Best Modem-Router Combos for Cable Internet 2025
Ready to free up shelf space and maximize your savings with an easy setup?
Aug 6, 2025 | Share
Equipment Guides, Featured
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Best overallNETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30
- $149.00
- Wi-Fi: AX2700
- Modem: 1,000Mbps
-
Best for budgetsARRIS SURFboard SBG10
- $77.98
- Wi-Fi: AC1600
- Modem: 680Mbps
-
Best for speedARRIS SURFboard G54
- $528.44
- Wi-Fi: BE18000
- Modem: 10,000Mbps
Amazon.com prices (as of 07/29/2025 15:45 MST). See full disclaimer.
Our pick: Which modem-router combo is best?
The NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30 modem-router combo (or gateway) is our top pick for most households. It works with most major cable internet providers and includes the handy Nighthawk app to make setting up and managing your Wi-Fi simple. Unless you have an internet plan over 2,000Mbps, the CAX30 packs plenty of speed. No matter what pick you go with, youāll be saving money and shelf spaceāall while dodging pesky rental fees.
In this roundup:
Best modem-router combos | What to look for | Best overall | Our verdict | FAQ
In this roundup:
The 5 best modem router combos
- Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30
- Best for budgets: ARRIS SURFboard SBG10
- Best for speed: ARRIS SURFboard G54
- Best range: NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80
- Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi CBK752
Compare modem-router combos specs and prices
Best for | Model | Wi-Fi max throughput | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30 | 2,700Mbps | $149.00 on Amazon |
Budgets | ARRIS SURFboard SBG10 | 1,600Mbps | $77.98 on Amazon |
Speed | ARRIS SURFboard G54 | 18,000Mbps | $528.44 on Amazon |
Range | NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80 | 6,000Mbps | $499.99 on Amazon |
Mesh | NETGEAR Orbi CBK752 | 4,200Mbps | $260.97 on Amazon |
Amazon.com prices (as of 07/29/2025 15:45 MST). See full disclaimer.
What should you look for in a modem-router combo?
The modem’s channel capacity and Wi-Fi version play a role in which modem-router combo is the best fit for your needs. You want something that can handle all your devices and your internet plan with ease.
There are also extra features some modem-router combos offer you may want to consider, like parental controls or extra security. Just remember that some extra features may require a subscription to use, so keep the extra cost in mind when you’re shopping for a new modem-router combo.
Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30

NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30
Specifications
- 2×2 OFDM/A channels (DOCSIS 3.1)
- 32×8 SC-QAM channels (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Wi-Fi 6 (AX2700)
- Up to 1,800Mbps (5 GHz)
- Up to 900Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Amazon.com price (as of 07/29/2025 at 15:45 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
One-year warranty
Multi-gig internet support
Cons
Subscription-locked features
NETGEARās Nighthawk CAX30 will provide multi-gig speeds and fulfill all of your internet needsāas long as you donāt have any unusual speed requirements. The CAX30 comes with handy VPN support and firewall protection to boost your network’s safety. NETGEAR is a solid and reliable brand, so you wonāt have to worry about any abnormal hardware issues.
All the added safety features make the CAX30 stand out above the rest. We all know you can never be too careful when it comes to cybersecurity. The price isnāt too shabby either and wonāt break the bank. These features make the CAX30 an overall great value and modem-router combo that will work for most households.
Best for budgets: ARRIS SURFboard SBG10

ARRIS SURFboard SBG10
Specifications
- 32×8 SC-QAM channels (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Wi-Fi 5 (AC1600)
- Up to 1,300Mbps (5 GHz)
- Up to 300Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Amazon.com price (as of 07/29/2025 at 15:45 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
Cheap price
SURFboard Central app
Cons
Doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6
Not compatible with some providers
If youāre on a budget and looking for an affordable modem-router combo, the ARRIS SURFboard SBG10 is a solid choice. Itās a good fit for smaller households or those with relatively low speed needs. You can use the SURFboard Central app to customize and manage your home network and use parental controls to limit internet usage.
The SBG10 provides an overall good value if you donāt have a plan over 400Mbps. You get a good bang for your buck that gets the job done, as long as youāre content with Wi-Fi 5 and donāt have more than 20 devices to connect to the internet. It’s not compatible with all cable internet providers, so be sure to check your provider’s modem compatibility list before you make the purchase.
Best for speed: ARRIS SURFboard G54

