6 Best Approved Cable Modems For Cox In 2023 [Full List]

Today, I’m going to show you what I think are the best-approved modems to upgrade to as a Cox internet customer.  

How do I know this? Well, with the Networks Hardware team, I’ve been testing tons of modems and with the results, I’m ready to show you the best Cox approved ones for you to buy.

If you’re looking for pure value for money, I recommend the Motorola MB8600. Because it’s fast and future-proof for a good price.

However, if you’re looking for a modem that’s better for gaming or perhaps even a modem/router combo, one of my other top picks may work out better for you. 

So stay tuned!

Top 6 Approved Cox Modems

The rankings are in. Here they are:

1. Best overall modem: Motorola MB8600
2. Best modem for Cox Gigablast (1000 Mbps): Arris Surfboard S33
3. Best budget modem: Netgear CM600
4. Best modem/router combo: Netgear C7800
5. Best gaming modem/router combo: Netgear CAX80
6. Best budget modem/router: Motorola MG7700

Best Cox Compatible Modems in 2023

I’m about to show you more about each of my top picks in more detail.

#1 Best Overall Modem – Motorola MB8600

In terms of value for money, my favorite approved Cox modem is the Motorola MB8600. It has a lot of power and boasts the latest modem technology. 

That latest modem technology is something called DOCSIS 3.1. DOCSIS is the telecommunication standard that gets a connection into your home. Having the latest version improves performance and means your modem will be relevant for longer.

There’s no multi gig port here, but that’s not an issue for Cox plans for two reasons. A) Cox doesn’t have any plans faster than 1000 Mbps and b) there’s a feature called ethernet aggregation. 

This combines the power of two Gigabit ethernet ports into one so you can get speeds to your router of up to 2000 Mbps. So if Cox brings out a faster plan that you want in on, you can do that with this modem. 

It also has good compatibility with other ISPs if you do want to change and comes with two years of warranty. That means you’ll be protected against any faults with the modem for twice as long as the legal minimum.

In fact, the only real ‘downside’ we could find with this modem is that it might be a little excessive for the current Cox plans. But for the price you pay, this is hardly anything to be worried about. 

So overall, the Motorola MB8600 is a fantastic option for all Cox customers. Even those on the current fastest plan.

---

#2 Best for Cox Gigablast (1000 Mbps) – Arris Surfboard S33

Another great option for the fastest Cox internet plans is the Arris Surfboard S33. Again, this modem is fairly affordable and offers a lot of speed. 

Once again, this modem has the latest DOCSIS technology 3.1. So, it’ll be future proof and it offers the best performance for powering the network in your home right now.

This modem is going to be a little more expensive than our top pick overall and part of the reason for that is that it has a multi gig port. This allows for speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps on a single port.

Of course, this is a little relevant for Cox right now due to their fastest plan being 1000 Mbps. But if you feel like you might want to change in the future, this modem leaves the door open to be able to do that.

Once again, there are two years of warranty so you’ll get that extra peace of mind that you’re going to be protected against any issues.

One small issue with this option is that the hardware design isn’t the best. It’s a little bulky and it doesn’t look amazing, so if you care a lot about aesthetics, the Motorola option might still be better for you.

But that’s a minor detail, because this is still a really great modem for all Cox plans.

---

#3 Best Budget Modem – Netgear CM600

You may well be able to save a bit of money with your next modem if you opt for the Netgear CM600. But don’t do that if you have the Cox Gigablast (1000 Mbps) plan. 

The top WAN speed of this modem is 960 Mbps. But it could be less than that at times. As such, I wouldn’t recommend it for the Gigablast (1000 Mbps) plan. But I would recommend it for all the other Cox plans. 

You will need to consider the fact that this modem won’t be as future proof as our other picks so far. That’s because it’s a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 24×8 channels instead of a 3.1 modem. This older technology is likely to become redundant a lot earlier. 

It does look pretty cool for a budget modem and it’s quite small so it should fit on most shelves around your home. 

So if you need a temporary-ish modem for anything but the fastests, this could be a great option to go for. It’ll certainly save you quite a bit of cash compared to our top two picks.

---

#4 Best Modem/Router Combo – Netgear C7800

Some users like to make life a little easier by combining their modem and router into a single device, often known as a modem/router combo or a gateway.

If you like the sound of that, the best option overall for value for money is the Netgear C7800.

It has the latest modem technology with DOCSIS 3.1. So, you could keep hold of this modem for quite some time without having to worry about its technologies becoming outdated. 

However, it is only a Wi-FI 5 router which is what brings the speed (and the price) down a little.

The only reason I wouldn’t recommend this device as a whole for the Cox Gigablast (1000 Mbps) plan is that the Wi-Fi speed isn’t quite up to it. We managed to record a top speed of 513.64 Mbps when we tested it.

