This is our review of the best modems for Blue Ridge Internet in 2023.
We are home networking enthusiasts and we take the time to test and research modems for various ISPs and Internet plans, so you don’t have to.
Through our extensive testing and research, we found that the Netgear CM1000 is the best modem for Blue Ridge Internet. It’s fast, supports all Internet plans, and has a fair price.
Netgear CM1000 – Editors Choice’s
Best Overall
- Type: Cable Modem
- Works up to: 1000 Mbps
- Channel bonding: 32×8
- DOCSIS: 3.1
- Warranty: 1 year
Still, it might not be the best modem for you. Depending on your Internet plan, the number of wireless devices, home size, and budget, a different modem may be better.
So we made this top 5 modem recommendation list for Blue Ridge so you can choose the best one for you.
Note: The Netgear CM1000 is not listed on Blue Ridge’s approved modem list. However, according to multiple customer service reps through live chat, it does work with their Internet plans.
Top 5 Blue Ridge Approved Modems
Here are the top 5 modems for Blue Ridge.
- Best Overall – Netgear CM1000
- Runner Up – Technicolor TC4400
- Best Performer – Sercomm DM1000
- Best Budget Option – Arris CM820A
- Best Mid-Tier Option – Arris SB6183
5 Best Blue Ridge Compatible Modems
Here are reviews of the best-approved modems for Blue Ridge.
#1 Best Overall – Netgear CM1000
- Type: Cable Modem
- Recommended for: 1000 Mbps or below
- DOCSIS: 3.1
- Warranty: 1 year
- Chosen as: Best Overall
The Netgear CM1000 is the top modem choice for Blue Ridge Internet.
While Blue Ridge doesn’t mention this unit on their approved modems list, they did confirm it works through their online chat.
(If you get a non-approved modem it needs to be DOCSIS 3.1, you can get a DOCSIS 3.0 modem if it’s approved)
It is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, which means it is fast and more future-proof than a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Plus, it can support a gigabit connection.
It works well for all of Blue Ridge’s Internet plans besides their 1200 Mbps one. So, if you use it on the 1200 Mbps plan, it will limit your speed to 1000 Mbps, which we wouldn’t recommend.
But, in some areas, Blue Ridge only reaches 940 to 1000 Mbps. In that case, this modem can support it.
The CM1000 is easy to set up; all you do is plug it in, download the app, and follow the instructions step by step. And it isn’t too expensive (especially if you buy it during one of its frequent sales).
To learn more, read our complete review of the Netgear CM1000.
#2 Runner Up – Technicolor TC4400
- Type: Cable Modem
- Recommended for: 2000 Mbps or below
- DOCSIS: 3.1
- Warranty: 1 year
- Chosen as: Runner Up
The Technicolor TC4400 is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem that supports downstream speeds up to 2000 Mbps. [1]
Blue Ridge lists this modem on their approved list, and it is the modem they will rent to you if you subscribe to their 1200 Mbps plan.
It is backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0, which supports slower speeds. As such, the TC4400 works with all Blue Ridge Internet plans.
A major upside of the TC4400 is that it has two Gigabit Ethernet ports. This means you can use it for port bonding and achieve even faster Internet speeds in your home– up to 2 Gbps.
And even though Blue Ridge’s fastest Internet plan is 1200 Mbps, they are bound to upgrade their network infrastructure and offer faster plans in the future.
In that case, you’ll already be prepared with the TC4400.
A downside of the Technicolor TC4400 is its high price and difficulty to find. It seems that Technicolor does not sell directly to homeowners– and only to ISPs for them to rent to their customers.
So, you might have to risk buying it used or you can just rent it from Blue Ridge. But in the long run, renting will end up costing you more money than buying your own.
Overall, the TC4400 is a great modem with fast speeds and many features that future-proof it– if you can find it available for purchase.
#3 Best Performer – Sercomm DM1000
- Type: Cable Modem
- Recommended for: 2500 Mbps or below
- DOCSIS: 3.1
- Warranty: 1 year
- Chosen as: Best Performer
The Sercomm DM1000 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem with the best performance for all of Blue Ridge’s Internet plans– even its fastest plan.
It can support speeds up to 2.5 Gbps (2500 Mbps) thanks to its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port. [2]
Since it is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem and can handle speeds faster than Blue Ridge currently provides, the DM1000 will future-proof your home network the best.
So, when Blue Ridge updates its network infrastructure and bumps up your plan’s speed, you won’t have to upgrade your modem.
Some downsides of the Sercomm DM1000 is its wide footprint, which means it takes up more shelf space than other options.
