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

Motorola MB7621 vs Netgear CM2000V

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 narrow margin (3.6 vs 3.4). The gap is mostly about temporary solution users on DOCSIS 3.0-compatible ISPs — read the strengths below before deciding.

Motorola MB7621
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems
Motorola MB7621
$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 AmazonFull review →
Netgear CM2000V
Ranked #3 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems
Netgear CM2000V
$289.95as of Jul 1

The Netgear CM2000 Nighthawk is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem supporting up to 2.5Gbps speeds, offering reliable performance for users with faster internet plans. Customer reviews are mixed, with some noting significant speed improvements over older models while others found it no better than the CM1200. The modem's setup is straightforward but ISP activation can be problematic. It's best suited for users with multi-gigabit internet plans rather than those on standard Gigabit connections. Reddit users and Crutchfield reviewers reported both positive and negative experiences, with the main complaint being the activation process with Comcast/Xfinity.

Strengths
  • — Supports DOCSIS 3.1 technology for up to 2.5Gbps broadband speeds
  • — Easy setup process with standard web interface accessible at 192.168.100.1
  • — Compact design with clear status lights for troubleshooting
Watch-outs
  • — Does not provide noticeable speed improvements over older CM1200 model for some users
  • — Requires ISP activation which can be problematic and time-consuming
$289.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull 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 CM2000V

The Netgear CM2000V supports 2.5Gbps speeds, unlike the Arris SB8200 which is capped at 1Gbps, but it's less reliable than the Motorola MB8600 in terms of setup ease. Unlike the Motorola MB8611, it lacks 2.5Gbps Ethernet support, and unlike the Arris SBG8000, it doesn't include integrated Wi-Fi.

Specs side-by-side

SpecMotorola MB7621Netgear CM2000V
Docsis VersionDOCSIS 3.0DOCSIS 3.1
Max Download Speed500-900 Mbps2.5Gbps
Ethernet PortsGigabit Ethernet ports1x 2.5Gbps/1Gbps LAN, 1x Coax
Downstream Channels2432
Upstream Channels88
Dimensions7.25"L x 2.25"W x 7.88"H6.8 x 3.7 x 8.2 in
Weight—1.02lb
← See the full ranking of best standalone docsis 3.1 cable modems