The 7 Best Modem Router Combo for Xfinity in 2022

Without a modem and router, you can’t make the best use of Xfinity internet. While the modem acts as the bridge between an internet device in your possession and your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the router helps you connect more devices to the internet.

In other words, your modem can work with only one device, while the router will act as a dispatcher between the modem and other internet-capable devices like your TV, smartphone, printers, and much more.

Most homes or offices are used to getting the router and modems as separate devices. Though they may have reasons for that, getting a 2-in-1 device is ideal. Aside from the convenience it gives, you will love many other features that are discussed below.

A modem-router combo is often called a Gateway, and most ISPs on sign up give you the option to rent one at a low monthly fee. Xfinity, for example, gives you a $14/mo combo option; at first look, this may seem cheap, but when you punch it into your calculator, you’ll discover that in a year, you are paying almost double of what it will cost you if you purchase your modem-router combo.

Yes, having a combo satisfies the phrase “less is more,” it doesn’t still mean that you should go for anything basic. So, this article will give you the best modem router combo for Xfinity and the reasons why you should go for it.

How to choose a modem and router combo for Comcast Xfinity?

Before suggesting the best Xfinity modem router available, let’s first see what you should consider when picking one. As the prices vary, so does the effectiveness.

ISP Compatibility

They are a considerable amount of ISPs available, and not all will accept any modem-router combo. One of the reasons being that, since cable companies run large networks, it is ideal that the gateway combination device must be 100% compatible with their services.

They also need to include your combo when they push out updates to. It is best you find out if your combo is compatible with your preferred ISP by either checking with them or browsing on Google. If you use Comcast Xfinity, chances are every combo you select is compatible with them; however, you should still check to confirm.

Security

It would be best if you looked out for security when picking a modem router combination unit. We can’t emphasize how much data a hacker can get if they gain access to your network. If you have a combo that uses the DOCSIS 3-0 protocol, then your connection’s security is guaranteed.

State your Purpose

Combo varies in so many things; speed and range are typical examples. Before selecting a modem-router combination unit, you should first define your purpose. A Gateway for a large office will vary from that for a small household. They are also specific devices perfect for intense resource activities such as gaming and those for mild internet activities like streaming Netflix.

Number of Ports

This might seem insignificant, but you should consider the number of ports available. It is best you go for a gateway combo with more ports than necessary to avoid a shortage of free ports in the future. These days, the wired link of routers is used, so you should consider this.

Basic Features

No doubt, a combo’s work is to adequately spread the network among all internet devices connected to it. Nevertheless, they are different features each combination unit offers. You should consider these features and be sure they meet your needs.

The combos speed and how stable it operates should be taken into consideration. You should also know its range and signal encryption level. The WiFi standard is another important feature you should look out for. All these will help you understand the model you should select and how they will satisfy your need.

Note that the prices and feature quality somehow go in parallel with each other.

Check for the Standard

Your gateway’s protocol and connection standard affect the information downloaded and uploaded alongside the speed and quality.

Random things to consider

Look out for reviews online; well-known brands often have the best reviews. The LAN, number of antennae, and antenna type are random things you should consider too.

7 Best Modem and Router Combo for Xfinity

Below is our list of recommended modem router combo for Comcast. We made this selection based on the points noted in the section above.

We considered the features most people look out for when choosing a device responsible for their internet connection.

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000

One of the best modem routers for Xfinity is the Netgear Nighthawk C7000. This device is both reliable and affordable. One of its attractive features is its slim aesthetic nature. This is because all of its antennas are packed inside and not protruded outside like others.

The C7000 can handle Xfinity’s Extreme Pro and many other high-speed plans without any glitch. It is a 32×8 channel bonding modem over the famous DOCSIS 3.0, so be rest assured that your network is secured and fast.

C7000 supports WPA and WPA2 as well as WEB security protocols. Despite lacking external antennas, it can cover up to 1,800 square feet at a speed of up to 1.3Gbps over 600Mbps on the 2.4GHZ side or 5GHz band. So, when we say “Speed,” the Nighthawk C700 answers “Present.”

