Reddit reviews MOTOROLA 16x4 Cable Modem, Model MB7420, 686 Mbps DOCSIS 3.0, Certified by Comcast XFINITY, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable, Cox, BrightHouse, and More

Honestly I think they are just bullshitting you on that one. They make more money from the equipment rental fees than they would if they just sold the equipment outright, even for an inflated price.

I would advise you to do your research on what modems are compatible as Comcast ends up being dicks when it comes to you using your own hardware. for example this one says it is Comcast Xfinity Certified, whereas some others don't.

There is no such thing as a "gaming" router or modem. All of that is marketing fluff.


Having both your own router and modem is a good idea. See here for good examples:

(I am assuming your USA)

Modem:

MOTOROLA 16x4 Cable Modem, Model MB7420, DOCSIS 3.0. Approved by Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable, and More. Downloads 686 Mbps Maximum (No WiFi) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_S9xKCbK9FCPTA

Router:


NETGEAR R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Dual Band Smart WiFi Router, Gigabit Ethernet (R6700) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R2AZLD2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_qgyKCbRJE7W46

Wired is always better than wireless. However, if wired is not possible, position the router close to the device and use the 5g band. This is the closest thing to wired on a wireless connection.

We got the Motorola MB7420 for the modem and then the Google OnHub Router from TP-Link. We've experienced considerably better WiFi coverage and a better quality of service overall.

I purchased this for their 300mbit/s plan and it's working pretty well.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A1E6BA2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the result
https://i.imgur.com/sHdjap6.jpg

i'd get the sb6183 not the sb6141=which is speed limited on twc.
https://twc-compatible-modems.com/
if you want something newer but still cheap, try the new zooms;
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B01A1E6BA2
video games are latency sensitive, so the more channels bound
the better. always buy a separate router, a suggestion like;
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00KATWRIY
is more than adequate for a couple at home.

It has been a few days, so I thought I'd update on what I decided to do. :)

I decided to send the Arris SB6141 back to Amazon. Honestly, one of the things that pushed me to send it back was that the LEDs on that thing are so damn bright, which is a problem since I have the cable setup in my bedroom. :P

I ended up ordering a Motorola MB7420. This is a 16 channel modem and certified by TWC. It's a new model that just came out a few months ago, which could be a risky buy, but from what I'm reading, the internal hardware is similar to a Zoom 5370 which has been out a little longer and seems to have a good reputation.

The MB7420 arrived a few days ago. TWC activated it with no problem, and it has been performing perfectly with 16 channels connected. The great thing is that the LEDs are a lot less bright than the Arris SB modem. I'm very happy so far!

Also, thank you for the freeway lanes analogy. Since my town is getting the Maxx upgrade in a couple weeks, a lot of people I know around here have been talking about modem upgrades and such, and this analogy is a great way to talk about the technology.

Any one of these modems would work for the speed plan you have:

Motorola 16x4 Cable Modem, Model MB7420

ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem

Zoom 16x4 Cable Modem

The Zoom is the cheaper of the trio, and any one of these will handle up to the 400Mbps plan (if available in your area). Now if you really want to future-proof yourself, you can't loose with the Motorola Ultra Fast DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem, Model MB8600..

Buy your own. I recently upgraded my modem to this on Xfinity: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QB2yDbS1AQH0F

I also upgraded to a mesh router from TP-Link. Mesh routers are great for large homes or if you have your main router in a spot where it doesn't reach the rest of the house. I'm a big fan of TP-Link routers, in general.

You'll save a ton of money over the course of 2 years. Worthwhile investment.

Also, I have a Roku on each TV in the house. Premiere+, Ultra, and Stick. I have found the Stick to be very good for my needs. The Premiere+ and Ultra were on sale when I got them and are great but, honestly, if you are just using it for YouTube TV, the Stick it the best bang for the buck.

Good luck!

I own both my modem and my router, I do have a second router hooked up but it is broadcasting it's own network.


This is my modem:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A1E6BA2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/list-of-approved-cable-modems

Buy an authorized modem https://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Your-Home-Network/Approved-Xfinity-Modems-and-Gateways/td-p/3109887 Once you get it unscrew your rented modem and disconnect it. Cable from the wall to the modem. LAN from modem to router. Router to your devices including wifi connections. Call comcast and tell them you have your own modem now and they will ask you for information and numbers off of it. 10mins later your modem is up and running and your router will automagically handle it. From the router to your equipment read the docs.

btw, don't do cheap do approved and realize if you buy the lower tiered approved modems they are reaching EOL. For me I try and stay around 80 dollars new because at 12-13 dollars per month I break even in under 7 months.

