It is pretty hard to live in the United States of America and not know about Time Warner Cable. They are great internet providers, and just like other of their competitors, they also offer you the possibility to rent the devices in order to have the internet in your house.
This sounds great. You have an internet connection and the products you need for cable and wireless reach all in one package. Right? Yes and no.
Yes, because someone from Time Warner Cable will probably come over to your place and do the initial setup. Also, if your modem/router will break, you will automatically receive a new one.
But what happens if you want more than what their modem has to offer? Or what if you don’t want to pay that monthly fee anymore and put aside all the money worth of rent to buy yourself something nice?
This article is for all of you from the second category and, of course, also for the people that are happy with the renting procedure but have time to find out a thing or two about modems and routers.
I won’t start before telling you that this article contains some technical terms that you might not be familiar with, but I promise that I will do my best and explain to them so everybody, regardless of age or profession, understands what I am talking about.
This being said, let’s start to discover what are the 10 best cable modems for Time Warner Cable that you can buy today with just a click.
Best Cable Modems For Time Warner Cable – A Comparison Chart
Let’s not jump straight to the reviews and take a few minutes to see what are the main differences and similarities between the ten products from the time warner cable modem list.
| Image | Product | Internet Speed | Dimensions | Weight | Warranty | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 | 300 Mbps | 4.9 x 7.3 x 2.4 inches | 1.45 pounds | N/A | Check On Amazon |
 | MOTOROLA MB7420 | 686 Mbps | 4.9 x 2 x 6.1 inches | 9.3 ounces | 2 Years Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | Linksys CM3008 | 343 Mbps | 1 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches | 3.52 ounces | 1 Year Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 | 343 Mbps | 6.4 x 2 x 8.7 inches | 1 pounds | 1 Year Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 | 686 Mbps | 5 x 2.1 x 5.2 inches | 1.35 pounds | 2 Years Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | NETGEAR C7000 | 400Mbps | 11.7 x 11 x 3.9 inches | 1.6 pounds | N/A | Check On Amazon |
 | ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 | 1.4 Gbps | 7.2 x 4.5 x 6.1 inches | 1 pounds | 2 Years Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | Linksys CM3024 | 960 Mbps | 1.8 x 7 x 8 inches | 2.1 pounds | N/A | Check On Amazon |
 | TP-Link TC-W7960 | 343Mbps | 8.2 x 5.9 x 2.9 inches | 1.7 pounds | 2 Years Limited | Check On Amazon |
 | ARRIS SURFboard SBG7400AC2 | 300 Mbps | 7.7 x 2.2 x 9.5 inches | 2.64 pounds | 2 Years Limited | Check On Amazon |
Top 10 Best Cable Modems For Time Warner Cable :
#1 NETGEAR CM500
The first product that I want to talk about is the NETGEAR CM500 cable modem, and I will tell you why I’ve included in my Time Warner compatible modems list.
First of all, it is cheap and works with multiple providers, so if you will decide to change your internet provider from Time Warner Cable to a competitor, you would most probably still find a use of it.
However, keep in mind that it is not compatible with AT&T, Verizon, and some others, but also doesn’t offer any bundled voice service. You can find the full list in its instruction guide.
Secondly, the CM500 model can support up to 300 Mbps internet speed plans and can work with any operating system you might have on your computer (Windows or Mac OS).
A minus could be the fact that it doesn’t come with a built-in router, but at this price, it is very hard to find a combo. However, the good part is that it works with probably any WiFi router you could find.
Lastly, it has a 1 GB Ethernet port and is designed with 16×4 channel bonding and also DOCSIS 3.0.
- It comes at a low price;
- 16×4 channel bonding;
- Compatible with both PC and Mac.
- It doesn’t support voice bundles;
- It doesn’t have a built-in router.
#2 MOTOROLA MB7420
If you are searching for a powerful, but also cheap modem then you should clearly check out the MB7420 model from MOTOROLA. Due to its 16×4 DOCSIS 3.0, this product can offer up to 686 Mbps, making it 16X faster than what DOCSIS 2.0 can provide.
For a faster and also more reliable internet connection, this model has a Full-Band Capture digital tuner.