Using this combo, you can game over WiFi without worrying about too much packet loss; you can also enjoy 4k streaming so that they won’t need a long Ethernet cable for every device in your house.

The Nighthawk C7000 is equipped to connect up to 30 gadgets while making room for 4 gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB ports for other gadgets that need physical connections. It’s one of those Comcast-compatible modems and routers you can get out there.

Pros

• It is compatible with Xfinity
• It- Quite easy to set up
• Allows connection on up to 30 devices
• DOCSIS 3.0

Cons

• Doesn’t accept all ISPs
• Lacking advanced features like QoS and MU-MIMO

2. Motorola MG7700

One brand that always comes up when we talk about cable modems is Motorolla, and its MG7700 can attest to that. Combining its 24×8 DOCSIS 3.0 channel with an AC1900 Dual-Band WiFi router, the MG7700 gives you nothing but high-speed WiFi access in a small and inconspicuous package.

It is one of those Comcast compatible modems and routers by Motorola. It is perfect for Xfinity Extreme Pro of about 1000Mbps while still giving room for more speed. It comes equipped with a built-in AC 1900 dual-band wireless router and also offers a firewall and the awesome Power Boost capability.

This feature has been said to amplify the WiFi signal to cover a larger space. People report it covering up to 3400 sq. ft area and even reaching the house’s 3rd floor.

It features up to four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which will be compatible with your computers and other Ethernet-capable machines. Its Broadcom cable Chipset is something noteworthy as it provides detailed security from Denial of Service attacks.

Its design is another noteworthy aspect. It won’t take up much shelf space while giving room for enough cooling, which increases its life span.

Pros

• Offers the ability to increase speed range with its power boost.
• Good wireless coverage
• Offers 1900 Mbps Dual-band WiFi
• Its connection is both reliable and secure
• Good browsing and downloading speed

Cons

• Most may find it expensive
• No telephone jack

3. NETGEAR Nighthawk C7800 X4s – DOCSIS 3.1

NETGEAR always delivers with its modem-router combo. Its C7800 X4s is one of those modem routers for Xfinity that uses the DOCSIS 3.1 feature, which means blazing speed. It is one of the first cable modems to include the DOCSIS 3.1 feature. It works with so many other major cable providers perfectly.

Its outer casing isn’t made from cheap plastic, which is a breath of fresh air compared to others. The Nighthawk C7800 is one of the few approved combo devices for Gigabit Xfinity service. Its speed range is even proven to supersede the Gigabit range, reaching up to 2 Gig.

It is often rumored to be among the most powerful combo device around, with a wide range of up to 3000 sq. ft while still allowing you to connect over 40 devices. It offers 3200 Mbps on an AC3200 WiFi speed.

It comes with 2 USB ports and 4 gigabit Ethernet ports, which is enough for your computers, printers, game boxes, and much more. At the same time, it’s Quad-Stream Wave 2 WiFi is ideal for wireless devices. With its WEP, and WPA/WPA2 security protocol, be rest assured that your data is in safe hands.

Pros

• DOCSIS 3.1 (the latest at the moment)
• WiFi speed reaching 3200 Mbps
• Covers up to 3000 sq. ft
• Extremely Fast
• Perfect for online gaming, UHD and 4K video streaming
• Supports Xfinity Gigabit Service

Cons

• Expensive
• Users might experience problems with Cox/Spectrum

4. Netgear C6250

We can probably agree that Netgear knows what it means to create a modem-router combo; their C6250 is another big name. Supposing you need a gateway for a small living space, then the Netgear C6250 is a perfect choice. With this, you and your household can enjoy the latest Netflix shows and Hulu movies without interruption.

As a compatible Comcast modem router combo, it will work great with the Xfinity Performance Starter,  Plus, or Pro, which can reach up to 300Mbps. Many users attest that this device is easy to use and set up while allowing them to stream HD video seamlessly.

It comes equipped with a fast WiFi that can cover up to 1500 sq. ft and accommodate up to 25 devices with AC1600 speed reaching 1600Mbps. It is a DOCSIS 3.0 device that offers quite a number of security capabilities like parental control.

As a device perfect for small spaces, it offers 2 gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 USB port that guarantees a fast internet connection with your Ethernet external devices like printers, game boxes, and computers.

