If you have Google WiFi, you will want to make sure that you have the best modem for Google WiFi possible in order to have the best experience.
But when you are shopping for a modem, it is important to know what you should be looking for. Whether its speeds, compatibility, or security features, you need to think about what you expect from your modem before you start shopping.
All the same, it can be overwhelming to know which modems are the best. It’s easy to get lost in all of the options out there. We have broken it down to make it easier for you.
Features Your Modem For Google WiFi Should Have
Channel Bonding
It is important that your modem have channel bonding as a feature. Channel bonding is a type of technology where two radio channels that do not have a frequency band are “bonded” together to provide you with an increased amount of bandwidth, therefore allowing your internet to handle more activities and speeds.
It is used a lot with wireless routers, but it is also a feature within modems, so keep a lookout for it.
Compatibility With Your ISP
The most important thing to consider when you are looking for the best modem for Google WiFi is compatibility. If the modem is not compatible with your ISP, it is never going to be able to work with your network.
You can’t make a modem work with a different system than it’s made for, so double check this first. For example, a cable modem cannot work with a DSL connection, and vice versa.
Speed
Though your speed capabilities are limited by what your ISP will allow, you should still try to get a modem that will give you the most speeds that you can get.
Having a modem that is capable of higher speeds than you are getting right now will prepare you for the future as your ability to obtain higher speeds increases. That way, when technology improves, you will not have to buy a new modem.
Security
Security features can help malware from getting into your system and can also keep people within your network from accessing things that they should not be.
You need a modem that will update itself as well as new malware or viruses are discovered. That way, you are not at risk of being a victim to a new type of malware unaware. The amount of security features that you need depends on you.
5 Best Modems For Google WiFi & Nest
Device | Speeds | Channels | Rating | Check Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Motorola MB7621 Editor's Choice | 650 Mbps | 24x8 | 100% | |
2. Netgear CM1200 High Performance | 2000 Mbps | 32x8 | 99% | |
3. Motorola MB7420 Budget Friendly | 686 Mbps | 16x4 | 95% | |
4. Netgear CM700 | 500 Mbps | 32x8 | 97% | |
5. TP-Link 7620 | 686 Mbps | 16x4 | 94% |
1. Motorola MB7621 Cable Modem
Best Modem For Google WiFi (Editor's Choice)
The best cable modem for Google WiFi is the Motorola MB7621. This cable modem is a DOCSIS 3.0 and has excellent speeds and features.
Design
The design of the Motorola MB7621 is the standard Motorola look, which means it is tower design with a lot of venting down the sides. This will help to keep it as cool as possible. The compact design makes it easy to conceal, so it will not take up much in the way of room.
The MC7621 comes with one Gigabit Ethernet port to connect your modem to a wireless router, or your Google WiFi point. Most routers come with additional ports, so if that’s something you might need for your devices, keep an eye out for that in the router you choose to use. It also has a Full-Band Capture Digital Tuner to ensure better, more reliable internet.
Performance
The MB7621 has great speeds for a modem, reaching up to 650 Mbps. 650 Mbps is perfect if you have anyone within your network who streams a lot and often. It even lets you stream more than one thing at a time, if you have more than one person or device that need to stream at the same time.
The MC7621 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, so not as future proof as a DOCSIS 3.1 modem would be, but will still get the job done well. It uses a quick start guide to make it easier than ever before.
It also has the Broadcom chipset rather than the Puma chipset, so there are no security concerns that way Setup for this modem is quick and straightforward, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. It even has a Quick Start guide to get you up and going quickly.
2. Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 Modem
High Performance
Netgear CM1200 a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, which is more powerful than the DOCSIS 3.0 modems.
Design
Looking at its design, the CM1200 is a sleek tower modem. It is black and will be very easily to conceal if that is something that you prefer. The tower modems have a longer lifespan, since the components will not overheat and breakdown as quickly as horizontal modems do.
The CM1200 comes with two 1 Gigabit ports and one 2 Gigabit port to give you the fastest wired internet speeds possible, making it easy to connect your router. It will work with any WiFi router, but you can also use the Ethernet ports for an HDTV or gaming device.
Performance
Since this modem was built for performance, you should not be surprised to see that it offers speeds up to 2 Gbps. That depends on the available speeds from your ISP of course, but it will still be able to make the best use of the speeds that you can get.
In addition to the amazing speeds that you get from the internet, it also comes with heavy-duty 4K HD streaming as well as MU-MIMO technology. This means that the modem is already built to handle more than one user on at a time, even if every user is streaming content.
