Looking for a modem to pair with the Google WiFi is no joke. You’d want to search for a unique modem to work with the incredibly efficient Google WiFi device. The good news is that it works with any modem. However, you must ensure if the modem is compatible with your service provider or not and if it has the features you really require?
As a result of our tests, we have concluded the NETGEAR CM1000 to be the worthy option, because of its wide compatibility, reliability, and rapid performance.
Still, since we’re looking for the modem that fits your service plan, let’s look at a compiled list of modems ideal for your Google WiFi experience.
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Top 3 Picks of Modems for Google WiFi
| Top Pick | Best on Budget | Best Performance |
| NETGEAR CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem | ARRIS Surfboard SB6183 Cable Modem | Motorola MB7621 Cable Modem |
Widely compatible Excellent performance Gigabit speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 Stylish design Two years of warranty | Compatible with major ISPs Ventilated design Easy setup through the app Low price unit Two years of warranty | Approved by popular internet providers Rapid fast performance Easy setup Show stealing performance Two years of warranty |
How We Did the Test?
We began the test by picking out 15 well-reputed modems on the market. Then started our tests on them with Comcast Xfinity’s 600 Mbps service plan. Because we chose the top-rated modems, they were all the best in different aspects.
Therefore, we primarily focused on the following factors to finalize the product’s spot on our list.
Compatibility:
First, we ensured the products are broadly compatible. We aren’t here talking about its compatibility with Google WiFi, but most service providers. Because it’s crucial for the modem to be compatible with your service plan to pipe the internet to your home.
Performance:
No matter what the cost is, if a device doesn’t perform as expected or as it claims, it’s of no use. Thus, we kept a strict eye on each modem’s performance. The performance of a modem includes its speeds, stability, and heat handling.
Reliability:
Why pay for a product when it isn’t found to be reliable enough? Based on the previous experiences of purchasers, we judged how reliable these modems are. Also, a product can be expected to be reliable depending on its warranty duration.
Because, with a lengthy warranty, the money spent won’t be at risk in case of sudden device failure. Therefore, we ensured a long warranty period saves your loss if something goes wrong.
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Comparison of the 6 Best Modems for Google WiFi
| NETGEAR CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem | ARRIS Surfboard SB6183 Cable Modem | Motorola MB7621 Cable Modem | |
| Product type | Cable Modem | Cable Modem | Cable Modem |
| Technology | DOCSIS 3.1 | DOCSIS 3.0 | DOCSIS 3.0 |
| Channels | 32 x 8 | 16 x 4 | 24 x 8 |
| Max Download Speed | 1 Gbps | 686 Mbps | 650 Mbps |
| Gigabit Ethernet Ports | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 Cable Modem | NETGEAR Cable Modem CM700 | Motorola MB8611 Cable Modem |
| Cable Modem | Cable Modem | Cable Modem |
| DOCSIS 3.1 | DOCSIS 3.0 | DOCSIS 3.1 |
| 32 x 8 | 32 x 8 | 32 x 8 |
| 2 Gbps | 800 Mbps | 2.5Gbps |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
What Makes a Modem Best For Use with Google WiFi?
Since Google WiFi doesn’t have any specific requirements for a modem, you’re all on your own to choose a modem and complete your networking setup. So now, depending on what you want, you can pick a modem.
But if your needs aren’t clear, you can check the following guide of considering specific things when deciding on a modem to pair with Google WiFi.
Compatibility:
Before you look upon your needs, the modem’s compatibility with your ISP and service plan should be seen first. If you plan to buy a specific modem, make sure your service provider approves it for usage on their network.
Here, the type of internet service should be compatible with the modem too. Confirm if you’re a DSL, Cable, or Fiber service subscriber, then find a modem that supports your service.
DOCSIS Technology:
The modem’s technology is the next important decision. DOCSIS technology decides how advanced a modem you want. Because the DOCSIS standard actually affects your speeds.
Currently, the ISPs support two DOCSIS versions 3.0 and 3.1. While DOCSIS 3.1 is the most advanced and delivers gigabit speeds, DOCSIS 3.0 is fast too, but not as its successor. So go with the one that supports your service plan or higher if you intend to upgrade your service later.
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Channels:
If you’re choosing a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, the modem’s supported upstream and downstream channels are another thing to consider. Because these are what enable your modem to use specific speeds.
