It’s clear that you need the best router for Comcast Xfinity to maximize the speed of your Internet connection.
Agreed?
But if you’re a Comcast Xfinity subscriber, you’re paying rental fees for something you don’t even own!
The small fees quickly add up, especially at year end when you’re looking at your expenses. That sounds ridiculous to me!
That would perhaps be somewhat acceptable if Comcast gave you an awesome wireless router or modem router combo that delivered on exceptional performance.
Let’s be honest, you’ll be better off with getting your own Xfinity compatible router, especially when it comes to boosting your wireless performance and connectivity.
Every Month You Lose Around $10 Or More By Paying Rental Fees. That's $120/Year!
Knowing that finding the best router for Comcast Xfinity is important for us to be connected; the BlueGadgetTooth team reviewed, researched and tested multiple wireless routers and modem router combo units to find the top picks for you.
Just looking at the performance reviews of each should tell you why replacing your old Comcast router with your own is a very good idea.
In fact, did you know that Comcast Xfinity (as well as other major ISPs) make a lot of their revenue through rentals?
Reasons To Get Your Own Xfinity Compatible Router
Your rental is probably an old gadget that should be relegated to your storage shed. Here’s why you should make the move and get the best router for Xfinity.
Faster WiFi:
Router rentals are not the latest gadgets and will not have the capability to transmit heavy data wirelessly easily.
With technology evolved to deliver theoretical Gigabit speeds and 5GHz bands that can transmit faster wireless speeds, your router should be able to handle the number of devices in your household that connect to WiFi, which your rental may not be able to handle. Features likes Quad Stream can make buffering a thing of the past.
Better Coverage:
Apartments face heavy interference from multiple household gadgets on the 2.4GHz band as well as interference from neighboring networks.
If your home is large, you need a router that can effectively deliver coverage to all corners of your home, through obstacles. Dead spots, weak coverage and poor range are all indicators of a router that cannot deliver.
Lower Cost:
Comcast’s rental fees increased to $11 this year, which means that you will be spending $132 within a year for a product that you don’t even own! Buying your own best router for Comcast high speed Internet will pay for itself within a year or two!
Modem Router Combo vs Wireless Router
Even though there are many advantages to owning a modem router combo, there are equally compelling reasons to why you should buy a separate wireless router for Comcast Xfinity Internet.
Why You Should Get A Modem Router Combo For Comcast Xfinity
Why You Should Get A Router For Comcast Xfinity
Best Router For Comcast Xfinity 2022
Device | Speeds | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. TP-Link Archer X21 Editor's Choice | 1800Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | |
2. Netgear X6 High Performance | 3200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | |
3. Netgear R6700 Budget Friendly | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
4. Gryphon AC3000 Extended Coverage | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 98% | |
5. Netgear XR700 For Gaming | 7200 Mbps | 6 Ports | 97% |
Best Modem Router Combo For Comcast
Device | Speeds | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Motorola MG7550 Editor's Choice | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | |
2. Arris SBG6950 Budget Friendly | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
3. Netgear C7500 High Performance | 3200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | |
4. Netgear C6300 | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% | |
5. Motorola MT7711 For Xfinity Voice | 1900 Mbps | 6 Ports | 98% |
1. TP-Link Archer AX21 WiFi Router
Best Router For Xfinity (Editor's Choice)
When looking for the best router for Comcast, you cannot do better than the TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21. This is a high-powered router that uses the latest router technology to give you the best speeds and range that you can get.
Design
Starting with the design of the router, the Archer AX21 is a horizontal router with four high-gain antennas that can be moved to hone in on the location that you would like to have the best signal possible.
The horizontal design takes up more desk space than a vertical router does, and you will need to make sure that you keep it in a well-ventilated location.
The security for the router is an advanced WPA3 type of security. This also uses the most recent security technology to keep your devices and your entire network as safe as possible.
Additionally, the router uses USB Easy Sharing, which includes a USB 2.0 port that will enable easy file sharing within your network. This is kind of like having your own private cloud network that has the ability to be accessed by any connected device within your network.
Performance
The AX21 is a Wi-Fi 6 router, which means that it is the latest technology that you can get from a router. This will allow you to connect more devices as the router allows multiple devices to be streaming at the same time across the network.
