You can’t connect to the internet with only a router—you need a modem, too. They’re typically different devices, with the modem sending and receiving signals from your internet service provider, and the router then taking the signal from your modem and connecting to all the devices in your home. Internet service providers can rent you a modem-router combo device—but over time, this can get expensive, so you may want to invest in your own. The best modem-router combo devices can save space and money—including my top pick, the Arris Surfboard G54.
The best modem-router combos can save you money and make your internet setup more convenient at the ... [+]
Modern-router combos are easier to manage than having separate devices, and they can cost less than buying them individually, too. In fact, my budget pick, the Arris Surfboard SBG7600AC2, costs only $200. I’ve been keeping an eye on all the best modem-router combo devices for some time now, and these are my top recommendations.
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things digital. We’ve researched and tested hundreds of tech products, in addition to covering the latest tech news.
- Christian de Looper, the writer of this story, is a smart home and networking expert and has written extensively about modem-router combos as well as gaming routers and other smart home tech. In addition to being a networking expert, he’s an audio expert, having fully tested our top choices for the best gaming headsets. With years of experience in the tech space, de Looper’s other bylines include CNN, Wall Street Journal, Tom’s Guide and many more.
- The tech vertical is overseen by Rebecca Isaacs, the consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted. She is a smart home expert and has also contributed to ZDNET, PCMag, Decider and Lifewire.
- The tech world moves fast, and we do our best to keep up with it. This article is regularly fact-checked and reviewed for accuracy. It was last updated in June 2024.
How We Chose The Best Modem-Router Combos
To recommend the best modem-router combos, we relied heavily on the expertise of de Looper. We made sure to include options for all sort of preferences and households, and backed up our choices by poring over reviews from real consumers.
- We researched the offerings from the most popular brands, and compared the specifications for each model in consideration. We looked important attributes like maximum supported download speeds and the number of ports.
- We looked at models for every budget, and evaluated the value that they offer in their price bracket.
- We read online reviews from real consumers for each product to make sure the user experience aligned with our impressions. No matter what price, each included product needed to have overwhelmingly positive user reviews, with no less than a 4 out of 5-star rating.
What To Look For In The Best Modem-Router Combos
Here are some of the most important considerations to make when buying a modem-router combo.
ISP compatibility
Not all modem-router combos support all internet service providers. Double-check that the model you’re interested in does before you buy it. This information should be pretty clearly listed on the product page, but if not, your provider may have a list of supported models. If you’re having trouble finding out if your model is supported, contact your provider. Yes, even if it means listening to hold music.
DOCSIS 3.0 Vs. 3.1
DOCSIS stands for “data over cable service interface specifications,” and it’s a standard specific to cable modems. Basically, this feature is core to your modem translating the signal from your ISP into a kind of signal that a router can understand.
Right now, there are two DOCSIS versions to be aware of: DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1. DOCSIS 3.0 is a little older, but it still supports download speeds of up to 1Gbps and upload speeds of up to 200Mbps. This sounds like a lot, and for many, it’s plenty. But for a household with multiple streaming devices and smart home devices, you may need more. DOCSIS 3.1 is up to ten times faster, so if you can find a DOCSIS 3.1 device that fits in your budget, it’s worth it.
Speed
Download and upload speeds relate to more than just the version of DOCSIS your device supports. If you’re paying for low-speed internet and are really only using it for browsing and light streaming, then you probably don’t need to spend the cash on a high-performance modem-router. Instead, go for a budget option like the Arris Surfboard SBG7600AC2.
If you use the internet for streaming multiple devices at once, gaming and connecting many smart home devices, then it may be worth spending a little more on a modem-router combo that can meet those needs. Buying a faster device also helps to future-proof your connection if you need a faster connection down the road.
Range
Range relates to how far away from a modem-router you can achieve a decent connection. If you live in a small home or apartment, then range may not matter all that much—most devices will cover your whole home. But if you live in a larger home, you probably need better coverage. In that case, buying a mesh system like the Netgear Orbi CBR750 may be worth the extra money. Mesh systems come with multiple nodes that can be placed around your home, ensuring good coverage throughout.
Bands
Recent wireless standards have introduced new radio frequency bands into the network. When it comes to bands, it’s important to keep in mind that lower frequencies are slower, but can travel farther and through obstacles. Higher frequencies are faster, but are more helpful for short-distance connections.
The majority of devices today come with dual-band support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, but there are some with three bands too. New Wi-Fi standards, like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, have added a faster 6GHz band, too.
Design
You don’t want an ugly device in your home. Design may not be as important as something like download speeds, but it still may be worth considering, especially if you plan on putting it somewhere visible. Most of the options have a boring but subtle design, which should look fine in most homes.
Ports
Most people rely on a wireless connection for most of their devices, but there could be times you want to physically connect a device to your modem-router for a more reliable connection. If you want to connect more than one or two devices, make sure that your modem-router combo has enough ports, or be willing to buy adapters to expand on those ports.
Additional Features
Some modem-router combos come with extra features like parental controls and VPN support, which could be helpful for those who need it. Extras like these are welcome if they’re available, but don’t let them be a deciding factor unless they’re very important to you.
What Is A Modem-Router Combo And Why Should I Consider Getting One?
A modem-router combo is essentially what it sounds like—a single device that combines a modem and a router. Typically, modems and routers are separate, with the modem connecting to your ISP and translating the signal that comes from it into something your router can understand, and the router then connecting to all the devices in your home, both wired and wireless. With a modem-router, you only have one device, cutting down on the space taken up by the devices and on clutter.
Combo devices are often easier to set up and can reduce the hassle of dealing with multiple pieces of hardware. While they’re more expensive than routers or modems on their own, they’re often cheaper than the cost of both put together. That said, it’s important to note that combo units may not be as advanced as separate units, and they don’t all work with all ISPs, so check with your ISP to confirm compatibility.
Can I Change The Modem-Router Combo Provided By My ISP With My Own?
Usually, yes, you can. In fact, many experts recommend doing so. ISPs usually rent you the modem-router at a monthly fee, which is added to your bill. Over time, that monthly fee adds up and eventually costs much more than the cost of simply buying your own modem-router.
Before you do, however, it’s worth double-checking with your ISP to make sure they allow users to provide their own modem-router. And, when you get your new device, you’ll have to contact your ISP to get it set up and configured correctly.
How Often Should I Upgrade My Modem-Router Combo?
It depends. Networking technology is improving rapidly, but by building both into one unit, you’re forced to upgrade your modem, even if router technology is the only thing that has improved. Most users can get at least a few years out of a modem-router combo. Unless you start to notice slowdowns and know that the bottleneck comes from your network and not your ISP, then you probably don’t need to upgrade.
It’s also good practice to check for firmware upgrades regularly, ensuring that your modem-router combo is always up-to-date.
Are Modem-Router Combos Better?
Modem-router combos aren’t necessarily better, but that doesn’t mean that they’re worse. There simply aren’t as many modem-router combos as there are separate modems and routers, and that means that new Wi-Fi technology often doesn’t come to modem-router devices until a little down the line. If you want the latest-and-greatest tech and don’t mind regularly upgrading, then you may prefer a separate modem and router that you can upgrade individually.
What Should I Look For In A Modem-Router Combo?
There are quite a few things to keep in mind when buying a modem-router combo. But at the very least, look at the version of Wi-Fi that the device supports, with the newer standards being Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 6. Even Wi-Fi 6 is aging a little, so if you can afford a device with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, it’s probably worth buying one.
Also make sure it provides enough ports for any wired connections. Some other factors, like the design and price of the device, are based on your personal situation and preferences.