So more downstream and upstream channels mean more download and upload speeds. Therefore, according to your service plan, decide the channels you want. You can also buy a modem with more channels than you need to allow for future upgrades.
Design:
This is optional, but you can still look into it if you want a modem with an appealing design. This also includes the vents for heat dissipation, LED indicating lights, and ports placed on them.
Review of Top 6 Best Modems for Google WiFi
Let’s go through the review of each product one by one. This way, you will be able to make the decision on your own which one modem should you really buy for the Google WiFi.
1. NETGEAR CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem
| Features: · Compatible with major service providers · Up to 10x faster speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 · Ready for future upgrades · Gigabit Ethernet port · Two years of the limited warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 0.84 lbs |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 5.4 x 5.9 x 8.8 inches |
| IPv4 Support | No |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
An aggressive appearing modem with a smart design, gigabit capacity, approved for major ISPs and delivers the fastest speeds. Isn’t it all that seems a perfect match with your Google WiFi device?
Yes, we have it all here in the face of the NETGEAR CM1000. With sharp edges and an all-vent design, the CM1000 shows some high-end features with the advanced and improved DOCSIS 3.1 protocol.
This enables multiple connections for you, with 32 downstream channels that give you a downstream bandwidth of 1.2 Gbps. Along with 8 upstream channels of 304 Mbps uploading bandwidth.
With such incredible gigabit speed, the CM1000 is relatively easy to use and install and also saves you up with a two-year warranty. Also, because it’s one of the most compatible modems on the market, the CM1000 is our top choice and a pretty good bet.
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Plus Point: The NETGEAR CM1000 is certified with Xfinity for speeds up to 800Mbps, Cox for speeds up to 1Gbps, and Spectrum for speeds up to 1Gbps.
| PROS | CONS |
| Stylish and modern design | No link aggregation support |
| Gigabit speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 | |
| Two years of warranty |
2. ARRIS Surfboard SB6183 Cable Modem
| Features: · Compatible with major U.S. service providers · Gigabit Ethernet Port · Provides Spectrum Analyzer capability · Energy-efficient Ethernet · Two years warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 0.83 |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 5.4 x 5.9 x 8.8 inches |
| IPv4 Support | Yes |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
Budget-conscious people will not be overlooked. But balancing the budget factor with the features required gets a bit complicated.
Still, ARRIS took the back with the SURFboard SB6183 providing a complete combo of admirable look, great performance, and well pricing.
Even though it comes at a cheap price, this white box still has a look worth staring at. While, once you look into the technical specifications, you’re more surprised.
The SB6183 is equipped with the DOCSIS 3.0 technology and bonded channels of 16 downstream and 4 upstream. This potent equipment yields a 600 Mbps speed of connection for your high-quality streaming and gaming sessions.
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Plus Point: For the ARRIS SURFboard SB6183, you can easily manage your network settings from mobile through the ARRIS SURFboard Manager App.
| PROS | CONS |
| Reliable Broadcom chipset | LED lights are too bright |
| Simple design with vent holes | |
| Support for IPv4 and IPv6 protocols |
3. Motorola MB7621 Cable Modem
| Features: · Compatible with popular service providers · Full-Band Capture digital tuner · Flexible networking with IPv4 and IPv6 support · Quick and simple setup · Two years of warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 1.0 lbs |
| Color | Gray |
| Dimensions | 7.25 x 2.25 x 7.88 inches |
| IPv4 Support | Yes |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
There’s no denying the fact that Motorola produces quality modems that aren’t left out by any service provider. Such is Motorola’s MB7621 that stood out for its brilliant performance under stressed networks.
This standard-designed modem has no special looks but still throws out the heat pretty well through the vents on it. Because how’d it not produce some heat with its two-year’s robust specs.
With the specs, it has the DOCSIS 3.0 technology, along with 24 downstream and upstream channels. This enables 650 Mbps of download bandwidth. In actuality, the speeds are met with the same bandwidth as advertised.
With all this, the MB7621 also includes a list of user-friendly features for easy setup and use of the modem. If you plan to give it a go, the two-year warranty will ensure you’re served with a long time span.
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Plus Point: For modem safety, the Motorola MB7621 design includes a ruggedized lighting circuit and a power surge.
| PROS | CONS |
| Lightning-fast speeds | Standard design |
| Easy-to-use power button | |
| Exceptional performance |
4. ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem
| Features: · Compatible with popular service providers · Easy setup through SURFboard Central app · Two 1 Gigabit Ethernet port · Two years warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 1.46 lbs |
| Color | White |
| Dimensions | 5 x 2 x 5 inches |
| IPv4 Support | Yes |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
We have the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 onboard for those who are always looking to the future. Because this one knows the thing of being future-proof, full-featured, and good value for money all at the same.