Even though this is a WiFi 6 router, it is backwards compatible, so you will not have to worry about any older devices that you have. This kind of consistent speed is something that gamers dream of. Combined with the Beamforming tech to give you a better signal, and this router will make your network unstoppable.
The router’s speeds can reach up to 1.8 Gbps, so long as your speed plan with Comcast will allow it. Even if your speed plan is slower than the available speeds, you can plan on enjoying the fastest speeds that your plan with Comcast can get.
This makes the router ideal for streaming, gaming, and even downloading largest files. As this is a dual-band router, you can expect to get up to 1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 on the 2.4 GHz band.
Another performance feature that you will get with the Archer AX21 is the OneMesh Wi-Fi System. This system will use your router and range extender to create a mesh Wi-Fi network.
The only downside to this is that there is not a lot in the way of tech support for the OneMesh system if you happen to run into any trouble using it. It is pretty self-explanatory though, so it might not be a problem for you. The range that you get will depend on the mesh system that you setup.
2. Netgear Nighthawk X6 (R8000) Router
High Performance Router For Xfinity
Not only does the name seem futuristic and indicative of it being the answer to future proofing your home, but the X6 is probably one of best routers for Xfinity that we’ve tested, that could be the best replacement option for the AC router you currently own.
This is the first tri-band router to be released and was created for the IoT (Internet of Things), which means that is built to handle the load of many devices being connected simultaneously. With more gamers, users and load getting connected, the Netgear Nighthawk X6 has become the face of the next-gen of wireless routers.
Performance
We have to start off with Netgear’s Smart Connect feature, which automatically adjusts the load balancing, by examining a client’s speed and then allocating them to a certain channel.
One concern we had with our last router was that it could not handle a large amount of devices connected, but the X6 rose up to the challenge. Created as an upgrade to Netgear’s R7000, we can see many improvements that have been made in terms of performance.
Offering a total bandwidth of 3,200Mbps (1300+1300+600 – 2 access points on the 5GHz band) on the 5GHZ and 2.4GHz bands, we did see some more than decent speeds, especially with 20+ devices being connected.
Speed
3200Mbps is just theoretical, and we can’t wait for the day when we can enjoy speeds as fast as that, but the R8000 certainly does deliver. Although you won’t see speeds that high (ask your ISP to buck up and get those speeds asap), you will notice that your home network’s speed has been boosted significantly.
If three wifi networks are not enough for you, you can also take advantage of the 4 port Gigabit switch, gigabit WAN port and 2 USB connections. The Six MIMO antennas and the R8000’s Beamforming technology will help strengthen the connection to your devices.
Best Use
Without a doubt, we would highly recommend the Netgear X6 (R8000) for large families who have many devices. So everyone can do their own thing, stream media on various devices.
3. Netgear Nighthawk R6700 Router
Budget Friendly
Not all homes are alike and understanding that each person’s living space, budget and internet needs is unique lead Netgear to create the R6700.
Many of us don’t want to shell out big bucks to be connected, and its good news that Netgear released a low budget option for those who want the best router for Comcast Xfinity without going broke, while getting a product that is part of the Nighthawk series.
Design
The design looks fairly sturdy and we appreciated the rubber feet which supported the wide base – now you don’t have to worry about the router sliding off any surface anytime soon. If space is a crunch for you – you do have the option to wall mount, it’s little details like this that make the Nighthawk series true gems in the internet field.
Performance
This large sized router released by Netgear proves to be a power house for getting your devices connected. When we tested this one out, we were thinking, yeah- budget option, it should have certain limitations and honestly weren’t expecting much.
Almost identical to the R7000 model, we loved the longer and thicker external antennas which proved to be an asset to the router as you can remove them or adjust them to get the best results possible.
The Netgear Genie App also made life a lot easier as we didn’t have to hang around the router to make any changes. From setting up parental controls so our little ones could access certain sites, to monitoring and managing our network, the app is a good feature of the Netgear Nighthawk.
Enough of the small talk. When it comes to storage performance of the 3.0 USB port, the R6700 does shine, beating performances of other tested routers. The range is great, with my devices being connected with good signal strength even in my back garden or in the garage, which has many obstacles between the client and the router. The range this router delivers is amazing!
