Have a quick Router/modem question please!

Those are called Modem Router combos, or modem gateways.

Here's a better link for Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/slp/comcast-compatible-modem/pckg3obvyuob442

Look for DOCSIS 3 models that say they work with Comcast. The Arris Surfboard is about the most popular one on Amazon, and probably the one I'll get when I switch to cable from DSL.

This is the model I'm considering.
https://www.amazon.com/SURFboard-SBG6580-2-DOCSIS-2-4Ghz-Router/dp/B0100KRBA6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1508741446&sr=8-6&keywords=arris+surfboard+black

Those you linked are routers only.. the description has to say they are both Modem and Router in the same description line. To find those listed type "cable or Wi-Fi modem router combo"

Search words: "cable modem router combo".. the description says they are both: (Example: Motorola 8x4 Cable Modem Gateway + Wi-Fi N450 GigE Router) [Notice the plus "+" symbol]
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_19?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=cable+modem+router+combo&sprefix=Modem+router+combos%2Cundefined%2C212&crid=2ZE4LTTTUMEEC

Or: "Wi-Fi modem router combo"
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_23?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=wifi+modem+router+combo&sprefix=wifi+modem+router+combo%2Celectronics%2C303&crid=3QFKAKWAMJKBO

As for recommendations, most are good name brands so use the use the rating (number of stars) as a guide for better products...

The Amazon link I provided you above was set to filter for "Comcast cable modem router combos". That's all the more specific you need to get.

You don't want a "Router + Modem" combo device anyways, they're never good.
Until recently I did exactly what you did, had my own modem and router so i didn't have to pay comcast.
It's pretty easy, once you hook up the modem, you'll have to call up comcast so they can "activate it" there's gonna be a yellow sticker in the manual/box for the modem that has some ""hardware numbers" they'll need, but it only takes like a few minutes.

A Modem connects to "the world wide web," a Router moves data between a local network. (i.e. your house and all your internet devices inside it)

What router you get depends on how many devices you want to have connected (and how, either wired or wireless) and what modem you get is determined by how fast your internet speeds you're paying for are.

If you want to save a bit of money on a router, here's a good alternative to that first one you linked: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-C7-Wireless-Gigabit/dp/B00BUSDVBQ/

And this would again be a slightly better priced modem option:
https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-DOCSIS-Certified-XFINITY-TC-7610/dp/B010Q29YF8/

Based on what, just you happening to get one lemon or requiring more advanced work at home network features? This is not the overall consensus of those using later models of such combo devices, and I've heard techs say the same. Basically "good" here is what type device is most appropriate at an acceptable price range and level of quality.

You may have had a bad experience with a cheap brand, earlier model, or one that didn't work well with you ISP, or bought one with less features than you needed, but I tend to think the reviews would be pretty bad if they were slower or unreliable. The fact is the more devices you connect to your network, the more it slows your speed. It's really just pointless clutter that's less efficient.

I've been using modem router combos for DSL ever since they came into existence well over a decade ago, and have always consistently had 90% of my advertised speed, which is about as good as it gets for a non pair bonded type modem. They're also plenty good enough reliability wise, lasting many many years and staying connected

There's no reason the same wouldn't be true of decent brands of cable combo modems, and the reviews and tech feedback reflect that.

Here's a handy article OP that points out the basics of modem + router, vs modem router combos. In so many words it basically states the combo device needs to be one that's compatible with your ISP (otherwise configuring can be difficult or even impossible), and that separate routers often have more networking features for advanced users (though they also cost more).

The article says nothing about combo devices being slow or unreliable though.

Basically if you're just needing something for basic home ISP service and not work at home type networking, the combos work fine. By the way you asked I assumed you were looking for something basic and affordable, and that's what I steered you to.

What James is proposing is in essence a cheap brand modem + router, that will probably only give you networking features you don't need and just cost more while adding clutter and possibly slowing your speed some too.

For a Modem and router, or a Modem/router combo...the best place to start is at the ISP's recommended list.
Especially the modem.

If you purchase one that they suggest, they cannot blame your off brand modem for any connection losses.

And a modem/router combo is not universally bad.


So...what is on Comcasts recommended list?

It's not so much a measurement of speed, but quality of service. Also having it be separate means if you want to say, upgrade your connection speed beyond what your modem provides, like if you were to upgrade to fiber, all you'd have to do is take the modem out of the equation and keep your router setup the same way as before.

Being able to have like a 2.4ghz network and a 5ghz network as two separate wifi networks is something that's rarer on combo devices, and further a 2.4 ghz and 5ghz guest network on top of that.

I think you're unrealistically equating "quality" with features. If he'd required anything specific regarding networking, or WiFi speeds, I think he'd have said so. The model of combo device I linked to is easily good enough quality, and even better than TP-Link, which is a pretty cheap brand. The Arris model is backed by a 2 yr warranty and they also have very knowledgeable and friendly toll free support.

I guess we'll have to wait for Anthony to verify what speed he's running at and whether he needs any high end WiFi capability though. The latter of which usually only applies to home networking situations where families or home offices have many devices on WiFi with just one ISP.

Plus I'm not sure you even noticed James, but the Arris Surfboard I linked to does have the "Wi-Fi N600 (N300 2.4Ghz + N300 5GHz) Dual Band Router" you were referring to. It's a pretty sophisticated device for it's price, and handles speeds up to 343Mb down and 131Mb up, which suffices for more than just average users. Seems to me those shopping in a less than $100 range for modem + router would not likely be on 500Mb to 1Gb ISPs.

It's also worth noting that Arrris now owns Motorloa's network device division, and makes some of their higher end models, while Zoom makes the lower end ones. If you ask me it's about time cable modems get up to speed with combo-ing in the router without tradeoffs like DSL modems have been for decades, and Arris is if you ask me.

I have a Motorola SB6121 modem and it has been amazing. I've had it for 3 years straight with zero issues. As for a router to use with it, I trust D-Link routers for gaming and home wireless. There are reasonably priced ones and expensive gaming ones but just about any D-Link AC router should get the job done.

Short version:
- Motorola Surfboard Modem
- D-Link Wireless AC Router

The Motorola branded ones are only available used anymore, they're now sold as Arris SurfBoard SB6121. Motorola doesn't even make modems anymore, but Arris is making them to the same exact spec, so.

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6141-Certified-Cablevision/dp/B00YUU5628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508812647&sr=8-1&keywords=SB6121

I still feel the SGB6580-2 model with built in dual band 2.4GHz-5GHz WiFi router is a way better deal for $39 more too.

As for what USAFRet said, I agree completely and stated before it has to be on Comcast's supported list, which is why I did the Amazon search with Comcast in it.

However I did finally find Comcast's page that shows supported devices. Just plug in your email address. https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com/

The Arris SBG6580-2 is on their list, but they have the DL speed on it wrong.

https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com/device/arris-sbg6580-2-533