

A warranty is useful, because a company will typically replace a modem if it stops working due to defects. Warranty: Most modems come with a one- or two-year limited warranty that covers any catastrophic failure.We don’t recommend 8×4 or 4×4 modems, because ISPs are phasing out support for those older models, even on lower-speed plans. Our top picks will work for any plan up to 600 Mbps. If your internet plan is over 300 Mbps, you need a 24×8 modem or better. If you have service ranging from 100 to 300 Mbps, a 16×4 modem will be enough. The average internet speed in the US is around 180 Mbps, and the fastest cable tier most major ISPs offer is between 100 and 1,000 Mbps (aka gigabit). The right cable modem is the one with the right number of channels for your service tier. This means that if the ISP offers only 16 downstream channels in your area, using a 24×8 modem won’t improve performance. With DOCSIS 3.0, the more channels your modem has, the faster the speed, provided your ISP supports those channels. Modem channels appear on the box as a number, such as 16×4, 24x8, or 32×8.


You’ll need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to guarantee gigabit speeds from most cable ISPs, and the MB8600 is also compatible with gigabit internet on networks that still use the DOCSIS 3.0 standard for example, Sparklight/Cable One supports both DOCSIS 3.0 (32x8) and DOCSIS 3.1 modems for its GigaOne service.ĭon't get a gigabit modem unless you already have gigabit service or know it's available. If you already have a gigabit internet plan and your ISP allows you to use your own modem, the Motorola MB8600 is the best of the DOCSIS 3.1 modems that are widely available right now because of its relatively low price and its two-year warranty.
