5 Best Grande Communications Approved Modems [Full List]

This is a list of the best-approved modems for Grande. 

As a Network Engineer, I have tested and researched to find the best compatible modem for Grande.

And I have concluded that the Motorola MB8611 is the best modem for Grande internet. 

But not everyone has the same preferences and needs. 

Thus, I have chosen the best 5 Grande-approved modems for different situations. So you can pick the one that works best for you. 

So keep reading.

Note: Don’t buy a modem for fiber optic internet. Because then, you only need a router.

Top 5 Best Grande Compatibel Modems

Here are the best-approved modems for Grande.

1. Motorola MB8611 (Editor’s Choice – Cable Modem)
2. Netgear CM500 (Budget-Friendly – Cable Modem)
3. Motorola MG8702 (Best Value – Modem/Router Combo)
4. Netgear CAX80 (Best Performer – Modem/Router Combo)
5. Motorola MG7540 (Budget-Friendly – Modem/Router Combo)

5 Best Grande Approved Modems

Here is a brief overview of the top modems for Grande. 

#1 Motorola MB8611 (Editor’s Choice – Cable Modem)

The Motorola MB8611 is a cable modem you can use for any Grande internet plan. 

During testing, the modem held a stable connection and performed well with an 800 Mbps internet plan. 

And due to the 2.5 G ethernet port, the modem should theoretically work with an internet plan up to 2500 Mbps. Even though I had no way of confirming it.

This makes the modem a future-proof option that will likely work for years to come. 

And couple that with a two-year warranty, it’s a solid option for anyone that just wants to get a modem and not think about it anymore. [1]

It’s, however, not necessary if you have a slower internet plan, and there are cheaper options. 

Read full review.

---

#2 Netgear CM500 (Budget-Friendly – Cable Modem)

The Netgear CM500 works well for any Grande internet plan at or below 400 Mbps. 

During testing, it reached a max speed of 452.42 Mbps. And manage to hold a stable connection throughout the whole test.

This, together with its simple setup and sleek design, I choose this modem as the best budget-friendly option for Grande. 

Its biggest drawback, however, is its warranty. Which only is 1 year, compared to its competitors 2 years.

---

#3 Motorola MG8702 (Best Value – Modem/Router Combo)

The Motorola MG8702 is the best modem/router combo for the Power 400 Mbps plan or below. 

During testing, the Wi-Fi reached 518.51 Mbps from 5 feet and 272.03 Mbps from 25 feet, using the 5GHz network. 

The modem is DOCSIS 3.1 and is thus technically enough for any internet plan. But the router proved not to be.

You could use this modem up to the Power 600 plan. But then, you will get some losses in speed.

The router also had a pretty good range, reaching upwards of 90 feet. This is enough for a medium-sized home. 

The biggest drawback with this device is its router features. Both parental controls and QoS being limited. 

This makes it hard to block your kid’s actives on the web, as well as to prioritize data on your network.

---

#4 Netgear CAX80 (Best Performer – Modem/Router Combo)

The Netgear CAX80 is a suitable option for any Grande internet plan. 

I wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly how fast the device is since I only had access to an 800 Mbps plan. 

But it did reach 800 Mbps from 5 feet, 583.15 Mbps from 25 feet, and 298.47 Mbps from 50 feet. 

This is the fastest speed I have ever got from a modem/router combo. 

The cable modem is also DOCSIS 3.1, and as already mentioned, this makes it future-proof. 

The biggest con with the CAX80 is that it lacks both QoS and parental controls.

Read the full review.

---

#5 Motorola MG7540 (Budget-Friendly – Modem/Router Combo)

The Motorola MG7540 is the best budget-friendly modem/router combo for Power 200 or below (200 Mbps). 

In testing, it reached 301.85 Mbps from 5 feet and 102.38 Mbps from 25 feet. Both from the 5GHz network. 

Like many of the other devices, you could use this one for a faster Grande plan. But then you will lose speed in many places in your home. 

The cable modem is DOCSIS 3.0 with 16×4 channels. 

This means the modem will work for plans up to 400 Mbps. But during the testing, the router proved itself to be too slow for such a plan. 

Thus, I would recommend this for an internet plan between 200-300 Mbps. 

The most significant drawback with MG7540 is its range. Which only measured in around 70 feet. 

