For anyone who is in the market looking for a good modem-router combination, the good news is that you will find countless options available to you that can make your experience so much easier and smoother.
Granted, you have to look a bit carefully when going for these options because if you do not happen to have enough knowledge on these products, you might not get the smoothest possible experience that you are looking for.
That being said, in this article, we want to discuss the best modem router combinations available in the market. As with all the roundups that we do, we will first shed light on some of the basic things you should look for when going for a modem router combo. Therefore, let’s not delay any further and have a look.
Best Modem Router Gateways 2020
- NETGEAR C3000-100NAS (Best Budget Cable Modem Router)
- MOTOROLA MG7540 (Best Midrange Cable Modem Router)
- NETGEAR C7000 (Best Midrange Cable Modem Router)
- MOTOROLA MD1600 (Best DSL Modem Router)
Things to Look for in a Modem Router Combination
Normally, people do not opt for a modem router combination for the simplest reason that the modem is already provided to them by the ISP of their choice.
However, the reason why you would want to upgrade is simply that what your ISP has provided you with is not that good, to begin with. This means that you will need to opt for something different and better, as well.
Keeping that in mind, if this is your first time in the market looking at either of these things, you will have to consider a few things so you can make a proper decision that is not full of haste. There are a few things that you will need to look for so your overall buying experience does not go sideways.
That being said, let’s look at what you should be looking for in a modem router combination.
The Speed Matters A Lot
In all honesty, you need to go for something that is fast. But before you go and spend most of the money on this combination, do check whether the package you’re using is actually going to deliver that much speed.
If you are using something that is along the lines of 50 megabytes per second and you end up with a modem router combination that is much faster, you are only going to be paying more money for something that will not even be used to its full potential.
So, if you are looking to make a decision, be very careful about what you choose.
Your Budget Is Important
Another thing that we should never ignore is the fact that the budget happens to be extremely important.
Granted, you might think that you really do not need to spend a lot of money on a combination like that, and it can be true if the internet connection that you are using is not the fastest, but if you plan on using a faster internet connection here, you really need to make sure that the budget is one thing that you have considered.
Once that is done, you should be good to go for the most part and there won’t be anything coming in your way.
Do Not Overlook The Security Factor
Internet is a wonderful place and that is something that we will never deny. However, the thing that you need to know about the internet is that at the same time, Internet can be dangerous.
Not a lot of people are aware of it but if you are using cheaper hardware like a cheaper router or a modem, it can be used against you, or exploit the entirety of the traffic that is coming and going.
Therefore, it really is important to keep the security in mind because you are definitely going to need that.
How Many LAN Ports Do You Require?
I think this is one thing that we often overlook whenever we are in the market looking for a good router-modem combo.
The thing is that LAN ports do mean a lot and they are something that cannot be overlooked. It is something that you will have to put into consideration because they will always matter.
Sure, if you are more of a wireless person, then you might not need to have all the LAN ports, but if you still prefer wired connections for the added stability, it is always better that you look at the number of LAN ports that are present in the modem router combination.
Best Modem Router Combo 2020 Review Guide
Now that we have gone over these things, it should become an easier time for you to go for the actual roundup.
In case, you are looking for separate wireless routers and modems, we have also covered them in separate posts which you find by going to their respective links.
NETGEAR C3000-100NAS: Check Price On Amazon
Best Budget Cable Modem Router 2020
The first modem/router combo that we are looking at comes from Netgear and it is the NETGEAR C3000-100NAS, it is one of the more affordable options available in the market. However, do not worry, just because this is more affordable does not mean that Netgear has cut any corners.
That being said, the great thing about this modem/router combo is that it has one of the best boosted downstream bandwidth when you are testing these out, needless to say, the real-life performance is going to be great.
Another great thing is that the combination does work great as a standalone wireless router, and if you are looking to set it up, it is one of the easiest to set up devices that are also very user-friendly. The Genie management interface is amazing, and you even get a USB port in case you are looking to share storage devices.
Last but not least, you have two Gigabit Ethernet ports in case you are looking for wired connections.
On the downside, there are a few things that I do not like about this combo, for starters, the throughput support tops up at 300 megabytes per second, and the router is only single band.
Overall, I think the NETGEAR C3000-100NAS is a pretty great option for anyone who is on a budget and still looking for something that is decent and should get the job done for them. Needless to say, Netgear has done a great job with this combination and it is downright impressive.
Pros
- Great value for money.
- The downstream speed is pretty impressive.
- Setting it up is extremely easy.
- You have a great interface that is also easy to use.
