The best Computer Networking Modems: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Is your cable modem DOCSIS 3.1? There are modems that advertise supporting speeds up to and beyond gigabit but they aren't actually DOCSIS 3.1 which is what Comcast uses for speeds beyond 250.

For example, this is the modem I'm currently using that claims to support up to 1.4 Gbps, The problem is that it's not DOCSIS 3.1 so it won't do over 250 Mbps on Comcast.

What you need is something like this.

Compared to 300mbit which is $105/mo.

And remember: Friends don't let friends lease modems.

That's where you're wrong kiddo

Get one of these bad boys and you can pick up a lot of different things. For that satellite tracker you'll need to scale it up for it to be useful tho and add some other rf components (Rf amplifier, lnb, etc.)

Buy a new cable modem that supports 220v.
That will be cheaper than a step-down transformer to provide 120v outlets.

http://www.arris.com/surfboard/arris-product-comparison/

This is probably the right device:

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6190-DOCSIS-Cable/dp/B016PE1X5K/

I've done it both ways, it's far easier with a USB stick. Not only that, but you eliminate a possible point of failure by removing smartthings. There's a combo zwave and zigbee usb stick on amazon that you can also connect smart bulbs to.

Edit: Added a link

Not in Seattle, but I use this ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 (bought used on Amazon for around $60) and a separate router which works great. ARRIS makes other models with built in routing too which should work fine, but I haven't personally used one.

If you currently have Xfinity service, you can use this Xfinity page to find a list of compatible modems specific to your service.

Watch out for fakes though! The real one is $30 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0129EBDS2

Buy that and you’re golden.

I have a real one and a fake that cost $15. There is a noticeable difference depending on what you’re doing. You probably won’t hear the difference in broadcast FM, for instance, but NOAA satellite pictures come in far better now that I have the real thing. My cheapo one also had a problem of being off-frequency.

Also know that you should buy an antenna based on what you want to listen to. Ask for advice if you don’t know what to get. The right antenna is far far more important than the radio for determining how well you can receive stuff, even though the radio does make a difference.

Don't rent a modem from them. Buy your own. You're literally giving them free money for no reason if you do that.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016PE1X5K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1LmYCbMF6MJPT

Also (maybe) in the works.. WAN failover\load balancing for WAN2? NetGear makes a device that many other Ubiquiti users have been using for failover.

You can absolutely use your own equipment. I pay for 1GB and use my own modem without issue. Here is the one I use. You just need to call support and give them your MAC address(found on the sticker on the bottom) so they can activate it.

ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem, Approved for Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum & others , White , Max Internet Speed Plan 2000 Mbps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DY16W2Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RC6Y3WMB48A4Q3DYCQ77?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I personally really like this HUSBZB-1 stick, it's worked great for me so far.

I think it's worth getting the combo stick—then you at least don't have to buy yet another stick later if you ever want to add a few Zigbee devices.

For WiFi connected devices, just make sure to plug your device in using ethernet if at all possible, since it'll benefit from the additional bandwidth and not conflicting with other devices or Z-Wave & Zigbee.

Make sure you put the stick on an extension cable—it's best to keep it away from the main unit to avoid interference.

Don't trust a word Comcast says, they'll tell you whatever they have to to get you to rent their crap. ISP provided equipment is almost always garbage, and comes with rental fees. I highly recommend you get your own equipment. Get a separate modem and router, and they'll pay for themselves in about a year since you're not paying rental fees. Comcast may fight you on bringing the your own equipment, but they legally have to let you.

This is the modem I use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_9TSFRKKS7ETBC7WNNRRM

And this is the router I use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R2AZLD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_P69YGQAWQC3AVGFRFBRR

Thanks! And also thank you for clarifying the black bars. It's unfortunate that it is a glitch in Meteor but I'm glad to hear its not a local error within my setup.

As for the radio I'm running I'm using a standard RTL-SDR dongle I got on amazon.

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Modem-Gigabit-Ethernet-Ports/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536690667&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear%2Blte%2Bmodem&th=1

with this: https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-6000450-MIMO-Antenna-Connectors/dp/B00DN3J03O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1536690667&sr=8-4&keywords=netgear+lte+modem

It's pretty cheap, I live in Oregon, outside of Portland, we rarely have bad storms and almost never have service disruptions that aren't an ISP making a mistake, but it's nice to have just in case :)

Russian telegraph key http://www.morsex.com/ru/ (not modern, but cool)

RTL-SDR software receiver (and the SMA-to-UHF dongle Amazon suggests with it) https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490153344&sr=8-1&keywords=rtlsdr+v3

ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

Have occasionally seen at GoodWill - but have read about used modem re-registration issues with Cox

(3 Google Wifi Pucks) Very stable 3 years running

I picked up this guy. It’s a zwave/zigbee usb hub. Integrates well into HA and several zwave and zigbee devices work just fine.

