all your home devices from virus, malware, and data theft with a 30-day free trial.
The NETGEAR Orbi CBK40 might not have all of the newest modem/router standards—it has only DOCSIS 3.0 and Wi-Fi 5—but it’s a tried-and-true system that won’t drain your wallet like the newest tech.
This modem/router supports Optimum cable internet plan speeds, whether you go for Optimum 300 or Optimum 1 Gig. And with the included satellite (that’s the little buddy device in the picture above), the NETGEAR Orbi CBK40 can cover up to 4,000 square feet in Wi-Fi.
Plus, the NETGEAR Orbi CBK40 is easy to install with the Orbi app, and you can buy an upgrade for antivirus software .
2.Arris Touchstone TM1602A
Features
- Compatible with Time Warner Cable, Charter, Spectrum, Optimum Cable, Cablevision, and Other US Cable Internet Service Providers
- Features 16x4 Channel Bonding & Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter (E-MTA)
- Includes 2 Primary VoIP Telephone Lines + 1 Gigabit Ethernet Port
- DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Supporting Wired Download Speeds up to 960Mbps
- Telephone Modem Only - WiFi Router Purchased Separately
In case you plan on setting up a home or office network with adequate internet coverage and access to telephone ports, the Arris Touchstone TM1602A is the perfect modem to invest in. Rest assured the lack of brilliant aesthetics wouldn’t be having any negative impact on the networking performances.
As far as comparisons are concerned, the TM1602A is quite an upgrade over the Arris TM822G, courtesy of additional downstream and upstream channels, which readily adds to the achievable internet speeds.
3.NETGEAR CM1000
Features
- Compatible with all major cable internet providers with internet speed up to 1Gbps. Currently certified with Spectrum and Cox (up to 1Gbps), Xfinity (up to 800Mbps). Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and any bundled voice service.
- Save monthly rental fees: Model CM1000 replaces your cable modem saving you up to dollar 168/year in equipment rental fees.
- Works with any Wi-Fi router: Connect any Wi-Fi router to this modem's Ethernet port to support all your wireless devices.
- Ethernet connections: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port connects to your computer or separate Wi-Fi router.
If multi-ISP compatibility is on your mind followed by ease of setup, I would recommend the Netgear CM1000 over any other modem on the list. In comparison, the smaller CM600 feels way out of place as the CM1000 comes equipped with a more toned chassis and 8 additional downstream channels for better speeds.
I would still rate the CM1000 highly for the Gig internet plan from Optimum while some individuals can even try it for the 500Mbps package. However, it is the DOCSIS 3.1 standard that makes it a good fit for all future-proof internet plans.
4.ASUS AC1750
Features
- 1GHz CPU powers dual-band 3x3 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology for speeds up to 1750Mbps and wide, responsive coverage for large homes. Coverage area - 3,000 square feet
- Monitor and manage your network with ease from your mobile device using the intuitive ASUS Router App; Firewall：SPI intrusion detection,DoS protection
- Effortless router setup with ASUSWRT web-based interface. OS Support - Linux,Windows 8,Windows 10,Windows 7 ,Mac OS X or higher,Windows 8.1,Windows XP
- Integrated USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports enable printer sharing throughout your network and remote file access with AiCloud 2.0 support
- AiProtection Powered by Trend Micro provides multi-stage protection from vulnerability detection to protecting sensitive data
Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll have no trouble monitoring and managing your mobile device’s network using the intuitive Asus Router App. This app gives you complete control of your network – everything from setting parental controls to prioritizing gaming activities.
The best part of all is that your network has extra security with a built-in firewall with SPI intrusion detection and DoS protection.
You even get additional security through AiProtection, which is powered by Trend Micro and provides multi-stage protection from vulnerability detection to protecting sensitive data. The setup and configuration process is described as “effortless.” It supports a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows 7, 8 (and 8.1), and 10 and Mac OS X or higher.