I personally would suggest either of these two modems (stay away from Arris, or any other, with Intel inside) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A1E6BA2 or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BL65HS

If you are faster than 400mbps service skip those and go for a 32x8 or 32x16 version with a Broadcom chip in it not Intel.

any modem that is 16x4 and up is worth buying. I would get a modem like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480890350&sr=8-2&keywords=motorola+16x4+cable+modem+model+mb7420

This is what I'm using. https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2

Also, I'll admit I'm not very knowledgible about these devices or issues. But from a layman point based on what the descriptions and packaging says, I was expecting more.

Depends what your connection speed is. I use this modem and it's excellent for my 250Mb connection. On comcast's website you should be able to find a list of supported routers for various connection speeds.

This is a standalone modem, you'll need a router as well if you don't have one. You can also buy a combo modem/router like the one comcast rents, but they're generally much worse than having a separate modem + router.

you can nearly always buy your own modem as well.

and in Denver, that is what my buddy did at both his business and home, comcast has a page with "compatibility ratings" of the different modems that they will activate. and there are still plenty of standard modems on that list. it is the same way here, those that on cable or DSL etc. theyre usually given/leasing a combo device, but you can always go out and buy your own single function device.

where I live, and work, its fiber to the home and fiber to the dmarc. so we have an ONT that that converts that fiber signal and gives us a cat5 for internet, one for tv and another for phone. I can plug a switch in and multiple routers each getting their own address, or a single router using one address, or a single router with multiple configurable interfaces to grab multiple ip's across multiple ports.

edit to add: this device, your standard surfboard no routing, no funny business. plug in a switch and a couple routers if you want. this surfboard has a router built in, and if you cant disable the router funny business, yeah you may have trouble pulling multiple IPs. you shouldn't have trouble activating either one on comcast and many other major cable isp's.(you will want to verify ahead of time of course but....) and yeah, these aren't surfboards because arris bought that, but close enough.

Looks like the Netgear CM500 I saw on Amazon has that puma chip. Supposedly Motorola modems don't have that chip. Does this modem seem good? Right now I don't have access to the account so I can't see the Comcast modems page.


[Motorola MB7420] (https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1517889047&sr=1-9&keywords=cable+modem)


Also any wireless router would work? How is this?


[TP Link AC1900] (https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Smart-Router/dp/B00PDLRHFW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8)

Yes, it is a PC Game. I have ban evaded on it over 100 times before but I just realized from reading the comments that I need my own modem and I have a rental. So I plan on buying one tonight.

Thinking about this (https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1523294391&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Modem&psc=1)

What speed are you paying for?

Here's another good modem which is cheaper and faster downstream/upstream than the one I posted earlier.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01A1E6BA2&pd_rd_wg=mc95f&pd_rd_r=ZNB3RXWQGYS7DM0N24K1&pd_rd_w=wgC8d

Best of luck to you. Would love to hear an update.

I am considering getting this Modem: https://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=modem&qid=1564075883&s=gateway&sr=8-6

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and this router: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-R6700-Nighthawk-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00R2AZLD2/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=gaming+router&qid=1564076331&s=gateway&sr=8-5

​

good or no?

This would be the current version of the one I got 3 years ago

https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-XFINITY-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1475205609&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=docsis+3.0&psc=1

If you are in need of a modem that supports 16 downstream channels, I have a lightly used Motorola MB7420 I will sell you for cheap. I had it for a few months, and after fighting 3 months with Spectrum to fix chronic service issues, I got frustrated and replaced everything on my end to prove it wasn't my equipment (turned out it wasn't my stuff.)

https://motorolanetwork.com/mb7420.html

https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Certified-Comcast-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01A1E6BA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510233699&sr=8-2&keywords=motorola+mb7420&dpID=31TsxCwI8FL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Interesting, I thought Comcast Blast tiers were all 250+, but I know it's region dependent.

I assume you need a modem AND and router, not just a router.

If your plan is 150 down, you can get by with a 8x4 modem (if they'll allow it - not sure if they are end-of-life) or a 16x4 modem. Here is a 16x4 modem for $50.

As for a router, you can probably get by with an Archer A7 which is currently on sale for $45.

So, all in, you'd be looking at $95 + tax for a modem and router that should serve you well.

I can't get the Asus router for free (I'm using MintSim, which is a T-mobile based MVNO), but I can get it for $75. Seems to be a pretty good deal for such a powerful router. Thanks for the review.

I'm moving to a neighborhood with a lot of single family homes, so maybe I should just cut the cost and go with a 16x4. I was deciding between the Zoom and the Motorola ones. Would you recommend the Tplink one over either of those?