That’s still quite a lot of speed for a gateway and will be more than enough for a large family. But if you have the fastest plans, you’re going to be wasting money with this device.

This gateway will offer enough range for a medium-sized home. We found the overall connection to last up to around 80-90 ft.

The C7800 has QoS and parental controls. This means you’ll be able to select priority devices for an injection of speed and you’ll be able to block harmful content to particular devices on the network. 

However, their functionality is quite limited compared to buying a router separately. 

Regardless, this is our favorite modem/router combo right now in terms of pure value for money. 

---

#5 Best Gaming Modem/Router Combo – Netgear CAX80

If you want to max out your Cox Gigablast (1000 Mbps) over Wi-Fi, the Netgear CAX80 will allow you to come very close.

When we tested the Wi-Fi speed, we managed to record an almighty 800 Mbps+ (limited by our plan). That’s about as fast as it gets for a gateway, and that’s why I think this is a brilliant option for gamers. 

The range is better here as well at around 90-100 ft. This will open up the device to larger homes and if you have a particularly large home you can always add a Wi-Fi extender. 

You’ll still get parental controls and QoS here but it should be noted that their scope is pretty limited as is often the case with gateways. 

You’ve probably guessed already that this is a DOCSIS 3.1 and a Wi-Fi 6 device. So, it offers the latest technologies for the best in future proofing. So you will be able to have it for years. 

The only real downside is the fact that this is going to be an expensive option. Nonetheless, it’ll still work out cheaper than buying particular combinations of standalone modems and routers.

If you’re willing to make the investment and you’re a keen gamer, take a good look at the Netgear CAX80.

---

#6 Best Budget Modem/Router Combo – Motorola MG7700

You can save money on a gateway device without having to compromise too much on speed with the Motorola MG7700.

We still managed to record a speed of 441.28 Mbps with this device which is pretty good. It means it will be fitting for the Cox Essential 100 and Preferred 250 plans (100 Mbps and 250 Mbps). 

The range is about average at around 80-90 ft which is enough for a medium-sized home and you can always extend that if you want to.

One downside is that this gateway uses older technology such as the DOCSIS 3.0 with 16×4 channels and Wi-Fi 5. So you may find that Cox support for it won’t last forever. 

But that’s part of what helps bring the price down, because this is a very affordable device. And it even comes with QoS and parental controls, even though they’re not the best in the world.

Nonetheless, it’s a neat quick fix for the two slower Cox plans. 

---

Complete List Of All Cox Approved Modems

Here is the list of all the Cox-approved modems. [1]

Brand	Model #	Router	Channels	DOCSIS	Puma Chipset	VoIP	Best for plan
ARRIS	G36	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	G34	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	CM8200	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	S33	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	SB8200	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	SBG8300	Yes	32×8	3.1	Yes	No	Gigablast
ARRIS	DG2460	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	SB6141	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SB6180	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SB6182	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SB6183	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SB6190	No	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	SBG10	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6400	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6580	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6700	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6782	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6900	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG6950	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
ARRIS	SBG7400AC2	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	SBG7580	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	SBG7600AC2	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	TM3402	No	32×8	3.1	Yes	Yes	Gigablast
ARRIS	TG1682	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	Yes	Ultimate 500
ARRIS	TG2472	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	Yes	Ultimate 500
Technicolor	CGM4141	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	Yes	Gigablast
Technicolor	CGM4331	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	Yes	Gigablast
Motorola	MB8600	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Motorola	MB8611	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Motorola	MG8702	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Motorola	MB7220	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MB7420	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MB7621	No	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Motorola	MG7310	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MG7315	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MG7540	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MG7550	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Motorola	MG7700	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	C7800	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CAX30	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CAX80	Yes	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CBR750	Yes	32×8	3.1	Yes	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CM1000	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CM1000v2	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CM1100	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CM1200	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	CM2000	No	32×8	3.1	No	No	Gigablast
Netgear	C3000	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C3000v2	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C3700	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C3700v2	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6220	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6230	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6250	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6300	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6300BD	Yes	8×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6300v2	Yes	16×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	C6900	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	C7000	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	C7000v2	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	C7500	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	CBR40	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	CG3000D	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	CG3000Dv2	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	CG4500BD	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	CM400	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	CM500	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Netgear	CM600	No	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Netgear	CM700	No	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
Asus	CM16	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Asus	CM32	Yes	32×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
Cisco	DPC3008	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Cisco	DPC3010	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Cisco	DPC3825	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Cisco	DPQ3212	No	8×4	3.0	No	Yes	Preferred 150
Cisco	DPQ3925	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	Yes	Preferred 150
D-Link	DCM301	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zyxel	CDA-30360	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Linksys	CG7500	Yes	24×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
Linksys	CM3008	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Linksys	CM3016	No	16×4	3.0	Yes	No	Preferred 150
Linksys	CM3024	No	24×8	3.0	Yes	No	Ultimate 500
SMC	D3CM1604	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	TC-7610	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	TC-7620	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	TC-7650	No	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
TP-LINK	TC-W7960	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	CR500	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	CR700	Yes	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
TP-LINK	CR1900	Yes	24×8	3.0	No	No	Ultimate 500
Ubee	DDW365	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Ubee	DDW366	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Ubee	DVW326	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	Yes	Preferred 150
Zoom	5341J	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5345	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5350	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5352	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5354	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5360	No	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5363	Yes	8×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150
Zoom	5370	No	16×4	3.0	No	No	Preferred 150

Puma chipset is a chip linked with latency issues. Even though many of its problems are fixed, I still recommend avoiding modem using it. 

