Best Cox-Compatible Modems 2023
Our experts narrowed down the list of 96 Cox-compatible third-party modems to three optimal choices.
MOTOROLA MB7420
Amazon price: $69.94
Channels: 16x4
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.0
MOTOROLA MB7420
Amazon price: $69.94
Channels: 16x4
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.0
ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Amazon price: $99.99
Channels: 32x8
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.0
ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Amazon price: $99.99
Channels: 32x8
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.0
ARRIS SURFboard SB8200
Amazon price: $144.99
Channels: 32x8
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.1
ARRIS SURFboard SB8200
Amazon price: $144.99
Channels: 32x8
DOCSIS Standard: DOCSIS 3.1
If you’re paying $12 per month to lease Cox’s Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway, you’re missing out on an opportunity to save cash. Over time, buying your own cable modem and wireless router costs a lot less than borrowing from Cox.
The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 will work with any Cox plan, including Go Super Fast. But if you have a slower plan, check out some of the cheaper modems we recommend. And be sure to get yourself a Wi-Fi router, too, (though that’s a bit easier to find since any router will work with Cox).
Oh, and heads up—CableTV.com is an Amazon Associate, so if you follow the links on this page, we’ll get a cash kickback on qualifying purchases.
Best modems for Cox
Cable modem prices frequently change on Amazon. We want to make sure you get the best deal, so we’ve listed two solid options for each download speed range.
Top Cox-compatible modems summary
| Modem brand | Price | Channels | DOCSIS standard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MOTOROLA MB7420 Best for 100–250 Mbps plans |
$69.94 | 16×4 | DOCSIS 3.0 | View on Amazon |
|
NETGEAR CM500 Runner-up for 100–250 Mbps plans |
$68.99 | 16×4 | DOCSIS 3.0 | View on Amazon |
|
ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 Best for Cox Internet Ultimate plan |
$99.99 | 32×8 | DOCSIS 3.0 | View on Amazon |
|
NETGEAR CM700 Runner-up for Cox Internet Ultimate plan |
$119.00 | 32×8 | DOCSIS 3.0 | View on Amazon |
|
ARRIS SURFboard SB200 Best for Go Super Fast plan |
$144.99 | 32×8 | DOCSIS 3.1 | View on Amazon |
|
NETGEAR CM1000 Runner-up for Go Super Fast plan |
$196.05 | 32×8 | DOCSIS 3.1 | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com price as of 12/29/22 1:34 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.
If you’re looking for a cheap modem, check out the first two above. But if your Cox plan is Cox Internet Ultimate or Go Super Fast, those options will be too slow for you. They’re best suited for Cox’s 100 to 250 Mbps plans, advertised as Go Fast and Go Even Faster.
But all these plan titles are a lot of marketing gibberish—we don’t blame you if you don’t remember which Cox plan you signed up for. You can find out by checking your most recent Cox bill or signing in to your Cox account.
Summary of Cox-compatible cable modems
- MOTOROLA MB7420—Best for 100–250 Mbps plans: $69.94
- NETGEAR CM500—Runner-up for 100–250 Mbps plans: $68.99
- ARRIS SURFboard SB6190—Best for Cox Internet Ultimate plan: $99.99
- NETGEAR CM700—Runner-up for Cox Internet Ultimate plan: $119.00
- ARRIS SURFboard SB8200—Best for Go Super Fast plan: $144.99
- NETGEAR CM1000—Runner-up for Go Super Fast plan: $196.05
Amazon.com price as of 12/29/22 1:34 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.
If you want to look more closely at these options or learn more about how to choose a cable modem—read on. We have all the deets for you below.
Best for 100–250 Mbps plans: MOTOROLA MB7420
Amazon.com price as of 12/29/22 1:34 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Works with cable internet providers like Cox, Xfinity, and Spectrum
- Advertises up to 300 Mbps download speeds
Cons
- Doesn’t work with DSL internet providers like CenturyLink
Reminiscent of Eve from Wall-E, the MOTOROLA MB7420 sports a friendly black and white look. There’s not much to say about this modem beyond that—or about any other cable modem, for that matter.
Unlike a lot of other flashy tech, modems are relatively simple in function. They work for the speeds they’re designed to support.
Because of this simplicity, you can sub out this modem out for just about any 16×4 channel modem from reputable brands like MOTOROLA, ARRIS, and Netgear. Look for good reviews, and then choose the best bargain.
Pair with the TP-Link AC1200
If you want wireless internet in your home, you’ll need a Wi-Fi router to go along with your modem.
The TP-Link AC1200 is a bargain, and it’s fast enough to keep up with Cox Internet Starter 25, Cox Internet Essential 50, and Go Even Faster.