And like the Technicolor TC4400, it is hard to find it available for purchase. So, you might have to buy it used or rent it from Blue Ridge. Neither of which is ideal.
Still, the DM1000 has excellent speeds and performance and will ensure you won’t have to upgrade your modem for many years.
#4 Best Budget Option – Arris CM820A
- Type: Cable modem
- Recommended for: 150 Mbps or below
- DOCSIS: 3.0, 8×4 channels
- Warranty: 2 year
- Chosen as: Best budget option
If you’re on a tight budget and have a slower Internet plan from Blue Ridge, the Arris SM820A is a great option.
It only supports a maximum throughput of 150 Mbps, which is much slower than every other modem in this list.
But if 150 Mbps (or less) is all you get with your Blue Ridge Internet plan, this won’t be an issue.
However, if you want to bump up to a faster plan, you will have to upgrade your modem anyway.
Another downside of the CM820A is that it is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with only 8×4 channels. As we mentioned earlier, this limits the bandwidth but also means it has less security.
All in all, if you’re on a budget and have a slow Internet plan (<150 Mbps), the Arris CM820A is a good, low-cost choice.
#5 Best Mid-Tier Option – Arris SB6183
- Type: Cable Modem
- Recommended for speed: 400 Mbps or less
- DOCSIS: 3.0, 16×4 channels
- Warranty: 2 years
- Chosen as: Best Mid-Tier Option
The Arris SB6183 cable modem is a good mid-tier option if you have Blue Ridge’s Internet plans offering speeds of 400 Mbps or slower.
It is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 16×4 channels, which limits its max speed.
This makes it slower than a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. But if you have 400 Mbps or slower Internet speeds and don’t plan to upgrade in the near future, this won’t be an issue.
The SB6183 is easy to set up and has a small footprint, so it doesn’t take up much shelf space.
And unlike some other options on Blue Ridge’s approved modem list, you can easily find it available for purchase. Plus, it is affordable.
Overall, if you have a medium-speed Internet plan from Blue Ridge (400 Mbps or less) and don’t plan to upgrade your plan, the SB6183 is a good option.
List of All Blue Ridge Certified Modems
Here is the complete list of all the modems Blue Ridge has on its approved modems list. [3]
Brand | Model # | Router | Channels | DOCSIS | Puma Chipset | Speed (Mbps) |
Arris | CM820A | No | 8×4 | 3.0 | No | 150 |
Arris | DG1660 | Yes | 16×4 | 3.0 | Yes | 400 |
Arris | SB6183 | No | 16×4 | 3.0 | No | 400 |
Sercomm | DM1000 | No | 32×8 | 3.1 | No | 1000 |
Technicolor | TC4400 | No | 32×8 | 3.1 | No | 1000 |
Technicolor | CVA4003 | No | 32×8 | 3.1 | No | 1000 |
As you see, the list is short.
However, just because Blue Ridge doesn’t list any more modems on its webpage doesn’t mean there aren’t others that work on it.
In fact, most modems will work with Blue Ridge as long as they are DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems, like our top overall choice – Netgear CM1000.
This is what the customer service team at Blue Ridge told us on a live chat.
If you want to confirm if a particular modem works with Blue Ridge, give them a call or use their live chat before you buy the modem.
What to Consider Before Buying A Blue Ridge Approved Modem
Here is what you need to consider before buying a modem for Blue Ridge. For more information, check out our general modem buying guide.
Compatible with Blue Ridge
Usually, we only recommend getting modems that the ISP approves of themselves. But in Blue Ridge’s case, the approved list on its webpage is extremely limited.
In fact, a few of the six options they provide aren’t even available for purchase at major retailers. Plus, most of them aren’t that exciting or feature-rich.
As such, we recommend the Netgear CM1000 as our top choice. According to Blue Ridge’s live chat feature, three different customer service representatives confirmed it would work.
Plus, we found Blue Ridge customer statements on various forums and marketplaces stating it works as well.
With that said, you can still get a modem from Blue Ridge’s approved modem list and get good performance, especially if you have a slower Internet plan.
This is why our #2, #3, #4, and #5 recommendations in this guide are from the Blue Ridge list.
Modem/Router Combo or Separate
When buying a modem for your Blue Ridge Internet, you must also decide if you want a modem/router combo or separate devices.
Separate devices are when you have the modem and router as individual units, while a combo device is a hybrid and a single unit that does both functions.
Here are the main advantages of each option:
Separate Devices Pros
- Ability to change one instead of both if you want to upgrade
- Better performance
- More control
Modem/router Combo Pros
- Cheaper upfront cost
- Generally easier setup
- Takes less space
That being said if you want a modem/router combo for the Blue Ridge approved modem list, you only have one option– the Arris DG1660.