Probably this is obvious, but you can connect any wireless router (it doesn’t have a built-in router), computer, or even a game station to it due to its Ethernet port.
It is compatible with many internet providers and of course with Time Warner Cable. The setup is very easy to make. If you follow the simple guidelines from the setup wizard it’s impossible not to make it work.
- It has a good price;
- It gives a good internet speed.
- It doesn’t have a built-in router.
#3 Linksys CM3008
Another product from the Time Warner Cable internet modems variety that is worth talking about is the Linksys CM3008 model. Just as its predecessors, it is compatible with other internet providers, making it very versatile, and therefore, your subscription offer always open for better improvements.
For improved downstream and also upstream performances, this modem comes is an Intel Puma 5 chipset.
For a stable internet connection, it is recommended for broadband subscriptions up to 100 Mbps.
It comes with a DOCSIS 3.0 standard certification, 4 upload, and 8 download channels. This will ensure a high-bandwidth transfer rate between cable lines at up to 343 Mbps.
You need to keep in mind that this is just a modem and you will also need a router for WiFi connections.
- Very cheap;
- Good upload and download speeds;
- Compatible with multiple providers;
- DOCSIS 3.0.
- Intel Puma 5 chipset is not the best you want;
- You will need an extra router for Wifi connection.
#4 ARRIS SURFboard SB6141
ARRIS SURFboard has many good modems that are compatible with Time Warner Cable, and this is why you will discover that this is just the first one from my list.
So, the SB6141 model is compatible with Time Warner Cable subscriptions, but also with other internet providers such as Comcast Xfinity or Cox. However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to use it if you change to AT&T, Centurylink, or Verizon.
With a 2 years warranty for its customers, this modem supports the most advanced Internet standards, meaning IPv4 and IPv6.
It has 4 upload channels (131 Mbps speed) and 8 download channels (343 Mbps speed). Also, to ensure the connection to any PCs or routers, it comes with a Gigabit Ethernet port.
Its installation should be very easy to do, but if you encounter any issues, you can check out the Installation video or the Quick Start Guide.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that it doesn’t have a built-in router, so for a wireless connection, you will need to buy an additional router if you don’t have one already.
- Can be bought in black or white;
- Good internet speed;
- It is compatible with many internet providers.
- Not very cheap;
- You will need an extra router for WiFi.
#5 ARRIS SURFboard SB6183
Another ARRIS SURFboard from my Time Warner Cable modem list is the SB6183. Just as the one before, it is also compatible with multiple internet providers such as Cox or Comcast Xfinity, but does not work with Verizon, CenturyLink or AT&T.
Another aspect that this and the SB6141 model have in common is the lack of a built-in router. This means that in order to have a wireless connection when using this modem, you will need an additional router.
Probably up to this point, you are asking yourself why you should pick one or the other if they are at first glance the same.
The difference is made by the internet speed each one can provide, and you need to know that this model is faster. Yes, it also has a Gigabit Ethernet port that will ensure the connection with your router or computer but based on ISP subscription, you can have a 131 Mbps upload speed and a 686 Mbps download speed.
This means that if you will decide to go with this modem you won’t have any problem in seeing online HD videos, playing online games or have multiple devices connected at the same time.
- Good value for money;
- Great internet speed;
- Good warranty;
- Compatible with multiple internet providers.
- It doesn’t come with a built-in router;
- You might need to restart the modem from time to time.
#6 NETGEAR C7000
You are now literally at the half of the reviews, so since, I must confess, I am a fan of NETGEAR, I want to present another of their models – C7000.
This is actually one of the best Time Warner Cable internet modems because it is a combo that also contains a built-in router. This means that if you buy this version, you won’t need any additional devices to have a wireless connection.
Since we are at this aspect, it is the perfect time to mention the fact that the C7000 model from NETGEAR can get you up yo 1800 sq. ft. wireless coverage and can support 30 devices connected at the same time. Also, you should know that all this happens at an AC1900 speed, meaning up to 1900 Mbps.
The next thing that I want to mention is that it is compatible with other internet providers, so you won’t have to be stuck with Time Warner Cable if you don’t want. Regardless of your provider, this modem/router is recommended to be used for subscriptions up to a 400 Mbps speed.
