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 4.2/5 NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem CM1200 Efficiently supports IPv6 – an Internet standard Equipped with the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology It comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports Check price on Amazon  4.2/5 NETGEAR Orbi All-in-One Cable Modem It comes with 4 Ethernet ports It provides coverage up to 4000 sq ft. It has a robust internal quad-processor Check price on Amazon  3.9/5 NETGEAR C7800 Modem Powered with 1.5GHz dual processor Quick and easy setup for novice users 2-in-1 router and cable modem Check price on Amazon In this digital age, when the internet has become the lifeline of every home, a suitable modem is the prerequisite to ensure excellent WiFi connectivity. Especially if you are a gaming enthusiast, buffering due to reduced internet speed could be the primary reason for your frustration. A cable modem provided by your internet service provider is not sufficient when you want to increase the bandwidth and save some money at the same time. See also: Best Routers Under 100$ Best Modem Router Combo For COX Best Liquid CPU Cooler For i7 8700k Gamers around the world encounter the problem of a sudden drop in the network. However, a modem for gaming is a reliable solution to get through this problem conveniently. Say goodbye to the lost connections and time lags while playing your favorite game with the best modem for gaming. What is Gaming Modem? Compared to the standard options, Gaming modems are more potent with more reliable connections and data transfer. Online gamers who rely on down-to-the-wire actions and lightning-fast, gaming modems are essential. Why Should I Buy a Gaming Modem? Gaming modem is generally expensive than the standard ones. Thanks to their pro features which make them an expensive deal. However, it is worth considering – "Why should I buy a Gaming Modem?" So, here we go: Reliable connection Most of the gaming modems are equipped with advanced technology like DOCSIS 3.1 and equipped with the quality components to deliver the desired results to the gamers. The multiple upstream channels ensure total reliability and lightning speed. For flawless association with router Gaming modems are specifically designed to work correctly in sync with your gaming router. Thus you get a fast and steady wireless connection. The built-in streamlined efficiency of these modems enhances your gaming experience. Fastest Speeds By maximizing your internet service, top-notch gaming modems provide quickest Mpbs per second. To achieve the highest transfer speeds and FPS, quick Mpbs per second is crucial. Not just a reliable connection, gaming modem will also help you to save money in the long run. As most of the internet service providers charge hefty yearly rentals for the modem, you will require making an upfront payment for buying a modem for once, and it will save on the entire rental which you pay year after year. Ultimately, it proves to be cost-efficient in the long run. Best Modems for Gaming Reviews 1. NETGEAR Orbi (CBR 40) All-in-One Cable Modem Buy Now on Amazon Enjoy enhanced WI-Fi performance with this simplified all-in-one cable modem by NETGEAR. It efficiently reduces the clutter and expands the WiFi coverage with Orbi satellite extenders. This gaming modem successfully eliminated the problem of buffering and ensures a superfast speed for your gaming and streaming purposes. You have to create a guest network and access the parental controls. Run the speed test from its app, and it is all set to go. 4 separate Ethernet ports to support gaming console, Smart TV, computer/laptop and more. It has a 2x2 (5GHz) 866Mbps channel, a 2x2 (2.4GHz) 400Mbps channel and a 2x2 (5GHz) 866Mbps channel. Pros It comes with 4 Ethernet ports It provides coverage up to 4000 sq ft. It has a robust internal quad-processor It is compatible with most of the Internet Service Providers It is equipped with tri-band technology to support multiple devices Cons It is not compatible with CenturyLink, Verizon and AT&T Check latest price on Amazon 2. NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem CM1200 Buy Now on Amazon It is referred to as the future of cable internet for its blazing fast internet speed and excellent DOCSIS 3.1. It supports data transfer up to 2Gb per second with its link aggregation technology and streams 4K videos on the go at 10 times faster download speeds. It has 8 upstream and 32 downstream channels and supports the different IP addresses from the same internet service provider. It can support all the WiFi routers smoothly. It is easy to install by plugging the coax cable in modem and connecting it to your PC using Ethernet cable. It is best for the cable provider plans for up to 3 Gigabits speed. Pros It is provided with DOCSIS 3.1, 32×8 channel bonding and OFDM 2×2 Faster wired ethernet speed with Link aggregation of two 1G ports into one 2G port