If you have struggled with dead spots or you never seem to have enough bandwidth for all of your devices, Eero is a viable solution. You can also customize or expand by adding as many Euros and Eero beacons as you need, meaning Eero can cover any home, no matter the size or layout.
For most users’ needs, the Eero provides more than adequate speed and remains one of the finest wireless routers available.
However, because Eero only functions as a router, you will require a modem to connect to your Internet service provider. This is not always an easy task to buy the right modem to use with the Eero router.
In order to make your search a little easier, we did some research to help you make your choice.
The Best Modem For Eero
1. Motorola MB7621
Motorola MB7621 is one of the finest mid-range routers, a pretty capable one, and is the perfect router for those that do not need heavy bandwidth and speeds. It is easy to set up and use, and it delivers extraordinary value for its price.
On top of that, it is compatible with the major service providers and, at the same time, certified by them. The Motorola MB7621 features a similar design to the Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modems, with an elongated rounded look with plenty of ventilation holes on the sides.
This cable modem is extremely easy to set up and use as it is truly plug-and-play, and as we have mentioned before, you do not have to be concerned about its compatibility with your cable provider. It gets equipped with a 24×8 channel bonding for maximum download speeds of around 900 Mbps. The maximum modem speed is 1000 Mbps, supporting service speeds up to 650.
A high-speed Wi-Fi router with MB7621 built-in Wi-Fi allows Wi-Fi devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming stations, HDTVs, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and AppleTV to connect to the Internet.
Several reviewers have written negative reviews of this modem, mainly complaining about downstream issues. Make sure your downstream QAM signal Power Level is between -15dBmV to +15dBmV on all channels, SNR should be 35dB-45dB. If you notice that your power levels are outside that range, you will likely have downward connection issues and not have full throughput. Upstream Power levels should be between 35-55dBmV.
If your numbers are outside this range, call up your cable provider and request they send a technician to check your signal levels and correct them.
2. NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.0 (CM700)
For internet service to meet this demand internet service providers are offering gigabit-speed services and they will offer multi-gig Internet speeds, direct to your home.
However, there are multiple choking points in your home that will bottleneck your internet connection. These include a cable modem and wireless router that cannot keep up with the speeds that your internet service provider offers.
If you are looking for a high-performance cable modem then Netgear’s CM700 has you covered.
With DOCSIS 3.1 channels, your download speeds easily reach 1 gigabit per second. It is also compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 standard and with 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. It is as fast as a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem gets – the four-gigabit Ethernet ports around the back also give you the ability to connect multiple devices and it even supports assigning different IP addresses.
This modem works fantastic, of course, but not only will it take over an hour to get it registered and up and running (a process that usually takes 5 minutes), but as soon as you try and connect a router to this, you will realize it does not work smoothly.
3. ARRIS SURFboard SBG10
Your network is only as good as the modem connecting it. The surfboard SBG10 is two products in one. The surfboard combines a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem and an AC1600 Wi-Fi router with two Gigabit Ethernet ports in one powerful device with 16 downstream and 4 upstream channels. The router is perfect for gaming, streaming, and sharing. No more managing multiple devices!
The all-in-one SBG10 saves you money on monthly modem rental fees and fits easily into any home office. All wrapped up in one device features secure home internet keeping all devices on your network safe and protected from online threats like cams.
The major cable internet providers include Cox spectrum and Xfinity. If you are unsure about compatibility, check your internet service provider’s website to confirm.
There are some things you might find annoying, and we are here to inform you about them. The modem has four ports that disconnect on their own, have to unplug/plug the modem to regain connectivity.
The firmware of this series of Gigabit modems lacks an adequate quality assurance mechanism for the connection and is unable to self-recover from a degraded situation. Unless you are okay with resetting or restarting this modem daily (sometimes twice), your internet will be slow, making it the wrong product for you.
You can set up and manage your network with the SURFboard Manager app; however, you need to keep in mind that the installation process is not as easy as other modes.
4. ARRIS Surfboard S33
The ARRIS Surfboard S33 is a small and pretty sleek device. Some customers say they had difficulty activating their modem with Cox, so be aware. The activation process, however, is easy; you connect the modem and use the hotspot from your cell phone to connect to Cox chat support. The activation takes about 10 minutes – almost anyone with a reasonable level of tech-savviness should be able to install this modem without issue, but remember, you will need to connect this with a separate Wi-Fi router. This unit does seem to run a bit hot, but it does not anticipate any
The surfboard S33 features 2.5 gigabits per second Ethernet port, plus an extra one gigabit per second Ethernet port. For the second network, the DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem got approved. For cable internet speed plans up to 2.5 gigabits per second, 32 downstream and 8 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 bonded channels 2 downstream and 2 upstream OFDM. DOCSIS 3 channels connect to any existing Wi-Fi router for fast internet compatible with major U.S cable internet providers, including Cox, Spectrum, Infinity, and more. The cable internet service required does not include Wi-Fi and doesn’t support cable digital voice service, so why don’t you stop renting your modem and save on monthly modem rental fees? This modern design fits nicely into the home or office.
5. ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Do you want to kick your network into high gear at a reasonable price? One of the most popular options is the ARRIS SB6190 surfboard with Xfinity internet and voice service.
The DOCSIS 3.0 4 one gigabit Ethernet ports are faster with the ARRIS surfboard SB6190 Wi-Fi cable modem optimized for use with Xfinity internet and voice service. Your cable modem is the heart of your network, so the more features it has, the better. For advanced users, you can customize everything according to your preferences.
The surfboard combines a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem that supports 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. The router is perfect for gaming, streaming, and sharing. No more managing multiple devices!
However, the chipset in these modems is faulty. More so, this does not manifest itself as something that renders the unit inoperable right out of the box but rather gets progressively more severe post-installation.
It will start with drops/reboot loops once a week, then once every couple of days, up until it was rebooting several times a day.
6. ARRIS® Surfboard® SB6183
With this Arris, you get Wi-Fi download speeds up to 686 Mbps, a 1.2 gigahertz processor, and supports IPv4 and IPv6. It has the power to support multiple devices for streaming and downloading anywhere in your home.
This surfboard router comes with a mobile app for easy connection and coverage, so you can easily connect more than ten devices to your network. Arris builds your home network using a mobile device.
In combination with existing setups, DOCSIS 3.0 technology ensures compatibility with a variety of systems, while internet security protects your information.
Arris’ surfboard modem router sets the standard for wired or wireless performance, no matter your budget. Arris has been the industry leader in-home internet connectivity since day one. The world’s fastest router gives you the most efficient wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect devices everywhere in your house.
How to set up and connect Eero?
Here is something you will need to set up Eero:
- The power adapter, and Ethernet cable.
- As long as the device has cellular data, you can use a smartphone or tablet.
- You will also need the Eero app already installed along with the credentials for your Eero account.
- And finally, you will need a cable or DSL modem depending on your internet service and provider. Keep in mind, the steps might be a little different depending on your device.
To start the process, open the Eero app and log into your account. If you do not have an account yet, you will need to create one. (Choose a strong password, not one that you have used for other accounts.)
Once you are logged in, tap get started and follow the onscreen instructions to start setting up your Eero System. (Depending on your setup, you might have to disconnect from your current wireless network.)
In the app, tap Start. At this point, it is time to unplug your old modem and router. Once that’s done, tap Next.
Connect the Ethernet cable from your modem to either port on the back of the Eero. When you are ready, tap Next.
Now it’s time to plug in the Eero using the power cord and then plug your modem back in. It will take about five minutes for your 2-29 and Eero to fully boot up.
Once the light on the Eero starts pulsing blue, tap Next in the app. It will now find your updated Eero. If it is flashing white, it is still booting up and is not ready to be set up.
When the light is pulsing blue, you will see a message saying your Eero has been detected. Select your location, then name your network and set a password.
Your settings will now be applied and your network will be created. When it’s ready, you will see a message, confirming that your network has been created.
Tap Next, and if you need to add more Eero devices, tap Continue Setup. When you are ready to place the other devices, plug in your next one and wait for the lights to pulse blue, then tap Next. The app should find it and display a success message.
Find a place that works well and then select it. When you do, you will see something like this.
If your devices are already set up and good to go, press Finish Setup.
Your Eero will automatically install any available updates, which might take a bit of time. During this process, your devices will reboot.
When the update is finished, you will see another success message, and you can finish the setup by tapping done.
FAQs
Which modem (DOCSIS 3.0 vs. 3.1) and Eero to use for a 2100 sq ft home with a full basement?
We would recommend purchasing the Eero pro pack (3 full-sized Eero) because it comes with three different bands that may be used (2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.8 GHz).
They also have two Ethernet ports, allowing you to plug in devices even if the Eero is wirelessly connecting to other Eero or physically them.
What modem is compatible with Eero?
Right now, the most suitable modem for Eero is the Arris SURFboard SB8200. It has extremely fast speeds and is quite dependable and is ideal for 4K UHD streaming and online gaming.
Do I need a modem and router with Eero?
In general, Eero is intended to replace your current router with a Wi-Fi system that gives a stronger Internet connection and higher stability across your house. After installing Eero, most clients no longer require their previous routers.
Some consumers want to keep their old routers while using Eero networks.
Does Eero have a modem?
Eero uses an ONT rather than a modem. The ONT is meant to replace your present router with a Wi-Fi system that connects directly to the Eero beacon.
Is Amazon Eero a modem or router?
The EERO is not a modem, but rather a router. To utilize the EERO, you must still have a cable modem.
Conclusion
Every single modem we have reviewed is compatible with Eero and has different but vital features, meaning the choice is yours, depending on your needs.
In general, you need to keep in mind the modems’ performance, compatibility, installation, and speed. However, if you still do not know which modem to choose, we would recommend Arris Surfboard S33.
The SURFboard S33 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem, with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and an extra 1 Gbps Ethernet port, is the ideal choice for multi-Gigabit home networking!
Hopefully, our review helped you find the right cable modem to pair with Eero.
