probably gunna go with the slow 100 mbps service for cost reasons but want my own equipment. Anyone have any good recomendations?
Need a good spectrum cable modem and a good wifi router.
- Thread starter Fordiesel69
- Start date
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
Use their modem but your own Wifi router.
I speak from experience. If you use your own modem and have any problems they will blame it on your modem. Using their modem makes it easy to isolate problems on your end. Suppose you lost your wireless capability. Plug a Lan cable directly into their modem. If you have internet connectivity it's a problem at your end.
Scott
Edit: I just looked at my bill and see no charge for their modem.
I speak from experience. If you use your own modem and have any problems they will blame it on your modem. Using their modem makes it easy to isolate problems on your end. Suppose you lost your wireless capability. Plug a Lan cable directly into their modem. If you have internet connectivity it's a problem at your end.
Scott
Edit: I just looked at my bill and see no charge for their modem.
Yes ...... I think Charter ( Spectrum) gives you a Modem .
Meh, I've had same provider for years, now Spectrum owned and never had them blame my modem. I've owned my own for over 20 years, I mean they were replaced a few times to keep up with newer standards and higher speeds, but never a problem.
What the techs have always wanted to do instead was replace the cabling. Once, on an underground stretch from the street junction box to my residence outside box, that was really needed. The rest of the time, the techs were clueless as the signal strength was not low, nor intermittent.
IIRC, with a new account, Spectrum throws in a modem for a year or two but then starts charging a monthly rental on it. I'd just pick up any Docsis 3 or better 3.1 that has at least 16 channels, or better 32 or more in case they give you a free upgrade over 100Mb or at some point you decide you want more. Spectrum should have a list of compatible modems on their website.
Wifi router, much larger topic. Depends on the standards the clients support, range needed, # of clients, budget, etc. Get at least an AC model if not AX, and you are better off getting one with a USB port even if you never intend to use it because that typically means it comes with a higher capacity, longer lasting power brick.
I assume you wanted makes and models but there are several to choose from. Offhand, one of the most supported modem brands ,and decent quality is Motorola, something like an MB7621. Router, as already stated there are just too many to pick one, but Asus usually makes good routers and at a similar $75 price point, maybe something like their AX1800 model.
Routers, it's really a tough topic, I mean I have had flawless service from many models that some people swear are problematic, but on the hand I only use routers that I can flash DD-WRT to, and run that. I've had to repair a few due to burst capacitors so ideally you'd get one that does not have any internal electrolytic caps. If you don't know, you can look up internal pics on FCC's website.
What the techs have always wanted to do instead was replace the cabling. Once, on an underground stretch from the street junction box to my residence outside box, that was really needed. The rest of the time, the techs were clueless as the signal strength was not low, nor intermittent.
IIRC, with a new account, Spectrum throws in a modem for a year or two but then starts charging a monthly rental on it. I'd just pick up any Docsis 3 or better 3.1 that has at least 16 channels, or better 32 or more in case they give you a free upgrade over 100Mb or at some point you decide you want more. Spectrum should have a list of compatible modems on their website.
Wifi router, much larger topic. Depends on the standards the clients support, range needed, # of clients, budget, etc. Get at least an AC model if not AX, and you are better off getting one with a USB port even if you never intend to use it because that typically means it comes with a higher capacity, longer lasting power brick.
I assume you wanted makes and models but there are several to choose from. Offhand, one of the most supported modem brands ,and decent quality is Motorola, something like an MB7621. Router, as already stated there are just too many to pick one, but Asus usually makes good routers and at a similar $75 price point, maybe something like their AX1800 model.
Routers, it's really a tough topic, I mean I have had flawless service from many models that some people swear are problematic, but on the hand I only use routers that I can flash DD-WRT to, and run that. I've had to repair a few due to burst capacitors so ideally you'd get one that does not have any internal electrolytic caps. If you don't know, you can look up internal pics on FCC's website.
Most/all the plans they probably give you one of their modems to use. If you use your own, make sure it's on this list: https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/compliant-modems-spectrum-network
Avoid modem/router combo devices. They can work fine, but troubleshooting is more difficult when something goes wrong, and making changes in the settings can be more annoying.
Arris SB6183(16x4), SB8200(32x8), S33(32x8, 2.5Gb WAN port or any Motorola modem. All of those use the rock-solid Broadcom cable chipset and tuner. Those do not have Intel Puma chipsets that afflict the SB6190 and the Touchstone series(Comcast rental gateways including the 1st generation gray XFi) as well as all of Spectrum’s rental Ubee/Hitron/Arris modems.
Any mesh setup - I’ve had success with Netgear Orbi and Amazon’s
eero.
Any mesh setup - I’ve had success with Netgear Orbi and Amazon’s
eero.
Router = Motorola AC 2600 / Model MR 2600 would be fine for your at $100
A/C routers are a router generation older now but at 500 Mbps or lower you would never know the difference. The router is rock solid, stable and range unbeatable.
I still use it with my Spectrum modem and our service is now bumped up to 300 Mbps.
If I were you, I assume Spectrum gives you a free modem and only charges for a router like they do here in SC.
So take their free modem, the good thing about that is it will automatically get security updates ect, if not, check their website for recommended brands.
I do have an Arris SC6190 modem which was great but over a year ago during a service call the tech said the modem isnt working correctly, I knew he was wrong and I told him since Spectrum gives a free modem put one in then and take mine off, which he did.
I wasnt home my wife was. Well guess what? I got home, same issue, second service call they found a filter on the line outside the home that was supposed to be removed a long time ago, it was at one time to filter cable channels for people who only had internet.
Thats how I ended up the spectrum modem, works fine and since its theirs if it ever does not then they have to come fix it. Furthermore since my wife works from home, if the modem every does go out I have a backup with the arris, just a phone call to Spectrum to activate it. Instead of waiting for a service call to the house.
AS far as the 6190 having the Intel Chipset, that is true and I was concerned at the time but not at all anymore, it was working perfect for a while and on the recommended list. I think the Intel Chipset thing is one of those runaway forum chatter as far as I am concerned, at least with my experience it was rock solid.
Just to repeat, why not accept the free Spectrum modem? Then just buy your own router.
A/C routers are a router generation older now but at 500 Mbps or lower you would never know the difference. The router is rock solid, stable and range unbeatable.
I still use it with my Spectrum modem and our service is now bumped up to 300 Mbps.
If I were you, I assume Spectrum gives you a free modem and only charges for a router like they do here in SC.
So take their free modem, the good thing about that is it will automatically get security updates ect, if not, check their website for recommended brands.
I do have an Arris SC6190 modem which was great but over a year ago during a service call the tech said the modem isnt working correctly, I knew he was wrong and I told him since Spectrum gives a free modem put one in then and take mine off, which he did.
I wasnt home my wife was. Well guess what? I got home, same issue, second service call they found a filter on the line outside the home that was supposed to be removed a long time ago, it was at one time to filter cable channels for people who only had internet.
Thats how I ended up the spectrum modem, works fine and since its theirs if it ever does not then they have to come fix it. Furthermore since my wife works from home, if the modem every does go out I have a backup with the arris, just a phone call to Spectrum to activate it. Instead of waiting for a service call to the house.
AS far as the 6190 having the Intel Chipset, that is true and I was concerned at the time but not at all anymore, it was working perfect for a while and on the recommended list. I think the Intel Chipset thing is one of those runaway forum chatter as far as I am concerned, at least with my experience it was rock solid.
Just to repeat, why not accept the free Spectrum modem? Then just buy your own router.