The setup of the modem should take only 5 minutes. It allows you to activate the modem through either a computer setup with your Ethernet cable or by calling your ISP and getting help that way.
3. Motorola MB7420 Modem For Google WiFi
Budget Friendly
When you are working within a budget, you should be able to get access to a quality modem. If that is the case for you, we suggest the Motorola MB7420. This is an excellent modem of great quality that will do exactly what you need it to.
Design
In line with the average Motorola design, the MB7420 is a tower modem with a black casing. This is nice, because it has a lot of great venting already, ensuring that your device will not randomly overheat on you.
It also increases the longevity of the device. The design is also compact, so it is easy to conceal and will not take up much space on your shelf.
The MB7420 comes with one Gigabit Ethernet port to allow you to connect to a TV, computer, game system, or router. It also has power-surge circuits and rugged lightning to keep it protected, so you know it will not short-circuit on you.
Performance
The MB7420 is a DOCSIS 3.0 mode with speeds up to 686 Mbps. That is pretty impressive since it is a budget friendly option. It is recommended for internet speeds up to 300 Mbps, since the download portion of its speeds is just over 300 Mbps, which is about average for ISPs.
The MB7420 has a simple set up, especially since it uses a quick start guide to get itself up and running. It should not take any time at all. The only real disadvantage to this modem is that if it happens to crash, it is not made to reboot. So if there is a power surge, you will need to manually restart the device.
4. Netgear CM700 Modem For Google WiFi
Netgear devices are typically reliable and sturdy, and this one is no exception to the rule.
Design
The CM700 has a robust design, and even though it is a tower design, it is a little larger than some of the other tower designs that we have already looked at. The base of the modem is a little bit less sturdy than others and might be a bit top heavy.
This modem comes with one Gigabit Ethernet port to allow you to connect to your router easily. It does not have any more ports than that, however, so you will have to rely on your router if you wanted to wire in any gaming system or HDTV.
Performance
Looking at the CM700’s performance, it has a 500 Mbps max download speed, which is really excellent from a modem. It should be able to give you all of the speeds that you want from your Google WiFi. It can handle high-speed cable internet with speeds up to 1.4 Gbps, which really means that it will be able to make the best use of whatever speeds you are getting from your ISP.
This is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 32x8 channel bonding to give you even more speed capabilities. It will handle HD streaming without any trouble, but it is not built for 4K by itself. The setup for the modem should only take up to 5 minutes, since you only need to plug it in and either go through your computer or call your ISP to get it totally up and running.
5. TP-Link TC-7620 Cable Modem
The last modem that we will suggest is the TP-Link TC-7620. This high-speed modem comes with the features that you need most and a solid level of performance.
Design
Starting with the design of the TC-7620, it is a tower design, much like the other modems that we have looked at here. Tower designs are the preferred method since they do have a longer life than the horizontal modems do.
This is because there is better ventilation overall for the modem, keeping it as cool as possible. Unfortunately, this modem runs a little hot, even with the tower design, so keep it where it can stay cool.
The modem does have one Gigabit Ethernet port to allow you to connect your router, computer, or any other device. It also has well-defined LEDs that clearly display the network status.
Performance
The TC-7620 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 16 x 4 channel bonding to boost the overall speed of the modem. It is compatible with cable internet plans up to 300 Mbps. Its max download speed is 686 Mbps as well, which is great for streaming.
The setup for this modem is simple, since you only need to plug it in to your computer and then go through an online activation process. The technical support from TP-Link is outstanding, so if you run into trouble during the setup, you will be able to get the help that you need. There is also a two-year warranty with this modem, in the event that the modem breaks down quicker than it should.
How To Connect Google WiFi& Google Nest To Modem
- Connect your Google WiFi point to your modem. Plug in the Google WiFi to a power outlet and to your modem.
- Download the app. Next, you need to download the Google WiFi app onto your mobile device. It should be available to all platforms.
- Connect to a WiFi point. Then you will want to open the Google app and follow the directions to connecting it to the internet. The app should be able to locate to point right away.
- Set it up. Use the app to name your network and create a password. You will want cloud services on as well to get the most out of the features.
Final Words
At the end of the day, our choice for the best modem for Google WiFi is the Motorola MB7621. This is a modem with a compact design, all of the features that you could ever need, and with the speeds that you have been looking for.
Remember that when you are looking for the best modem out there, you should be considering what the best modem means to you, because it might not be the same as what someone else needs.
Consider your budget, speeds, and what you will be doing online before committing to one modem over another to work with Google WiFi.