Do you want a cable modem that’s compatible with Sparklight? After testing over a dozen of modems from their approved list, We’ve ranked and reviewed the top-rated models that provide the best performance.
You shall get any of the supported modems listed on their website, but if you’re looking for an option that provides best performance, then you are at the right place. Also, you can lease a modem/router combo from Sparklight, but like we’ve explainer earlier: Buying a modem provides a better ROI than renting.
Besides being approved by the ISP, the cable modem that you are getting must be compatible with your service plan too. For instance, if you’re subscribed to a 1000 Mbps plan then a modem capable of handling data speeds of upto only 50 Mbps modem won’t be helpful.
Alternatively, you can stop researching by getting the fastest cable modem that’s certified by Sparklight, but there’s no point in paying the extra for something you wouldn’t actually need. For instance, if you’re on a 50 Mbps plan, then a 1000 Mbps modem will work, but you would be underutilizing it.
It’s always suggested to get the option that’s highly suited for your subscribed plan. Unlike other guides, that just include the best options, we’ve actually included the options that are best for different speeds.
Contents
- Best Cable Modems For Sparklight
- 1. Best for Sparklight Gigaone Plus: Netgear Orbi CBR40
- 2. Best Gigabit Runner Up: Arris Surfboard SBG7580AC
- 3. Best Modem/Router Combo: Motorola MG7700
- 4. Best From Netgear: Netgear Nighthawk C7500
- 5. Best For Turbo 300 Plus: Netgear C6300
- 6. Best For Gamers: Netgear CM500
- 7. Best Value For Money: Arris Surfboard SBG6580
- 8. TP Link TC-W7960
- 9. Netgear C3000
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
Best Cable Modems For Sparklight
If you’re on the high-speed plans between 600-1000 Mbps consider choosing the modems that’ve been ranked between 1 and 4. If you’re subscribed speed is between 25-300 Mbps, consider choosing from the last 5 options.
In case you don’t want to choose the options from this list, you shall check out our beginner’s guide to buying modems which includes the important factors that you should take into consideration when getting one.
1. Best for Sparklight Gigaone Plus: Netgear Orbi CBR40
- Download Speed: 2.2 Gbps
- Upload Speed: 300 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 32 x 8
- Warranty: 2 Years
Netgear Orbi CBR40 is a two-in-one Cable Modem and WiFi router. It uses the DOCSIS 3.0 technology for cable connections, and dual bands for wireless internet so that you can get seamless connections.
For cable connections, Netgear Orbi CBR40 is ideal for speeds up to 1 Gbps, which means all the Gigabit plans will work just fine with this device. You can be a customer of any company, such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Cable One (Sparklight), or Spectrum, and you will not have any trouble accessing the maximum speeds of your plan.
The WiFi speed of this modem is even better than cable speed. The company ensures that you will be able to touch data rates up to 2.2 Gbps; however, that is a best-case scenario, and you need to be at the right locations in big cities to get such speed. For an average user, you can expect to get around 1 Gbps on downloads and 300 Mbps on uploads.
With 4 ethernet ports, you will be able to share your Gigabit speed with other devices such as gaming consoles and Smart TVs.
The best thing about this Netgear modem is that it allows its user to expand its range by using Orbi Satellite extenders. Such devices are necessary for people who are planning to install them in their offices. However, you will have to purchase them separately.
The selling price of the CBR40 is about 240 dollars, which we know is higher than most of the other devices on this list, but it is one of the best modems. And, it makes sense that you will have to pay top dollar for the top technology.
Everything will become much smoother and accessible the moment you turn on the Orbi CBR40, so do not overthink about the money and place the order.
- Superfast cable and WiFi speeds
- The range can be extended
- 2 years of warranty
- Removes all the dead spots
- Stylish design
- Poor customer support
- Signal drop issues with Spectrum Cable
2. Best Gigabit Runner Up: Arris Surfboard SBG7580AC
- Download Speed: 1 Gbps
- Upload Speed: 300 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 32 x 8
- Warranty: 2 Year
The ARRIS Surfboard SBG7580AC is a 3-in-one device that can be used as a cable modem, WiFi router, and a 4 port Gigabit router. It is one of the most complete modems on this list and is the primary choice of many customers who use Cable One.