Efficiently supports IPv6 – an Internet standard Equipped with the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology It comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports Cons It is not compatible with bundled voice services like DSL providers, Verizon, DISH and DirectTV. Check latest price on Amazon 3. MOTOROLA MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem Buy Now on Amazon It comes with integrated DOCSIS 3.1 technology to keep in mind the need of today's users. It can be easily used by non-tech savvy and novice users. The advanced users can easily avail of their deep customization options. This gaming modem is very easy to set up. It offers one of the smoothest technologies and does not require much maintenance. It comes with a pair of phone line ports that can be used for Comcast voice services. It ensures a hassle-free internet connection with faster speeds. 3.1 version is 10 times faster than its previous 3.0 release. It is recommended to use in the upright position to overheating, leading to throttling speed. Pros Full-band capture digital tuner 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port Designed aesthetically with neat looks Integrated native mesh and MU-MIMO support Built-in capabilities of 32×8 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 Cons Speed throttling due to overheating Users complain about its random drop in connection Check latest price on Amazon 4. ARRIS Surfboard SB8200 Buy Now on Amazon It is a part of the first waves supporting the new DOCSIS 3.1 traffic as well as the older DOCSIS 3.0 standard. It is the most preferred modem by the Internet Service Providers in the US due to its futuristic approach, which assures it to stick around with the technological advancement of upcoming years. Compared to the last four modems released by ARRIS, there is no significant change in its design. With its two Ethernet ports, it allows the connection to two devices at the same time. It is equipped with 16 MiB Macronix MX25L12805D SPI NAND flash memory, Broadcom BCM3390 chipset, 128MiB S34ML01G200TFV00 Spansion flash memory NAND and 3 GB of RAM. Read Detailed Reviews Here Pros Impressive packaging with detailed features of the product Equipped with the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology and backward compatibility Supports Internet browsing standards of IPv4 and IPv6 Capable of 10 Gbps download speeds. Aesthetically pleasing design with minimal looks Cons The pricing is on the higher side Additional equipment to work with bundled voice services Check latest price on Amazon 5. TP-Link TC7610 Buy Now on Amazon It comes with a wide range of features which makes it one of the best fiber-optic internet modem. With the ability to handle 343 Mbps in download and 143Mbps speed in upload, it is the best choice for the people considering a budgeted gaming modem that does not pinch their pocket. Compared to any DSL modem, it is way faster. It has earned the highest customer satisfaction rating in 2019 from JD Power. The Channel bonding feature of this modem allows increasing the bandwidth speeds and combine channels to form a significant thruway bandwidth. Hence, it is a perfect fit for the high-congestion areas as the channel bonding increases the internet speed significantly. Pros It is a budget-friendly modem with varied features It comes with a 2-year warranty It provides enhanced security Great customer support 24/7 free customer support Cons Compared to the fiber-optic modem, it fails to reach the optimum speed Check latest price on Amazon 6. NETGEAR C7800 Modem Buy Now on Amazon This router supports up to 3.2Gbps WiFi speeds which is a sweet spot to avoid buffering while playing games, making it one of the best gaming modems. It is a 2-in-1 modem which gives you a cable modem and a router too. This modem comes with the telecommunication standards of up to 1Gbps of upload and up to 10Gbps of download. It is used as beamforming to boost its signal and cover the blind spots. You can easily monitor your network remotely and even repair the issues with its app on your smartphone. It offers Denial-of-Service Attack protection and a separate guest network facility. It is designed explicitly for multi-player gaming and heavy-duty 4K HD streaming. To maximize speed and minimize interference, this modem can select between the dual bands. Read Complete Review Pros Powered with 1.5GHz dual processor Appropriate for a large multi-storey building to cover blind spots Quick and easy setup for novice users Assures WiFi speed up to 3.2Gbps depending on your internet service provider 2-in-1 router and cable modem Cons Not compatible with Spectrum, Verizon, AT&T, and other bundled voice services Check latest price on Amazon 7. Asus Modem Router AC2600 Buy Now on Amazon Cox, Comcast Xfinity and Spectrum certify this modem. It is an all-in-one DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 32X8 and 4X4 router which offer expansive