If you are a Cox internet customer, you may be pleased to find out about a little hack that can allow you to save money and potentially get a better internet service.
When you sign up to Cox’s internet service, you have the option of using your own modem instead of the one that you rent directly from them.
Top Picks: Modems For Cox Internet
(view the modems on Amazon by clicking the licks above)
This article will take a look at why you may want to use your own modem, as well as take a look at some of the best modems for Cox internet.
So, Can I Use My Own Modem?
Yes! You absolutely can use your own modem with Cox internet. There are plenty of reasons why you would want to do this which we will explore below. Before you go out and buy a modem though, it is worth mentioning that not just any modem will work with Cox internet. In fact, they require a DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 internet modem.
Luckily, if you aren’t sure about whether or not your modem will work with Cox, they provide a list of approved modems on their website (there are loads so finding one shouldn’t be a problem). Also, the routers reviewed later on in this article will all work with Cox internet.
So, why would you want to use your own modem instead of the one provided? Here are some reasons:
Save On Your Monthly Rental Fee
If you rent a modem from Cox you will likely be spending around $9.99 a month for the privilege. While this is certainly cheaper than buying your own modem in the short term, in the long term (or even the medium term) it could end up costing you far more than even some of the most expensive modems out there.
Choose The Exact Modem You Want
As well as saving money, by using your own modem you will be able to use the exact modem that you want. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with the one they give you, using your own modem gives you the opportunity to choose what you want from a modem or even use a modem/router combo.
What About Routers?
When choosing to use your own modem, it is important to remember that your modem isn’t your router! Your modem is the box that brings the internet into your home and transfers the signal into a digital signal you can use on your network.
A router, on the other hand, is the box that allows multiple other devices to use the one internet connection. Essentially, it “routes” the connection provided by the modem to various computers, smartphones, and tablets around your house. This is usually done by Ethernet cables or more likely these days, wifi.
Not all routers are built equally, however. When choosing a router you need to look out for things such as the wifi standard it uses (this will affect your maximum speeds), as well as potential range, if it has any Quality of Service features, and whether it allows you to use beamforming.
Keeping up? Well, just to confuse things a little more, modem/router combos are becoming more and more common these days. These devices include both a modem and a router in the one package. If you choose to use one of these you will be able to save space around your home and, depending on the product, potentially save some money.
DOCSIS Explained
In the above section, we mentioned that your modem must be compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. Let’s have a quick look at what that actually means and why it matters.
Well, DOCSIS is the technology standard used by cable modems to allow them to provide your home, office, or business with the internet. It started with DOCSIS 1.0 in 1998 and has recently been upgraded to the 3.1 version in 2013.
The most important differences between the different versions is that the later versions allow your modem to provide the higher internet speeds required by things such as file downloads and video streaming over multiple devices.
For example, DOCSIS 3.1 has the potential to allow download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps while even DOCSIS 3.0 allows download speeds of up to 1Gbps.
The reason that Cox only allow you to use a DOCSIS 3.0 or above compatible modem is because these are the only modems that will be able to provide the speeds and the service required for their product.
Best Cable Modems For Cox
1. Arris Surfboard (Motorola) SB6141
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
This cable modem is fully equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 technology which can provide theoretical speeds of up to 343Mbps on the downstream and 131Mbps on the upstream. It is easy to install, simple to setup and they claim that they will have you surfing the net within minutes.
It is a fairly cheap product which means it will only be a few months without paying your Cox modem rental fee before you pay off the whole cost of the device and will start saving money.
It is also a small product so you know it won’t take up too much space in your home and the lights on the front mean that it is easy to tell if it is working and if it isn’t, where the problem is. Basically, this is a simple, easy to use and cost effective modem.
2. Netgear CM1000
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
The Netgear CM1000 modem’s main feature is the fact that it supports DOCSIS 3.1. This gives it blazing fast speeds that can be up to 10x as fast as some DOCSIS 3.0 modems. Of course, whether or not you actually need these speeds will depend on your internet use or package.
It is more expensive than some of the modems on this list, but depending on exactly how much your rental fees are you will still often be able to save money within a two year contract.
It comes with a futuristic-looking black design that will fit right into even the most design conscious spaces. Like the other modems on this list, it is simple to setup and should have you browsing the net at super fast speeds in absolutely no time at all.
3. TP-Link TC-7620
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
Back to DOCSIS 3.0 now with the TP-Link TC-7620 cable modem. TP-Link state it should work with all cable internet plans that provide speeds up to 300Mbps. It bonds up to 16 channels on the downstream which can give it download speeds of up to 680Mbps.
It comes with a 2-year warranty and it isn’t too expensive which means you should have no problem saving money over the medium to long term if you stop paying the Cox internet rental fees.
It has a similar design to the Netgear modem, although perhaps not quite as sleek. We think it will still fit nicely into most homes.
4. Linksys CM3024
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
The Linksys CM3024 is an excellent DOCSIS 3.0 modem on the list. although it does come with a pricetag to match.
It justifies this by supporting the bonding of up to 24 channels on the downstream and 8 on the upstream which should allow for some super-fast internet speeds. No more waiting for Youtube to buffer! In fact, they claim that it will allow speeds of up to 960Mbps.
Despite being more expensive than many modems, you should still be able to start saving money if you have a two year Cox internet contract.
5. Arris SB6190
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
The Arris SB6109 claims to be the fastest DOCSIS 3.0 modem on the list. It bonds a massive 32 channels which provide speeds up to 1.4Gbps. That’s huge!
As well as this, it isn’t too expensive and is actually cheaper than some modems that don't provide the same speeds.
It isn’t as nice to look at as some of the modems on the list but is certainly not too bad. It also comes with a 2-year warranty and Arris’s excellent customer service.
Best Modem And Router Combo For Cox
Arris Surfboard SBG6900AC
>>> Click here to read customer reviews & learn more at Amazon <<<
This is different from the other products on this list as it is both a modem and a router in one product. This means that you won’t need to buy a separate router after purchasing your modem.
It is DOCSIS 3.0 compatible and allows download speeds of up to 686Mbps through 16 bonded channels. This is supported by wireless AC router technology which ensures that these fast speeds will be passed on to your devices.
It comes with a 2-year warranty which means you should have no problems seeing the product last for the duration of your Cox internet contract.
Conclusion
So, that’s it for our Cox internet modem rundown. If you are looking to save some money and potentially get a better internet service you could do far worse than buy one of the products on this list.
If you end up going for a different modem, just ensure it is DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 compatible and check with Cox that it is going to work with their service.
Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment if you have any questions.