Motorola MB8600
Score: 82/100
Netgear CM1000 Black
Score: 80/100Rankings
The Motorola MB8600 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem delivering up to 3.8 Gbps downstream speeds and four Gigabit Ethernet ports. Its lack of built-in Wi-Fi and masked Ethernet ports limit flexibility for some users. Ideal for gigabit plans where a separate router is already in use.
The Netgear CM1000 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem delivering up to 1.2 Gbps download speeds and broad compatibility with major US cable providers. Its single 1 Gbps Ethernet port and lack of link-aggregation limit scalability for multi-gigabit plans. Ideal for households on 500 Mbps-1 Gbps cable plans needing a reliable, future-proof modem.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
3,800 Mbpsbest | 1,200 Mbps | |
800 Mbpsbest | 304 Mbps | |
4 portsbest | 1 ports | |
| ↓ lower better | 30 Wbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 0.031 kgbest | — |
2 yearsbest | 0.25 years |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(2) | ||
Maximum Download Speed (Mbps) | 3800 Mbps | 1200 Mbps |
Maximum Upload Speed (Mbps) | 800 Mbps | 304 Mbps |
Ports(1) | ||
Ethernet Ports (count) (ports) | 4 ports | 1 ports |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Dimensions (HxWxD) (mm) | 200x57x184 mm mm | 8.8x5.9x5.4 inches mm |
General(2) | ||
Provider Compatibility | Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum | Xfinity, Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, Mediacom |
Warranty (years) (years) | 2 years | 0.25 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers view the MB8600 as a solid, no-frills DOCSIS 3.1 modem that excels in raw speed potential and low-latency performance thanks to its Broadcom chipset and AQM.
Consumers generally praise the MB8600 for delivering consistent gigabit-class speeds and an easy setup with major ISPs. Common praise centers on its stability and the ability to handle multiple static IPs, while recurring complaints focus on the hidden Ethernet ports, occasional distance-related speed loss, and the need for an external router due to the absence of Wi-Fi.
Professional reviewers consider the CM1000 a reliable, future-proof DOCSIS 3.1 modem that delivers solid performance on 1 Gbps cable plans. They commend its straightforward setup, broad ISP compatibility, and elegant design, while noting its single-gigabit Ethernet port and lack of dual ports as drawbacks compared to higher-end competitors.
Everyday users praise the CM1000 for its plug-and-play simplicity, consistent gigabit-class speeds, and long-term stability, often rating it above 4.5 out of 5. Common themes include appreciation for easy ISP activation and noticeable speed improvements, balanced by complaints about its bulkier size and occasional provider-specific activation issues.
“"valuable" frill-free DOCSIS 3.1 modem ideal for 1 Gbps plans”
“"Reliable high speeds (e.g., 900+ Mbps down at 20 ft in tests, stable for gigabit plans)"”