For people who can get muddled up with installation and set up processes will love the R6700 which has a simple set up that will get your wireless network up and running before you even know it.
Overall, it may not be the best wireless router out there, but for the great price, it provides excellent 5GHz speeds and does still outperform many routers in its class. A great money saver!
Speeds
Being 802.11AC, the R6700 is still considered to be one of the best routers for Xfinity as its 5GHz speeds still delivers. This router has a 1GHz dual core processor and with speeds theoretically (as of now) slated to reach 1750Mbps (with 1300Mbps on AC and 450Mbps on the N), you know you could get decent speeds – but this also depends on your plan with your ISP.
The beamforming feature did make a difference as well – the R6700 delivered speeds reaching 82 Mbps, on a connection that was supposed to deliver 75Mbps. Pretty good news, we think!
Best Use
Gamers can be happy as the R6700 has advanced QoS and the dual core processor which boosts both wireless and wired performance. People in larger homes can benefit from this well priced router as well. Another plus point in its favour is the boosted speeds for mobile devices.
4. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
Xfinity Compatible Router With Extended Coverage
If you are looking for an extended coverage router to work with Comcast, take a look at the Gryphon AC3000 router. This is a unique router that can either work alone or work within a mesh system.
Design
The Gryphon has a different design than the average router. Where the typical router is black and flat, this one is white and vertical, which will help keep the router cool while making it easier to blend in with your décor.
The antennas on this high performance router are all internal, so there are no external pieces to get in the way. It is not obviously a router when you look at it.
The set up for this router is simple and straightforward, so you should be up and running in no time at all. It does have some parental controls as well, but they are not able to be customized as much as you might like them to be. They still offer bedtime monitoring, screen time limits, and other features, however.
Performance
The Gryphon is a high performance router, covering up to 3,000 square feet, supplying signal as far as you need it. It also works as an expandable mesh system, so the more Gryphons you add, the further your signal will be able to go.
It does not need more than one device to reach 3,000 square feet in coverage, but a second one will double that coverage even further. There will be no dead spots in your home with this router.
This is a tri-band router, which has a single 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. Three bands will keep traffic flowing steadily on your network, without interruptions or interference. It is nice to be able to set some devices on one band and some on another, giving you a lot of flexibility to how your network works. It also has the MU-MIMO, which makes it easier for more than one user to stream at the same time.
The Gryphon offers speeds up to 3 Gbps. In addition to the 4x4 MU-MIMO and antenna Beamforming, you should not experience any kind of slow down or lag when it comes to this router, regardless of other devices hopping on and starting to stream.
5. Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700 Router
For Gaming
For a Comcast-friendly router that is ideal for online gaming, look no further than the Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700. This is a router that was built for gamers.
Design
When looking at the design of the XR700, it is important to note that the router was designed for gamers by gamers, which means that all of the important features that you would dream of or expect in a gaming router are included with the XR700. It is a gamer’s dream when it comes to wireless routing.
Included with the design of the XR700, there four high-gain antennas, which help you extend the reach of your router even further. They also can be positioned in the directions that you would prefer to ensure that your signal is reliable is a little bit bulky and it does take up quite a bit of space, making it difficult to put on a desk if that was what you were hoping for.
The casing of the router is also unique, with red accents and other interesting design features that might increase the overall aesthetic of the router.
Performance
Looking at the performance of the XR700, you get geo-filtering, which will help your router connect to the closest servers and players, giving you efficient response time. You also can monitor your network and game ping in real time, so you can see what is dragging down your bandwidth and adjust accordingly.
In fact, it has the lowest ping on the market, which is essential if you are doing any heavy online gaming, because every millisecond counts. The advanced QoS ensures that no device will drain your bandwidth when you are in the middle of a battle, regardless of when another streaming devices hops online.
This router gives you speeds up to 7.2 Gbps, using its 1.7GHz quad-core processor, as long as Comcast allows for it. Remember, however, the speeds that you can get from your router are limited by the speed package that you have with Comcast.
If it does not allow for high speeds, you will max out and whatever they are giving you. You can always have a speed test done to make sure.
6. Motorola Modem Router Combo (MG7550)
Best Modem Router Combo For Comcast (Editor's Choice)
As more and more devices and people get connected to the internet, it stands to reason that our bandwidth should also consistently increase – which is has, if the past 5 years are anything to go by.
