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Internet setup can be confusing at the best of times, involving complicated tangles of wires and trying to judge whether something is functioning solely based on whether it has a blinking light.
Among the more common places, things can get bungled is when connecting the modem and router; these little plastic boxes may look small, but they can create big problems for someone trying to get a home network up and running.
Before proceeding, it may be helpful to understand the role of each part in your network. Plastic and wiring begin to run together after a few moments of struggling to get WiFi running, so it’s important to know what you’re doing ahead of time.
The modem serves as a gateway between the network and the rest of the web, sending and retrieving requests for data. A router creates the local wireless network, exchanging information between the modem and your various devices.
Wireless connectivity combos seek to cut out the trouble involved in connecting these two by bringing you both functions in a single device. Like many recent advances in Internet technology, it has rapidly caught on as a means of reducing physical barriers to continued connectivity.
Since it will occupy such a central place in your home or office life, it’s important to choose the right wireless combo. Here are five of the best devices to get you online.
Related Article: Best Wifi Router For Long Range in 2020 [Our Reviews & Comparisons]
Table of Contents
Best Modem Router Combo – Comparison Table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
EDITOR’S CHOICE  |
1. NETGEAR CBK40
|
Check Price |
RUNNER UP  |
2. Asus CM-32
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Check Price |
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3. MOTOROLA MG7550e
|
Check Price |
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4. ARRIS SURFboard
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Check Price |
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5. TP-Link Archer CR1900
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Check Price |
Our Best Modem Router Combo Reviews and Comparisons
1. NETGEAR CBK40
Product Highlights
Always a leading name in powerful wireless internet, this Netgear combo gives high speeds over a long-range for your entire house.
Features
-
- Range of over 4000 square feet
- 2.2 GB/s transfer speed
- One main module, one satellite module
What We Like About NETGEAR CBK40e
Orbi creates a powerful bubble of connectivity as opposed to using beamforming, meaning you can say goodbye to dead spots and buffering.
What We Don’t Like About NETGEAR CBK40
This is a relatively costly module that will set you back double to triple what a comparable system might.
PROS
- Trusted retailer
- Satellite module for more ports
- Large coverage
- High transfer speeds
- Powerful 710 GHz processor
CONS
- Exceptionally expensive
- Netgear software can be tricky
2. Asus CM-32
Product Highlights
This wireless combo goes out of its way to be compatible with all major security and service providers
Features
- Two bands on 5 and 2.4 GHz1
- 1.3 GB/s transfer speed
- 2 USB 2.0 ports
- 1.6 GHz internal processor
What We Like About Asus CM-32
This router includes a number of important security features, such as a full network map, and is compatible even with certain notoriously irritating service providers.
What We Don’t Like About Asus CM-32
There are only two bands on this router, and a relatively slow transfer speed and processor.
PROS
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- Good security
- Beamforming to save time and power
- Remote cloud storage optimized
- Can handle many offline devices such as home cameras or printers
CONS
- Only two bands
- Slower processing than similar units
3. MOTOROLA MG7550e
Product Highlights
Motorola was one of the first in the history of the wireless industry and continues to bring quality engineering with this wireless combo.
Features
- 375 MB/s transfer speed
- 2.4 and 5 GHz signal bands
- Two broadcast channels
- Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
What We Like About MOTOROLA MG7550
This router is perhaps the most compact and easy to set up, making it the first choice for lovers of simplicity.
What We Don’t Like About MOTOROLA MG7550
Customer support can be more important with network issues than with most products, and this is one field where this router does not deliver.
Read Article: https://whatsabyte.com/reviews/best-gaming-modem/
PROS
- Streamlined design
- Two year warranty
- Syncs well with most smart home systems
- Exceptional signal power
- Internal cooling mechanism boosts devie life
CONS
- Hard to connect with some providers
- Some security issues with changing default settings and passwords
4. ARRIS SURFboard
Product Highlights
Since its inception in 1997, SURFboard has been known for leading the field in wireless network security.
Features
- 1.4 GB/s transfer speed
- Receives on 2.4 and 5 GHz
- Two distinct channels
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
What We Like About ARRIS SURFboard
This router comes with SURFboard’s proprietary software for identifying and forestalling attacks, plus a free booster pack from the popular McAfee antivirus engine.
What We Don’t Like About ARRIS SURFboard
Some copies of this device were manufactured with the Intel Puma chipset, a component with known and serious latency flaws.
PROS
- Integrated security package
- McAfee protective software
- Signal bubble eliminate dead spots
- Optimized for HDTV and high-load gaming
- Two year warranty
CONS
- Serious risk of flawed Puma chipset
- Will need special installation for many leading USA service providers.
5. TP-Link Archer CR1900
Product Highlights
This modem puts speed as the top priority, with blazing fast transfer speeds to make sure every device can browse freely
Features
- Up to 1900MB/s transfer speed
- Two bands on 2.4 and 5 GHz
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- 6 internal antennas
What We Like About TP-Link Archer CR1900
This router uses multiple internal antennas and several parallel channels to give fast internet throughout your home.
What We Don’t Like About TP-Link Archer CR1900
TP-Link has a track record of being slow to provide updates or patches.
PROS
- Dual processors for high performance
- Multiple upload and download streams to keep all devices connected
- Compatible with most leading internet service providers
- Integrated security setup features
- Winner of several consumer satisfaction awards
CONS
- Slow firmware patches
- Several configurations are available, only some of which will function at top speed
Final Verdict
With these routers, you can cut out large amounts of troublesome wiring and setup problems in favor of a single integrated device. Pick one to fit your needs and budget and you can get your office or home up and running in no time.
Take note that while most of these products will boast of being secure, buyers should always make sure to check and reinforce these claims with added caution and even extra protection. No router is secure enough if you continually browse infected sites.