9 Best Comcast Xfinity Approved Modems in 2023

This is our article on the best compatible modems for Comcast Xfinity in 2023.

Go to the Full List.

As a Network Engineer, I have bought a bunch of modems to find out which one is the best for Xfinity.

And after much testing, I have concluded that Motorola MB8611 is the best modem for Comcast Xfinity. Because it’s fast, future-proof, and reliable.

But everyone has different internet needs and wants, so what modem you should get depends.

Thus, I have compiled this list of the top 9 best Comcast Xfinity modems, so you can pick the one that fits you the best.

Keep reading to learn more.

7 Best Approved Xfinity Compatible Modems

Here are the best Comcast Xfinity modems.

My Youtube Video on the Topic

Top 9 Comcast Xfinity Compatible Modems

Here are the nine best Comcast Xfinity-approved modems with the best options for your circumstances. 

#1 Best Overall – Motorola MB8611

The Motorola MB8611 is the perfect option for you with the Gigabit plan (2000 Mbps) or below that want to future-proof your modem.

This thing is fast. That’s characterized by the fact that it has a multi-gig port. This means you can get up to 2500 Mbps speeds to your router. 

This is more than enough speed for a family or even a medium-sized business. It’s as fast as you can get from most home modems, so I recommend it for any of the Xfinity plans.

A piece of technology that aids this speed is DOCSIS 3.1. DOCSIS is the tool that converts a signal into a connection for your home.

DOCSIS 3.1 is the latest protocol for this technology and it has the best performance. Plus, it’ll keep you future proof in the sense that internet service providers are phasing out DOCSIS 3.0 compatibility.

Another thing we like about the MB8611 is the fact that you get two years warranty. A lot of manufacturers will only provide a year of cover, but Motorola extends that to two with this model. That’ll give you extra peace of mind. 

Sure, the MB8611 is a little on the pricey side but with what you get for it, I believe that the price is very good. And that’s just another reason I think it’s the best modem for Xfinity plans overall!

To learn more, read our full review of the Motorola MB8611. 

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#2 Best For Voice Service – Netgear CM2050V

Those with Xfinity Voice plans and a fast internet plan will definitely want to consider the Netgear CM2050V.

What makes it different from our other picks? Well, it has a phone jack, and that means it’s compatible with VoIP.

There are a couple of phone lines for this modem which means it’s possible to have a three-way call should you wish to do so. 

Another feature this modem has is call forwarding. This would allow you to redirect calls from your landline phone to your cell. That way, you’ll never have to miss any important calls. 

On the internet side of things, this modem has a multi-gig port so you’ll be able to get speeds of up to 2500 Mbps out of it.

This speed will be more than everyone, enough to download nearly anything in mere minutes. 

It’s also about as fast as a home modem gets, so I’d recommend it for those on any of the Xfinity plans. 

Of course, this is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. You should be able to keep hold of it for many years without running the risk of the technology becoming redundant. 

The only real negative of this modem is that it’s expensive. But then again, that was to be expected considering the speed and the extra technology for phone plan support. 

This is the perfect option for those on the faster Xfinity plans with Voice.

To learn more, read our full review of the Netgear CM2050V. 

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#3 Best Budget Option – Motorola MB7420

If you want to save a little money on your next modem, take a look at the Motorola MB7420. It’s very well-priced and enough for some the Performance internet plan (200 Mbps).  

The modem is “just enough modem” that will serve you well for now but is not future-proof.

One key downside to think about is that this is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. As previously mentioned, this means that you won’t be protected against the future so much as Xfinity could phase out compatibility with this technology at some point. 

The MB7420 has 16×4 channels, and that’s the bare minimum requirement for any of the Xfinity plans. 

The good news is that you’ll still get the double warranty here for a period of two years instead of the legal minimum of one.

So do not get it if you plan to upgrade your internet plan anytime soon. 

Moreover, If you want a budget modem and have a faster plan than 200 Mbps. Motorola has another good option:

• Motorola MB7621 – For 800 Mbps plans or below (you can read our review here)

Any of these are great options if you’re on a budget and aren’t interested in future-proofing.

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#4 Best Modem for Gaming – Arris Surfboard SB8200

Need a lot of speed for gaming? The Arris Surfboard SB8200 has that to offer and then some. 

There is no multi-gig port for this modem, so you won’t be able to get a speed of 2.5 Gbps. However, you can still get up to 2 Gbps.

