Simplify Your Home Network With The Best Modem-Router Combos

Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz | Speed: 10Gbps | LAN ports: 1 x 10Gbps, 4 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 7

Best for: Modern Wi-Fi performance in an all-in-one device.

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 7
• Good port selection
• Supports major ISPs

Cons:

• Expensive

If you’re looking for a great do-it-all modem-router combo, then the Arris Surfboard G54 is the best option. It offers excellent download speeds, supporting internet plans of up to 10Gbps, plus it has a relatively sleek design that makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to remain up-to-date on Wi-Fi standards.

Under the hood, the Surfboard G54 offers almost everything you could need in 2024. Notably, it supports the relatively new Wi-Fi 7 standard—which means that it supports the fastest Wi-Fi speeds you can get right now, with full support for 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands.

On the back of the device, there’s a good port selection too. You get one port that supports a massive 10Gbps, with four 1Gbps ports. This device is also compatible with the majority of major ISPs, including Spectrum, Comcast and Cox. It’s still not as expensive as others on this list, and still probably cheaper than buying a modem and an equivalent router.

What the reviews say: One reviewer on Best Buy ran various speed tests and was pleased with the results. “I separated all my Wi-Fi channels from 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz. Through speed tests, I’m getting 1,200 to 1,300 Mbps speed tests. I have around 20 devices connected and am not experiencing any slowness.”

Range: 2,500 square feet per node | Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz | Speed: 4Gbps | LAN ports: 4 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 6

Best for: Getting top internet speeds for gaming or streaming in a large home or space.

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 6 capabilities
• Modern design
• Can double as a mesh system

Cons:

• Expensive

If you’re looking for a great mesh modem-router combo, then the Netgear Orbi CBR750 is definitely worth considering. This device offers many of the same specs as our top pick, plus it adds in mesh capabilities so that you can expand on your network’s range by simply adding more nodes. With two nodes, you can cover 5,000 square feet.

This router supports Wi-Fi 6, but doesn’t offer Wi-Fi 6E. But even without the extra speed, you still get more than enough bandwidth for your needs. The main downside of the Netgear Orbi CBR750 is that it’s pretty expensive—even more so than the Arris when you add more nodes (just one runs less than the top pick, but then there’s little point in getting a mesh router). But if money isn’t an issue, and you want to cover a large space, then this is definitely a great upgrade pick for those looking to expand their network range.

What the reviews say: One Amazon review loves the reliability of the Orbi, saying, “Since my install, my upload and download speeds are insane. The app is great. Nothing is more important than security of my home network and I have trusted Netgear from the beginning, and true to form they have rewarded me with a system that is easy to use and reliable.”

Band: 2.4GHz | Speed: 800Mbps | LAN ports: 4 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 5

Best for: Casual connectivity that doesn’t break the bank.

Pros:

• Affordable compared to competition
• Four LAN ports

Cons:

• Limited to Wi-Fi 5
• No dual-band support

The Arris Surfboard SBG7600AC2 is an excellent pick for those who want to get a modem-router combo device, but don’t want to spend too much. It only supports Wi-Fi 5—an aging standard at this point in time. So if you’re looking for Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support, then you should probably go with one of the other options on this list.

That being said, it still offers decent download speeds of up to 800Mbps, making it perfectly suitable for the casual internet user or Netflix streamer. If you’re a dedicated gamer and streamer, take a look elsewhere for faster connectivity. There are four 1Gbps LAN ports for wired connections. This device is also compatible with the majority of major ISPs, including Spectrum, Comcast and Cox.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer raved about the Surfboard SBG7600AC2, saying, “It didn’t take me long to get it set up. I needed to go through a little process through the Xfinity app first and then I was able to connect all our devices. We seem to be getting decent speeds. My Zoom fitness classes were constantly stuttering on the old 2.4Ghz band and they aren’t going that anymore. I put the TVs on the 5GHz because when I tested them, they were getting the fastest speeds. We are easily able to stream shows to our 4K Fire TV and use other devices at the same time without lag.”

Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz | Speed: 3Gbps | LAN ports: 1 x 2.5Gbps, 4 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 6

Best for: Those who don’t mind spending a little for faster speeds, but within reason.

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 6
• 3Gbps data speeds
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Not the latest Wi-Fi technology

The Arris Surfboard G36 may not have the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 7 technology, but it does have Wi-Fi 6, which helps make it faster and more capable than the Wi-Fi 5–equipped budget model on our list. It’s a little more expensive than the budget pick, but is worth the cash for households who want reasonably fast speeds.

The Surfboard G36 offers five LAN ports, including one that supports speeds of up to 2.5Gbps. It supports the Surfboard app, like the other Surfboard models. That means that it’s relatively easy to manage straight from your phone, where you can see what devices are connected to your network, set passwords and more.

What the reviews say: One Amazon reviewer noted the Surfboard G36’s easy setup. “The setup process was easy and straight forward. The most difficult part was getting through to Cox technical support. My previous modem/router used DOCSIS 3.0 technology, so this upgrade gave me a 45% increase in download speed and a 366% increase in upload speed, all without changing my service plan.”

Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz | Speed: 4Gbps | LAN ports: 4 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 6

Best for: Gamers and streamers who want the absolute best speed in an all-in-one device.

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 6
• 4Gbps data speeds
• Large coverage range for one node

Cons:

• Expensive

The Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S is an excellent pick for gamers who are looking for a modem-router combo that can handle their gaming needs. It offers similar specs to the Orbi, and it covers up to 2,700 square feet of range with only one node. It also has Wi-Fi 6 and support for up to 2Gbps of bandwidth from your provider. Compatible with Charter, Spectrum and Cox, it’s important to note that not all providers offer the same speeds or features.

On the back, you get four 1Gbps LAN ports for wired connections—a handy option for connecting your console or PC to the network with a little more stability. The main downside of the Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S is that it’s pretty expensive at $380 when not on sale. But if you’re willing to pay a little more for good performance, it’s a great option.

What the reviews say: One happy customer says, “It took about 15 minutes through the Xfinity app to set up and another 10 minutes through the Nighthawk app. I saw a big difference in Wi-Fi speeds. Went from 300-450Mbps up to 600Mbps. On the PS5, I have it connected with a cat 5 cable and I’m getting about 900Mbps.”

Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz | Speed: 2.5Gbps | LAN ports: 1 x 2.5Gbps, 3 x 1Gbps | Standard: Wi-Fi 6

Best for: Connecting into your home’s landline.

Pros:

• A 2.5Gbps port
• Wi-Fi 6
• Three-in-one

Cons:

• Expensive
• Only for Comcast Xfinity subscribers

For those that want to hook everything up to one system, you can. The Motorola MT8733 is an excellent pick for those who want not only a modem and a router, but also a home phone line. In fact, this device has two phone ports, which could come in handy for those that still use landline phones.

It’s built to specifically support Comcast Xfinity, so subscribers of other plans should look elsewhere. It does offer Wi-Fi 6 connectivity though, and there are three 1Gbps LAN connections on the back for all of your hardwired gear. It’s a relatively high-tech device, but it does come with a bit of a high price tag at close to $400 when not on sale.

What the reviews say: One customer says who uses Comcast says, “A speed test showed an impressive increase on all my devices. At first I did not have internet but I signed into Comcast on my phone to access my new modem and restarted it. Within about 5 minutes all connectivity issues were resolved. Everything was done without talking to Comcast. Your new equipment is automatically displayed in their system.”