5.NETGEAR CM500
Features
- Save monthly rental fees: Model CM500 replaces your cable modem, saving you up to $168/yr in equipment rental fees.
- Speeds by carrier: Spectrum (up to 400Mbps), Xfinity (up to 200Mbps), Cox (up to 150Mbps).
- Works with any wifi router: Connect any WiFi router to this modem's Ethernet port to support all your wireless devices.
- Ethernet connections: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port connects to your computer or separate WiFi router.
- Modem technology: Engineered with 16x4 channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.0.
The Netgear CM500 is a good option for anyone with the Optimum 300 Mbps plan or below to save some money.
You will find this modem in many reviews online, and for a good reason. It’s a value packet that is enough for many people’s internet needs.
But as ISP’s such as Optimum move towards DOCSIS 3.1, it’s unclear how long this modem will be enough.
6.NETGEAR AX6000
Features
- COMPATIBLE WITH MAJOR CABLE INTERNET PROVIDERS: Including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more. NOT compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and any bundled voice service
- BUILT FOR ULTIMATE SPEED: Best for cable provider plans up to 6Gbps
- FAST WIFI 6 PERFORMANCE: Up to 3,000 sq. ft. wireless coverage with dual-band WiFi 6 (AX6000) speed (up to 6Gbps)
- VERSATILE CONNECTIONS: One 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and one USB 3.0 port give fast wired connections to your computer, printer, game box, storage drive, and other devices
- MODEM TECHNOLOGY: DOCSIS 3.1 and 32x8 channel bonding
If you are planning to go with Optimum as your service provider of choice, I would recommend this modem-router combo, precisely for the 500 Mbps plan. However, you can even consider this device for low-end internet plans from the same service provider.
In terms of compatibility, this combo also supports Cox, Spectrum, and Comcast Xfinity internet packages but not the ones with voice support.
7.Netgear Nighthawk Cable
Features
- input voltage：120 -240V
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MAJOR CABLE INTERNET PROVIDERS: Including certification by Xfinity by Comcast, COX, and Spectrum. NOT compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and Cable bundled voice services
- SAVE MONTHLY RENTAL FEES: Model C7000 replaces your cable modem and WiFi router saving you up to $150/yr in equipment rental fees. System Requirements Cable broadband Internet service, Check your cable Internet service provider web site for data speed tier compatibility, Not compatible with Cable bundled voice services, Microsoft Windows 7, 8, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Firefox 2.0, Safari 1.4, or Google Chrome 11.0 browsers or higher
- BUILT FOR FAST SPEED: Best for cable provider plans up to 400 Mbps speed
- FAST Wi Fi PERFORMANCE: Get up to 1800 sq ft wireless coverage and 30 devices connected with AC1900 speed (up to 1900 Mbps)
- VERSATILE CONNECTIONS: 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 USB ports give you fast wired connections to your computer, printer, game box, storage drive, and other devices
- MODEM TECHNOLOGY: Engineered with 24x8 channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.0
- SAFE & SECURE: Includes parental controls, and supports WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols
Here is one modem featuring the standard 16×4 channel bonding support. The DOCSIS 3.0 technology is still ahead of its time and allows you to make the best use of the extended channel spread for achieving speeds of up to 280Mbps for the 300Mbps plan.
When connected to a router, you can get 250Mbps as the 5GHz download speed followed by an upload speed limit of up to 32Mbps. I tested the same with a basic Orbi Mesh router-satellite package and speeds could vary slightly, depending on the choice of the hardware.
WRAP UP
Best Modem for Optimum – Are you in search of a cable modem that’s compatible with Optimum in 2021? Perhaps, you’re tired of paying the overpriced equipment rental and think that purchasing internet equipment is better than renting. However, you can’t just pick any random modem and pair it, you need to get the one that’s certified/approved by Optimum.
Just like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cox Internet, and majority of the internet service providers, even Optimum has its own list of compatible modems. But their official list also includes a lot of bad modems, that can cause issues such as high-latency, throttled internet connectivity, packet loss, etc.
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