The way the SB8200 achieves this is with a process called ethernet aggregation. It combines the outputs of two 1000 Mbps ethernet ports into one, for a total of 2000 Mbps. Even though ethernet aggregation has its flaws (read more in the buying guide). 

This means that this modem will offer enough speed for the Xfinity Gigabit X2 (2000 Mbps) plan. 

That’s plenty of speed for some intense gaming sessions! And in fact, this kind of speed is going to be more than enough for most people.

As you have probably guessed, this is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem so you’ll be able to use it for a lot longer than some cheaper modems.

One unusual flaw we found with this modem is that the running lights are super bright. If you’re planning on keeping your modem in your bedroom, this one probably isn’t going to be the best idea.

But other than that, this is a fantastic gaming modem for Xfinity customers at a good price.

To learn more, read our full review of the Arris Surfboard SB8200. 

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#5 Best Modem for Xfinity Gigabit X2 (2000 Mbps) – Netgear CM2000

Here’s another speedy option: the Netgear CM2000. It might be pricey but it packs a punch for the fastest Xfinity plans.

Crucially, the CM2000 has a multi gig port. As a result, you’ll be able to send speeds of 2500 Mbps to your router with a single connection.

This is more than enough for the Gigabit X2 (2000 Mbps) plan. And because it’s as fast as you can really get to a router, I’d even recommend it for the Gigabit Pro (6000 Mbps) plan.

This DOCSIS 3.1 modem will stay relevant for many years into the future as ISPs slowly phase out the older technology, DOCSIS 3.0. Plus, it’s the key to the fast speed of this modem. 

Furthermore, the CM2000 is approved for every major ISP. So you should never have to worry about which provider you can switch to if you ever want to make a change (as long as you still have cable internet).

This is a pretty expensive modem though. For the price, one might expect to receive two years or more of warranty instead of just one, but unfortunately that’s not the case.

This is just about the only downside we could come up with for this modem though. I’m confident that it’s the best option for the fastest Xfinity plans should you have the budget to afford it. 

To learn more, read our full review of the Netgear CM2000. 

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#6 Best Value – Netgear Nighthawk C7800

Our top modem/router combo device in terms of value for money has to be the Netgear C7800. It’s quick, and it’s affordable for DOCSIS 3.1.

The DOCSIS 3.1 technology ensures that you’ll get fast modem speeds and that this device will stay supported for years into the future as they phase out DOCSIS 3.0. 

The actual router speed isn’t super fast as it’s Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6. This is slightly older technology but it’s not going to be phased out in the way that DOCSIS 3.0 is. 

We tested the speed from 5 ft away and recorded 513.64 Mbps. Other measured speeds were 309.15 Mbps from 25 feet and 155.21 Mbps from 50 feet.

That’s more than enough for most families. I’d recommend it for anyone on Xfinity plans up to Fast (400 Mbps).

This gateway also has a reasonable range of around 80-90 ft. This should be enough for a medium-sized home but you can always add a Wi-Fi extender if you need to. 

The router part does have two features: QoS and parental controls. These will allow you to set priority devices for extra speed and to control access to certain content for young children.

However, that is about all they’ll do. Their scope is quite limited, so don’t expect to be in full control here.

Nonetheless, this is still a fantastic gateway device. It’s a perfect option for anyone who wants the convenience of combination hardware if they’re not on a plan faster than Xfinity Fast (400 Mbps).

To learn more, read our full review of the Netgear Nighthawk C7800. 

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#7 Best Performer – Netgear Nighthawk CAX80

The Netgear Nighthawk is one of the best gateways I have tested, and it will work for any Xfinity internet plan. 

This is the first Wi-Fi 6 gateway we’ve looked at today. This is a newer Wi-Fi protocol that means the Wi-Fi speed is faster. In fact, it’s very fast, with speeds way north of 800 Mbps according to our tests (limited by our plan). That’s perfect gaming speed!

This is about as fast as it gets for a gateway so I recommend it for any Xfinity plan. But realistically, you’re probably only going to be able to max out plans up to the Gigabit Extra (1200 Mbps) over Wi-Fi. That’s still very good though.

The Wi-Fi 6 technology also helps the range of the network. We found that the CAX80 would hold a connection as far as 90-100 ft. This means it’s more suitable for large homes than our other two top picks so far.

It’s going to be more expensive as a result though. This is a premium gateway and the price is high. But still, it should work out cheaper than buying separate devices unless you go down the budget route there.

