Best Gaming modems in 2023

As far as consumer-level home networking devices go, there’s little out there that rivals the power and feature set of the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80. It comes at a price – over $400 – and a footprint to match but is at the cutting edge of home internet.

So what makes the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 such a fantastic solution for gamers? To start, the unit is a router-modem combo, meaning it marries a Wi-Fi 6-ready router pushing Wi-Fi speeds up to 6,000 Mbps with a built-in eight-stream (32×8 channel bonding) and DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem cable of theoretical internet speeds up to 10,000 Mbps.

Jargon aside, this combination allows the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 to deliver the fastest cable internet speeds available, both wired and wireless, subject to an ISP plan to match, without the need to rent an ISP-vetted modem and own a standalone router.

The device can dish out sustained and efficient internet service to up to eight devices simultaneously at blisteringly fast speeds.  In practical terms, you are looking at online gaming and streaming in 4K on a host of devices simultaneously, free of lag or latency.

The Netgear Nighthawk CAX80’s appeal also extends to the details. It’s compatible with all major service providers, features four Gigabit Ethernet ports as well two-port aggregation for multi-gig 2.5G wired connections, a Wi-Fi range of 3,00 square feet, and a selection of gaming-friendly features such as Smart Connect optimal band selection.  Easy setup is baked into the Nighthawk app, as is VPN support and a full suite of security features to stay protected from cyber threats via Netgear Armor.

Another heavy hitter from the networking wizards at Netgear, the Netgear Orbi Whole Home WiFi (CBK752), is designed to deliver lightning-fast speeds both through Wi-Fi and wired LAN connections and stellar long-range coverage at up to 5,000 square feet thanks to a mesh satellite system.

The Netgear Orbi Whole Home WiFi (CBK752) is an all-in-one solution, too, so you not only get a solid router supporting the WiFi 6 standard and speeds up to 4,200 Mbps (or even 6,000 Mbps with the latest version) but also a cutting edge DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 32×8 channel bonding that pairs seamlessly with the most popular cable internet providers out there.

The mesh system is unquestionably a highlight and adds tons of value for gamers. The Orbi ships with two units, a base router modem, and a satellite extender. Rather than a basic signal booster, the satellite is more or less a second base unit that utilizes tri-band technology, specifically a dedicated Wi-Fi link with the Orbi Router on a 2.4 GHz band pushing 1,200 Mbps, to ensure an interrupted connection to beam signal to the farthest reaches of any home.

Additionally, the satellite features two fully-fledged Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired gaming on PC or console that completely removes any ping or lag issues. You can even add extra satellites to the mesh, each granting a further 2,500 square feet of coverage per unit.

The Netgear Orbi Whole Home WiFi (CBK752) also comes with the full panoply of Netgear goodies such as Netgear Armor, Beamforming, MU-MIMO, easy installation and management through the Orbi app, Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and certification for Spectrum, Cox, and Infinity plans.

While impressive in upping your gaming experience, the Netgear Orbi Whole Home WiFi (CBK752) is expensive, notably if you factor in additional satellites.

While the above two picks set the benchmark for what we can expect from modems for gaming, the return on investment only comes about after several years. For those eyeing up a long-term upgrade, this is no issue, but for more thrifty users, it’s hard to reconcile a sizable down payment in the face of a comparatively modest monthly rental fee.

The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 serves the latter group well with a price tag sitting at just north of $150, allowing it to pay for itself in more or less a year. Under the hood, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 houses a Wi-Fi 5 router pushing speeds up to 1,900 Mbps and a built-in 32×8 channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.1 modem certified by major ISPs such as Spectrum, Xfinity, and Cox.

Plan compatibility varies between supplies, but the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 pairs handily with up to 800 Mbps ISP speeds as a general rule. Do check beforehand to make the most of your plan, though.

Ideal for more modest homes, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 offers support for up to 30 devices and Wi-Fi coverage up to 1,800 square feet aided by Beamforming+ technology and amplified antennas for targeted signal distribution. The box itself is a sleek, all-black streamlined unit with four Gigabit Ethernet and two USB ports on the back for that lighting fast wired internet connection.

The absence of Wi-Fi 6 is arguably the Netgear Nighthawk C7000’s biggest flaw, but one that’s congruent with the price tag. Wi-Fi 5 remains the dominant standard, and most homes are yet to incorporate Wi-Fi 6-ready devices into their network. From a gaming perspective, Wi-Fi is always secondary to a solid and reliable wired connection, which the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 delivers.

Among the most exciting devices under the best modems for gaming is the Arris Surfboard SB8200, a budget-friendly modem that leverages DOCSIS 3.1 technology and channel bonding support.

Arris is ever on the rise, taking over Netgear in the new spot among the most prominent modems on the market. The firm’s $150 Surfboard SB8200 makes for a perfect addition to any gamer’s networking configuration, allowing for seamless connectivity with several of the largest providers, including Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, and more.

The device itself comes with 128MB of NAND storage, 3Gb of RAM, and supports an internet plan with up to 800 Mbps. Unfortunately, the SB8200 doesn’t come with more than two Gig ethernet ports and no additional router combo, so you will have to go get that yourself.