Head-to-head · Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Motorola MB8611 vs Netgear CM1000

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Netgear CM1000 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about users replacing older modems seeking reliability and ease of setup — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Motorola MB8611

4.2

1 sourceall derived

The Motorola MB8611 is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and support for up to 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. Tech Reviews called it a great modem, pointing to its backward compatibility and AQM for low-latency performance. Firmware is the weak spot: users have reported stability problems, particularly on version 21.3.7, and one switched to an Arris S34 after prolonged trouble. It's approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. Choose it for fast internet, not if you need voice capabilities or can't tolerate firmware instability.

Strengths

— 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for high-speed wired connections
— Fast DOCSIS 3.1 speeds with support for 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels
— Backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0

Watch-outs

— No voice capabilities
— Has firmware issues reported by some users (specifically 21.3.7 firmware causing instability)

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Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modems

Netgear CM1000

4.4

1 source$194.75as of Jul 31

The Netgear CM1000 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem that holds Gigabit speeds reliably, which makes it a straightforward upgrade from an older unit. Reviews consistently mention how easy it is to set up, how well it holds up, and how much faster it is than earlier models like the CM500 and CM600. Customer feedback reports compatibility with major ISPs including Comcast Xfinity and strong performance on 1Gbps plans. Complaints are minor: no coaxial cable in the box and a somewhat flimsy base. It's a common recommendation for anyone trying to stop renting ISP equipment.

Strengths

— Excellent performance with Gigabit-class internet plans
— Reliable and durable build quality
— Easy setup process with quick activation via ISP

Watch-outs

— Does not come with a coaxial cable
— Base is described as flimsy and modem can topple easily

$194.75 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Motorola MB8611

The Motorola MB8611 supports 2.5Gbps Ethernet, unlike the Arris SB8200 which is capped at 1Gbps, but it's prone to firmware issues compared to the Netgear CM1000 which offers more stable performance. Unlike the Motorola MB8600, it doesn't support 6Gbps WAN speeds, and unlike the Arris SBG8000, it lacks integrated Wi-Fi.

Netgear CM1000

The Netgear CM1000 excels in build quality and ease of setup compared to the Arris SB8200, which has less durability. However, unlike the Motorola MB8600, it doesn't support WAN Link Aggregation, and unlike the Motorola MB8611, it lacks 2.5Gbps Ethernet capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Motorola MB8611	Netgear CM1000
Docsis Version	3.1	3.1 (3.0 30×8 compatible)
Downstream Channels	32	32 downstream and 8 upstream channels
Upstream Channels	8	8 upstream channels
Dimensions	7.25"L x 2.25"W x 7.88"H	8.8 x 3.4 x 5.9in
Max Download Speed	2,500 Mbps	1Gbps
Ethernet Ports	—	1Gbps LAN, 1x Coax
Weight	—	.95lb (431g)

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