Best for Cox Internet Ultimate plan: ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Amazon.com price as of 12/29/22 1:34 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Works with cable internet providers like Cox, Xfinity, and Spectrum
- Advertises up to 600 Mbps download speeds
Cons
- Doesn’t work with DSL internet providers like CenturyLink
The ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 works with cable internet plans up to 600 Mbps. And since the Cox Internet Ultimate plan has download speeds only up to 500 Mbps, this modem is the right fit if you have that plan.
If you downgrade to any of Cox’s smaller plans or switch to a similar plan at another cable internet provider like Xfinity or Spectrum, this modem will still work fine.
Pair with the TP-Link AC1900
The TP-Link AC1900 can handle Cox Internet Ultimate 500’s speeds with ease.
With the small price tags on this Wi-Fi router and the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190, the two quickly pay for themselves. Combined, they’re only a little over a year’s worth of leasing equipment from Cox.
Best for Go Super Fast plan: ARRIS SURFboard SB8200
Amazon.com price as of 12/29/22 1:34 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Works with cable internet providers like Cox and Xfinity
- Advertises up to 2,000 Mbps download speeds
- Functions with DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1
Cons
- Doesn’t work with DSL internet providers like and CenturyLink
The upgrade to DOCSIS 3.1 makes the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 much more expensive than our other top Cox-compatible modems. But the Go Super Fast plan requires DOCSIS 3.1 technology, so you’ll need to splurge to support those gig speeds.
Don’t worry—if you decide to go with a smaller plan later, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 also works with DOCSIS 3.0. This all-around champ of a cable modem works with any cable internet plan you throw at it.
Pair with the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300
This router isn’t a cheap buy, but it’s a sure win for supporting high internet speeds throughout your home.
We won’t blame you if you balk at the combined price tags of the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 and Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. That’s a big chunk of change to pay upfront compared to Cox’s $14-per-month modem/router combo.
But both these devices are some of the best out there, and if you decide to make the investment, it will pay off in the long run.
What to look for in a Cox-compatible modem
Besides price, there are only two things you need to know about cable modems: channel bonding and DOCSIS standard. If you find a reputable modem at a reasonable price, check that it fits the criteria in these two categories, and then snag that deal.
We’ll give you a quick summary of modem channels and DOCSIS below, but if you’re interested in the nitty-gritty, check out our cable modem buyers guide.
Channel bonding
Think of a modem’s channels like lanes on a highway—the more channels there are, the more information can get through at once.
When you look at a channel stat like 16×4, before the x is the number of downstream channels, and after the x is the number of upstream channels. In this case, there are 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels.
Downstream channels support the download speeds you pay your internet provider for, and upstream channels support the corresponding upload speeds, which are rarely advertised and don’t usually need to be very large.
Choose a modem with enough channels to support the maximum speeds of your Cox internet plan. Check the chart below for the channel standards we recommend.
Minimum modem channels recommended for Cox plans
| DOCSIS 3.0 channels | Cox plans |
|---|---|
| 16×4 |
Go Fast Go Even Faster |
| 32×2 | Cox Internet Ultimate 500 |
DOCSIS Standard
“But wait!” you say, looking at the chart above, “there’s no Go Super Fast on this chart!”
You have a keen eye, reader. The chart above displays DOCSIS 3.0 channels, but Go Super Fast requires the more advanced DOCSIS 3.1 technology.
DOCSIS is an acronym for “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” This writer is happy indeed for an acronym because just looking at that enormous name is exhausting.
DOCSIS tech allows your modem to move information to and from your cable internet provider. Most internet plans work on DOCSIS 3.0, but gigabit internet like Cox Go Super Fast requires the latest version of DOCSIS—DOCSIS 3.1.
Our final take
Cox charges only $12 per month to rent a modem/router, but that adds up over time. If you’re planning on staying with Cox or another cable internet provider for the long haul, you can save a bunch of money with the one-time purchase of your own Cox-compatible modem and Wi-Fi router.
Best Cox-compatible modems FAQ
Is it better to have your modem and router separate?
Having a separate cable modem and Wi-Fi router will help you ensure you get the best technology available and keep up easier with new advances. While combined modem/routers take up less space, they’re usually a bit behind the times as far as technology goes.
But if you’d prefer to combine your modem and router, head on over to our best cable modem/router combos review. Be prepared for big price tags—buying a modem/router isn’t usually cheaper than buying separate devices.
What is the fastest modem for Cox Internet?
We recommend the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 if you have the fastest Cox plan, Go Super Fast. If you want to check out other gigabit modems, look for cable modems listed with DOCSIS 3.1 technology and 32×8 channels. All such modems are comparably fast.
Methodology
From Cox’s list of 96 compatible third-party modems, we researched and selected modems that will work best with your Cox plan according to price, specs, supported speeds, and customer reviews. We even recommended some alternative options so you can compare to see which is cheapest right now.
For more information about our methodologies, head over to our How We Rank page.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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