Spectrum Compatible Modems

April 12, 2021

Spectrum is a top-rated internet service provider. Just like with all providers available at this time, there are some nuances that you need to be aware of. First and foremost, Spectrum will provide you with a modem free of charge.

Unlike many other internet service providers, Spectrum will not charge you to lease a modem, as it comes included with your internet package.

That said, the modems that come with your Spectrum internet service may not be what you are looking for. If that is the case, you can purchase your own modem and use it in conjunction with your Spectrum internet service.

However, if you choose to go this route, you need a compatible modem, and not all modems will work with Spectrum internet. Let’s go over everything you need to know in terms of Spectrum-compatible modems.

Choosing a Spectrum Compatible Modem – Important Details

Before we talk about the specific internet modems that are compatible with Spectrum, there are a few essential things to know, particularly when choosing and using your own modem instead of the one included with your internet plan.

The most important thing to know is that if you use a modem provided by Spectrum, and it breaks down, they will provide service and maintenance for free or a replacement if needed. However, if you use your own modem, Spectrum will not cover it if something goes wrong. If your non-Spectrum provided breaks, you are on your own.

Unless you plan on using a wired internet connection, you will also need to have a compatible Wi-Fi router, which appears to be an 802.11ac router in the case of Spectrum. Spectrum provides router rentals for around $5 per month, but just like with the modems, you can use your own, as long as it is compatible.

The other important thing is that you need to keep your Spectrum internet plan in mind when choosing a Spectrum-compatible modem. Specific modems will work best with specific plans and internet speeds. Therefore, the modem you choose will depend on your internet speed, something we will take a look at in greater detail below.

Spectrum Internet Plans

As noted above, the specific modem that you end up buying is in part going to depend on which internet plan you have. Remember, if your modem’s indicated speed is not well-matched with your internet speed, it won’t perform well.

If you don’t pay attention to your specific internet plan, the speed, and you just buy any modem, chances are that your internet speed will be slow, or in some cases non-existent. When it comes to Spectrum internet, what sort of plans are there to choose from?

You have three main internet plans to choose from with Spectrum.

  1. Regular Spectrum Internet - $49.99 per month, with up to 200 Mbps download speed
  2. Spectrum Internet Ultra - $69.99 per month, with up to 600 Mbps download speed
  3. Spectrum Internet Gig - $109.99 per month, with up to 940 Mbps download speed

You should be aware that Spectrum internet has no data limits, plus there are no contract requirements either.

Spectrum Compatible Modems

Now we are getting to the modems that you can use with your Spectrum internet. Below, we have a list of all modems that Spectrum has approved for use with its internet. Remember that some products listed below are Wi-Fi and router combos, and others are not; some of them will have Wi-Fi speeds listed as well.

ModemChannelsTop SpeedWIFI SpeedModem Type
Arris SB61214x4172 mbpsN/ABasic
Arris SBG6700-AC8x4343 mbps1600 mbpsWi-Fi AC
Asus CM-32 AC260032x8700 mbps2600 mbpsWi-Fi AC
TP-Link TC-W79608x4340 mbps300 mbps   Wi-Fi N
Arris SB619032x8644 mbpsN/ABasic
Arris SBG6900-AC16x4686 mbps1900 mbpsWi-Fi AC
Netgear C6300BD16x4680 mbps1750 mbpsWi-Fi AC
Netgear C6250-100NAS16x4680 mbps1600 mbps   Wi-Fi AC
Netgear C7000-100NAS24x8960 mbps1900 mbpsWi-Fi AC
Netgear C3000-100NAS8x4340 mbps300 mbpsWi-Fi N
Netgear C3700-100NAS8x4340 mbps600 mbpsWi-Fi N
Arris SBG65808x4343 mbps600 mbpsWi-Fi N
Arris SB61204x4150 mbpsN/ABasic
ZoomTelephonics 5341J8x4340 mbpsN/ABasic
TP-LINK ARCHER CR70016x4450 mbps1750 mbpsWi-Fi AC
TP-LINK TC762016x4680 mbpsN/ABasic
Netgear CM60024x8960 mbpsN/ABasic
Motorola MB742016X4686 mbpsN/ABasic
TP-Link TC-76108x4340 mbpsN/ABasic
Motorola MG755016X4686 mbps1900 mbpsWi-Fi AC
Netgear CG3000DV2 N4508x4340 mbps450 mbpsWi-Fi N
D-Link DCM-3018x4320 mbpsN/ABasic
Motorola MG73158x4343 mbps450 mbpsWi-Fi N
ZoomTelephonics 537016x4686 mbpsN/ABasic
Linksys CM30088x4343 mbpsN/ABasic
Linksys CM302424x4960 mbpsN/ABasic
Netgear CMD31T-100NAS4x4150 mbpsN/ABasic
ZoomTelephonics 53528x4300 mbps300 mbpsWi-Fi N
Netgear CM4008x4340 mbpsN/ABasic
ZoomTelephonics 53638x4340 mbps   1900 mbpsWi-Fi AC
ZoomTelephonics 53458x4343 mbpsN/ABasic
Motorola MB72208x4343 mbpsN/ABasic
Hitron-ZyXel CDA303608x4400 mbpsN/ABasic
Arris SBG64008x4343 mbps300 mbpsWi-Fi N
ZoomTelephonics 53508x4300 mbps450 mbpsWi-Fi N
Motorola MG73108x4343 mbps   300 mbpsWi-Fi N
SMCNetworks D3CM160416x4640 mbpsN/ABasic
ZoomTelephonics 53548x4343 mbps300 mbpsWi-Fi N
Asus CM-1616x4686 mbpsN/ABasic
ZoomTelephonics 53608x4343 mbps600 mbpsWi-Fi N

Spectrum Internet Modem Top Picks

While we have listed all Spectrum-compatible modems at this time, you probably don’t want to have to filter through that list. We will give you two of the available top picks. These are based both on Spectrum’s recommendations as well as general opinion.

Arris SurfBoard SB6121 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem |Best Basic Modem

If you are looking for a basic modem that will provide you with a solid wired connection, the Arris SurfBoard SB6121 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem is an excellent option to look into.

It’s fast, reliable, and easy to set up, with a top speed of 172 Mbps, making it ideal for Spectrum internet packages' lower tiers.

If you want a modem that is a bit faster, we suggest checking out the Arris SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, as it has a top speed of 644 Mbps.

ASUS CM-32 Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router |Best Modem & Router Combo

If speed is what you need, and you want a reliable Wi-Fi connection, this is a good combo router and modem, with a top speed of 700 Mbps and a maximum Wi-Fi speed of 2,600 Mbps.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many great modems, all that work fine with Spectrum internet. Just be careful to choose the best modem for your internet speed, and keep in mind that you may need a router or a combination router/modem as well.

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Compatible/Approved Modems and routers for your internet service provider
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