DOCSIS 3.1 is the latest standard of technology on which the new-gen modems are based. Thanks to this latest DOCSIS 3.1 version, the new-age modems are capable of delivering reliable and fast internet speeds up to 10Gbps.
While most ISPs out there are still offering plans up to 1Gbps only, you can switch to a DOCSIS 3.1 modem as its future-proof and works better than any DOCSIS 3.0 modem that you might be using these days. Hence, if you are interested in buying a new DOCSIS 3.1 modem, we have picked up several good options from the market on the basis of these few aspects such as:
- Max-supported Internet Speed: The most important factor of all that an individual should check in a modem is its max-supported internet speed. As you might already know, DOCSIS 3.1 is a standard that supports up to 10Gbps internet speed, yet there are no ISPs that offer such high-speed plans. So, you should pick the one that matches your internet plan’s speed. Hence, if you have a 1 Gbps plan, you can definitely pick a 1Gbps DOCSIS 3.1 modem as well, it’ll work great for you.
- Compatibility: As you might already know that most ISPs out there install their own modem while you subscribe to their internet connection. However, the rental fees they charge you for that is too much. Therefore, if you are deciding to install your own modem, you should check if your modem is compatible with your current ISP or not. Otherwise, you will have to change it.
- Design and Build quality: Apart from the technical specs, the design and the build quality of the modem also matter a lot. If you look at the design of any old modem, they look quite hideous. However, most of the new-age modems come with attractive designs and also offer wall-mounting options as well.
Similar to these factors, there are several things that a buyer should consider while looking for a new DOCSIS 3.1 modem. For the beginners out there, we have also included a detailed buying guide in this article below that will help everyone to pick the best suitable DOCSIS 3.1 modem for themselves. Hence, if you feel confused to make your final decision, you can also take help from the Buying Guide. Until then, let’s quickly check out the list of best DOCSIS 3.1 modems that we have shortlisted for you.
Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modems List 2023
| Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modems | Compatibility | Max Supported Internet Speed | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 1 Gbps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 2.5 Gbps | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
| ARRIS DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 2 Gbps | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 2 Gbps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| ARRIS SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 4 Gbps | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
| NETGEAR CM1150 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN | Up to 2 Gbps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modems Reviews
1. NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
Netgear is one of the most well-known and reputable brands in the market that has been selling a wide range of modems and routers of all kinds of configurations.
Speaking of the Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem, it is one of the most affordable DOCSIS 3.1 modems that you can find in the market right now. If we talk about its performance, this modem supports a maximum internet speed of up to 1Gbps. Hence, if you are using a 1 Gbps internet plan from Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN, Mediacom Cable, this cable modem is just the right option for you.
While it is backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 as well, it offers OFDM 2×2 plus DOCSIS 3.0 32×8 channel bonding which efficiently improves internet speeds and offers you a better experience. In fact, the design of the CM1000 modem is quite attractive and takes much less space than other modems, as it stands upright. Moreover, if we talk about the ports, it comes with a single Gigabit port which is present at the backside.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 1 Gbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Has 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Comes with 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Slim and attractive design
- Attractive pricing
- Performance is good
Cons:
- Setup is a bit tricky
2. Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
Coming up next, we have a DOCSIS 3.1 modem offered by Motorola which is yet another good brand that offers a wide range of modem options in the market.
Taking a look at its specs, it is quite a surprising fact that this DOCSIS 3.1 modem supports a maximum internet speed of up to 2.5 Gbps which makes it quite a good future-safe choice for you all. That being said, this modem is compatible with all the best ISPs such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, etc. One of the best facts about the Motorola MB8611 modem is that it is extremely easy to set up and pairs with almost any Wi-Fi router.
Thanks to the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology, the Motorola MB8611 offers up to 2500 Mbps downstream speeds and up to 800 Mbps upstream speeds. Moreover, it even supports AQM that helps reduce internet latency which provides you with a fast gaming, streaming, and conferencing experience. In addition, the design of this modem is quite attractive as it comes with a solid gray chassis with all the important indicator lights at the front. While at the backside, you get a single Gigabit Ethernet port. Apart from that, Motorola offers great after-sales services and a 2-year warranty for this DOCSIS 3.1 modem.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 2500 Mbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Supports AQM technology
- Has a 2.5GB Ethernet port
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
- Offers fast gaming and streaming experience
- Build quality is quite impressive
- Supports up to 8 Wi-Fi streams
Cons:
- A little expensive
3. ARRIS DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
For those people who are on a budget, there is a wide range of options available in the market offered by ARRIS which is a highly reputed brand in the industry solely known for its top-notch modems and routers.
That being said, you can consider that ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem is one of the most affordable DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems that you will find in the market at the moment. Although this modem comes with quite a competitive pricing as compared to other options on this list, it supports max internet speed up to 2 Gbps which is amazing.
