Motorola MG8702 Review [After 3+ Weeks Use]

So, finally, have you considered getting a modem router combo device to streamline your home or office internet setup? If you have and yet stalled the purchase due to the lack of suitable options, researching capabilities, or doubts associated with the combo devices, expect this Motorola MG8702 review to change everything.

Yes, you could pick any of the top-rated Gigabit modems to manage your internet, and a Wi-Fi 5 router isn’t all that hard to get, either. Yet, getting a DOCSIS 3.1 modem router combo makes sense as it tends to offer similar performance as the standalone units. And Motorola MG8702 is one such device that brings an eye-catching minimalist design and decent specifications to the table.

Keeping the popularity of the Motorola cable modem in mind, I have prepared a detailed discourse reviewing the device across parameters. The comprehensive review of the Motorola MG8702 shall cover every aspect of the device, including my personal experiences while using it as my primary networking device, for three weeks straight.

Motorola MG8702 Specs

Technology	Docsis 3.1
Backward Compatibility	Yes
Channel Bonding	32 x 8
Ports	4 x Gig Ethernet & 1 x USB 3.0
Phone Ports	No
Modem Router Combo	Yes
Built-in Router Speed	AC3200
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi Range	2500 Sq Ft
Suitable Internet Plan	Gig Internet
Compatible ISPs	Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Suddenlink, Mediacom, RCN, and WOW! Internet.
RAM	512MB
NAND Storage	Not Mentioned

Motorola MG8702 Review

Reviewing Motorola MG8702 wasn’t about enlisting the specs and features. Instead, I started using this as my primary device a few weeks back, paired with a gig internet plan from Xfinity. And after the extended usage, I feel that I am quite aware of how this Motorola Docsis 3.1 cable modem router rolls in terms of speeds, range, and connectivity.

So let us cut right to the MG8702 review and start discussing every aspect in detail:

1. Speeds & Coverage

The Motorola MG8702 cable modem boasts the latest DOCSIS 3.1 networking technology, making it thoroughly future-proof. As far as theoretical speed capacities are concerned, this Motorola cable modem can easily handle speeds amounting to 3Gbps.

Adding to the capabilities is the excellent built-in wireless router in play, led by the dual-band Wi-Fi 5 standard. As far as the Motorola MG8702 speed is concerned, the built-in router is rated for AC3200. I tested the same with a Gig internet plan from Xfinity to experience 5GHz speeds of up to 800Mbps and 2.4GHz speeds of almost 100Mbps, consistently.

The DOCSIS 3.1 technology requires further detailing, courtesy of the 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA support, making room for thicker 160MHz channels. This attribute promises better speeds, even during peak hours.

On top of that, the Motorola MG8702 modem also supports 32 x 8 channel bonding technology as a part of its DOCSIS 3.0 backhaul.

But that’s not why you should run and grab the MG8702 from Motorola. The speed limit is ably backed by an excellent range of over 2500 Sq Ft. Plus, this Docsis 3.1 cable modem with WiFi router also supports AQM (active queue management), allowing you to minimize latency and streaming lags, making it one of the best modems for gaming.

And then, there is the smart QoS functionality for efficient traffic prioritization followed by MU-MIMO functionality to connect over 40 devices at once, including Alexa devices, smartphones, gaming consoles, ring cameras, and more.

2. ISP Compatibility and Plan Suitability

Now that we’ve discussed the speed and coverage, it’s time to continue the Motorola AC3200 review by looking at the supported ISPs. Thankfully, the Motorola MG870 modem can be paired with popular service providers, including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum.

Also compatible with:

• Suddenlink
• Mediacom
• RCN
• WOW! Internet

And even though Motorola MG8702 cable modem is more than capable of handling every package, I would recommend pairing it with Gig and multi-Gig internet plans to make the most of the price you shelled out for the same.

If you were using Cox, I would recommend the Gigablast internet plan to get the most out of the Motorola MG8702 modem. For Xfinity though, you can pair the combo with the Signature, Select, and Super internet packages, with max speeds going all the way up to 1Gbps.

3. Design and Connectivity

The Motorola MG8702 is one of the better-looking Docsis 3.1 modem router combos in the market, boasting a glossy form factor and a slew of useful LED indicators. When it comes to the build quality, it is durable enough, characterized by rounded edges and a vertical structure.

Plus, the heat-dissipating vents are quite spacious, keeping the device cool even when it is shouldering the heaviest of workloads. From a structural point of view, the product weighs close to 1.8 pounds and measures a manageable 9.5 x 8.8 x 2.8 inches.

Yet, that’s not all from the design-specific angle. The product also features four internal high-gain antennas that add to the Motorola MG8702 range, courtesy of dual-band high-power amplifiers, power boost technology, and beamforming support.

In the rear, the Motorola MG8702 setup is replete with ports, including four high-speed Gig level ethernet ports and one USB 3.0 slot for sharing data over the network. Also, the LAN ports allow you to plug this modem with smart gaming consoles, helping you cater to their bandwidth-intensive needs.

4. Hardware and Performance

Powering this piece of hardware is a standard multi-core processor from Broadcom. Also, you have 512MB of RAM to help the processor cut through the interference with ease. Plus, the existing firmware associated with the Motorola AC3200 modem router combo can be flashed with Tomato and DD-WRT, depending on the additional features and security enhancements you seek.

Adding to the Motorola MG8702 specs are the processor-powered media sharing capabilities, active network management support, and the ability to handle 4K streaming and gaming like a pro.

5. Installation, Management, and Security

Now that you are aware of the Motorola MG8702 specs and performance for different activities, here is a quick refresher to get you up to speed:

Installing this combo cannot be any easier with Motorola making room for the MotoManage application. The featured application comes with an interactive UI, allowing you to optimize the home network for guests and kids alike. The app also lets you handle the Quality of Service settings to suit your requirements.

As far as security is concerned, Motorola makes way for a diagnostic log for you to keep track of, followed by SPI functionality, attack protection support, port filtering enhancement, VPN passthrough, and more.

Also, if you plan on using the app frequently, the Motorola MG8702 allows you to access the NAT and bridge mode for additional accessibility. And if you ever plan on using the same as an access point, the DHCP server support and the seamless web interface really come in handy.

Additional Details

Motorola MG8702 Release Date	24 July 2020
Motorola MG8702 Price	$299.97
Motorola MG8702 Manual	View / Download (PDF)

Pros & Cons of Motorola MG8702

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

There are quite a few modem-router combos in the market, but only a few can match up to the efficacy, range, speed, and functionality exhibited by the Motorola MG8702. And while this modem-router combo has almost every relevant feature aboard, it wins primarily due to the inventive design and the gray-colored structure that lends it quite a visual allure.

Looking for a Docsis 3.1 modem router combo? Check out this Motorola MG8702 review to know if it’s worth it for your home/office.