10 Best Router Modem Combos 2025 in the United States

The NETGEAR Nighthawk Modem Router Combo (CAX30) is a strong contender in the router-modem-combo category, particularly for households and small businesses needing reliable and fast internet. With DOCSIS 3.1 compatibility, it supports internet plans up to 2Gbps, making it a great choice for heavy users such as gamers and streaming enthusiasts. The Wi-Fi 6 (AX2700) technology allows for fast wireless speeds up to 2.7Gbps, and it covers an area of up to 2,500 square feet, accommodating up to 25 devices simultaneously, which is impressive for larger homes or busy networks.

Strengths include its four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which allow for multiple wired connections and support port aggregation for increased bandwidth. The inclusion of a USB 3.0 port is a nice touch, enabling easy access to shared storage or other devices. Security features are robust, thanks to NETGEAR Armor for real-time protection against online threats, and automatic firmware updates ensure that the system stays secure.

However, it’s worth noting some drawbacks. While it is compatible with major cable providers like Xfinity and Spectrum, it does not support DSL services or bundled voice services, which could limit options for some users. Additionally, while the range is adequate for most residential needs, if you have a particularly large home or numerous obstacles (like walls), there may be areas with weaker signal strength. The price, while justifiable given the features, might be a bit high for those with basic internet needs who do not require such advanced performance. The Nighthawk CAX30 is excellent for cable internet users wanting high speeds and a solid security infrastructure, but it may not be necessary for users with basic internet needs or those using non-cable services.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80 is a solid choice if you’re looking for a modem-router combo that works well with major cable internet providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. It supports DOCSIS 3.1, the latest standard for cable modems, allowing internet plans of up to 2 Gigabits per second, making it future-proof for many fast internet packages. Featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology, it provides faster wireless speeds and supports 45 or more devices, which is ideal for busy homes or small offices. Its dual-band Wi-Fi covers about 3,000 square feet, suitable for average-sized houses.

The device includes one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and four standard Gigabit ports, offering multiple options for wired connections to devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs. In terms of security, it supports common WPA/WPA2 protocols to help keep your network safe. However, it is not compatible with DSL or fiber providers such as Verizon or AT&T, so it is limited to cable internet users. While it supports high speeds, the maximum internet plan it is built for is 2 Gbps, despite advertising up to 6 Gbps Wi-Fi speeds, which represent theoretical wireless throughput rather than actual internet speed.

Additionally, it is dual-band rather than tri-band, which might be a consideration if you have a very high number of devices or want extra bandwidth management. For those looking to avoid monthly rental fees and have cable internet from a supported provider, this device provides a powerful, all-in-one solution with modern features and good coverage.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30S is a solid choice if you have a cable internet plan up to 2Gbps from providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, or Cox. It combines a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a dual-band WiFi 6 router, offering speeds up to around 2.7Gbps, which suits most fast home internet requirements well. It supports the latest Wi-Fi standard (802.11ax), so you’ll get better performance and efficiency, especially with multiple devices — it can handle about 25 devices over a coverage area of up to 2,000 square feet. This makes it good for medium-sized homes and families with multiple users. Four Gigabit Ethernet ports let you connect wired devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs, and port aggregation can boost wired speed if your devices support it.

Security is a strong point here, with WPA3 support and NETGEAR Armor included for a year, which provides extra protection against online threats like hackers and malware. Setting it up is straightforward with the Nighthawk app. On the downside, it’s only compatible with cable providers and doesn’t work with DSL or fiber services like Verizon or AT&T. Also, it’s a dual-band router rather than tri-band, so in very busy Wi-Fi environments or very large homes, you might see some slowdown or limited coverage compared to tri-band models. The coverage and device capacity are decent but not for very large homes or heavy smart home setups.

The device offers a nice balance of speed, security, and ease of use for cable internet users looking to replace both modem and router in one device and save on rental fees.