5 Best Modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi in 2024

This is our review of the best modems for Google Nest Wi-Fi. 

As network professionals and enthusiasts, we have tons of hands-on experience testing various modems. 

These tests found that the best modem to pair with Google Nest Wi-Fi is the Arris Surfboard SB8200. It provides fast speeds, easy to set up, and priced appropriately. 

Arris Surfboard SB8200
Source: Motorola.com

Arris Surfboard SB8200 - Editors Choice’s

Best Overall

  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 1000 Mbps or below
  • DOCSIS: 3.1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Chosen as: Best Overall

Approved For:

  • Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Sparklight, WOW, Suddenlink, Armstrong, Breezeline (Atlantic Broadband), Optimum, Astound Broadband (Grande, RCN, Wave)

However, not all households need the same modem. Since every home has a different size, network needs, budget, Internet plans, etc., a different modem may work better for you. 

So, I compiled this list of the top 5 modems for Google Nest Wi-Fi, so you can pick the one that works best for you. 

Top 5 Google Nest Wi-Fi-Approved Modems

Here are the top 5 modems for Google Nest Wi-Fi. 

  1. Best Overall Arris Surfboard SB8200 – Cable Modem
  2. Best PerformerMotorola MB8611 – Cable Modem
  3. Best Budget-Friendly Netgear CM1000 – Cable Modem
  4. Runner UpNetgear CM2000 – Cable Modem
  5. Lowest Cost OptionNetgear CM600 – Cable Modem

5 Best Google Nest Wi-Fi Compatible Modems

Here are reviews of the best-approved modems for Google Nest Wi-Fi. 

#1 Best Overall – ARRIS Surfboard SB8200

Arris Surfboard SB8200
  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 1000 Mbps or below
  • DOCSIS: 3.1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Chosen as: Best Overall

Approved For

  • Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Sparklight, WOW, Suddenlink, Armstrong, Breezeline (Atlantic Broadband), Optimum, Astound Broadband (Grande, RCN, Wave)

The Arris Surfboard SB8200 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem best for Internet plans with speeds from 1000 to 2000 Mbps, making it a great choice if you’re pairing a fast Internet plan with your Google Nest Wi-Fi. 

I gave this range because the SB8200 has Port Bonding, a unique feature that lets you combine two Ethernet Ports into a single data stream. 

In this modem’s case, you can connect two 1000 Mbps ports into one to achieve a 2000 Mbps data stream. An easy way to double your bandwidth. 

Though this modem can handle Internet plans up to 2000 Mbps, most homes don’t have access to plans exceeding 1000 Mbps. Still, the investment might be worth it since you’ll be future-proofing your home network. 

It also supports IPv6, which Google Nest Wi-Fi also supports. This provides better security and performance than IPv4. Learn more about this in our IPv4 versus IPv6 guide

The only downside to this modem is that its bright lights could disturb you in the evening or while you’re trying to sleep or watch TV in the evenings. But you could toggle those off in the modem’s settings. 

Overall the Arris Surfboard SB8200 is an excellent modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi. It provides plenty of bandwidth for this mesh Wi-Fi system. Plus, it works well with 1000 to 2000 Mbps Internet plans and is compatible with most major ISPs. 

For more details on the Arris Surfboard SB8200, read our entire review




#2 Best Performer – Motorola MB8611

Motorola MB8611
  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 2500 Mbps or below
  • DOCSIS: 3.1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Chosen as: Best Performer

Approved For

  • Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cox, Suddenlink, WOW

The Motorola MB8611 is another excellent choice for Google Nest Wi-Fi, especially if you have a fast Internet plan. This high-performance option is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem (future-proof) and supports Internet plans up to 2,500 Mbps.

However, it has a single 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port instead of using port bonding like the SB8200. Which most ISPs don’t even offer yet. Still, in some areas, you might have access to plans with speeds faster than 1,000 Mbps.

The MB8611 is equipped to handle the fastest cable Internet speeds available today, and because it is DOCSIS 3.1, it will support your home network for years into the future.

That said, if you have RCN or Optimum, get a different modem because this one won’t work with those ISPs.