Of course, it’s DOCSIS 3.1 as well so you’re future proof in that respect and will get the enhanced modem performance.

There’s QoS and parental controls for this gateway but they are still limited. You’ll still be able to block some content and set priority devices though. 

This is a really good option for gamers who don’t want to have to worry about separate modems and routers. 

To learn more, read our full review of the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80.

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#8 Best For Voice Service – Motorola MT8733

For the ultimate convenience, here’s a modem/router combo that you can use with Xfinity voice plans. It’s compatible with VoIP. It even has two phone jacks for conference calls as well!

To be honest, we haven’t tested this one. But we tested its brother, the MG8725, which is the same device except for the phone jack. 

It maxed out our 800 Mbps plan at the time with ease (limited by our internet plan).

Again, this is about as fast as it gets for Wi-Fi gateways so it could be fitting for any Xfinity plan. But you’ll probably only really want it for anything up to the Gigabit Extra (1200 Mbps) plan.

Either way, it offers more than enough speeds for large families, even if there are one or two hardcore gamer family members.  

This is another Wi-Fi 6 router meaning it has good speed and range. That range is around 90-100 ft according to our tests.

And it’s DOCSIS 3.1 so the modem is very fast. In both the modem and router parts, this gateway device is future proof. Neat!

It’s a shame that the MT8733 doesn’t have parental controls or QoS considering the price of it. But this (and the price, if you consider that an object) are the only two negatives for this gateway overall. 

Voice customers who want the extra speed and the gateway convenience need look no further than the MT8733.

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#9 Best Budget Option – Motorola MG7540

If you don’t want to spend too much money and have the Performance internet plan or below (200 Mbps), the Motorola MG7540 is perfect for you. 

Be warned: this is only a DOCSIS 3.0 gateway with channels of 16×4. That’s older technology that could be phased out soon. Plus, 16×4 is the bare minimum channels for Xfinity. This might change again, leaving this router redundant for all Xfinity plans in the future.

The router part isn’t bad though. We managed to record a Wi-Fi speed of 301.85 Mbps which will be more than enough for many people. That’ll be plenty of speed for the Connect and Connect More plans too (75 Mbps and 200 Mbps).

You’ll also be able to get a decent range of 80-90 ft from it according to our tests. That’s around the size of a medium home. 

There are QoS and parental controls with this gateway but as is the case for many gateways, the scope of them is very limited.

In conclusion, the MG7540 is a very affordable option for those on the Connect and Connect More plans looking for something fairly temporary.

To learn more, read our full review of the Motorola MG7540. 

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Complete List with All Comcast Xfinity Approved Modems 

Here is a list of the Comcast Xfinity approved modems with every modem which is confirmed to be working on Xfinity internet.

Brand	Model #	With Router	Channels	DOCSIS	Puma Chipset	VoIP
ARRIS	G36	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
ARRIS	G34	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
ARRIS	S33	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
ARRIS	SB6183	No	16×4	3.0	No	No
ARRIS	SB6190	No	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SB8200	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
ARRIS	SBG10	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBG6900-AC	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
ARRIS	SBG6950AC2	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBG7400AC2	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBG7580-AC	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBG7600AC2	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBG8300	Yes	32×8	3.1	Yes	No
ARRIS	SBV2402	No	24×8	3.0	Yes	Yes
ARRIS	SBV3202	No	32×8	3.0	Yes	Yes
ARRIS	SVG2482AC	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	Yes
ARRIS	T25	No	32×8	3.1	Yes	Yes
ASUS	CM-16	No	16×4	3.0	No	No
ASUS	CM-32	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
ASUS	CMAX6000	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
HUMAX	HGD310	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
Linksys	CG6350	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
Linksys	CG7500	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	No
Linksys	CM3016	No	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
Linksys	CM3024	No	24×8	3.0	Yes	No
Motorola	MB7420	No	16×4	3.0	No	No
Motorola	MB7621	No	24×8	3.0	No	No
Motorola	MB8600	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
Motorola	MB8611	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
Motorola	MG7540	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
Motorola	MG7550	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
Motorola	MG7700	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
Motorola	MG8702	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
Motorola	MG8725	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
Motorola	MT7711	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	Yes
Motorola	MT8733	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	Yes
NETGEAR	C6230	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C6250-100NAS	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C6300-100NAS	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
NETGEAR	C6300v2	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No
NETGEAR	C6900	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C7000-100NAS	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C7000v2	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C7100V	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	Yes
NETGEAR	C7500	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	C7800	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM500	No	16×4	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	CM500V	No	16×4	3.0	No	Yes
NETGEAR	CM600	No	24×8	3.0	No	No
NETGEAR	CM700	No	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
NETGEAR	CM1000	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM1000v2	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM1000-1AZNAS	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM1100	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM1150V	No	32×8	3.1	No	Yes
NETGEAR	CM1200	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM2000	No	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CM2050V	No	32×8	3.1	No	Yes
NETGEAR	CAX30	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CAX80	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No
NETGEAR	CBR40	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No
NETGEAR	CBR750	Yes	32×8	3.1	Yes	No
TP-Link	ARCHER CR500	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
TP-Link	ARCHER CR700	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No
TP-Link	CR1900	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No
TP-Link	TC-7620	No	16×4	3.0	No	No
TP-Link	TC7650	No	24×8	3.0	No	No