It offers the possibility to connect more devices at once through its Ethernet ports because it has 4. Also, for faster wired connections it also comes with 2 USB ports that can be used for your computer, game station, printer or any other devices.
- Has a built-in router;
- Has multiple ports (4 Ethernet and 2 USB);
- Great internet speed;
- Great wireless cover.
- It is expensive;
- It is not compatible with any bundled voice services.
#7 ARRIS SURFboard SB6190
Another ARRIS SURFboard model that I want to suggest for you is the SB6190 modem. It is very similar to the first two that I talked about.
This means that it also is compatible with other internet providers such a Suddenlink or Comcast Xfinity and comes with 2 years of limited warranty.
I won’t linger too much on the similarities between them because I would just repeat myself, and I rather prefer to tell you what makes it different.
It offers the best internet speed from all 3 ARRIS SURFboard models. Due to its 8 upload channels that give 262 upload speed and 32 download channels that provide up to 1.4 Gbps download speed, you will be able to make streaming for UHD movies, play online games at a very good resolution on multiple devices at the same time.
With this idea in mind, you can use it at its best for internet subscriptions up to 600 Mbps. However, you should keep in mind that if you will want to go with a Gigabit Plan, this will not do and you will have to use a Docsis 3.1 Modem.
- Great value for money;
- Great internet speed;
- It can be used for UHD movie streaming.
- It doesn’t come with a built-in router;
- It is not compatible with any Gigabit Plans.
#8 Linksys CM3024
I don’t want you to believe that only NETGEAR and ARRIS are Time Warner compatible modems. This is why I also added a model that is provided by Linksys.
So, their CM3024 is a versatile model that you can use for other providers as well, such as Cox, Comcast Xfinity, or Cablevision, but is not compatible with others like CenturyLink, AT&T or Verizon.
This next information is mandatory to keep in mind. The CM3024 model is only a modem, and you will need a WiFi router for wireless connection. However, when you do connect it to a router, you will be able to receive high WiFi internet speed, if your plan allows it.
For good upstream and downstream performances, the Linksys CM3024 model comes with Intel Puma 6 chipset. Also, it has the DOCSIS 3.0 standard certification that will allow high bandwidth transfer speeds (up to 960 Mbps).
- DOCSIS 3.0;
- Compatible with multiple internet providers;
- Intel Puma 6 chipset is not the best you can have;
- You also need an extra router for wireless connections.
#9 TP-Link TC-W7960
For the next product, I have chosen a model from another brand that was not discussed so far. So, I have picked the TC-W7960 model from TP-Link.
This one is a combo modem/router that is recommended for any cable internet subscription up to 150Mbps. Based on your cable service, it can reach up to a 143 Mbps upload speed and up to a 343Mbps download speed, while download speed on wireless connection can reach a speed of up to 300 Mbps.
All this is possible because it has a channel bonding of 4 upstream channels and 8 downstream channels.
With a 2 year warranty, an unlimited non-stop technical support and also a great compatibility with multiple internet providers is no wonder that TP-Link is one of the leaders of this industry.
- Comes with a built-up router;
- Incredible price;
- Great value for money;
- Very good customer support.
- The connection might drop sometimes.
#10 ARRIS SURFboard SBG7400AC2
Since ARRIS was the star brand of the article, I want to close the Time Warner Cable modem list, with one of their models, the SBG7400AC2 one, to be more precise.
Approved by many US internet providers, this is actually a 3 in 1 device and not just a modem. This means that it can work as a 24×8 Cable Modem, as an AC2350 dual-band WiFi Router, and also as 4 Port Gigabit Router.
Let’s take each feature at a time for a better understanding.
So, the cable modem has 8 Upload and 24 download channels that are meant to maximize the service offerings of your Cable ISP. It is recommended for internet plans of 300 Mbps and bigger. Just as a note, it respects the latest internet standards and therefore supportsIPv4 and IPv6.
The router is an AC2350 2.4/5.0 GHz Dual-band that has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
As a very big plus, it has security layers provided by McAfee that can be configured using an App.
- It is a 3 in 1 device;
- Great internet speed;
- It has anti-virus security.