Since this modem is DOCSIS 3.0 backward compatible, it supports 32 downstream X 8 upstream channel bonding in addition to 2 downstream and 2 upstream OFDM DOCSIS 3.1 channels as well. Moreover, it is compatible with all the popular and industry-leading ISPs such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN, and many more. In addition, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 comes with two Gigabit Ethernet ports which are quite impressive. As far as the warranty is concerned, ARRIS offers a 2-year warranty for this modem.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 2 Gbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Supports 2 downstream and 2 upstream OFDM DOCSIS 3.1 channels
- Has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Comes with 2 year long warranty
Pros:
- DOCSIS 3.0 backward compatible
- Highly Affordable
- Offers amazingly fast internet speeds
Cons:
- Build quality could be better
4. NETGEAR Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
Next on this list, we have another impressive DOCSIS 3.1 modem from Netgear that you should definitely check out.
The Netgear Nighthawk C7800 is basically a Wi-Fi router that comes with an integrated DOCSIS 3.1 modem. For those people who are looking for a router cum modem combo, this option is one of the best for them. That being said, the max supported internet speed by this modem is up to 2 Gbps. However, for specific ISPs such as Spectrum and Cox, it supports 1Gbps plans, and up to 800 Mbps plans from Xfinity.
Since it comes with an integrated AC3200 Wi-Fi router as well, this whole setup is quite compact and will save you a lot of desk space as well. Speaking of the router specification, it offers a massive coverage of up to 3000 sq. ft. and can connect up to 45 devices at the same time. Moreover, if we talk about wireless speeds, it delivers up to 3200 Mbps speed which is great. As far as the connectivity ports are concerned, the C7800 modem router comes with 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2x USB 3.0 ports as well.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 1 Gbps
- Comes with an integrated AC3200 Wi-Fi router
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Comes with 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Impressive Wi-Fi coverage
- Easy to set up
- Plenty of ports on offer
Cons:
- Expensive
5. ARRIS SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
In case you are looking for an affordable router cum modem combo, ARRIS has quite a lot of decent options available in the market from which you can choose the one that suits your budget.
As far as the ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem is concerned, it comes with an integrated AC2350 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router which makes it one of the most affordable modem router combos that features all the latest technologies. It is compatible with all the leading internet service providers such as CableOne, Sparkligh, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and many more. With that said, it’s completely future-safe as it is capable to support max internet speeds up to 4 Gbps.
With the ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem, you will get to experience a smooth internet experience, thanks to the 32 downstream and 8 upstream channel bonding along with 2 additional downstream and upstream OFDM DOCSIS 3.1 channels. The design of the modem looks pretty premium and it comes with a total of 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports which you can utilize as per your requirements. In fact, the best part is that you can easily set up and operate the router by using the SURFboard Manager app in your smartphone. As of warranty, ARRIS offers a 2-year warranty for this modem.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 4 Gbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Also includes AC2350 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
- Has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Comes with 2 year long warranty
Pros:
- Real-time performance is quite good
- Offers fast dual-band wireless performance
- Easy to setup using the mobile application
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with USB ports
6. NETGEAR CM1150 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
At last, we have another great modem option from Netgear which you can consider checking out in case you want to spend your money on a stylish mid-range DOCSIS 3.1 modem.
It looks pretty similar to one of the Netgear modems that we have discussed earlier, but the specifications are entirely different and more impressive. You will be glad to know that it is capable of delivering a max internet speed of up to 2 Gbps, hence, it’s quite future-safe as well. Apart from that, it will work with almost all the popular ISPs such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, RCN, etc.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1150V modem has up to 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports, so it becomes quite easier for you to use it with any router of your choice. Moreover, you can even set up this modem with Xfinity Voice service with up to 2 telephone lines. Since there are 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, you can also use the link aggregation to combine two Gigabit ports to achieve up to 2 Gbps speed on your wired network.
Best Features:
- Supports max internet speed up to 2 Gbps
- Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Comes with 1-year warranty
Pros:
- Compact design
- Supports link aggregation
- Also supports Xfinity Voice service
Cons:
- A bit on the expensive side
Buying Guide for the Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
We can easily understand that you are just another tech-enthusiasts like us who like to be around all the latest technologies and use the best available products in the market. That being said, in case you want to experience the best and fastest internet speed, it is a must to switch to the newest DOCSIS 3.1 standard modem.
We have already discussed some of the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems in this article so far. Hence, you can simply check out their features and pick the best suitable one that suits your internet plan. In this buying guide, we will be discussing all the important factors that one can consider checking before buying. Therefore, if you have no prior knowledge about DOCSIS 3.1 modems, make sure to read this buying guide until the end.
1. Max Supported Internet Speed
Without a doubt, a modem based on the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology will definitely offer you a better internet speed. As compared to its predecessor DOCSIS 3.0 technology, DOCSIS 3.1 is capable of delivering internet speeds up to 10Gbps. While the DOCSIS 3.0 is only capable of handling up to 1Gbps.