Puma Chipset is a problematic chip some modems and routers use. I recommend avoiding models using it. “Yes” means that the modem uses it, and “No” that it doesn’t.

You can learn more about the chipset here.

Buying Guide to Xfinity Approved Modems

I used a set of criteria to rank and rate each of my top nine picks. Stay with me for the next section to get that information for yourself, so that you can get the clearest idea of which modem to buy.

If you get to the end of this buying guide and still want to know more, you can check out a more detailed buying guide here.

Here’s a list of things to consider:

Rent vs. Buy Your Xfinity Modem/Gateway

Xfinity will lease you their xFi Gateway at a cost of $14 per month. There is no free option.

So, financially, it makes sense for most people to get their own modem or gateway unless they’re only planning on staying with Xfinity for a very short period of time for whatever reason.

This is quite expensive for a gateway. Especially considering that a lot of other ISPs will lease devices to customers for free.

We found that the XFi Gateway is actually pretty good in terms of its speed and range. But the bottom line is that you can get the same quality or even better for a lower price over a period of time. You do the math.

That said, we are a bit biased when it comes to this. 

For a more detailed overview, you can check out our guide on Rent Vs. Buy Modem & Router. 

Modem Speed – Fast Enough for Your Plan

Is the modem you’re interested in going to max out your plan? Probably, yes. Most modems are pretty quick and most customers aren’t going to be on a plan that threatens maxing the top speed out.

Nonetheless, it’s still worth considering, especially if you are on a faster plan. It’s especially worth considering if you will buy a gateway as these are restricted by top Wi-Fi speeds. Which are going to be lower than the top speeds of most modems.

As a reminder, here’s a look at the current plan lineup for Xfinity:

Internet Plan	Speed (D/U)	Required DOCSIS	Required Channels	Recommended Minimum Wi-Fi Standard
Connect	75 Mbps	3.0 or 3.1	16×4 or more	Wi-Fi 5 or 6
Connect More	200 Mbps	3.0 or 3.1	16×4 or more	Wi-Fi 5 or 6
Fast	400 Mbps	3.0 or 3.1	16×4 or more	Wi-Fi 5 or 6
Superfast	800 Mbps	3.0 or 3.1	24×8 or more	Wi-Fi 6
Ultrafast	1000 Mbps	3.1	N/A	Wi-Fi 6 or 6e
Gigabit Extra	1200 Mbps	3.1	N/A	Wi-Fi 6 or 6e
Gigabit X2	2000 Mbps	3.1	N/A	Wi-Fi 6e
Gigabit Pro	6000 Mbps	3.1	N/A	Wi-Fi 6e

Be aware that these plans (particularly the names of them) will vary from region to region across the US. To find out exactly what they’re going to be called where you are, and for more information on them in general, take a look at this link. 

DOCSIS and Channels

I generally recommend opting for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. It’s newer, faster and will stay relevant for longer. But it is more expensive. 

A lot of ISPs are phasing out their support for DOCSIS 3.0, the previous generation, and I don’t think it’ll be long before Xfinity goes the same way.

However, if you need a ‘quick fix’ for cheap and you don’t have a fast (over 800 Mbps) internet plan, DOCSIS 3.0 could still work out for you. 

DOCSIS is the technology that converts an outside signal into a network for your home. 

DOCSIS 3.0 modems also have something called channels to consider. Cheaper, slow modems can have as little as 8×4 channels but faster modems can be up to 32×8. These will be a bit more expensive though.