- It doesn’t come cheap.
Time Warner Cable, Spectrum and other Brand Related Information
Time Warner Cable also known as TWC was an American cable television business. It was the second-biggest cable company after Comcast, who was actually interested in buying it.
The company was actually sold to Charter Communication who rebranded it and is now functioning under the Spectrum brand.
Spectrum offer preferred offers based on your needs – home or business requirements.
Spectrum Home offers:
- Internet & WiFi: with speeds that are starting at 200Mbps and can go up to 940Mbps, these offers can satisfy any home usage need. These offers also include a free email, a domain name, a security suite, and more.
- Phone: their offers include free unlimited calls for both local and long-distance numbers and also free advanced business calling features.
- TV: They have multiple channel packages from which you can choose. You will get access to the Spectrum TV App and stream your favorite movies or shows using your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Also if you will go with a bundle internet-phone-TV, you will get a price discount.
Business offers:
If you pick a business package, you will get lots of benefits such as:
- A static IP that will give you more reliability will increase your security systems, and also it will give you remote network access.
- Fiber-Optic connections that will let you connect many devices at the same time, to download big files instantly, and also to access cloud folders you might need with a 99.9% network reliability.
- Free wireless connections for both your customers and employees;
- Data backup;
- It allows you to process multiple payments at the same time;
- 24/7 client support;
- It comes with antivirus protection for both PC and Mac operating systems.
If you came upon this article without already being a Spectrum client, have a contract with a different internet provider, but like what you just read, let me tell you that this company will buy you out of your deal.
All you have to do is to follow 3 very simple steps:
- Order a qualifying Spectrum package
- Fill out their Form for Spectrum Contract Buyout
- Email the Contract Buyout Form to Spectrum, include a copy of your last bill from the previous provider.
Also, they suggest testing your internet speed to convince you that it is a good deal for you to change providers. I recommend you to do the same because some regions may have a better connection than others and you don’t want to jump in a deal that it is not good for you.
Why Should I Buy my own Time Warner Cable Modem?
It is clear that for a person who doesn’t really care about how its spending money, don’t care about its internet speed or simply want the comfort of knowing that someone will take care of the initial setup, the idea of renting the device from Time Warner Cable (Spectrum) is the best deal ever.
However, we are not all the same, and definitely, some of us don’t settle for less when the possibility of receiving more is just around the corner.
This being said, let me tell you why it would be a great thing, from any point of view you will look into this issue, to invest in your own modem and router.
Have Money Savings
I know that at first glance, the renting fee doesn’t look like much, but when adding the sums month after month, this will change. And with so many Time Warner Cable internet modems at just a click away, it is a shame to waste so much money on something that you just don’t need.
So, if you will buy a modem, a router, or a combo, you will only have to pay a fixed price and then don’t care about this issue anymore.
I know that it sounds good because it actually is. Now, before moving on to the next point, think about how many things you can buy or do with $200. This is, more or less, the sum that you will save in a year.
Interesting, right?
Faster Internet Connection
The Time Warner Cable internet modems that are given for renting purposes are good but are not the best. Since they will not be able to give you one of the best modems on the market, it will result in an average internet connection.
Of course, the internet speed is something that can influence your life or not.
If you have an online job or upload stream video, you will need to have a more than decent internet speed, one that a modem rented from Time Warner Cable most likely won’t be able to offer you.
However, this very easy to acquire if you buy a compatible one that is powerful and gives you the speed you need.
Better WiFi Connectivity
I am certain that when you sign up for an internet subscription, your dream connection is not one made with a cable that is available for one computer.
You always want to be connected with all your smart devices, regardless of where you are in the house.
Unfortunately, the routers available for renting may not be able to offer you the best WiFi experience, and you may find yourself encountering buffering situations while watching online videos. And there are only a few things more frustrating than this.
So, you can reduce these situations by simply buying a more powerful router that will give you better wireless coverage.
Time Warner Cable Modems & Routers – The Buyer’s Guide
I don’t know how much you understood so far from the technical terms, but I am sure that you realized that if you buy your own modem and/or router will increase your internet speed.
But how can you be sure that you pick the right model for you and your needs since there are so many out there?