I find a mix of both is fine.I got the GoControl HUSBZB-1 and haven't had a single problem. Using both Zigbee lights and Z-wave (Zooz) plugs for energy monitoring.

Much better off getting actual temperature sensors for something like this.

Setting up RTL-SDR is a pretty cheap and easy thing to do for this kind of application.

These work over it and do temperature and humidity.

SG-3100 with pfSense for the router. Unifi U6 Lite for wifi. Netgear LB1120 for GSM cellular and you'd have to look for something similar for Verizon

MoCA adapters!

or powerline adapters

edit: you could also use the coax to pull through ethernet (assuming the coax leads to somewhere useful on the other side)

I think you want the: Nortek HUBZ1 There are lots of people that like the Conbee sticks too, but I found this one to be very reliable and has the added benefit of working with zigbee and zwave. You can probably find it somewhere else a bit cheaper. I think I got mine for around $30

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01GJ826F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R6Z4R7R0TN478D7QY1BN

If you're stuck with Comcast, your best option is the ARRIS SURFboard. I had that back when I was a Comcast customer and it worked very well, much better than the one they give you. You also want to make sure you're not buying used.

As far as routers (because the SURFboard is just a modem), my pick is the ASUS RT-AX3000. I recently upgraded to one of these and the thing is a beast.

I understand, not disagreeing with you on that. But unfortunately it comes down to purchasing stolen property (even though you are not aware of it being stolen) and thus subjected to the ramifications.

Unless the modem was dirt cheap, a compatible modem for Optimum all the way up to 1Gig tier can be found pretty reasonability priced.

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-Approved-SB8200-Frustration/dp/B07DY16W2Z/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=arris+sb8200&qid=1624549317&sr=8-3

You can order services online or over the phone. Not sure if one or the other could have a better deal. I highly recommend using your own modem and router.

This modem has been great for me: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BL65HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Paired with this router: https://smile.amazon.com/ASUS-Dual-Band-AiMesh-Router-AC1900/dp/B00FB45SI4/ref=dp_fod_2?pd_rd_i=B00FB45SI4&psc=1

You can get that router and modem gently used on eBay for <$125 for both if you're open to the used option.

I pay $39.99 for my 200Mbps Xfinity plan, internet only with no equipment rental. It's an intro price so after a year it'll get jacked up.

I believe it's internet only that has month to month, which is what I've had for 5 years. I'm on the 300/30 plan that used to be 200/20 with a 2TB monthly cap for $65/mo.

https://approvedmodem.com/mediacom-approved-modems/

I have an Arris SB6190 that I'm still able to get my new speeds on even though Mediacom said you'd need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem for it. So I bought a SB8200 and ended up not needing. I'd be willing to sell it for under retail. Never configured for my service, but I took it out of the box and probably don't have the box anymore. But it's never been powered on, has the modem and power adapter, which is all you need. I can throw in a coax and a couple Cat 6a network cables too. Retail is 150, I could part with it for 100. I can provide proof that I've got it and it powers on and prove that I know enough about this that I'm legit, but can't promise any take backs. Let me know and I'll give you my contact info.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DY16W2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

To add to this...

• internet faillure: Backup 4g router, like https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE (for example, I haven't tried this one, so can't endorse it)
• hardware failure: you could setup a second node, one that isn't a validator but runs the software and keeps the chain updated. So could also sync the chain data to a nas, so you'd sync quickly if you need to change the ssd.

I haven't used Moca adapters, but I've used powerline ethernet adapters which is a similar concept. You can get a pair of moca adapters for ethernet over coax (I've heard the Motorola MM1000 is pretty good). Basically you'd plug one of those into coax in one room, the other into coax in another room, and then plug an ethernet cable into both and you'll have an ethernet connection between the two rooms. So you should be able to connect one of those adapters to your router and you should get a network connection in the other room.

I have a pair of powerline ethernet adapters that do the same thing but with power outlets. I've thought of replacing them with a pair of moca adapters because I've heard moca is faster and more reliable than doing it over power lines.

It might take a month or so to get sorted out, but trust me and you will have options in the future.

You might need to look into a phone service 4G LTE Broadband Modem router to hold you over.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

What internet speed package are you paying for with Cox?

For the most part you can pretty much use whatever home router you can get your hands on.

As for the modems I usually just stick to their list

https://www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-certified-cable-modems.html

Im using this one right now with no issues

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DY16W2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1