Apart from Sparklight, this modem is compatible other popular ISPs like Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Optimum, and Spectrum. So, if you have plans to upgrade into any of these providers in the future, you will be able to do it without any trouble.
There are a total of 32 downloads and 8 upload channels on this device, which will give you a speed of 1 Gbps on cable internet. For WiFi, this comes down to around 500-600 Mbps, but it depends majorly on the area that you live in. It might be higher for big cities, and lower for smaller ones.
The 4 ethernet ports allow you to share its gigabit internet with other devices such as PS4, XBOX, and gaming PCs. All you need to do is connect them with an ethernet cable, and you will be good to go.
This Arris modem can be bought for a price for about 155 dollars, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years. Yes, we know it is a little bit expensive, but you will be getting two modems for the price of one. So, it is a fair deal.
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Works as a cable modem and WiFi router
- Offers blazing fast internet speeds
- Vast range
- Removes dead spots, if any
- Easy to set up
- Speed issues in some areas
- Unstable connection at times
3. Best Modem/Router Combo: Motorola MG7700
- Download Speed: 1 Gbps
- Upload Speed: 300 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 24 x 8
- Warranty: 2 Years
The Motorola MG7700 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that is ideal for internet plans up to 650 Mbps only, despite its maximum speed being 1 Gbps. It is because there are signal drop issues when you push it to its peak performance.
The WiFi router that is in-built in this modem works very well. It has dual channels (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) to give you maximum range. So, you can use it in an office if you want to.
The Motorola MG7700 is compatible with Comcast, Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and Charter spectrum. On Sparklight, the majority of plans are under 600 Mbps, so you can use it with anyone of them. Just do not pair it up with the 1 Gigabit plan.
Connect all your devices to this modem by using its wireless or wired options. There are 4 ethernet ports that you can use to share the internet with up to 4 devices at once. However, make sure that your cable operator allows that, as plenty of companies forbid multi-device internet sharing.
The MG7700 is a safe investment at 170 dollars. It is one of the most complete devices on this list, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years. So, you have added security that the company will replace the machine entirely if something happens to it within this time period.
- The very high customer satisfaction rate
- Compatible with all the major cable providers
- Quite easy to set up
- Delivers what has been advertised
- An all-in-one modem
- Customer support is mediocre
- Firmware update issues
4. Best From Netgear: Netgear Nighthawk C7500
- Download Speed: 1 Gbps
- Upload Speed: 300 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 24 x 8
- Warranty: 2 Years
The Netgear Nighthawk C7500 is your traditional cable modem and WiFi router combo, but with a conventional design. Unlike most of the other products on this list, it has 4 antennas and a horizontal body.
Cable plans of up to 1 Gbps will work fluently with this modem. You will get blazing fast internet speeds, and all your devices will run without any buffering.
The WiFi router will give you a maximum download speed of around 500 Mbps if you use the gigabit plans. Otherwise, it will decrease linearly according to the tier, so it is up to you what speed you want. The upload speed is the same in all of them, so the online games will work the same, irrespective of the plan.
The Nighthawk C7500 has been certified by Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and Sparklight. Customers of these companies can simply order the modem and start using it without any help from a technician or engineer.
There are 4 ethernet ports on the backside of the modem, and they are evenly spaced, so you can use them simultaneously to connect to other devices.
The starting price of this modem cum WiFi router is 160 dollars, which is a bit on the higher side, but it is worth every penny. It will save you from the unnecessary rental fee that you currently pay, so any money spent on it would be for the good.
- Excellent speed and range
- Combo of router and modem
- Works well with all kinds of companies and plans
- Traditional design
- There are no heating issues
- Signal drop issues when used with lower plans
- Fragile build quality
5. Best For Turbo 300 Plus: Netgear C6300
- Download Speed: 680 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 140 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 16 x 4
- Warranty: 2 Years
The Netgear C6300 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem that has an in-built WiFi router. It is one of the most good looking machines on this list due to its unique cuts and build quality.