With ISPs giving us access to high speed internet, the only thing that would hold you back is your router, which could be the weakest link in your internet chain. Sometimes having two separate devices can be a problem, but that’s where the Motorola High-Speed Cable Gateway comes in.
A true winner launched by Motorola, the MG7550 is considered to be one of the best modem router combo for Comcast.
Performance
The modem can reach speeds up to 686Mbps. While this doesn’t sound like much, considering that most routers these days can reach theoretical speeds in Gbps, if you’re really realistic, you know that we don’t currently have access (at least most of us) to super fast high speed internet. This is why the MG7550 is a good option. It can handle connection speeds as well as any other router.
If you’ve noticed your modem is causing your internet to cut out randomly, this may be the answer to your problems. It shines where others fail in full spectrum scanning.
Other modems tend to offer specific channels in the spectrum, and more often than not, some of those channels get more crowded or have higher levels of noise. The MG7550 certainly improves on that performance.
The router on the other hand, is one powerful machine. Offering a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 1900Mbps, it also broadcasts a 3x3 MIMO signal which is a bit like beamforming, but actually creates separate networks for up to 3 devices. The Wifi Power Boost is a new feature that offers and delivers a better range than anything we’ve tested in this guide.
Speed
This modem router combo could pull all of what our ISP was offering in our subscription plan, and the wired gave us nearly 50% more speeds than what we were supposed to get from our ISP. This was only good news for us.
This was when we connected our device directly to the modem (so we got 145Mbps when we were supposed to get 100Mbps). Wireless speeds were also impressive – perhaps this is the first impressions, but after two weeks and no change in performance we were quite happy with the MG7550. Perhaps we’ll feel different in a year’s time – but we’re hoping to hear your experiences on this one too!
Best Use
For people who are looking to get a steal deal without compromising on performance and quality will be happy with the MG7550. This provides excellent range so people who have been experiencing dead spots with their old router should definitely try out this router.
7. Arris SURFboard SBG6950 Modem Router Combo
Budget Friendly
The best Comcast router that you can get on a budget is the Arris SURFboard. This is a dual-band, combo modem/router that should have a lot of the features that you are looking for.
Design
To begin with, let’s look at the design of the Arris SURFboard. It does have a standard black casing, like most modems and routers do. It does stand up, however, so it will stay cooler than the traditionally horizontal modems do.
The tower design is a little bit bulky and the plastic does not look very classy in this case. Additionally, there have been reports that the LEDs are too many in number, lighting up the entire space and vividly shining in the dark.
Beyond the aesthetics of the device, it does come with 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which will allow you to hardwire in whatever devices you need to. It also has the coaxial cable port on the back so you can easily connect it to your Comcast internet.
The device has a simple set-up as well, so it should be up and going in a matter of minutes. It is smaller in size than what you would get from a Comcast rental as well, which should make it easy to hide, despite the bright lights.
Performance
This two-in-one combo unit combines a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem with an 802.11AC wireless router. This combination is some of the best performing technology that you can get right now. It is compatible with any cable company as well, so if you ever switch from Comcast, you can still use this combo unit.
The router in the SURFboard is dual-band, so you will be able to eliminate some of the lagging that you might have otherwise suffered. The speeds offered with this device are up to 300 Mbps, which is naturally not the fastest speeds that you can get from a modern modem, but it should do well if you only have one or two devices streaming at a time.
While this is not a great modem/router choice for houses that have a lot of devise working simultaneously, it is an incredibly reliable device that should keep your internet up and running as smoothly as possible.
8. Netgear C7500-100NAS Nighthawk X4
High Performance
Built to handle the heavy loads of a multiple-user household, this modem router combo is another star released by Netgear.
Design
The no-nonsense design of the Netgear C7500 will appeal to those who are looking for practicality and performance. The black colour, combined with the four external antennas will probably make the modem router seem more at home at a space age art museum.
Performance
Even though our wired performance in our 2200 sq. ft house was acceptable with our older modem router combo, our wireless speeds always dropped by at least 45%. With the Netgear C7500, we had no problem pulling 705Mbps on our network – wireless. Wireless speeds are comparable to wired speeds in this modem router combo, which is definitely something to write home about.
