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Most models will work with major Internet Service Providers (ISP), but you'll want to double-check before you buy. Most ISPs publish a list of cable modem-router combos that they work with.īestReviews Electronics Expert Multiple WiFi connection If you have a large house, a mesh networking system may work best.
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Mesh WiFi systems use a series of modules placed around your house to create a strong WiFi signal everywhere. Type of WiFiīefore you choose a cable modem-router combo, consider the kind of WiFi it supports. Does it support WiFi 6 speeds, or only up to WiFi 5? The more users and devices that will use a WiFi network, the faster you'll want the network to be.Īlso, consider if you need a mesh networking system. You want to pay attention to which version the router adheres to because gigabit connections require DOCSIS 3.1. Check your service provider bill to see what speeds you’re paying for. DOCSIS 3.0 or DOCSIS 3.1?ĭata Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) is an international telecommunications standard. The tradeoff for fewer features and options is a single device that takes up less space, is easy to set up, and will run reliably for quite some time. Also, combo routers tend to have fewer features than standalone routers.
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For example, if the router becomes obsolete or can’t be upgraded through a software update, you may need to replace the entire combo. One downside to the cable modem-router combo is that putting both a modem and a router into a single device limits some of your options. And if the cable company doesn’t support the cable modem-router, it won’t work at all.īestReviews Electronics Expert Inflexibility For example, if you have a 50Mbps (megabits per second) internet connection, a cable-modem router designed to handle 1Gbps (gigabits per second) is overkill. It must be compatible with the service and internet speed your cable company delivers. That screamingly fast cable modem-router combo at the top of the price range may not be the right device for your needs. It’s important, before making a purchase, to make sure a particular cable-modem router would deliver optimum performance for your particular internet setup. That data signal is processed by the cable modem and delivered wirelessly throughout the house via its onboard WiFi transmitter. It receives a data signal from the cable provider via a coaxial cable running from a nearby network node to the device. Key considerationsĪ cable modem-router combo is a highly efficient setup. Often, the provider has software available to handle this part of the setup.
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Register your cable modem’s MAC address with your cable provider so the system will be properly set up to work with the provider’s signal.
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