With that said, if you have a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, the doors to subscribing to much better internet plans open up for you. However, there are barely any ISPs out there that offer a better internet plan than 1Gbps. However, DOCSIS 3.1 is better in terms of connection stability as well and is also future-proof. So, in case your ISP provides an internet plan that delivers more than 1Gbps speed, you should pick the right modem that suits your requirements and budget.
2. Compatibility
As we discussed earlier, there are not many ISPs out there that offer internet plans with more than 1Gbps internet speed. Meanwhile, most of the ISPs recommend you to install their modem for which they charge your monthly rental fees. Thinking about it wisely, you can save a lot of money in the long run if you install your own modem as they are not usually that expensive.
However, there are some ISPs that don’t provide their internet services to people who have a third-party modem. Therefore, while you pick a new DOCSIS 3.1 modem for yourself, make sure that the modem is compatible with your ISP. Otherwise, you will have to change your internet service provider to use that modem.
3. Gigabit Ports
While checking the specifications of the DOCSIS 3.1 modem that you like, make sure to check for the number of gigabit ports present on the modem. While some DOCSIS 3.1 modems only come with 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, there are several options available in the market which offer up to 4 Gigabit ports as well. With multiple ports, there’s an opportunity of using link aggregation to get double internet speed on a wired network.
4. Design and Build Quality
Checking the specifications of a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is definitely an important task. However, you should not forget to compare the modems on the basis of their design and build quality. These days, the new-gen modems come in quite a stylish design that will look aesthetic with your computer setup. Unlike the older modems which were too hideous, the new ones that come these days are quite attractive. Moreover, several DOCSIS 3.1 modems even come with a wall-mount design that will make it easier for you to keep your setup cleaner and do better cable management.
5. Warranty
When it comes to cable modems, there are only a few brands out there in the market that are ruling the entire industry. We have tried to include multiple modem options from all the top brands of the industry. Hence, you don’t necessarily have to worry about the build quality of the modems that we have listed on our list. Not just that, all the top brands in the market also offer either 1 or 2-year warranty for their modems as well which is always a plus point for the customer.
FAQs about DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
1. Is DOCSIS 3.0 outdated these days?
Ans. Even though we have DOCSIS 3.1 technology as the latest, the DOCSIS 3.0 standard is still in use and not yet outdated. The reason is that the majority of the ISPs offer internet plans up to 1 Gbps speed only which DOCSIS 3.0 can easily handle. So, at the current moment, DOCSIS 3.0 is also usable. But, as soon as any ISP starts to offer better plans, you will not be able to subscribe to them, that is why upgrading to a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is future-safe.
2. Does DOCSIS 3.1 modems offer better internet speed?
Ans. If you compare both DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 technologies, you will find that DOCSIS 3.1 simply offers better connection stability. It is because DOCSIS 3.1 is designed to handle more data traffic, and offer better upstream and downstream data with more efficiency.
3. Do you need to upgrade to DOCSIS 3.1 modem for using a Wi-Fi 6 Router?
Ans. Although you can simply use your Wi-Fi 6 router with your older DOCSIS 3.0 modem as it will work just fine as long as you have a 1 Gbps internet plan or lower. However, if you want better internet speed, you will need to subscribe to a better internet plan for which DOCSIS 3.1 modem is a major requirement.
Conclusion
Although DOCSIS 3.0 modems are still usable and work great, if you still want to improve your internet experience, upgrading to a new DOCSIS 3.1 modem will be a great choice. Even though you are not using a high-speed plan of more than 1 Gbps at the moment, upgrading to a DOCSIS 3.1 modem will still show great improvement as it highly reduces the latency and makes your internet connection more stable and reliable.
So far, we have discussed several good options in this article from which you can choose the one whichever suits your budget. In case you are feeling confused to choose one from the list, you can take help from the buying guide. Otherwise, you can choose from our personal recommendations as well:
- In case you are looking for a value-for-money DOCSIS 3.1 modem, we would recommend you to pick the Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Multi-Gig Cable Modem since it supports up to max 2.5 Gigs internet plans. Moreover, it even has a fast 2.5GB ethernet port and is compatible with all the industry-leading popular ISPs. In fact, Motorola even offers a 2-year warranty for this modem.
- On the other hand, for those people who are on a budget, you can consider picking the ARRIS DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Gigabit Cable Modem. Despite its attractive pricing, it comes with 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports a max internet speed of up to 2 Gbps. Moreover, it is quite easy to set up, and ARRIS also offers a 1-year warranty for it too.
- In case you are looking for a modem router combo, you should definitely check out the NETGEAR Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Modem WiFi Router Combo (C7800) as it has all the premium features that you might ever need. The max supported internet plan by the modem is up to 2 Gbps while the router offers massive coverage up to 3000 sq. ft. Apart from that, it has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and 2 USB 3.0 ports too. In addition, Netgear also offers a 1-year warranty as well.