It has the latest features – like DOCSIS 3.0, which helps in delivering 24x downstream speeds than its predecessor. It has a powerful 1GHZ processor that really gives your gaming and streaming activities a huge boost. The 24x8 channel bonding feature delivers ultimate cable internet speeds.
The Quad stream WiFi feature allows multiple users to stream videos at the same time, while the four external antennas and amplifiers extend your range as well as boost your performance. The Netgear C7500 also has Beamforming technology for all your mobile devices.
Apart from the high performance, the straightforward installation process is what tipped this modem router in our favour. Taking just five minutes, the whole combo was up and running using the Netgear set up wizard. Even ancient tech noobs can get the whole device set up easily on their own.
Best Use
This is by far the best modem router for Comcast due to its sheer performance. It is best for households with multiple users who want to be connected to high speed internet, gamers who want to kick some serious butt, movie buffs who want to watch their favourite shows in HD and people who are simply looking to work from home with access to great upload and download speeds for heavy file transfers. The C7500 won’t disappoint in a multi-device household.
9. NETGEAR C6300 Modem Router Combo
The AC17500 WiFi router and integrated DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem has a nice design and presents many features. Web Interface is straightforward and provides flexible control. It has plenty of options and settings.
This router is Comcast Xfinity approved and provides an excellent coverage. You have everything in one single device: fast wireless speeds, good range, great heat dissipation and compatibility with most major cable service providers.
The unit is quite big compared to other cable modems available on the market. The stand elevates the unit so that there's space in between, allowing ventilation at the bottom of the unit. This all-in-one unit represents the perfect combo choice for those concerned about space. One device means fewer wires laying on the floor.
Installation
This set up for this modem/router/wireless combo is a breeze. The Netgear Genie program is a huge help, saving you time. The app is easy to install, monitor and control your home network. Without it, a non-technical end-user might have trouble locating some of the settings.
You connect the coaxial cable, power cable, Ethernet cables, then call the cable company (via Comcast.com/activate) to register the cable modem to have it up and running.
The specs of the cable modem (MAC Address, Serial Number, Model #, etc.) can be found on a flexible piece of plastic that can be pulled out from inside the unit for easy reading.
Configuration
The web interface to configure the router is extremely user friendly and the menus are in logical order. The C6300 has features for simple to complex setup. You can only log into the web interface using one account.
The web interface has basic and advanced modes. Advanced features include address reservation, port forwarding and triggering, DMZ, simultaneous dual bands, parental control, separate MAC filtering for both primary and guest networks on both bands.
Performance
This model offers ultra-fast cable Internet speeds up to 680 Mbps. Its high-performance Intel Puma 6 processor supports 16 download & 4 upload channels simultaneously. It is compatible with the current and next generation of WiFi devices. It features WiFi Boost with high-power radio amplifiers and a memory of 128MB flash and 256 MB RAM.
The C6300 provides the best WiFi connectivity throughout your house for all your Internet-enabled devices. The simultaneous dual-band technology improves the range and reduces the interferences for better connections to more WiFi devices. The advanced QoS technology enables users to enjoy a smooth HD video streaming and low-latency online gaming.
C6300 has made file sharing seamless with ReadySHARE USB on your USB drive. It enables users to quickly display and play photos, videos and music stored on a shared USB hard drive.
Best Use
It is perfect for online gaming and HD video streaming, recommended for home use.
10. Motorola MT7711 Modem Router
For Xfinity Voice
If you are looking for a modem/router combo that works with Xfinity Voice, we suggest that you take a look at the Motorola MT7711. The MT7711 is an all-around powerful router that should have everything you could ever need.
Design
The design of the MT7711 is more appealing than a lot of other routers on the market. To begin with, it is a tower design, which means that it will always keep cooler than routers that are stuck being horizontal. The airflow is generally better with it. It is an appealing grey and black as well.
The MT7711 also comes with four 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which will allow for a wired connection for the devices that need one. It has two Xfinity Voice compatible phone ports to let you wire the voice function in directly.
You do get some level of security from this router as well. It has an advanced firewall, a browser-based configuration, and a guest network capability. It also has a modem chipset that provides security from Denial of Service attacks. Additionally, it has an optional battery backup to allow you to make phone calls if you lose power.