Another unique feature it offers is the Genie mobile app that grants you control, such as connecting, monitoring, and sharing files. It is the perfect choice for modest bandwidth services.

Pro

• DOCSIS 3.0
• Compatible with Xfinity
• Perfect for those under a budget (affordable)
• Perfect for most homes

Cons

• Just 2 gigabit Ethernet ports
• Less space coverage compared to others

5. Motorola MT7711

The MT7711 is a modem router combo compatible with Xfinity as it was specifically made for it. Another feature that sets it above the rest is that it offers a voice gateway built-in. If you use your ISP for voice telephone service, you should go for this combo unit to support Comcast Xfinity voice service.

This device is one of most people’s favorite. That’s understandable due to its quality material, durability, powerful WiFi quality, and straightforward installation.

It supports 24 upstream and 8 downstream DOCSIS 3.0 channels alongside an AC1900 WI-FI performance. It also comes equipped with a Power Boost, which can amplify your wireless signal to a significant legal range.

It has four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two Xfinity Internet and Voice with an internet speed of up to 400Mbps. Its dual-band WI-FI offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz coverage, including beamforming which assists to pivot and improve your wireless signals.

Since it was explicitly designed for Comcast Xfinity, you wouldn’t have difficulty setting it up. In a few minutes, you can register to have this combination unit up and running. Not to forget, your telephone service will always be up as it allows space for an optional battery backup module in case there’s a power outrage.

Pros

• Offers voice ports.
• Good WiFi performance
• Perfect for Comcast Xfinity
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Only accepts Comcast Xfinity

6. Motorola MG7550

Motorola comes on number six with its MG7550. Denial of Service attacks is one of the common menace plaguing internet users.

To tackle this and other security breaches, most Motorola internet devices have an in-built Broadcom chipset, which is not only equipped to protect against the above internet plague but offers reliability and high performance.

MG7550 is perfect for the Comcast Xfinity Blast Pro, which can reach up to 250Mbps, although it can support an internet service of up to 375Mbps. It features a built-in high-speed WiFi router with an AC1900 WiFi that can provide adequate internet access to significant WiFi devices like your smartphone, tablets, HDTVs, and much more.

It offers four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which are perfect for your wired devices. The MG7500 power boost wireless Power Boost can further increase the wireless signal to the stipulated legal limit, giving you higher speed and range.

Its routers can work on WI-FI DFS frequencies compared to other routers making it less vulnerable to your neighbors’ WiFi interference.

A tip you should consider, use the 2.4Ghz band for your mobile devices, which has a higher coverage distance, while the 5Ghz will be perfect for your laptops at a higher speed.

Pro

• Can cover up to 3000 sq. ft
• It offers 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
• Its Power Boost is reliable
• Great wireless coverage
• WiFi speed reaches 1.9Gbps

Cons

• You might find other better options in the same price range.

7. ARRIS SBG8300

Finally, we have the ARRIS SBG8300, which is kind of new in the world of Comcast compatible modems and routers. It was quite rare to find combo devices that support DOCSIS 3.1 protocol and Gigabit speeds until the birth of the ARRIS SBG8300.

Compared to the Netgear Nighthawk C7800, which supports the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol, the SBG8300 is quite affordable. As a product that was released in mid-2019, it has garnered a considerable amount of support.

This combo includes a modem, an AC2350 dual-band WiF and a 4-port gigabit router making it a 3-in-1 gadget. It is one of the best modem router combos for Xfinity and can also work with COX providers and Spectrum ISP. Its WiFi can reach an outstanding speed of up to 2350 Mbps.

Its modem can reach up to 10+ Gbps; therefore, you can stream videos in ultra-HD and enjoy your online games without buffering.

Suppose your ISP isn’t compatible with the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol, or you prefer something less. The SBG8300 is backward-compatible, which means you can roll back on the DOCSIS 3.0, which is quite common. With its 32×8 channel support, getting the SBG8300 is somehow an investment in the future.

Because it has been certified by significant cable modem providers like Xfinity and COX, plus the Arris Surfboard Manager app, which is available on Android and iOS devices, you can easily set it up even with Alexa.