The Netgear C6300 modem supports cable speeds of up to 600 Mbps, thanks to its 686 Mbps download and 140 Mbps speeds. Plans of this category will work seamlessly with this device, and anything more generous this can not be handled by the modem.
The WiFi router has a dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) transmission, so you get the possible speed and range. We would recommend you to use the 5 GHz band for better connectivity, especially if you live in a large house.
Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, and COX have certified this modem for their plans. However, there are plenty of other companies that it supports. You can go and check out the details on their websites or contact them directly.
In terms of connectivity options, Netgear has provided 4 ethernet ports and 1 USB 2.0 port. You can use these to set up wired connections all-around your home.
Additional features of this modem are Advanced Parental Controls, Guest Networks, and App Management. The last one will allow you to control your entire account and modem settings from a single app.
You can purchase the Netgear C6300 for a price of about 168 dollars, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years.
- One of the best modems for Comcast and Sparklight
- High quality-price ratio
- Looks stylish and unique
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Allows you to manage everything from a single app
- Signal issues with Spectrum
- Some may run faulty after 6 months
6. Best For Gamers: Netgear CM500
- Download Speed: 300 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 140 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: No
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Channels: 16 x 4
- Warranty: 2 Years
The Netgear CM500 is the last product that we are going to discuss on this list, and it is ideal for people who are a little low on cash. It will cost the user around 60 dollars, which makes one of the most affordable cable modems.
The Netgear CM500 has a maximum download speed of 300 Mbps, which makes it ideal for plans up to the same. You can buy variants which support a higher rate, but they will cost you more money.
There is no in-built WiFi router inside this modem, so you will have to use its ethernet port to share the internet. You can connect a cable between the two.
The only issue with this type of internet sharing is that it has a single ethernet port, and if you use it to connect it to a router, you can not attach it to any other device, such as a gaming console or desktop PC.
Apart from this, there are no issues with the modem. It is compatible with all of the major cable providers like Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. Customers of these companies can simply order the device, plug it in, and start using it.
If you buy the CM500, you will save up to 160 dollars per year on rental fees alone, which is much higher than its selling price. It will pay for itself within the first 6 months, so it is an excellent deal, and we think you should definitely check it out.
- Low starting price
- Works very well with low-tier plans
- Stable and reliable connection
- Minimalistic design
- 2 years of warranty
- Signal trouble with Spectrum
7. Best Value For Money: Arris Surfboard SBG6580
- Download Speed: 343 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 140 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 8 x 4
- Warranty: 1 Year
The Arris Surfboard SBG6580 is a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem and a dual-band WiFi router. It is ideal for cable speeds up to 400 Mbps and is compatible with companies such as Comcast Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Sparklight, and Cox.
The WiFi router that comes within the modem will provide you with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 140 Mbps. However, to achieve these numbers, you will have to use the best of internet plus modem plans.
If you are a Sparklight user, we would recommend selecting the 125 dollars per month plan, which offers internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps. It will be perfect for a modem of this caliber.
Since this modem has only 8 x 4 channels for download and upload, you can not expect it to give you Gigabit speeds. They are ideal for getting the job done, and that should be your only concern at this price.
For shared internet access, there are 4 ethernet ports on the backside of the modem. The user can use these to connect to other devices such as gaming consoles and desktop PCs.
The companies which the SBG6580 is not compatible with are AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink. So, if you think that you might have to upgrade to these operators in the future, that is not going to be possible with this one.
The starting price of this modem is about 140 dollars, and it comes with a warranty of 1 year.
- Starts at a low price
- It acts as a modem and router
- Excellent area coverage (2500 sq feet)
- 4 ethernet ports
- Stylish design
- The unstable signal at times
- Users have reported failure after 6 months
8. TP Link TC-W7960
- Download Speed: 300 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 141 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Channels: 8 x 4
- Warranty: 2 Years
TP-Link is a famous company when it comes to wireless routers and cable modems, as they make some of the most reliable and affordable devices. This particular one is no different. TP Link TC-W7960 is a two-in-one cable modem and WiFi router that uses the DOCSIS 3.0 technology to give you uninterrupted internet service.