Modems for Cox: My Buying Guide 

To help you make the right call on your router, I’ve put together some tips on what to look out for as you buy one. 

If you get to the end of this article and feel like you need more information about buying a modem, head on over to this guide.

Should you actually upgrade in the first place?

The cost of a gateway device from Cox is $12 per month or $144 per year. Some of our modems cost less than $144 so I recommend upgrading for cost alone.

The modem is okay but you’ll definitely find better quality in my top picks above. If you want to keep your modem for a while, it’s a no brainer to upgrade for me. 

Your new modem’s speed

Firstly, take a look at the main Cox internet plans here:

Plan	Recommended Wi-Fi Standard	Required Channels	Required DOCSIS
Essential 100 (100 Mbps)	Wi-Fi 4 or 5	8×4 or more	3.0 or 3.1
Preferred 250 (250 Mbps)	Wi-Fi 5	8×4 or more	3.0 or 3.1
Ultimate 500 (500 Mbps)	Wi-Fi 5 or 6	24×8 or more	3.0 or 3.1
Gigablast (1000 Mbps)	Wi-Fi 6 or 6e	N/A	3.1

Which one do you have or which one are you interested in? And what kind of speed do you need?

We tested modems above to find out which are best for which plans but if you want to go for something else, make sure you consider the max speed of your modem.

You can take a look at the Cox internet plans in more detail here.

DOCSIS and modem channels

DOCSIS 3.1 is a newer, better-performing and more future-proof technology but DOCSIS 3.0 is more affordable.

But what is DOCSIS? Well, it’s the technology that converts your incoming network to a network that works locally in your home.

I generally recommend DOCSIS 3.1 as ISPs are phasing out support for DOCSIS 3.0. However, if you want a quick fix, you can save some money by going for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem for now. It’s not going to be as fast though! 

You can read more about the differences between the two standards here.

DOCSIS 3.0 benefits

• Cheaper
• Enough for some plans

DOCSIS 3.1 benefits – Our recommendation

• Faster
• More future proof

Ethernet ports

The ethernet output of your modem has a direct effect on the speed of your network. Most modems have Gigabit ethernet ports meaning they can pass speeds of 1000 Mbps.

Some will offer a feature called ethernet aggregation which combines two of these ports together for a total speed of 2000 Mbps. 

The problem with this is that some routers will be incompatible with it and you’ll need the Cox Ultimate (500 Mbps) plan or above to get two IP addresses. 

Others will instead have a multi gig port which generally boosts the speed of a single port up to 2.5 Gbps. This is a lot easier than ethernet aggregation. 

Make sure you opt for the ports that are fast enough for your plan. 

Buying a modem/router combo or keeping them separate

We’ve listed a handful of modems and gateways today but I generally recommend keeping the modem and router separate.

This is likely to work out more expensive overall but it has a few key benefits. You’re probably going to get faster speeds overall for a start. And, it’s likely that you’ll get better features like QoS and parental controls. 

If you want some more support with making this decision, you can check out this article. 

Separate modem and router device benefits

• Cheaper
• Easier

Modem/router combo benefits

• Faster
• More features

Hardware warranty

The warranty period of your modem shows you how long you’re going to be protected against any issues you may incur with the hardware.

If the modem breaks down of its own accord during the warranty period, the manufacturer will foot the bill.

Some manufacturers offer the legal minimum of one year but others ramp this up to two years and sometimes even more. 

Voice Support (VoIP)

If you have a Cox Voice plan, the bad news is that you will not be able to upgrade your modem. Voice plans don’t support third party modems. You’ll have to stick with the standard Cox modem if you have a landline plan. 

The only thing you can do is get another modem and use it for the internet and the voice modem for the telephone if you want to. But honestly, it is a bit unnecessary. 

Cox Approved Modems FAQ

Check out the answers to the most common questions about approved Cox modems below. 

Approved Modems for Cox: My Conclusion

I’m pretty confident that the best standalone approved Cox modem for value for money is the Motorola MB8600. I’m also confident that the best modem/router combo is the Netgear C7800.

You might prefer to save some money or even ramp up the performance further though, so be sure to consider our other picks. And, take note of our buying guide so that you can make the right call overall. Enjoy.