ARRIS SURFboard G54
Specifications
- 2×2 OFDM/A channels (DOCSIS 3.1)
- 32×8 SC-QAM channels (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Wi-Fi 7 (BE18000)
- Up to 11,800Mbps (6 GHz)
- Up to 2,900Mbps (5 GHz)
- Up to 600Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- 1x 10Gbps Ethernet port
Amazon.com price (as of 07/29/2025 at 15:45 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
10,000Mbps Ethernet port
Fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds
Cons
More expensive than other options
Reported reliability issues
If youāre looking for the latest technology that provides lightning-fast speeds, the ARRIS SURFboard G54 will be a great addition to your home network. Not only does the G54 come with an impressive 10,000Mbps Ethernet port, but youāll also get four additional Gigabit ports, giving you flexibility to achieve all your speed needs.
Youāll get to enjoy the most recent Wi-Fi 7 standard with the G54, making it a good long-term investmentāyou wonāt need to worry about an upgrade anytime soon. Even if you don’t have Wi-Fi 7 devices, the new spec delivers improved speeds to older devices based on our tests. The G54 comes with plenty of specs that justify the price if you have a larger household or high-speed needs.
Best for range: NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80

NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80
Specifications
- 2×2 OFDM/A channels (DOCSIS 3.1)
- 32×8 SC-QAM channels (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Wi-Fi 6 (AX6000)
- Up to 4,800Mbps (5 GHz)
- Up to 1,200Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet port
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Amazon.com price (as of 07/29/2025 at 15:45 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Link aggregation capabilities
Cons
Expensive pricetag
The NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80 is a great pick if youāre looking for a solid range from your modem-router combo. The CAX80 supports up to 30 devices, making it a viable option for most households.
The CAX80 offers link aggregation, giving you more flexibility to manage your home network. Youāll get coverage up to 2,500 square feet, giving you plenty of wiggle room. Overall, the CAX80 is a solid choice that gives you plenty of range and speed from one of the most established modem and router brands.
Best for mesh: NETGEAR Orbi CBK752

NETGEAR Orbi CBK752
Specifications
- 2×2 OFDM/A channels (DOCSIS 3.1)
- 32×8 SC-QAM channels (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Wi-Fi 6 (AX4200)
- Up to 2,400Mbps (5 GHz-2)
- Up to 1,200Mbps (5 GHz-1)
- Up to 1,200Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Amazon.com price (as of 07/29/2025 at 15:45 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Pros
Sleek design
Multi-gig speeds
Cons
Not compatible with internet plans over 1,000Mbps
No multi-gig ports
A household with a lot of electronic and smart devices is a great match for the tri-band Orbi CBK752. It covers up to 5,000 square feet, but if you really want to max out the range, you can expand coverage by 2,500 square feet with an Orbi Mesh WiFi 6 satelliteānow thatās going the extra mile for your home network.
The CBK752 can handle over 40 connected devices, making it a good choice even for larger households. The price is the cherry on top for the CBK752, making it a solid option that wonāt break the bank. If your goal is top-tier device connection, the CBK752 is the way to go.
Our verdict
Overall, we recommend the NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30. Itās compatible with major cable internet companies, easy to use, and isnāt too expensive, making it a solid investment for your home network. It’s a great fit for most households that offers plenty of speed and features from a reliable manufacturer.
FAQ about modem-router combos
Do modems affect your internet speed?
What modem-router combos are compatible with my provider?
What does Mbps mean?
What does AX4200 or similar mean?
What's the fastest plan these modem-router combos support?
Are modem-router combos the same as internet gateways?
Disclaimer
Amazon.com Prices (as of 07/29/2025 15:45 MST). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. HighSpeedInternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Author - Andrea GutierrezPrieto
After graduating from the University of Utah with an honors degree in Linguistics, Andrea Gutierrez Prieto transitioned from being an Analytic Linguist and Research Assistant to the HighSpeedInternet.com team. Andrea has a background in academic and research writing with a passion for helping readers make informed decisions. Off the clock, Andrea spends her time watching anime, reading manga, and baking delicious pastries at home.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the teamās writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelorās degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.