wireless coverage. It is ideal for gaming and streaming in HD. It also includes the support for Apple time machine. It comes with the pre-configured unique network name and a password printed on the router's bottom. It gives them control of many settings to the user to ensure smooth operations. The robust functionality and intuitive wizards of this modem make it a deal worth exploring. The fully-featured user interface and security preferences of this modem give another modem in the league a fierce competition. Pros Built-in DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem Support speeds of up to 1.3Gbps Loaded with AiRadar beamforming technology Enabled with IPV6 Quick & Easy setup Cons Few users complaint occasional stops due to bugs Once disconnected, it does not reset on its own Check latest price on Amazon How to Choose a Gaming Modem? – A Quick Buying Guide If you are all set to turn your abode a thrilling gaming zone, it is essential to pick up an ideal modem for your PC as the first step towards your goal. With lots of options available in the market, it is quite challenging to find a perfect Gaming modem. However, which gaming modem will work best for you largely depends on the type of your internet connection, your internet provider, and your specific needs. Here are some of the factors which you must consider before buying the right Gaming modem: 2-in-1 with Router Vs Modem only If you are keen to save the money and space in the longer run, go for a 2-in-1 modem with the router. You will enjoy a streamlined experience with higher downloads and upload capacity. It also ensures consistent gameplay with a stable internet connection. Compatibility The modem which you are finalizing must also be compatible with your other instruments. A high-tech modem says with DOCSIS 3.0 is not worthy of buying, if not supported by your system. However, a modem with a DOCSIS 3.0 – 1.0 (backward integration) makes your PC future-ready. Check the reviews It is essential to check the reviews of a specific modem which you have shortlisted to understand the experiences of its real users. They can guide you well about the shortcomings which they are currently facing with a specific modem. There are several review websites which throw ample light on the opinions shared by the various real-life users for a particular product. Brand Brand value matters when it comes to customer servicing and after-sales support. Most of the brands offer excellent technical support to maintain their goodwill. Also, the component quality of the Branded modem is relatively high to justify the price you are going to pay for it. Pricing It is crucial to outline your budget before shortlisting the modems. Narrow down your choices with a specific price cap and then start exploring the advantages of all the modems which fall into your budget. Uploads and Download Speed The purpose of using a gaming modem is to enhance the upload and download speed to avoid buffering. High-speed models seem exciting, but they cannot pull more rate than the limit ensures by your internet service provider. They are, however buying a high-speed modem future proof your investment. Warranty There are few manufacturers in the market which offer a lifetime warranty for gaming modems. Choose a modem with an extended warranty period to avoid the maintenance cost. Also, the manufacturer offering long warranty periods are sure about the excellent quality of their products and thus considered as the safe bets. FAQ's Is it better to have your modem? Buying your modem increases your upfront cost but also reduces your internet bill significantly every month. The yearly rental charged by the Internal Service Providers is hefty. If you pay the rent consecutively for 3-4 years, it is equivalent to the cost of an advanced modem available in the market. Can I just buy a router and have internet? No, buying a router without an internet service will not serve the purpose. You need an internet service provider to use your router. If you are a novice user, it is recommended to use the router provided by the internet service provider which comes with WiFi pre-configurations. Do I need both router and modem? Routers are responsible for bringing the internet to devices, and the modems use the cables to connect the devices to the internet. A modem is a digital translator that takes the signals from wires or phone lines and makes it accessible to your PC. A router connects to your PC devices via WiFi or Ethernet cable. Final Verdict Before concluding the best gaming modem, it is necessary to evaluate factors like factors such as DOCSIS Protocol, upload and download speed, ISP compatibility, Downstream and Upstream Channels, etc. Price has always been a decisive factor in concluding the final gaming router for your PC. Outline your requirements and shortlist all the gaming modems which comply with your preferences. Look for a 2-in-1 modem with the router to save space as well as money.