And only purchase this modem if your current Internet plan is 1000 Mbps or higher. Otherwise, it would be overkill. But if you plan on upgrading to a faster plan, this modem is a great option. 

For more details on the Motorola MB8611, read our entire review




#3 Best Budget-Friendly – Netgear CM1000

Netgear CM1000
  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 1000 Mbps or below
  • DOCSIS: 3.1
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Chosen as: Best Budget-Friendly (not always cheap but often on sale)

Approved For

  • Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cox, Armstrong, Breezeline (Atlantic Broadband), GCI, Mediacom, Midco, Suddenlink, WOW, Sparklight, Astound Broadband (Grande, RCN, Wave), (Sometimes Optimum)

The Netgear CM1000 is a great modem for those who want a gigabit connection. It is approved for most ISPs, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility

But you should still verify this anyway, as it won’t work with Internet plans that are not DOCSIS 3.1, like Suddenlink’s slower plans

The main downside to the CM1000 is that it only supports 1000 Mbps max speeds. In comparison to other modems on this list, this is a significant drawback.

However, if your Internet plan has a top speed of 1000 Mbps, this modem will work fine. But it won’t future-proof your home for speed increases from your ISP (or if you plan to upgrade to a faster plan in the future.

Still, it works with almost all ISPs, so it is a reliable choice for most homes. 

For more information on the Netgear CM1000, read our full review




#4 Runner Up – Netgear CM2000

Netgear CM2000
  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 2500 Mbps or below
  • DOCSIS: 3.1
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Chosen as: Runner Up

Approved For

  • Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Sparklight, WOW, Suddenlink, Armstrong, Breezeline (Atlantic Broadband), Mediacom, Astound Broadband (Grande, RCN, Wave)

The Netgear CM2000 is the best gigabit modem for gamers with Google Nest Wi-Fi.

This DOCSIS 3.1 modem is one of the quickest on the market, offering speeds up to 2.5 Gbps (2500 Mbps). Unfortunately, because it’s so new, many ISPs don’t offer these higher speeds to customers yet– but that should change soon. 

Compared to the SB8200, which uses port bonding for its added speed, the CM2000 has a single 2.5 Gbps port. This is the same type of modem as the Motorola MB8611 above, just approved for different ISPs.

These speeds are perfect for online gamers and streamers who want the best quality and most bandwidth possible.

The CM2000 is, in a nutshell, the Arris Surfboard SB8200 on steroids. It’s faster and newer than the SB8200 while also being more future-proof. Of course, all of that doesn’t come cheap– the CM2000 costs noticeably more.

We only recommend this modem to homeowners with Google Nest Wi-Fi with an ISP plan of 1000 Mbps or higher. It’s a waste of money if you don’t have the speed to take full advantage of its capabilities.

For more information on this modem, read our complete review of the Netgear CM2000




#5 Lowest Cost Option – Netgear CM600

Netgear CM600
  • Type: Cable Modem
  • Recommended for: 600 Mbps or below
  • Channels: 24×8
  • DOCSIS: 3.0
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Chosen as: Lowest Cost

Approved For

  • Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Sparklight, Suddenlink, Breezeline (Atlantic Broadband), Astound Broadband (Grande, RCN, Wave)

If you have Google Nest Wi-Fi with an internet plan that’s 600 Mbps or slower and are looking to save some money, the Netgear CM600 is a great choice for your home.

However, it’s a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 24×8 channels. Which is less future-proof and not as good for gaming since DOCSIS 3.0 modems tend to have higher latency. 

And DOCSIS 3.0 is becoming outdated and will eventually phase out. So you may need to upgrade this modem in the near future if your ISP stops supporting it. Therefore, it’s not as long-lasting as the other recommendations.

But if you don’t ever upgrade your internet plan past 600 Mbps, this should continue to work for years down the road.

Overall, the Netgear CM600 is suitable for homes with Google Nest Wi-Fi on a budget and an internet plan that isn’t faster than 600 Mbps.




