What Modems Are Compatible With Xfinity Voice? (Solved!)

Most of us believe that renting beat-up cable modems from Internet providers is less expensive than purchasing one.

That is not correct. When it comes to Comcast’s Xfinity, equipment rental fees can cost up to $14 per month.

That works out to $168 per year. In contrast, a great Xfinity compatible modem will only set you back $70. As a result, investing in your own modem only makes sense. This will not only save you money, but will also allow you to enjoy cutting-edge technology at faster speeds.

I’ve had the Comcast Xfinity Voice gateway and router for a long time. However, after discovering that I could save a significant amount of money by simply purchasing an Xfinity compatible third-party router such as the Netgear Nighthawk, I began researching HomeKit-enabled routers such as the Eero and Google Nest Wi-Fi.

DOES XFINITY VOICE REQUIRE A SPECIAL MODEM?

Although regular VoIP services do not require a special modem, Xfinity Voice requires you to purchase a device that is certified to work on the network.

With an increasing number of people wanting to purchase their own modem, many third-party manufacturers are now releasing devices that natively support the Xfinity Voice.

However, before purchasing a modem, if you are unsure whether it is compatible with the Xfinity network, you can check the device’s compatibility by entering the equipment’s retail information here. That is how I found the Motorola MB8600 Cable Modem for myself.

BEST COMCAST XFINITY APPROVED MODEMS

• Motorola MB8600 Cable Modem
• NETGEAR CM500 Cable Modem
• ARRIS SVG2482AC

MOTOROLA MB8600 CABLE MODEM: BEST OVERALL XFINITY VOICE MODEM

The Motorola MB8600 is one of the most recent modems to join the DOCSIS 3.1 group, and it is the best Comcast modem. The modem has been designed with all potential future internet service needs in mind.

Despite having the most up-to-date DOCSIS technology and boasting faster internet speeds, it retains the slightly dated DOCSIS 3.0. As a result, even if you haven’t upgraded your internet service, you can purchase this modem.

My job requires me to relocate every year, and I’m not sure what internet services I’ll be able to access in the new location. As a result, after searching for the ideal modem for some time, I decided to invest in the Motorola MB8600. It is one of the few products on the market that is compatible with both old and new technologies.

It was a one-time expense for me. For the past three years, I’ve used the modem with various service providers and plans, and it has always performed admirably, providing me with excellent signal strength. The only disadvantage I’ve encountered is the lack of an ethernet port. There is only one 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port on the device.

The process of getting started is very simple. You will be able to set up this modem if you have a basic understanding of how modems work. Comcast, on the other hand, offers a free modem setup with the purchase of its Xfinity services. Their tech support team is also very friendly and will answer all of your questions. The device is compatible with Xfinity’s gigabit plans.

PROS

• The modem comes with support for both DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1.
• It can provide up to 1 Gbps speeds.
• The setting up process is fairly easy.
• It is equipped to handle downstream download channels.

CONS

• There is only one ethernet port.

ARRIS SVG2482AC: BEST VERSATILE XFINITY VOICE MODEM

The ARRIS SVG2482AC, also known as the ARRIS SURFboard AC1750 SVG2482AC, is a combination box that includes a fast cable modem, a Wi-Fi router, and Xfinity telephony all in one.

If you combine your Xfinity voice plan with internet and TV services, this modem/router combo can be your one-stop shop. It has been designed to achieve Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1750 Mbps and download speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

Despite the fact that it uses the previous generation DOCSIS 3.0 technology, the 24 download and 8 upload channels, as well as the 2 telephony ports, compensate for the outdated technology, ensuring good signal strength. Furthermore, the device has four gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting multiple devices at the same time. The switch function is used to communicate between these.

This modem will work well if you want to subscribe to the Xfinity X1 plan, which includes TV, Internet, and VoIP. You will also receive on-screen ID alerts and will be able to manage voicemails directly from the TV. Because this is a 3-in-1 system, the setup process is more complicated than with the other modems mentioned.

