Netgear's 16 x 4 modem enjoys wide compatibility with internet-service providers, and its design makes setup a breeze. However, Netgear only offers a one-year warranty, compared with two years for those rival modems. Opt for Netgear's CM500, and you'll get a modem that's just as capable as the Motorola MB7420 or the Arris SB6183. There's actually very little performance difference among the best cable modems in our testing, so it's seemingly slight distinctions that separate these devices. (If you've got a high-speed plan, look for a faster modem.) The Netgear CM500 works with the biggest cable providers and supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps, which should be enough for the vast majority of Internet users out there. Anytime you can find a new CM500 for $50 or less, that's a good buy.

The Netgear CM500 remains one of the best cable modems available, because it's easy to find at most retailers you can also find it for a little less than the Motorola MB7420 most of the time, making it a good value. The MB7420 can sometime drop out of stock at retailers, but it's frequently available from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo and Target, where the price hovers around $60. That means better protection for your investment, as the best cable modems tend to last for several yeas.

But the edge goes to Motorola because it offers a two-year warranty to Netgear's one-year of coverage. There's not much separating the Motorola MB7420 from the Netgear CM500 as both performed dependably when we tested each modem. I also found the modem easy to set up with a coaxial connector sticking out of the modem's backside at a comfortable distance from its lone ethernet port. The blue and green lights on the MB7420 are bright enough to read at a distance without turning a dark room into a laser light show at night. Its gray color should blend in well with other networking equipment. At least, the MB7420 looks stylish, with rounded corners and vented sides. The MB7420 isn't as tall as the Netgear CM500, our previous pick for the best cable modem, though some people may prefer the more compact size of the Arris Surfboard modems. In fact, I've been using the MB7402 as my modem for a while now, without any problems or complaints. In testing the MB7420 at my home, I enjoyed steady connectivity, and that's with multiple people stuck inside, all trying to hit the internet at once. The MB7420 is ideal for internet plans that top out at 300 Mbps, which covers a wide swath of our household. The Motorola MB7420 is the best cable modem for most homes, capable of supporting speeds available to a majority of home internet plans. Since the CM500 usually costs less than the MB7420, it's a worthy alternative for bargain hunters. Its two-year warranty is twice as long as the warranty for the Netgear CM500, which also performed reliably in our tests. It works with a wide variety of internet providers, including Comcast, Spectrum and Cox, and it delivers speeds that will serve the greatest number of people (anyone whose internet plan tops out at 300 Mbps). What is the best cable modem?ДЇor most people, the best cable modem is the Motorola MB7420. We've tested many different devices and these are our picks for the best cable modems.

Best mesh Wi-Fi router for better home coverage.What internet speed do you need? Here's how many Mbps are enough.For $70 or less, you can have a modem all your own. That cost can add up over time - but not if you return your rented modem to your ISP and replace it with one of the best cable modems that you've bought yourself. Most ISPs include a fee in exchange for providing you with a modem, and that fee can be as much as $14 a month depending on who your internet provider is.

Best cable modems for 2018