What to Consider Before Buying A Google Nest Wi-Fi Approved Modem

Here are some things you must consider before you buy a modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi. For more details, see our modem buying guide

Compatible with Google Nest Wi-Fi and Your ISP

Most modern modems are compatible with Google Nest Wi-Fi, but it is still worth verifying before you purchase one. What is more important is that your modem is compatible with your ISP. 

You will want to ensure your modem is “approved” for your ISP. When the modem is approved, someone physically tested it to verify it works with the ISP. 

You might see other terms, like certified, supported, compatible, etc., but they all mean the same as approved. 

DOCSIS 3.1 vs. 3.0 and Channels

DOCSIS is the telecom standard that cable modems use to transfer data to and from your home network. [1]

These days, all modems are either DOCSIS 3.0 or DOCSIS 3.1.

DOCSIS 3.0 is older and provides speeds up to 1 Gbps. The newer standard, DOCSIS 3.1, can provide much faster speeds– up to 10 Gbps. 

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Generally, DOCSIS 3.0 modems are cheaper and are a good choice if you don’t have an Internet plan faster than 1 Gbps (1000Mbps). 

But, if you might upgrade to a faster Internet plan in the near future, I recommend getting a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. You will future-proof your home network and won’t have to upgrade your modem as soon. 

The number of channels on a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will affect your max upload and download speeds. For example, a 16×8 channel modem has 16 download channels and 8 upload channels. 

The more channels the DOCSIS 3.0 modem has, the faster it is. On the flip side, DOCSIS 3.1 modems don’t use channels. 

Use the chart below to determine which DOCSIS standard and channels are right for your Internet plan. That said, this will depend on your ISP, as some har different requirements.

Internet Plan CompatibilityDOCSISChannels
150 Mbps or less3.0 or 3.18×4 channels or more
300 Mbps3.0 or 3.116×8 channels or more
500 Mbps3.0 or 3.116×8 channels or more
800 Mbps3.0 or 3.124×8 channels or more
1000 Mbps3.0 or 3.132×8 channels or more
1200 Mbps3.1N/A*
2000 Mbps3.1N/A*
2500 Mbps3.1N/A* 

*DOCSIS 3.1 modems don’t use channels. 

For more information on DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1, read our guide here

Modem/Router Combo or Separate

If you already have a Google Nest Wi-Fi system, you should get a standalone modem and not a modem/router combo. 

This is a key consideration when choosing a modem to pair with your Google Nest Wi-Fi. Getting a modem/router combo would be a mistake since the Google Nest Wi-Fi is your router. 

A modem/router combo has both a modem and a router in a single device. Separate devices mean the modem and router are two different devices. 

Learn more about what network device you need here

Google Nest Wi-Fi Fiber

If you have fiber Internet from your ISP, you won’t need a modem at all. Instead, you will have an ONT that will function as the modem (you won’t need to buy this, the ISP installs it when you get fiber Internet.)

Just connect the main node of your Google Nest Wi-Fi system to the ONT’s WAN port, download the Google Home App, and walk through the steps to set up your Wi-Fi network. 

Rent Vs. Buy a Modem From Your ISP

Another consideration is renting a modem from your ISP versus buying your own. Most ISPs will rent a modem to you for a flat monthly fee. However, if you want a better, faster one, you should buy one yourself. 

Often the monthly rental fee is so high that it would equate to the cost of a newer, better modem in less than a year. 

Check out our buying versus renting guide for more considerations. 

FAQ

Here are some common questions about Google Nest Wi-Fi modems. 

Which modem is best with Google Nest Wi-Fi?

The best modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi depends on several factors, including your Internet plan, budget, ISP, and more. However, we found that the Arris Surfboard SB8200 works best. 

Do I need a modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi?

Yes, if you have cable Internet, you still need a modem with Google Nest Wi-Fi. The modem connects your Internet service to your home. 

Google Nest Wi-Fi is a mesh router system that provides widespread Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home but does not have a modem function itself. 

If you have fiber Internet, you do not need a modem. 

Our Verdict

From our thorough testing, we found that the Arris Surfboard SB8200 is the best modem for Google Nest Wi-Fi.

It offers great bandwidth, it is future-proof, and it is affordable considering the features it offers. And it works great with Google Nest Wi-Fi. 

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