Is $79.99 expensive for a router/modem combo?

[TH55]

It was the cheapest one they had, NetGear N600 C3700. Can I find one cheaper that will work just as well? All I’m doing is streaming Netflix 1080p.

 

[aakshey]

It’s way too cheap for a modem/router. But that seems a very basic model. Buy something more powerful off Amazon. I guess you can get way better routers (without modem) for like 50 bucks. I do recommend going higher up based on how big your house is. You need to tell us more.

 

[TH55]

It’s way too cheap for a modem/router. But that seems a very basic model. Buy something more powerful off Amazon. I guess you can get way better routers (without modem) for like 50 bucks. I do recommend going higher up based on how big your house is. You need to tell us more.

I live in a small one bedroom apartment by myself. I am pretty much exclusively using it to stream 1080 Netflix amazon prime etc

 

[IowaLynn]

Is it supported? Maybe not getting needdd firmware updates. Netflix can mess with you and your ISP with network before it gets to you but affecting your home. Netflix needs stable 25Mb down which may seem easy but. Plus, assume your ISP real speed to be 60% what it’s suppose to.

Does it support iOS 13 and macOS 10.15 as well as what will happen next fall?

I have always used Netgear routers, even a modem but found the modem did not work or well supported by ISP.

NETGEAR Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo C6250 -
Compatible with all Cable Providers including Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox | For Cable Plans Up to 300 Mbps | AC1600 WiFi speed | DOCSIS 3.0

NETGEAR Cable Modem Router Combo C6250 - Dual Band, Compatible with Cable Providers Including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox | For Cable Plans Up to 300 Mbps | AC1600 Wi-Fi | DOCSIS 3.0

The NETGEAR C6250 provides 16 times faster download speeds, up to 680 Mbps, than DOCSIS 2.0. With C6250 2-in-1 AC1600 Wi-Fi router with DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, you can streaming HD videos, faster downloads, and high-speed online gaming without any interruption. Certified and worked with cable Int...

www.amazon.com

Might be better with paying more, Also even rent/lease from ISP

 

[TH55]

Is it supported? Maybe not getting needdd firmware updates. Netflix can mess with you and your ISP with network before it gets to you but affecting your home. Netflix needs stable 25Mb down which may seem easy but. Plus, assume your ISP real speed to be 60% what it’s suppose to.

Does it support iOS 13 and macOS 10.15 as well as what will happen next fall?

I have always used Netgear routers, even a modem but found the modem did not work or well supported by ISP.

NETGEAR Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo C6250 -
Compatible with all Cable Providers including Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox | For Cable Plans Up to 300 Mbps | AC1600 WiFi speed | DOCSIS 3.0

NETGEAR Cable Modem Router Combo C6250 - Dual Band, Compatible with Cable Providers Including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox | For Cable Plans Up to 300 Mbps | AC1600 Wi-Fi | DOCSIS 3.0

The NETGEAR C6250 provides 16 times faster download speeds, up to 680 Mbps, than DOCSIS 2.0. With C6250 2-in-1 AC1600 Wi-Fi router with DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, you can streaming HD videos, faster downloads, and high-speed online gaming without any interruption. Certified and worked with cable Int...

www.amazon.com

Might be better with paying more, Also even rent/lease from ISP

Do I really need this? I’m only going to be linking one device, my amazon fire stick and streaming 1080p in a small one bedroom apartment. It’s going to be right next to the device. I didn’t really understand your breakdown, can you possibly simplify it for me?

 

[IowaLynn]

How many devices? Phones, laptop, etc or really only one?

What is your cable bandwidth and Speed test?

I had trouble with Netgear modem - ask. Your ISP if they support it. They may or not.

 

[TH55]

How many devices? Phones, laptop, etc or really only one?

What is your cable bandwidth and Speed test?

I had trouble with Netgear modem - ask. Your ISP if they support it. They may or not.

I am really only using it to stream Netflix, so mostly just my amazon fire stick which it will be in close proximity of. Once a week or so I link my phone to back it up but that’s it.

 

[brucemr]

OP...
Both N600/C3700 and the suggested AC1600/C6250 have simultaneous dual band routers (2.4 and 5 GHz Bands).