It is capable of giving the user a download speed of 300 Mbps and an upload speed of 141 Mbps, which makes it perfect for cable plans up to 200 Mbps. Sparklight users can choose from any of the 3 plans ($75, $125, $155) that are compatible with this modem.
The WiFi speed of this modem is not as good as its cable speed, but it is not bad, either. It will allow you to play online games, stream movies, and download tv-shows with ease. We feel this is the requirement of most of the users, so it should not be a problem.
Setting up the modem on arrival is quite simple, and you will not need any engineer or instructor. There are simple steps, and all you need to do is follow them one by one.
Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and even Sparklight have certified this modem officially, which means it will work seamlessly with their plans. So, buy it without any hesitation if you are using them.
In terms of connectivity, you will get 4 ethernet ports and 1 USB 2.0 port. You can use these to share the WiFi with other routers.
You can purchase the W7960 for a price of about 100 dollars, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years.
- Easy to set up
- Works well with Comcast, Cox other ISPs
- Blazing fast speed
- It has an in-built WiFi router
- Numerous connectivity options
- Needs to be reset every 3-4 days
9. Netgear C3000
- Download Speed: 340 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 141 Mbps
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.0
- Modem/Router Combo: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 2
- Channels: 8 x 4
- Warranty: 1 Year
If you are looking for a budget two-in-one modem, then the Netgear C3000 would be a perfect fit. It comes with the DOCSIS 3.0 technology for fast cable internet access and an N300 WiFi router. Together, they will save you about 150 dollars of rental fee each year, which makes it an excellent investment.
Cable plans up to 300 Mbps are ideal for the Netgear C3000 model, as anything more powerful than this will result in unsupported speeds and wastage of money.
So, you must be sure about your future cable plans before you buy this modem. You will not be able to upgrade to Gigabit plans, once you finalize it.
The N300 WiFi router that comes within this modem is excellent for playing online games and watching high-quality movies. However, its download speed is basic. Downloading large files will take time, so prepare yourself for that.
This modem has been certified to work with companies such as Comcast Xfinity, Mediacom, Cox, Spectrum, and Cablevision. If you are planning to use it with any other operator, it is better to call them before finalizing it.
Sparklight internet plans of up to 300 Mbps will work just fine with this modem. We would not recommend you to go above them because it does not support them.
The starting price of this modem is around 90 dollars, and it comes with a warranty of 1 year.
- High quality-price ratio
- Fantastic coverage of 2000 sq feet
- Very easy to set up
- Numerous connectivity options
- Tricky parental controls
- Users have reported it to fall apart after 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a modem is more economical than renting one a monthly basis. You can save up to 150 dollars in a single year when you buy a modem. So, yes, go ahead and get your own device. It is an excellent investment.
Netgear CBR40 will be the best fit for you if you are a customer of Sparklight. It is compatible with all of their plans and offers amazing speed and range. Yes, it is a bit expensive, but it is one of the best in the business.
We would recommend you to use the 1 Gig plan of Sparklight if you end up finalizing the CBR40. It is the only plan that can make most out of its capabilities.
DOCSIS stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification. It is a technology used by major US-based telecom companies to transfer high-bandwidth data. You will need it to watch movies in 4k or Full HD on the web, so we recommend you stick with it and stay away from others, such as the previous generation DOCSIS 2.0.
Verdict
Sparklight is compatible with plenty of modem makers, so you have a vast array of devices to choose from. However, we would recommend you to stick to the major companies that we mentioned on this list, as others may not be reliable. They might offer you cheap devices, but they will never be long-lasting and dependable. You don’t want to be wasting your time every 6 months looking for a new modem.
So, choose an internet modem that is ideal for your current and future plans, and then place the order. You must consider your future needs because these devices last for a long time, and it would be smart to do some future-planning in advance.
The supported modems in the official list includes the 50 Mbps modems that are outdated in 2020. Although, they would work for slow-speed plans, but if you’re looking for future-proof options, then you shouldn’t consider them. That’s why you won’t find them in this list.
Leave a Reply