Netgear CM1200 Review: Worth The Premium Price?

Imagine ISPs doing their best to bring high-speed internet plans to your doorstep, only to find that you have a subpar modem that thwarts the efficacy of the entire process.

It makes sense to save time and effort by getting a highly efficient device and replacing the modem you’ve rented from the ISP. While you are always free to consider other options, Netgear CM1200 is dependable to pair with your high-speed internet plan.

But wait, it’s an expensive modem, and I wouldn’t want you to take my word here. Instead, I shall now review the Netgear CM1200 in detail by enlisting every important trait I could cross-check for one month while using it as my primary setup with Optimum’s Gig internet plan.

Netgear CM1200 Specs

Technology	DOCSIS 3.1
Backward Compatibility	Yes
Channel Bonding	32 x 8
Ports	4 Gig Ethernet
Phone Jack	No
Modem Router Combo	No
Suitable Internet Plan	Gig Internet (1 Gbps)
Compatible ISPs	Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, Mediacom, and WOW! Internet.
IPv6 Support	Yes
Processor	Broadcom MCM3390
RAM	256MB
NAND Storage	128MB
Dimensions	6.1 x 3.4 x 10.3 inches
Weight	1.22 pounds

Netgear CM1200 Review: Worth Picking Up in 2023?

To reiterate, I used the CM1200 extensively and decided to enlist my findings after a month. Also, I have used it along with Netgear’s own CM1100 to gauge my experiences and published a separate article on the comparison between Netgear CM1100 and CM1200.

So, are you interested in knowing everything about the CM1200? Kindly tag along;

1. Design and Build

Aesthetics first, always. While for some, the modem design doesn’t matter, I do make it a priority to select networking devices based on their size and build quality. And to make things better, the CM1200 didn’t even disappoint. Sporting a vertical and meshed layout, this modem is one of the sleeker devices, around 1.22 pounds.

Also, when it comes to the dimensions, the device measures 6.1 x 3.4 x 10.3 inches, which is still on the slimmer side, considering other products in the retail space. Netgear brings plastic into the mix, hardened enough to withstand a few drops and bumps along the way.

However, the major highlights, to be precise, include a triangular stand to lend solidarity to the modem, followed by a well-ventilated design that maximizes heat dissipation.

2. Ports and Connectivity

Furthering the structural insights is the port arrangement, which in the case of the CM1200, includes 4 Gig ethernet slots and a standalone coaxial port for feeding in the actual cable.

Unlike some of the other modems around, CM1200 takes productivity by the scruff of the neck. It allows you to establish several wired connections with bandwidth-intensive home or office-based electronic devices, including Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more.

This functionality allows the modem to reach multi-gig speeds using two-port link aggregation support. However, for this to work, the ISP needs to assign two IPs in the first place.

3. Compatibility with ISPs

Regarding ISP compatibility, Netgear CM1200 is one of the few modems on the list to work seamlessly with several players, including Optimum, Spectrum, Xfinity Comcast, COX, and more. Most importantly, it extends support to some of the multi-gig plans offered by these highly respected and credible service providers.

Currently, I am on the 1Gbps internet plan from Optimum, and the cumulative speeds have been close to 980Mbps, with CM1200 as my primary modem.

4. Hardware & Technology

Here comes the fun part. Netgear CM1200 addresses every hardware-specific requirement with a pretty reliable processing set up, led by the standard Broadcom MCM3390 processor. Coupled with 256MB of RAM, this modem can keep interference and network congestion out of the question. Plus, the throughput boost cannot be any more evident.

The hardware configuration positively affects the overall modem technology, with CM1200 coming across as one of the few DOCSIS 3.1 compatible modems with support for 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA channels that ensure better speeds even during peak hours.

But there is a lot more power to show in terms of speed and technology while testing it with the 1Gbps plan from Optimum. I realized that its inherent QoS works perfectly and prioritizes traffic rather well. The DOCSIS 3.0 fallback with 32 x 8 channel bonding support makes it relevant even for mid-range internet plans.

Netgear CM1200: Wireless Compatibility and Speeds

Coming to the overall performance, the CM1200 works perfectly with every router in the retail space, regardless of the OEM. Plus, as per the general setup and processing components, the rated speed for the same peaks at 10Gbps. And with DOCSIS 3.1 support, this is one of the few modems in the retail space to offer excellent uplink throughput for managing critical uploads.

Finally, this modem is quite easy to set up, courtesy of the self-explanatory web interface. And it even comes equipped with 128MB of storage space for keeping the firmware details handy.

Netgear CM1200: Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Netgear CM1200 is a next-gen modem that will soon outgrow your internet network. Therefore, if you have multiple devices at your home or office, consider investing in the CM1200, as it is a performance-oriented modem that works better when you have high-speed internet plans and a congested networking setup to work with.

And finally, if you have a good enough router to pair it with, I recommend using this modem for low-latency gaming and twitch streaming.

This modem is also featured in the following:

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