Athough it will work, I personally would not get an (802.11) “N” router now, that spec is over 10 years old. Better to get the current “AC” router spec.

Pricing on old “N” spec network stuff can be odd (ie may not any cheaper than current “AC” spec....“N” is so outdated, that there is not much of a market for it.

Here is the AC1600 model another suggested, for similar price as the N600 you found. Much better (both faster modem and faster router).

Netgear C6250-100NAS AC1600 (16x4) WiFi Cable Modem Router Combo (C6250) DOCSIS 3.0 Certified for Xfinity Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, More (Renewed)

Netgear C6250-100NAS AC1600 (16x4) WiFi Cable Modem Router Combo (C6250) DOCSIS 3.0 Certified for Xfinity Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, More (Renewed)

www.amazon.com

As the other poster noted, the modem must be certified as ok on their network by your ISP. They often have an approved list on their website. I use a Netgear (standalone) modem and had no problem.

 

[TH55]

OP...
Both N600/C3700 and the suggested AC1600/C6250 have simultaneous dual band routers (2.4 and 5 GHz Bands).

Athough it will work, I personally would not get an (802.11) “N” router now, that spec is over 10 years old. Better to get the current “AC” router spec.

Pricing on old “N” spec network stuff can be odd (ie may not any cheaper than current “AC” spec....“N” is so outdated, that there is not much of a market for it.

Here is the AC1600 model another suggested, for similar price as the N600 you found. Much better (both faster modem and faster router).

Netgear C6250-100NAS AC1600 (16x4) WiFi Cable Modem Router Combo (C6250) DOCSIS 3.0 Certified for Xfinity Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, More (Renewed)

Netgear C6250-100NAS AC1600 (16x4) WiFi Cable Modem Router Combo (C6250) DOCSIS 3.0 Certified for Xfinity Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, More (Renewed)

www.amazon.com

As the other poster noted, the modem must be certified as ok on their network by your ISP. They often have an approved list on their website. I use a Netgear (standalone) modem and had no problem.

So exactly what differences will I notice with the model you linked vs mine?

 

[brucemr]

So exactly what differences will I notice with the model you linked vs mine?

Cannot tell you “exactly“ what difference you will notice, if any. As I said, they will both work. The potential is faster WiFi, in current and future use cases. In your media streaming only case, smoother streaming possibly if you ISP speed is reasonably high, and if your fire stick is also AC WiFi spec (the currently sold fire sticks are).

The key point is can get up to date AC router for virtually same price as the outdated N router you linked. This is a no brainer.

 

[TH55]

Cannot tell you “exactly“ what difference you will notice, if any. As I said, they will both work. The potential is faster WiFi, in current and future use cases. In your media streaming only case, smoother streaming possibly if you ISP speed is reasonably high, and if your fire stick is also AC WiFi spec (the currently sold fire sticks are).

The key point is can get up to date AC router for virtually same price as the outdated N router you linked. This is a no brainer.

Yeah for sure. I won’t need a computer to set either up will I?
[automerge]1579913766[/automerge]

Cannot tell you “exactly“ what difference you will notice, if any. As I said, they will both work. The potential is faster WiFi, in current and future use cases. In your media streaming only case, smoother streaming possibly if you ISP speed is reasonably high, and if your fire stick is also AC WiFi spec (the currently sold fire sticks are).

The key point is can get up to date AC router for virtually same price as the outdated N router you linked. This is a no brainer.

Edit: looks like that’s a refurb

 

[JPack]

Short answer: Yes.

You bought a 6 year old piece of hardware.

For the same price, you could have purchased a $47 Motorola MB7220 modem and a $34 Tenda AC6 router with much better antennas and recent firmware support.

 

[TH55]

Short answer: Yes.

You bought a 6 year old piece of hardware.

For the same price, you could have purchased a $47 Motorola MB7220 modem and a $34 Tenda AC6 router with much better antennas and recent firmware support.

What difference would I notice?

 

[mtcislak]

The suggested answers will provide further coverage as well as more future proofing to not have to upgrade again sooner

 

[JPack]

What difference would I notice?

Less interference with 802.11ac - there are other wireless users in the building.

Faster WiFi - as a result of less interference.