During my review of the product, I discovered that the setup instructions are very haphazard. It took some time for me to figure out what goes where. I also had to contact tech support to configure the device, and they were very helpful. Nonetheless, this is a one-time inconvenience.

Pros

• The modem is extremely well-designed.
• It has fast Wi-Fi and download speeds.
• The device has the ability to connect to multiple devices.
• It is covered by a two-year warranty.

Cons

• The setting up process is tedious
• The battery backup is sold separately.

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NETGEAR CM500 CABLE MODEM: BEST BUDGET FRIENDLY XFINITY VOICE MODEM

The NETGEAR CM500 is a low-cost cable modem that performs just as well as more expensive modems. If you have the basic Xfinity plan, this is a good option (not compatible with the gigabit plan).

Despite the fact that it does not include the most recent DOCSIS 3.1 technology, it does include the previous generation DOCSIS 3.0 technology, which works well for most households and maintains good signal strength. It is also simple to set up. It only takes a few minutes to get it up and running.

While looking for the best Xfinity Voice-compatible modems, I discovered that the NETGEAR CM500 Cable Modem performs exceptionally well even when running bandwidth-intensive applications. I put it to the test by downloading large files on one PC, streaming Netflix on another, and playing Fortnite on my PS4.

Furthermore, despite the fact that the modem is rated at 300 Mbps or lower speeds, it performed admirably for Xfinity’s 400 Mbps speed package. The modem has a total of 16 x 4 bonded channels, which means it can theoretically reach speeds of up to 680 Mbps.

However, we all know that the calculated top speeds are rarely reached. The advanced diagnostics of the modem can be found on NETGEAR’s user-friendly online portal. Their technical support is also excellent, and they assisted me in understanding the interface.

Nonetheless, despite the fact that the device performed well at speeds higher than its rated speed, my recommendation is that if you want a modem that can handle speeds greater than 300 Mbps, go for the Motorola MB8600 modem.

Pros

• It has a small and sleek design.
• The price is very reasonable.
• It is also compatible with Spectrum and Cox, in addition to Xfinity.
• The device can easily handle high-bandwidth applications.

Cons

• It runs hotter than other modems due to the lack of ventilation grills in the structure.

BUYERS’ GUIDE FOR BEST COMCAST XFINITY APPROVED MODEMS

Choosing the right cable modem can be intimidating, especially if you don’t understand all of the jargon. To help you understand better, I’ve broken down the features you should look for when purchasing a cable modem.

ISP COMPATIBILITY

When selecting a cable modem, make sure it is compatible with your internet service provider. Because we’re talking about Comcast Xfinity in this post, you can check the compatibility of any modem with the service via their My Device portal.

You can also use this portal to see if your old modem is compatible with the service.

DOCSIS PROTOCOLS

You may have noticed that I mentioned the DOCSIS protocol in each of the modems mentioned above. The most recent modems support the DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 protocol. This means that the modem is capable of providing broadband internet access.

The DOCSIS 3.0 protocol is the previous generation, while the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol is the most recent. The distinction between the two is based on the internet speeds they provide and the number of concurrent connections they support.

UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM CHANNELS

The number of upload channels bonded with the modem is referred to as the upstream channels, and the number of download data lanes bonded with the modem is referred to as the downstream channels.

Because download speeds are so important, most modems have more downstream channels and fewer upstream channels. When looking for models, you will frequently come across numbers such as ’24 x 8′. In this case, the number of downstream channels is 24 and the number of upstream channels is 8.

CONCLUSION

Comcast, as one of the largest internet service providers in the United States, has a large selection of compatible modems.

As a result, there are numerous options. However, I have discovered that the Motorola MB8611 is the best option for Xfinity internet. Because it offers a fast internet connection at a reasonable price.

Frequently Asked Questions