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Comcast has always priced their modem rental costs pretty high at $14 a month.
But at the same time, I love their service because I had yet to experience the typical ISP issues like outages or blindsided charges.
So I decided to use my own router and finally picked up a Netgear modem and hooked it to the connection.
When I was researching how to get things done, I saw many on user forums where people were still confused about whether they can use their own modems for their Comcast connection.
This guide will answer that question and help you replace your Comcast modem with one of your own.
To replace your Comcast modem with your own, buy a compatible modem and connect it to your internet line. Then, open the Xfinity app on your phone and follow the instructions on it to activate the modem.
Why Replace the Comcast Modem?
There are quite a few reasons whyyour modem would be better when it comes to Xfinity.
Back in July, Comcast had raised its modem rental fee to $14 a month.
This is way above the standard rates that most ISPs charge you, which can be unreasonable in many ways.
Firstly, the modem that they give you usually has the most barebones features you could ask for.
These modems are also tightly regulated by Xfinity, so you cannot change the settings that Xfinity does not want you to change.
Firmware updates are also regulated, but with your own modem, you have more leeway when installing new firmware.
How to Select a Modem Compatible With Comcast
Selecting the right modem is your next step after deciding you need a modem.
You need to look out for some things when getting a new modem, which I will be talking about in this section.
The first thing that you must check is that your new modem is on the list of modems compatible with Xfinity.
Then make sure the model you have selected can handle the highest speed your internet plan provides.
It won’t matter the modem is capable of faster speeds, just make sure that it is capable of the maximum internet speed of your plan.
You can also consider getting modems with good security features like a firewall or convenience features like QoS or Parental Controls.
As far as additional features are concerned, its up to you to figure out what you want from your modem and choose accordingly.
DOCSIS 3.0 vs DOCSIS 3.1
If yours is a DOCSIS connection, an additional comparison appears.
The differences between the two DOCSIS standards are worth talking about because they can change how you use your modem.
The older standard is slower but has wider adoption, while the newer 3.1 is faster and costs more.
DOCSIS 3.0 is capable of 1 Gbps down and 200 Mbps up, so its no slouch speed wise.
Modems based on 3.1 are cheaper too, in the range of $50-$150.
DOCSIS 3.1, however, is faster, with 10 Gbps down and 1-2 Gbps up.
They are more expensive, too, with prices from $120-$300.
Modems that support DOCSIS 3.1 also support all earlier standards, including 3.0, so compatibility won’t be an issue here.
To settle the debate of 3.0 vs 3.1, you have to understand that everyone’s use cases are different.
If you are fine with the speeds you have now and isn’t looking at futureproofing, DOCSIS 3.0 is a good choice.
Most internet plans of today won’t even touch those speeds anyway, and you can always replace them when the speeds do reach those levels.
DOCSIS 3.1 is more useful if you use your home network for more than the internet.
If you have a media server and multiple computers and other devices on the network and use them simultaneously, the extra bandwidth does help.
Besides, 3.1 modems are ones for the future, so that you don’t need to have to replace them for quite a long time.
Popular Comcast Compatible Modems
To make your life a lot easier, I have rounded up some of the best and most popular modems on the market right now.
Keep in mind these modems are just modems; you’ll still need to get a router to have Wi-Fi inside your house.
If you don’t need Wi-Fi, just get one of these and hook your devices up to them.
Modem router combos compatible with Xfinitydo exist and have their own set of benefits, though.
The first recommendation that I’d like to make is the Arris SURFBOARD SB 6190.
It is a DOCSIS 3.0 standard modem capable of handling internet plans of upto 600 Mbps.
This is the default choice if you don’t like pondering a lot on stuff.
Another suggestion would be the Motorola MB7621.
Its capable of speeds of upto 1 Gbps but has only one ethernet port for the router.
But this is a good recommendation because it was able to strike a balance between price and performance.
As for the DOCSIS 3.1 recommendation, I’d give it to the Netgear CM1000.
It comes with all the frills you’d expect from a DOCSIS 3.1 router, plus some additional features like self-activation and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
Buy a Modem Compatible with Comcast that Fits Your Requirement
You don’t need to buy a modem router combo if you want.
You can buy both devices separately to have more choice over the settings that you can use.
A DOCSIS 3.0 modem is enough in most cases, but if you feel like splurging or have many devices in your home, you can get a 3.1 modem.
Set-up the Modem and Connect Your Devices
After getting your hands on a modem, connect everything necessary.
You can activate the modem through the Xfinity app, but to do that, you’ll need to connect to the modem through Wi-Fi with a router.
After you connect to the router, open the Xfinity app and sign in with your credentials.
The app will prompt you to activate the new modem, so follow the instructions on the screen to activate it.
You can find the 12 digit CM MAC number from the back or the underside of the modem.
SelectCheck Your Connectionafter setup finishes and wait for the check to finish.
That’s it! If you start to get internet now, that means you’ve done everything correctly.
If there is no internet yet, you can try activating the modem by contacting Xfinity support, which we will discuss in the next section.
Call Comcast to Get it Activated.
You can call up Comcast and talk to a support agent to set up your modem for you.
Have the MAC address and the modem’s serial number handy, so you don’t have to scramble to find it when they ask you.
Ask them to remove the modem rental fee from your account once you are done as well.
It should be done automatically, but just to make sure, you can ask them.
Return Current Comcast Equipment
Customer support will also ask you to return your old equipment to your nearest Comcast store.
Return all devices and equipment that you got from Xfinity back to their store.
If you can’t return the equipment, there would be an equipment return fee that you must pay that can come to hundreds of dollars.
Your Next Avenues Of Expansion
Now that you have your own modem, why not consider a mesh Wi-Fi router to go along with it.
You need a router anyway if you want Wi-Fi for your house, so pick out a mesh router compatible with WiFi 6.
They are different from regular routers because they have larger signal ranges and can handle multiple devices at once.
Mesh systems are also the go-to choice for home automation, so if you have something of the sort in mind, give them a try.
You May Also Enjoy Reading
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- How to Bypass Xfinity Wi-Fi Pause Effortlessly [2021]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two modems with Comcast?
You can add a second modem to your Comcast account but keep in mind they will charge extra for it.
Its equal to paying for two internet subscriptions.
How long do Comcast modems last?
You can expect your Xfinity modem to last around four to six years from when you got it installed.
To get them replaced, either buy your own or ask Comcast for a replacement.
Does Comcast automatically update modem firmware?
xFi gateways from Xfinity automatically keep their firmware up to date.
If you ever see your gateway randomly restarting, the chances are that it just downloaded and installed a firmware update.
What happens if I dont return Comcast equipment?
If you don’t return your Comcast equipment, they can charge you hundreds of dollars for the lost equipment.
Worst case scenario is that they send a collection agency after you but return your equipment before anything happens.
