Best modem router combo for gaming & more in 2022
A closer look at the best modem router combos for home and gaming scenarios
Thanks to the increasing speed of today’s broadband, we can sometimes forget that choosing the best router is sometimes as important as the speed of your internet.
But speed is only one factor when it comes to a decent connection. You also have to consider signal strength/range, channel bonding, upload speeds, and how many devices it can effectively handle at once. What we’re trying to say is, there’s more to buying a router than what meets the eye.
If you currently own an old/stock router and you find yourself constantly experiencing a ton of issues, there is a good chance that you may have to upgrade. Assuming, of course, that the technicians didn’t find any issues with your connection in the first place.
So, with all that said, let’s check out some of the best modem router combos!
Our Top Picks
Best Modem Router Combo
In-depth Review
TP-Link Archer CR1900
TP-Link Archer CR1900
If money isn’t a concern and your connection is pretty much as fast as it gets for consumers, this is quite possibly your best bet.
It has the whole package. Lots of channels, support for up to 1000Mbps of download speeds, dual-band support, great range, and it also works with almost every popular ISP.
As far as downsides are concerned, the only thing that we need to mention is probably the price which is obviously a bit high. Other than that, there have also been a few reports about TP-Link’s customer support. But, the router itself is good.
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000
This is another great option that focuses a bit more on range rather than speed. Still, with that being said, most of us can’t even reach half of the download speeds that this modem router offers.
So, all things considered, this is a suberb high-end option with the only downside being that it’s a bit on the expensive side. And the situation gets even worse for those who want higher with the AC2200 or 3200.
Of course, if you can get your hands on a gigabit connection, then we can only assume that spending an extra 100 or 200 bucks isn’t going to be a big deal.
ARRIS Surfboard
ARRIS Surfboard
If you’re more interested in a budget to mid-range offering, the Surfboard is one of the first options that you should look at. It’s significantly cheaper compared to the rest of our options without sacrificing too much.
Sure, it has a lower amount of channels, it misses a couple of Ethernet ports, and its range is not as great either. But, then again, this is not targeted towards those who need that kind of stuff. This is more suitable for a small family with a decent connection – or a single enthusiast – we won’t judge.
If there’s one downside at this price point, then that’s probably going to be the fact that the router only comes with 2 Ethernet ports. So, if you need something that comes with 4 LAN ports for as cheap as possible, check out our next option.
Motorola MG7550
Motorola MG7550
Many modem routers that come with 4 Ethernet ports (Decent routers) can easily surpass the $200 mark. Not this one, though.
For a bit less than $150, you get 4 Ethernet ports, up to 375Mbps of download speeds, decent range, and dual-band connectivity. Not a bad bargain.
Some may find the 16×4 channel configuration a little lacking in the value department. Having said that, that’s probably the price to pay for additional LAN connectivity and decent network speeds.
NETGEAR C3000-100NAS N300
NETGEAR C3000-100NAS N300
Cheap doesn’t always equal bad – and this modem router is the perfect example of that. Sure, $85 (Depending on the time of purchase) isn’t exactly a small amount to pay. But, when compared to routers that can easily surpass $200? That’s as cheap as we’d go.
The good thing about the C3000 is that the maximum supported speed is at 300Mbps. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is no dual-band support and that you’re bound to an 8×4 channel setup.
Still, with these speeds and somewhat limited range, you should be fine just by leaving it at 2.4 GHz. If there’s one downside, then that’s possibly the bad technical support (According to all the buyers, at least).
Final Word
That’s all for now. We hope that this guide helped you out in making a better decision. If you’ve got any questions or want to talk about anything at all, feel free to reach out to us and everyone else in the comments down below!
Other than that, you can also reach out to thousands of PC users in our community hub!