It won’t be any wrong if we call it the most popular gigabit modem on the market. That’s the very reason you’ll see it on every service provider’s compatible list. The white plastic casing of this efficient modem has no fancy design but a mix of LED lights, ports, and vents.
On the inside, the modem is equipped with the latest, fastest, and most reliable DOCSIS 3.1. About channel bonding, the modem has 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels, making it great for gigabit plans of up to 2 Gbps.
So if you want to connect your small home and office to the World Wide Web, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 has a lot more features, user-friendly usage, and a two-year limited warranty in the box.
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Plus Point: The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is equipped with the reliable Broadcom BCM3390 Chipset, which is used as a replacement for the faulty Intel Puma Chipset.
| PROS | CONS |
| Efficient performance | Poor customer support |
| Future-proof DOCSIS 3.1 | |
| Supports link aggregation | |
| Quick and easy setup |
5. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM700
| Features: · Widely compatible with major ISPs · Gigabit Ethernet Port · Optimized, lag-free performance · Two years warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 0.55 lbs |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 1.7 x 6.6 x 5.2 inches |
| IPv4 Support | Yes |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
While the NETGEAR CM1000 stood out to be our top pick, its cheaper version the NETGEAR CM700 didn’t miss the chance But took a spot with the same top tier performance at a reasonable price, as expected from a premium modem.
With an upgraded design as compared to previous releases, the CM700 has an all-black, sharp-angled, aggressive yet subtle look with vent holes to keep away the heat. Once it is installed with a complete hands-off setup procedure, this will give you a punch of speed with the DOCSIS 3.0 modem technology.
Following the channel bonding of 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. So you can download at maximum speeds of 800 Mbps, which is pretty enough for the fastest downloading of your favorite 4K movie.
Just like its advanced model, the CM700 rests compatible with the major service providers. So you can find it on your ISP’s list quite easily. With these great specs and tons of other features, the NETGEAR CM700 also brings a two-year warranty, proving to be a great buy.
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Plus Point: With the latest Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), the NETGEAR CM700 provides enhanced security and consistent connectivity.
| PROS | CONS |
| Great design with vent holes | Only one Ethernet port |
| Good value for money | |
| Easy setup and usage |
6. Motorola MB8611 DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gig Cable Modem
| Features: · Broadly Compatible with most ISPs · 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Port · Broadcom Full-Band Capture Digital Tuner · Active Queue Management · Two years warranty |
Specifications:
| Weight | 0.06 lbs |
| Color | Grey |
| Dimensions | 7.25 x 2.25 x 7.88 inches |
| IPv4 Support | Yes |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Telephone Voice Ports | No |
| Wi-Fi Standard | – |
Product Review:
Finally, Motorola’s other popular modem, the MB8611, is another deserving option to team up with your Google WiFi device. This is because of its future-proof support for internet plans of up to 2500 Mbps.
However, you can rarely check it out for such a plan because service providers aren’t even offering it at the moment. But tested with the other plans, the MB8611 gives a treat of some high-end performance.
With the same Motorola’s traditional, standard design, this premium modem packs up the latest DOCSIS 3.1 modem standard. It offers blazing-fast multi-gig speeds through 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels.
Not only this, but it also includes a plethora of features and a two-year warranty to set you on the safe side. Therefore, this might not be a modem for everyone, but if you’ll be making a purchase and forget about it, the Motorola Mb8611 is surely worth a shot.
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Plus Point: To minimize lag and enable a smooth networking experience, the Motorola MB8611 has the Active Queue Management (AQM) feature.
| PROS | CONS |
| Future-proof | Lacks link aggregation support |
| Multi-gig blazing fast speeds | |
| Reliable performance | |
| Two-years of warranty |
Conclusion
Since Google WiFi is an advanced device, designed to boost your networks, it needs an equally advanced modem for the best results. Therefore, these were all the options capable of delivering high-speed connections when paired with Google WiFi.
However, because all these are worth a shot, choosing one may perplex you. To simplify it even more, you can blindly trust our top choice, the popular NETGEAR CM1000. For it screams quality that you may not want to miss.