Performance
Looking at this device’s performance, it has a dual-band router with AnyBeam Beamforming. This means that the reach of both the h2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands will extend even further than they would have otherwise.
The router is also a 24x8, so it has up to 24 channels carrying data from the internet with up to 8 channels carrying data to the internet. The Wireless Power Boost is there for amplify the wireless signal. It also has full-band Capture Digital Tuning.
The modem part of the device is a DOCSIS 3.0, which is exactly what you should expect to see from such a great, modern device. There are two Xfinity Voice phone ports as well. This specific device has been approved by Comcast to work with Xfinity Voice especially.
The MT7711 offers speeds up to 400 Mbps, which might not be the fastest speeds on the market, but still should be enough for most Xfinity service packages.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Router For Xfinity
There are many factors that go into choosing one of many Xfinity compatible routers. You’ll be right in thinking that just about any router won’t do. The router you choose depends on the following factors:
Speeds
It's clear that this is a very important point. Are super fast speeds vital to you? Do you work from home or need to constantly transfer heavy files. There are various routers that focus on speed, and offer faster speeds and are more geared towards future proofing your home for Gigabit speeds.
Your Xfinity Package
Your internet speed is only as good as what your ISP delivers. If you are on a certain tier, you can’t expect to receive speeds faster than what you pay for, regardless of what is advertised for a router. Check your Xfinity internet plan to determine which router would be better suited for your internet plan.
Your Online Needs
What do you need your router for. Is it for better coverage or to eliminate dead spots in your large home, for a better online gaming experience, for simple data transfers, streaming HD video and more. Knowing what you need a router for will greatly narrow your options to pinpoint exactly what you really need.
Compatibility
You may prefer one router, but you will need to check if that router is on the list of Xfinity compatible routers. There is nothing worse than finally selecting one router, buying it, only to realise that it is not compatible when you’re setting it up.
Top 3 Reasons Why Not To Rent A Router From Comcast Xfinity
Surprisingly a lot of people are unaware that in order to have the Internet working, they do not need to rent the modem from their Internet Service Providers (ISP).
Some of them do not know that the modem and the router perform different functions. The modem connects to the network of your Internet Service Provider using a coaxial cable connection or a DSL wall socket.
Comcast is renting their modem for around $10 per month. At the end of the year they pay close to $120 just to rent a piece of equipment. Is it worth it? Let’s find out why not and why it's a good idea to get your own router for Comcast!
If you do not care much about the speed, keep in mind that you can buy an older model of modem/router for a few dollars. If high speed is your main concern, there are plenty of models on the high end that can satisfy your needs.
Shall you opt for a Wi-Fi built-in model? That depends on your needs and how tech savvy or geeky you are. You could get a separate cable model and a separate Wi-Fi router. Having two different devices might make your life easier if you need to troubleshoot or upgrade.
It is highly unlikely that you will have to upgrade your cable modem for a while, but you may upgrade wireless one more often. The Wi-Fi router you want to be able to upgrade it and also reboot it.
Jokes aside, these are the reasons why your SHOULD buy your own best router for Xfinity instead of renting the gadget from them.
1. You Can Say Goodbye To Any Rental Fees
Either these fees will be hidden, or you’ll see the monthly fee written in small text as ‘equipment rental fee’.
Why should you continuously [ay for something that is not top-of-the-line? If you decide to buy your own wireless router for Xfinity, your purchase will quickly pay for itself within a short time.
2. Enjoy Faster File Transfers And Allow Multiple Users To Stream Videos Simultaneously
We all have family and friends who may just pop over for the weekend, and you can’t tell them not to connect to your Wifi.
But your old router may not be able to handle the number of connections and this may affect your speeds to the various connected devices.
3. Because You Want To Enjoy Less Interference
Newer wireless routers have been designed keeping the 21st century user in mind. You have better things to do with your time than figuring how to optimize your router’s performance.
But getting a newer model (which, trust us, your ISP will not give you as part of your rental plan) will allow you to just sit back, let the router use its own intelligence to handle the load balancing.
Comcast Xfinity Package & Your Router
Understanding that one speed is not good for all, Xfinity has various subscription plans for their users.