However, this modem/router combo isn’t going to give you the best performance. It’s slow and will only work with plans up to 400 Mbps.
However, according to Blue Ridge customer service, any DOCSIS 3.1 modem or modem/router combo should work on their network.
If you want to learn more about this consideration, read our guide on modem/router combo vs. separate devices.
DOCSIS 3.0 vs. 3.1
Another consideration for a new modem for Blue Ridge is DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1.
DOCSIS 3.1 modems are faster, newer, more secure and will future-proof your home network the best.
On the other hand, DOCSIS 3.0 is older and slower but still works well with slower Internet plans. Plus, DOCSIS 3.0 modems are more affordable.
Still, for Blue Ridge, I recommend choosing a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. Like most ISPs, Blue Ridge is constantly updating/upgrading its network infrastructure and improving speeds.
This means you might have to upgrade to a DOCSIS 3.1 modem in the near future anyways.
For more information, read our DOCSIS 3.1 or 3.0 guide.
Channels
The number of channels on a DOCSIS 3.0 modem is another thing you should consider too.
DOCSIS 3.1 modems always have 32×8 channels, so this only applies to 3.0. [4]
More channels on a DOCSIS 3.0 modem means it can provide faster speeds.
To make sure you get the appropriate amount of channels on a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, use the table below to match up the channels and DOCSIS type with your Internet plan’s speed.
Internet Plan | DOCSIS | Channels |
10 Mbps | 3.0 or 3.1 | 4×4, 8×4, 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8 |
50 Mbps | 3.0 or 3.1 | 8×4, 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8 |
100 Mbps | 3.0 or 3.1 | 8×4, 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8 |
150 Mbps | 3.0 or 3.1 | 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8 |
250 Mbps | 3.0 or 3.1 | 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8 |
400 Mbps | 3.1 | N/A |
1000 Mbps | 3.1 | N/A |
Ports
The number of ports on the modem might be another important consideration for you (especially on DOCSIS 3.1 modems and modem/router combos).
First, the type of Ethernet port is important as it sets the modem’s bandwidth.
Some DOCSIS 3.1 modems have a single 1 Gbps port and newer ones have a 2.5 Gbps port. Some even have two Ethernet ports for port bonding, like the Technicolor TC4400.
So, if you have Blue Ridge’s 1200 Mbps plan or you want to future-proof your home network for possible speed increases, it would be best to get one with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, like the Sercomm DM1000.
For modem/router combos, you should consider the amount of Ethernet ports to connect local devices and USB ports for network storage.
Rent Vs. Buy Blue Ridge Modems
Renting a modem and a router from Blue Ridge costs $5.95 per month each. This means that you will pay upwards of $11.90 per month. [5]
So, if you rent both, you will end up paying $143 per year. This is enough to buy both a modem and a router.
Therefore, I’m a strong proponent of buying network equipment instead of renting them for Blue Ridge.
And it’s not only because it’s cheaper, but you will often also get better performance. Especially if you have one of the faster internet plans.
I should, however, note that I’m somewhat biased, as I do make a small commission if you buy a modem.
Read our separate devices vs. modem/router combos for more considerations.
FAQ
Here are some common questions about Blue Ridge and modems.
Can I use my own modem with Blue Ridge?
Yes, you can use your own modem with Blue Ridge. Almost all cable modems that are DOCSIS 3.1 should work on their network, according to our live chat with their customer service.
However, verify modem compatibility with Blue Ridge’s customer service before you purchase your modem. You can reach them through the live chat on their website or by calling them at 1-800-222-5377.
What does Blue Ridge’s approval mean?
When a modem is approved by Blue Ridge, that means they tested it and verified that it works on their network.
With that said, Blue Ridge only has five modems on their Approved Modem List.
However, several more modems work on their network; they likely just have not tested them.
Our Verdict
After much consideration and testing, we determined the Netgear CM1000 is the best modem for Blue Ridge, even though it isn’t technically on their approved modem list.
It’s fast, future-proof, cost-effective, and works with all Blue Ridge Internet plans, according to their customer support.
But, if you want to go with an option from their approved list, our runner-up, the Technicolor TC4400 modem, is the next best choice.
1 thought on “5 Best Compatible Modems for Blue Ridge”
Thank you so much for this. Their own page of these modems don’t really explain much between all of them. I have been told as of recently that if you have higher then 400mbps that you need a DOCIS 3.1 or higher. Blue Ridge has also changed their internet plans recently too. We were 200mbps and they upgraded us to 400 at no additional cost.