Enough for smaller homes and apartments, but not enough for many larger houses. 

Read full review.

---

What to Consider Before Buying a Modem For Grande

Here is what to specifically consider before buying a modem for Grande. If you want a more general guide, check out what to think about before buying a modem. 

Compatible With Grande

Most ISP’s have a list of approved modems that are tested by them. But Grande instead has specific requirements for modems.

The first requirement is that the modem needs to be a cable modem. 

The other requirements are depending on what plan you have. These are necessary so the modem will be able to deliver the speed you’re paying for.

Below you can see the requirements, with the DOCSIS version and channels a modem needs to have for every plan. [2]

Internet Plan	DOCSIS	Channels
Power 50	3.0 or 3.1	8×4, 16×4, 24×8, or 32×8
Power 200	3.0 or 3.1	16×4, 24×8, or 32×8
Power 300	3.0 or 3.1	16×4, 24×8, or 32×8
Power 400	3.0 or 3.1	16×4, 24×8, or 32×8
Power 600	3.1	N/A
Power 1000	3.1	N/A

Speed – DOCSIS & Channels

But what are DOCIS and Channels?

DOCSIS is the technology that modems use to receive the internet through the television infrastructure. 

Nowadays, every ISP uses DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. The difference is that DOCSIS 3.1 is up to 10 times faster than 3.0. [3]

Channels are some things that only matter on DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Because they are what decides how fast such a modem is. 

The first number in the channels is the downstream channels, and the second is the upstream channels. 

And more channels mean more speed. 

Therefore, it’s necessary to follow the requirements in the table above. Because otherwise, the modem won’t deliver the speed you are paying for in your plan. 

I recommend you to get a modem that is DOCSIS 3.1. Since such modem is future-proof and will still work if you decide to upgrade your plan. [4]

Because many ISP’s are moving over to DOCSIS 3.1 internet, and when they do, a 3.0 modem may be too slow. 

Modem/Router Combo Vs. Separate Devices

Another thing you need to consider when buying a modem is if you want a modem/router combo or separate devices. 

Separate devices are when you have your modem and router as two devices while the combo has them as one. 

Both options have their pros and cons, but as Network Engineer, I recommend separate devices. 

Because this allows you to change one if it breaks or needs an upgrade. It also enables more control and better performance. 

This is not to say that combos are a poor option. They do offer cheaper upfront costs, a simpler setup, and are more manageable. 

Since the Grande-approved requirements are so broad, there are plenty of both modems and modem/router combos to choose from. 

So you can pick whatever you prefer. 

Grande Digital Voice Service

If you have Grande Digital Voice service, you need to rent a modem from Grande with eMTA support. 

This leaves you with two options. Either use the eMTA modem for both internet and the Digital Voice service. 

Or get two modems and use the eMTA modem for the Voice service and another Grande-approved modem for the internet. 

Grande Internet Plans

Here are all Grande’s internet plans and what cable modem and gateway (modem/router combo) work well for each internet plan. [5]

Internet Plan	Cable Modem	Gateway
Power 50	Netgear CM500	Motorola MG7540
Power 200	Netgear CM500	Motorola MG7540
Power 300	Netgear CM500	Motorola MG8702
Power 400	Netgear CM500	Motorola MG8702
Power 600	Motorola MB8611	Netgear CAX80
Power 1000	Motorola MB8611	Netgear CAX80

Rent Vs. Buy Grande Equipment

Renting network equipment from Grande can cost anywhere between $5.99 per month to more than $20 per month. [6]

This means you need to pay a minimum of $120 per year. And for maximum performance, you need to pay upwards of $240 per year. 

This is enough to buy yourself top-tier equipment in just one to two years. 

Thus, I recommend you that rent’s from Grande to buy equipment for yourself. 

Because not only is it cheaper, but it will also likely perform better than the rented equipment. 

You should, however, not buy if you are planning to change ISP soon. As then, the modem you buy might not be approved for your new ISP. 

I should also note that I’m somewhat biased in favor I buying. Since I do make a small commission if you buy a modem. 

Our Verdict

After hours of research and testing, I have concluded that the Motorola MB8611 is the best-approved cable modem for Grande. 

Because it provides a fast, reliable, and future-proof internet connection for a fair price.