- You get a USB port if you want to connect storage devices.
- There are also two Gigabit Ethernet ports for wireless connectivity.
Cons
- The router only has support for 300 megabytes per second of throughput.
- You only get one band.
MOTOROLA MG7540: Check Price On Amazon
Best Midrange Cable Modem Router 2020
There is no denying that most of us know Motorola has a company which is only known for making phones.
But the one thing that most people don’t know about is that they are also really good when it comes to making networking products. They have released some of the most impressive networking products in the past and one of the main ones happen to be the MG7540.
Now when you are looking at this modem router combo, you are certainly looking at something that is great. The great thing is that it is pretty compact, it can be used to replace both the modem and the router at the same time.
The wireless performance is top-notch and one of the best, without any issues. The setting up is pretty easy. As a matter of fact, I have had a lot of routers that gave me a hard time but this one is an easy one.
On the downside, I honestly cannot find any major flaw with this modem router combination. If you are getting something from the ISP, it is most likely going to be not as good as this one. So, it is just better if you go for this and get the most performance out of it possible because, at the price you are getting this, it really is hard to beat.
Pros
- Extremely easy to setup.
- Affordable.
- Works great as a router.
- Fast speeds.
Cons
- Can’t think of any.
NETGEAR C7000: Check Price On Amazon
Best High-End Cable Modem Router 2020
The great thing that we love about Netgear routers is that they are always up to something amazing. They have an impressive portfolio of products available. So, even if you are looking to not spend a lot of money, there is going to be something available for you.
That being said, today, we are looking at the Netgear C7000. A great modem router combination that will deliver a pretty respectable performance, as well. So, if you are looking for something decent, I can assure you that this is the way to go.
That being said, the Netgear C7000 is known for a lot of things; the good being the fact that it is one of the better-looking devices available in the market, and I know most people talk about how it is not as important to have something look good but if you think about it, routers are often not out of sight.
Another great thing is that in terms of the performance, this device manages to hold up pretty decently and should be able to manage most internet connections with ease. Since you are also getting a wireless router combined with it, the range is also solid. Another great thing is that if you are looking to save money over time, this is again, a great product.
Why? Because when you are renting out a modem router from your ISP, you will be paying them on a monthly basis. Therefore, it is just better if you invest in this Netgear C7000 instead.
As far as the downsides are concerned, there are no glaring issues, to begin with. However, I do have to warn you that the initial price of this router is on the higher side, and additionally, if you are looking for something that is loaded with features, then this is not going to be it, either.
Overall, I have to say that the Netgear C7000 is one of the most impressive modem-router combinations available in the market if you are looking for something that has good performance, this is going to be the one. However, do not expect a lot of features.
Pros
- The performance is pretty great.
- It becomes a good investment over time.
- The router looks good, too.
Cons
- The upfront cost is on the heavier side.
- You will not be getting a lot of features.
MOTOROLA MD1600: Check Price On Amazon
Best DSL Modem Router 2020 The last modem router combo that we are looking at is from Motorola once again. A company that, in our opinion, does not really need any introduction all thanks to the fact that they have delivered fantastic products back to back, and are still doing so. The modem router combo we are looking at today is the MOTOROLA MD1600.
For those who do not know, this is one of the best routers available in the market and for all the right reasons, too. If you are looking for something performance oriented, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
With that said, if you are looking for something that becomes a one-stop solution for all your requirements, then the MD16000 is definitely a great product that you should definitely buy.
The good thing here is that it is easy to set up, it is conveniently designed and looks good wherever you place it, and it even has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for those who are looking to hook it up to wired devices. You also get USB port for NAS as well DLNA media sharing.
While the modem router combo itself is great, however, just keep in mind that if you are looking to use it on bonded connections, it is not going to work with those connections. Other than that, I fail to find any issues that might come in the way.
Overall, I have to say that Motorola has done a great job when you are looking at the MD1600. It is one of the best modem routers combinations available in the market and it gets the job done in a brilliant fashion.
If you are looking for something that has a good performance and you do not want to spend a lot of money, this is the way to go, as it will definitely give you a good experience.
Pros
- Very easy to setup.
- Simple to use.
- Comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- You also have a USB 2.0 port.
Cons
- Only works with non-bonded connections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is safe to say that choosing the right modem router combination is much difficult than choosing a router on its own. For the simplest reason that when you are just looking at a router, you are not really looking for much.
But when you are looking at both devices in one, things can get technical because you are not only in need of a good modem, you are also in need of a good router.
With this list, we aim to make things easier for the readers so they do not have to worry much.