For top-notch security, the SBG8300 gives an option to connect to McAfee Secure Home Internet, making it a security stronghold.

Pros

• DOCSIS 3.1
• It offers 32 downstream and eight upstream
• Compatible with Xfinity
• It supports 4 Gigabit cable internet plans
• It supports advanced WiFi standards like Wave 2 (beamforming, MU-MIMO, etc.)
• Can accommodate multiple devices

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Lacks USB ports

How To setup your modem and router with Comcast?

Follow the steps below to set up or self-activate your modem and router with Comcast. You don’t need to call Xfinity as you can do it from the comfort of your room. Before we go about the steps, they are a few things you should have handy and also confirm.

1. Your Comcast Xfinity account number, account holder’s name, and the phone number you used to register your Xfinity account should be available (You can find your a/c number in your monthly billing statement).

2. You can substitute your account number and phone number for your comecast.net username/password.
   
3. Comcast must approve your modem (brand); you can check this link for a list of approved modems.
   
4. You should check to be sure your computer isn’t configured to use any other DNS server. You are to use only Comcast DNS servers.
   
5. It is best you connect to your Modem or WiFi Cable Modem Router instead of a 3rd party router.

Installations

1. Connect the modem to the existing cable outlet in your home. It is usually the outlet where you have connected a leased line modem or your Comcast Cable to the TV. Make sure it is finger tight connected to avoid signal loss.
   
2. Plug in your modem to the Coax cable and switch on.
   
3. The Online LED should turn solid green or white; this color varies with your device. This step is necessary.

How To activate properly

1. Visit the following URL: https://xfinity.com/activate to access the Xfinity website.
    
2. If you haven’t created an account, input the required details, then proceed. If you have, enter your username and password in the field provided.
   
3. Click on the Continue/Next button often at the center of your screen. It will carry out a few remote tests then confirm if a Connection is Established.
   
4. Click on the Continue button; your modem might reboot. Allow some time for the Online LED to be solid white.
   
5. It then confirms if the Activation is completed.
   
6. Once you see the Complete Activation page, you connect your router.

In rare conditions, your self-activation may not work. In such situations, you should retry the steps.  If you keep meeting the “this device cannot be activated, call 1-800-XFINITY” screen, you will have to phone Xfinity.

Most times, if an account has multiple modems or multiple addresses, the self-activation might fail. Additionally, if you got your modem from Amazon, you might have 90-days of free tech support.

Is it better to get a modem router combo or separate?

A router and modem can be purchased separately. You can go for a Gateway, which is the combination of both in one device. Modems can not function without a router, while all routers can do their jobs without a modem.

To set up a router and a modem separately, you need to know what you are doing since you might get confused along the way, while setting up a combo is relatively straightforward. You can do this once and never have to worry again.

There are also too many wires when dealing with separate devices, which often brings about an unpleasant sight. On the other hand, there are fewer wires when dealing with a combo making your surroundings organized and presentable.

When you encounter issues with your combo, you will simply be complaining to one company, not having two companies blaming each other’s devices.

One other exciting fact with modem-router combination units is, your ISPs will likely be the ones to run updates. They often push updates they believe are perfect for you. If you don’t have enough knowledge about routers and modems, you will benefit the most from this.

Most Gateways offer extra features, and these days, they are almost as effective as getting separate devices.

The combo is way more affordable than its counterpart, and it is best suited for home basic users. Simultaneously, offices and those who have a high demand for the internet use separate devices.

FAQs

Conclusion

If you were searching for the best modem router combo for Xfinity, then this guide has you covered. Before we listed the best seven available, we first showed you things to consider when picking a modem and router combo; we made mention of the speed, the range, the security, the ISP compatibility, and much more.

Later in, we gave you the best 7 to pick from; you can always rely on Netgear or Motorola to give the best internet device; we also introduced you to a new player in the game, the ARRIS SBG8300 stating their specs and pros and cons to consider. 

We also showed you how to set up your modem and router with Comcast, then gave you reasons to go for a combination unit over separate devices. Thank you for stopping by; share with us which modem-router combo you’ll settle for.