Skip to content

7 Compelling Reasons to Buy Your Own Cable Modem (and the Best Ones to Get)

Are you still renting a cable modem from your internet service provider (ISP)? If so, you could be needlessly wasting over $150 per year. Buying your own modem is a smart investment that will quickly pay for itself and give you better performance, security, and control over your home network.

As a computer expert who is passionate about digital technology, I‘m here to walk you through the top reasons you should buy your own cable modem and my picks for the best ones on the market today. Get ready to level up your internet experience!

1. Stop Throwing Money Away on Rental Fees

The number one reason to buy your own cable modem is to save money. Most ISPs charge around $10-15 per month to rent a modem – that‘s up to $180 a year just for the privilege of using their equipment. Over the cost of a 2-year contract, you could spend over $350 on modem rental fees alone!

When you buy your own modem, you‘ll usually pay somewhere between $50-$250 depending on the model. While that may seem like a lot upfront, it will pay for itself in monthly savings within 6-18 months. After that, the savings go straight into your pocket.

Owning your modem also means the ISP can‘t jack up the rental fee on you, a common occurrence that catches many by surprise. And if you ever switch providers, you can bring your modem with you instead of returning a rental and getting a new one.

2. Get the Speed You‘re Paying For

Even if saving money isn‘t a concern for you, buying your own modem ensures you‘ll get the fast, reliable internet speeds you‘re paying good money for. ISPs often provide bottom-of-the-barrel modems to their customers that barely meet the minimum requirements.

Choosing your own modem allows you to get hardware that is optimized for your speed tier and capable of delivering the bandwidth you need for surfing, streaming, gaming and more. This is especially important if you have a cable internet plan with speeds over 200 Mbps.

For the best performance, choose a modem that matches or exceeds your plan‘s top speed. A little overhead will give you a buffer so you always get the speeds you expect without slowdowns during peak usage times. Look for modems with at least 16×4 or 24×8 channel bonding.

3. Future Proof Your Network with DOCSIS 3.1

If you want the absolute fastest cable internet speeds available, get a modem with DOCSIS 3.1 capability. This is the latest standard for data transfer over coaxial cables and enables speeds up to 10 Gbps – 10X faster than DOCSIS 3.0.

While 10 Gbps speeds aren‘t widely available yet, most cable companies now offer gigabit (1000 Mbps) plans in many areas. If you have or plan to upgrade to a gigabit plan, you‘ll need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to access those blazing fast speeds.

Buying a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is a smart way to future proof your home network. As ISPs roll out even faster speed tiers in the coming years, you‘ll be ready without needing to buy new equipment. You‘ll also get a speed boost with your current plan.

4. Simplify with a Modem/Router Combo

For the ultimate in simplicity and performance, consider purchasing a cable modem/router combo unit. These all-in-one devices combine a modem and wireless router into one easy-to-use package.

Getting a combo unit means you‘ll only have one device to set up and manage. You won‘t have to worry about compatibility between the modem and router or deal with two sets of wires and power cords. Many users find combo units more stable and easier to troubleshoot.

While combo units have a higher upfront cost than buying a modem alone, getting a 2-in-1 device is still cheaper than purchasing a separate modem and router. You‘ll also have just one interface to log into for managing all your settings and one less device taking up space and power outlets.

5. Bolster Your Network Security

Shockingly, most ISP provided modems come with no built-in security features, leaving your home network open to hacking attempts and prying eyes. Some may not even let you change the default password!

When you buy your own modem, especially a modem/router combo, you can get important security tools like firewalls, VPNs, parental controls, and guest network capability. Look for models that support WPA3 – the latest wireless encryption standard to keep your data safe.

Taking charge of your own equipment also prevents ISPs from monitoring your internet usage and profiting off your data. This lack of privacy with rented modems is concerning to many. Using your own hardware puts you back in the driver‘s seat.

6. Take Control of Troubleshooting

If your internet goes down, you can‘t do much troubleshooting when you don‘t own your own modem. You‘re at the mercy of your ISP to diagnose problems, which often involves frustrating and time-consuming calls with technical support.

When the modem/router is yours, you can take control of troubleshooting and resolve many issues yourself. You‘ll be able to easily access the admin interface to check error logs, reboot the system, adjust settings, and identify what‘s causing a problem.

Owning your own equipment makes you less reliant on your ISP and minimizes downtime when connectivity issues occur. In many cases, you can get back online in a matter of minutes instead of waiting hours or days for the ISP to resolve things on their end.

7. Choose the Right Modem for Your Needs

Perhaps the biggest advantage of buying your own modem is the ability to choose the right device for your specific needs and budget. Instead of being stuck with whatever low-end option your ISP offers, you can select from a wide range of high-quality modems.

Whether you‘re looking to spend under $100 on a basic model or invest in a top-of-the-line DOCSIS 3.1 modem/router combo, there‘s a perfect device out there for you. And you get to decide what features matter most – from security to parental controls to performance.

My Top Cable Modem Recommendations

With so many great options available, picking a cable modem can be overwhelming. Here are my top 4 recommendations to get you started:

Best Overall: Motorola MB8600

  • Top rated DOCSIS 3.1 modem
  • Supports gigabit speeds
  • Compatible with most major ISPs
  • Dedicated customer support

Best for High Speeds: NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1200

  • Blazing fast DOCSIS 3.1 speeds up to 2 Gbps
  • 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports for link aggregation
  • Compatible with most major cable providers
  • 4 amplified antennas for maximum range

Best Modem/Router Combo: ARRIS SURFboard SBG7600AC2

  • Fast DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem
  • AC2350 dual-band WiFi router
  • Works with most major U.S. cable providers
  • Ideal for speeds up to 600 Mbps

Best Budget Pick: NETGEAR CM500

  • Affordable DOCSIS 3.0 modem
  • Supports speed plans up to 300 Mbps
  • Compact design takes up little space
  • Simple setup and reliable performance

The Bottom Line

As you can see, buying your own cable modem is one of the smartest moves you can make to improve your home internet experience. To recap, here are the top 7 reasons to make the switch:

  1. Save hundreds on rental fees
  2. Get faster, more reliable speeds
  3. Future-proof your network with DOCSIS 3.1
  4. Simplify with an all-in-one modem/router
  5. Enhance your security and privacy
  6. Gain control over troubleshooting
  7. Choose the best device for your needs

If you‘ve been on the fence about buying your own modem, I hope this has given you the information and confidence you need to take the plunge. Trust me, you won‘t regret it!

FAQs

Q: Will my ISP support a customer owned modem?

A: Most ISPs allow you to use your own modem as long as it‘s compatible with their network. Check with your provider for a list of approved devices. Stick to well-known brands like Motorola, NETGEAR, and ARRIS.

Q: How long do cable modems last?

A: With proper care, a good cable modem should last 3-5 years before becoming obsolete. Technology is always advancing, so it‘s a good idea to upgrade every few years to take advantage of new features and faster speeds.

Q: Is it hard to set up your own modem?

A: Not at all! Most modems come with simple instructions and only take a few minutes to get up and running. You‘ll need to call your ISP to register the new modem, which is an automated process. From start to finish, expect to spend 20-30 minutes.

Q: Can I use any router with my cable modem?

A: Yes, any good quality router will work with a cable modem. For the best results, choose a router that matches the speed of your modem. For instance, if you have a gigabit modem, get a router that also supports gigabit speeds.

What other questions do you have about buying your own cable modem? Let me know in the comments!