Your Internet Subscription
If you don’t have a very professional internet plan, you won’t get a fast internet speed no matter how performant your new modem will be.
This being said, it will be stupid to pay extra for a feature that you can’t have.
So before buying a router that goes well with very fast internet plans, contact your provider and see what you are paying for and make a decision based on that.
Don’t forget that you can always upgrade your plan if you are not satisfied with your current one.
Internet Speed
Having lots of GB of internet speed sounds just like having a Ford Mustang or a Lamborghini. Everybody theoretically wants that, but how many actually need it?
If you want to watch some Youtube and browse Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you will not need too much speed. I guarantee the most basic modem will do the trick for you, so there is no need for you to spend big money on a powerful model.
However, if you are a vlogger or a programmer that needs to upload and download lots of content, and you need to do it fast, then you should pick a modem that supports fast internet speed.
Channel Bonding
Channel bonding is just a fancy term of explaining how fast you should expect your internet to be based on a number that describes how many download and upload channels does the modem supports.
To give you an example, you will see a marking such as “24*8 channel bonding”. This means that it will have 24 channels for download and 7 for upload.
This notation starts at 4*4, and it represents 172 Mbps and goes up to 32*8, representing 1.4 Gbps (1400 Mbps). There is also a 10 Gbps (10000 Mbps) capability, but that is in a different category (DOCSIS 3.1) that is still kind of unlikely to obtain, but of which I will discuss next.
So, pick your modem based on the channel bonding number that you need and don’t take a more expensive one for s internet speed that you won’t have use of.
DOCSIS 3.0 vs DOCSIS 3.1
Since we are in the technical area, and I already introduced this term, lets’ see what DOCSIS means and how it will affect your internet speed. “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” This is what DOCSIS actually represents, and it actually translates into something that we all understand, meaning the internet service.
The one that you will encounter in most cases is DOCSIS 3.0. However, there are many ISPs that also support DOCSIS 3.1, even though right now is not a feature that is very often seen.
This means that it would be absolutely useless to buy a DOCSIS 3.1 modem if your internet provider is not able to offer that capability.
Yes, the modem will work at a 3.0 speed, but is it worth spending money only in the eventuality of an upgrade?
Modem and Router or a Combo of the Two
I am sure that you have realized that Time Warner Cable internet modems can come as stand-alone products that need a router to offer wireless connections or Time Warner compatible modems that have a built-in router.
I know that you will think that two of the price of one it is better, but you should know that combos usually don’t come cheap, therefore if you already have a functional router that you can use, maybe you should only invest in a modem.
Of course, the decision is all yours.
How to Set up the Modem and Router
Depending on the device that you buy, this part looks a little different. This being said, let’s see what situations you can encounter.
Modem + Router
When buying a combo, the setup is actually a piece of cake. You take out the device from the box, and you plug it in. Use the outlet where you want your modem/router to stand and with a coax cable plug it in.
Take one part of the Ethernet cable and stick it into the modem while the other part is connected to a computer.
Open that computer, log in to the modem and follow the steps suggested by the setup wizard. You should do exactly as it tells you, and you will not have any issue with the installation.
Separated Modem and Router
Do exactly as pointed above. You will need to respect the same steps to install your modem properly. When you finish, you will have an internet connection, but only through a cable, so you will need to also do a set up for the router.
To do so, please follow the instructions below:
- open your computer to see if indeed have a cable internet connection;
- put the router into place. Look for a central and higher position that will allow it to broadcast in every direction, propagating the radio waves in all the homes.
- Connect to an outlet. You will most likely need one near the modem.
- Make the connection with the modem, by using an Ethernet cable;
- go to your computer again and open the router’s online interface. Log in there, and again, a setup wizard will tell you exactly what steps to take to finish the install, including how to change the name of your network and its password.
- do a WiFi test with one of your smart devices.
In Conclusion To
This is the final of the article. I hope that I managed not to get you bored with all these technical discussions and that you could actually understand the importance of each feature and, of course, the importance of having your independence when it comes to modems and routers.
Let me know your thoughts and observations by using the comment section. You will find it near the share button that I would appreciate very much if you will use it.