Find out more about DOCSIS 3.0 vs 3.1 here.

DOCSIS 3.0 benefits

• Support for up to 800 Mbps sometimes
• Cheaper

DOCSIS 3.1 benefits – Our recommendation

• Very fast
• Will be future proof

Ethernet ports or aggregation

The ethernet output of your modem shows you how much speed you can send to your router, mainly on DOCSIS 3.1. 

If your modem has a single Gig ethernet port, it will be able to provide speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. If it has a multi gig ethernet port, the speed will jump up to 2500 Mbps. But this is more expensive. 

Another piece of technology some modems incorporate is something called ethernet aggregation. Here, the modem will combine the outputs of 2 Gig ethernet ports for a total speed of 2000 Mbps.

However, this does have its flaws. For a start, it’s not supported by some routers. Also, you’ll need to get two IP addresses, and this is only available in specific areas of the US. Xfinity is phasing out support for this.

Nonetheless, this does not matter too much with the current plan lineup. The fastest plan right now is 1000 Mbps so it’s not necessary to use ethernet aggregation in the first place.

To buy a modem/router combo or to keep them separate?

We’ve looked at a handful of modems and gateways (modem/router combos) today. Generally, I recommend buying a separate modem and router though.

Keeping things separate has a few key benefits. You’ll have more control over your network, access to faster speeds and range and better features all round. 

You might be able to get Mesh with a separate router if you have a large home. Or, you could get better QoS and parental controls. 

Of course, this is likely to work out more expensive. And I can totally see the benefit of the convenience of having things all in one device.

So at the end of the day it does depend on what your personal priorities are. Do you want convenience or control? 

For help with buying a good router for Xfinity plans, take a look at this guide. 

Separate modem and router device benefits – Our recommendation

• Faster
• More features
• Better control

Modem/router combo benefits

• Cheaper
• More convenient 

You can compare both options in more detail here.

Warranty

If you’re planning on keeping your modem for a while, it could be worth looking at the warranty. The warranty period is the time through which the manufacturer will take care of any faults.

In the US, the legal minimum for this is one year but you’ll find a lot of manufacturers, like Motorola, who offer two years or more. 

Hopefully, you’ll never actually have to make a claim on your warranty. But it’s always good to know that the option is there for your general peace of mind.

Home Size

If you’re buying a gateway device or a separate router, you’ll also need to consider the Wi-Fi range. 

Most gateways or routers will be able to provide signal to a regular-sized apartment or smaller home but if you live in a large home, be sure to look at the range.

You can still add a Wi-Fi extender but I’d recommend trying to avoid doing this as it’s not super convenient.

For some good options read our article on the best Wi-Fi extenders for Xfinity. 

VoIP Voice Support

If you have an Xfinity Voice plan, you’re going to need to buy a modem that supports it. Some modems have support for VoIP. This means it will have a phone jack. Or, in some cases, more than one phone jack for conference calls. 

You can check out the Netgear CM2050V and the Motorola MT8733 above for some examples.

If you want more info about voice modems, read our article on the best voice modems. 

Why Get a Comcast Xfinity Approved Modem

As mentioned, I recommend most people to buy their modem instead of renting it. And here are some of the main benefits of this.

No Monthly Fee

Comcast has a high renting fee that keeps rising. So, a big advantage of getting your modem is that you legally don’t need to pay the renting fee anymore. 

This will save you $168 a year, enough to buy a new modem every year. 

Faster Internet

You will also often experience faster speeds with a third-party modem than with the ISP’s modem. 

Even if Comcast’s devices are decent many other options are better. This will be especially noticeable if you get any of the top performers in the list above.

More Control and Features

Although Xfinity gateway offers many features like parenting controls and multiple networks, it still lacks in many areas. 

You can, for example, not prioritize programs or devices. 

Getting a third-party modem or gateway will give you more control over the device. It will also enable you to get devices with more advanced features. 

FAQ: Approved Modems for Xfinity

Here’s a few extra things people have been wanting to know about Xfinity approved modems. 

Final Thoughts on Xfinity-Approved Modems

I love the Motorola MB8611 and think it’s a brilliant modem option for most Xfinity customers. Because it’s fast, future-proof and affordable.

But that’s just me. Everybody is going to have different opinions and circumstances. That’s why I’ve covered all bases in this article and put together the buying guide so that you have all the information you need.

Now it’s up to you. Good luck!