Modems play a big role in gaming as they hold the key to a consistent and stable internet connection. Get to know the best gaming modems in this article.
Imagine you’re playing a game, you’re so immersed in it, and you’re pouring your heart and soul into it – then suddenly the game freezes. Who would want that, right? One of the keys to good gameplay is a strong, fast, and uninterrupted connection.
When it comes to gaming, having a lightning-fast connection is warranted. You can have the best gaming laptop or PC specs and features, but all of them will be just for show if you have slow internet. A reliable connection is needed to use your computer to its full potential.
A modem will play a big part in regulating your internet connection and speed. But what is a modem, and what is its role?
Contents
What Is A Modem?
A modulator-demodulator, or modem for short, is a hardware device that modulates one or more electrical signals to encode and understand digital information for transmission and demodulates these signals to decode the received information.
In other words, a modem transforms digital information into analog signals that can be transmitted through wires, and it also transforms these analog signals back into digital data. More simply, it acts as a translator and gets the data from your ISP or internet service provider and turns it into an internet connection for your WiFi.
Let’s explore the different types of modems in the next section.
What Are The Different Types Of Modems?
There are three types of modems: a cable modem, a DSL modem, and a dial-up modem.
1. Cable Modem
A cable modem delivers high-speed internet via coaxial cables. These cables are connected to the back of the modem to the bolt-like outlets in your wall or a cable box.
These cables also allow the modem to receive digital information from your internet service provider (ISP).
Using a cable modem provides a fast and reliable internet connection. You can even boost the speed by adding more channels if you want. It’s also perfect if you live quite far from your ISP since distance doesn’t affect the connection speed.
However, it can result in a slow connection if too many gadgets are connected to a single channel.
2. DSL Modem
A DSL modem is used to transfer digital data via DSL cables. It’s attached to the telephone line on one end and connected to a computer on another end. DSL is easy to install.
A downside of this modem is the distance from your ISP provider plays a role in your internet connection’s speed. It requires having a phone line installed. Furthermore, DSL service is not readily available everywhere as compared to the other types of modem.
3. Dial-up Modem
This modem also uses phone lines but has a slower transfer speed. When the internet is used, the phone line becomes busy, and vice versa.
Dial-up is common in far-flung areas where other modems or connections cannot be installed. It generally has a slower connection than the others.
Top 7 Best Modems For Gaming
Now that we know the various kinds of modem, let’s move on to the best gaming modems for this year.
Netgear CM1000
Netgear is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to networking devices and tools. It allows high-performance gaming to be experienced by its consumers.
It offers a staggering 1 Gbps without emptying your pockets. It has 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels and utilizes the DOCSIS 3.1 version, which is paired with a 32 x 8 channel configuration. This is the reason for the amazing speed this modem delivers.
Another great thing with Netgear CM1000 is it has a one-year warranty, but it has only one ethernet port. It can even connect to Xfinity by Comcast, which not all gaming modems are capable of.
Linksys CM3016
This is one of the best budget modems in the market, with a speed of up to 68 Mbps. This modem will be the best choice if you’re just new to gaming or if you’re a casual gamer.
When it comes to technicalities, you won’t have to worry about buying this modem because it will definitely surprise you. CM3016 is compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 and offers 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels. It also has a PUMA 6 chipset which can give it a stable and consistent connection.
TP-Link Archer CR 700
This modem + router claims to have 1750 Mbps of speed which will surely support your everyday internet and gaming needs. Archer CR 700 has 16 downstream and 4 upstream channels. 09706039507
In addition, it has a two-year warranty and is very easy to install, being a plug-and-play device. It’s a great and affordable gaming modem that doesn’t break the bank. It looks very sleek and modern in terms of its design.
One downside of TP-Link Archer CR 700 is it has no app available to be installed on the phone for configuration and easy control. Also, devices on the 2.4 GHz channel often get disconnected.
Motorola MB8611
Motorola is a popular brand of cellphones and other smart devices, but it also manufactures excellent networking devices like its Motorola MB8611.
This gaming modem is quite expensive, sure, but it was found to have a maximum speed of 6 Gbps which is really impressive. The ethernet port also has a high speed of 2.5 Gbps.
You can expect network stability because of the DOCSIS 3.1 version along with its 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. You also get a two-year warranty when buying this gaming modem.
ASUS Modem-Router Combo
From the PC manufacturing giant, ASUS, this gaming modem-router combo runs both dual-band 2.4 and 5Ghz frequencies. It provides a secure and reliable performance when you’re streaming or gaming.
This modem uses DOCSIS 3.0 but it comes with the maximum number of channels. It can offer you up to 1.3 Gbps download speed, which means it’s capable of delivering fiber-level internet.
Setting it up is a no-brainer, plus it has a clean GUI on its web application. It reaches a long range for both of its channels, resulting in a stable connection.
Arris Surfboard SB8200
This is a pretty new brand that delivers high-quality performance. It has a maximum speed of 3.1 Gbps and two 1 Gbps ethernet ports.
It has a total of 32 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels, which translates to good stability and performance. Moreover, it uses the most up-to-date DOCSIS 3.1. This gaming modem is one of the best ones for streaming and playing games.
Arris Surfboard SB8200 also comes with a two-year warranty, so you don’t need to worry about damage and the cost of repairs within this period.
Netgear Nighthawk CAX80
This modem-router is one of the fastest options in the market, with up to 6 Gbps via dual-band connectivity. It’s also very secure because it has a built-in Bitdefender security suite and WPA/WPA2 wireless standards.
Of course, this gaming modem is on the pricey side, but you’ll get all the fantastic features, so it will be worth your money. A disadvantage of Nighthawk CAX80 is it’s large and bulky.