Updated firmware - for fixes to known vulnerabilities like KRACK (2017).

More ports - on the Tenda AC6 router for other devices.

Longer warranty - 2 years from Motorola and 3 from Tenda.

 

[TH55]

The suggested answers will provide further coverage as well as more future proofing to not have to upgrade again sooner

You think they make any good updated modem router combos for the same price as the one I got?
[automerge]1579915111[/automerge]

Less interference with 802.11ac - there are other wireless users in the building.

Faster WiFi - as a result of less interference.

Updated firmware - for fixes to known vulnerabilities like KRACK (2017).

More ports - on the Tenda AC6 router for other devices.

Longer warranty - 2 years from Motorola and 3 from Tenda.

Are there any combos at that price point?

 

[JPack]

You think they make any good updated modem router combos for the same price as the one I got?
[automerge]1579915111[/automerge]

Are there any combos at that price point?

They don't make good modem+router combos because they're intended for unsophisticated users.

You almost always get better hardware for the same price.

In your case, you can spend $15-20 less to get the same performance with a separate modem and router.

 

[alphaswift]

An N router? If you plan on keeping it for more than a couple years, you should get an AC router. You're at 1080 now, but we'll all be at 4K in a few years. You should be able to find an AC router at a decent price.

 

[IowaLynn]

FWIW in September I upgraded to latest 3.1 modem with more channels (8x4) and AX WiFi 6 router. Overkill? No. Even with my bear 5 year old MacBook download went from 120Mb to 240Mb range. Yes spent a bit. But a storm knocked the wind out of my setup.

Router Netgear AX4 was $199. Modem $130. But remember 25yrs ago when you’d gladly pay $1,000 for 14.4k or 56k modem with wired hub or switch.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

As a former cable tech, I would recommend getting a standalone modem like the Arris TM1602A, which will give you the best reliability. These modems have the best resistance to noise and horrible signals. Just pair a budget A/C router with it.

BTW .. Stay away from Surfboard modems.

 

[TH55]

As a former cable tech, I would recommend getting a standalone modem like the Arris TM1602A, which will give you the best reliability. These modems have the best resistance to noise and horrible signals. Just pair a budget A/C router with it.

BTW .. Stay away from Surfboard modems.

FWIW in September I upgraded to latest 3.1 modem with more channels (8x4) and AX WiFi 6 router. Overkill? No. Even with my bear 5 year old MacBook download went from 120Mb to 240Mb range. Yes spent a bit. But a storm knocked the wind out of my setup.

Router Netgear AX4 was $199. Modem $130. But remember 25yrs ago when you’d gladly pay $1,000 for 14.4k or 56k modem with wired hub or switch.

Gotcha. Is it possible my N router/modem combo will not pair or work well with my Firestick if it is AC? Firestick is at least a couple years old. As much as I’d like to spend the extra $40 and future proof my setup I am on a really tight budget right now.

 

[aakshey]

You’ll find it hard to cross 50 Mbps with your current modem. Even with a 100 sq ft house. I wouldn’t buy anything that can’t provide at least 300-500 Mbps if I were right next to it.

 

[IowaLynn]

Netflix runs $215/year. Cable service starts cheap then may go higher after year is up. Mine went from $49 to $99 per month, and fees.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Gotcha. Is it possible my N router/modem combo will not pair or work well with my Firestick if it is AC? Firestick is at least a couple years old. As much as I’d like to spend the extra $40 and future proof my setup I am on a really tight budget right now.

Edit: Oh you are speaking about a N router. N routers are not that reliable for a lot of devices, as they switch back and forth to wide channels that most devices are not compatible with. You can try to set it to a certain range or channel in the router settings, but then that kills auto selection to avoid interference. If you live in a rural area, then that's not much of a issue.

 

[TH55]

Edit: Oh you are speaking about a N router. N routers are not that reliable for a lot of devices, as they switch back and forth to wide channels that most devices are not compatible with. You can try to set it to a certain range or channel in the router settings, but then that kills auto selection to avoid interference. If you live in a rural area, then that's not much of a issue.

Honestly I’m not sure what I’m speaking of, that’s why I’m here. I linked the combo I bought in my OP.