Head-to-head · Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Motorola MB7621 vs Netgear CM1100V

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Motorola MB7621 comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.6 vs 2.6). The gap is mostly about temporary solution users on DOCSIS 3.0-compatible ISPs — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Motorola MB7621

3.6

$79.99as of Jul 7

The Motorola MB7621 is a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem that delivers reliable performance in the right ISP environment, offering speeds between 500 and 900 Mbps with stable connections and cooler operation compared to some competitors. However, it's not suitable for plans exceeding 700 Mbps and faces obsolescence as Spectrum plans to end support by October 2026. Wirecutter selected it as 'the best modem for most people' in 2019, but its limitations make it a temporary solution for users planning future upgrades.

Strengths

— Operates on DOCSIS 3.0 with 24 downstream and 8 upstream channel bonding
— Runs on a Broadcom chipset that runs cooler than some rivals
— Provides stable connection in the right ISP environment with speeds between 500 and 900 Mbps

Watch-outs

— Not suitable for plans above 700 Mbps due to DOCSIS 3.0 protocol ceiling
— Spectrum is ending support for DOCSIS 3.0 modems on October 28, 2026

$79.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #6 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Netgear CM1100V

2.6

$179.99as of Jul 7

The Netgear CM1100 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem designed for retail distribution, particularly at Costco. While it features two Ethernet ports that enable Link Aggregation for speeds up to 2 Gbps with compatible routers, most home users will only utilize one port. Reviewers note it's a middle-ground option between the basic CM1000 and feature-rich CM1200, offering good value for those wanting future-proofing without the business features of the CM1200. However, the extra ports can confuse average users who don't understand they're for Link Aggregation or Multi-IP support rather than direct device connections.

Strengths

— Supports DOCSIS 3.1 standard for high-speed internet
— Includes two Ethernet ports for Link Aggregation capability
— Compact design suitable for retail distribution

Watch-outs

— Only one Ethernet port can be used for standard home setups
— Requires specific router settings to utilize both Ethernet ports
— Not a router itself, needs separate Wi-Fi router for home use

$179.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Motorola MB7621

The Motorola MB7621 is limited to DOCSIS 3.0 speeds, unlike the Arris SB8200 which supports DOCSIS 3.1, but it runs cooler than the Motorola MB8600. Unlike the Netgear CM1000, it doesn't support Gigabit speeds and is not future-proof, and unlike the Motorola MB8611, it lacks 2.5Gbps Ethernet support.

Netgear CM1100V

The Netgear CM1100V offers Link Aggregation capabilities, unlike the Arris SB8200 which is limited to 1Gbps, but it's less user-friendly than the Netgear CM1000. Unlike the Motorola MB8600, it doesn't support 6Gbps WAN speeds, and unlike the Motorola MB8611, it lacks 2.5Gbps Ethernet support.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Motorola MB7621	Netgear CM1100V
Docsis Version	DOCSIS 3.0	3.1
Max Download Speed	500-900 Mbps	2 Gbps
Ethernet Ports	Gigabit Ethernet ports	2 Ports
Downstream Channels	24	32 down channels
Upstream Channels	8	8 up channels
Dimensions	7.25"L x 2.25"W x 7.88"H	11.2 x 7.3 x 1.9 inches
Weight	—	1.6 pounds

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