Let’s take a closer look at their subscription tier to fully understand how knowing about these plans will help you in your search for the best router for Comcast. Our recommendations tie up with the Xfinity plans to make your lives easier.
Performance Starter Plan
This is the starting plan which gives you speeds of 10Mbps. If you are not a heavy internet user and don’t put a lot of load on your network or have many connected users, this plan could work well for you.
Similarly, if you are subscribed to this plan, you would be better off getting a router like the Netgear Nighthawk R6700.
Blast! Internet
You can zip up to speeds reaching 75Mbps. This is a great plan if you have many family members who want to watch their own shows or share your internet with friends and family.
This a great option for those who don’t want to wait for the movie to load during movie night. We recommend getting the Motorola MG 7550. Not only will you be able to access fast speeds, but you’ll be saving money overall as well. If you have a large area to cover with these speeds, you should get the Google Wifi Router.
Extreme 150
As the name says, you’ll be signing up for 150Mbps and these speeds will definitely ensure that your online experience is flawless. But you will need an awesome router to be able to handle these speeds and we feel the Netgear Nighthawk X6 will be more than adequate to handle all your online demands.
Gigabit Internet/ XFINITY Gigabit Pro
You can reach speeds up to 1Gbps/ 2Gbps with the Gigabit Internet and Xfinity Gigabit Pro respectively. These plans haven’t been offered to us yet, but if it is in the pipeline for you, we would recommend getting the X6 or even the TP-Link AC5400.
Understanding that one speed is not good for all, Xfinity has various subscription plans for their users. Let’s take a closer look at their subscription tier to fully understand how knowing about these plans will help you in your search for routers compatible with Xfinity. Our recommendations tie up with the Xfinity plans to make your lives easier.
Make Sure You Have A Comcast Compatible Router
This is really, really important and we cannot stress that enough. You may be dazzled by top of the line features, but all that would be wasted if your router or modem is not compatible with Comcast Xfinity.
You should:
How To Set Up Your Comcast Xfinity Router
You have your router, and you’re not sure of what to do next?
Step #1
Connect your modem to a power outlet through the power cord and to the internet via a coaxial cable.
Step #2
Call up Comcast to activate your modem via Technical support. Give details like your MAC address and Serial number of the new modem/ modem router combo you wish activated and they will walk you through it, getting your internet up and running within 5 minutes.
Activation NOTE: Now all that is left is to activate your connection via your new router. You should open a web browser (connect your device via an Ethernet cable) and you will see an ‘Activation Welcome’ screen. If not, head to register.xfinity.com.
Input your details (Check the Activation Information card included in the package) or sign in with your Xfinity username. If you already have a sign in name, you’re lucky and the process is a lot shorter. Just click on the ‘Sign In’ button.
If you don’t have a sign in name, create a new Xfinity username and put in a new password. Select your security question, and head to the next step, which is proceeding from the connection Established screen.
Step #3
Connect your devices to your modem and router and you can now get ready to rock and roll. Ensure that you secure your wireless network by creating a new network name and password on your router. You then have to update this info on all your connected devices.
Step #4
Return your Comcast provided modem or router and ensure that you inform tech support to remove rental fees from upcoming bills. Voila! Savings start straight away!
Renting vs Buying a Wireless Router For Comcast
Buying your own wireless router is always a good thing, but it may not be for everyone.
Renting A Router
Buying A Router
How to Login To Your Xfinity Router
- 1Connect to your network
- 2Open the web browser of your choice and type 10.0.0.1
- 3Enter login details like your username and password. This is usually a default login. Username: admin/ Password: password
- 4Click on the Change password button and change it so that it is not easy for anyone to access it
Final Words
Comcast is a huge giant in the internet industry and their rules do dominate the space. However, as a Comcast subscriber, you can still have access to the awesome speeds you actually pay for, by buying one of the routers mentioned in this guide.
The TP-Link Archer AX21 is our Editor’s Choice for best router for Comcast Xfinity due to the ease of installation, awesome performance and how user friendly it is.
However, if shopping around for the Comcast compatible router is not up your alley, you can choose to go for our Editor’s Choice for the best modem router combo for Comcast – the Motorola MG7500.
BlueGadgetTooth thoroughly reviewed, researched and tested a whole bunch of routers and modem router combos to bring you a list that would appeal to your budget or home usage.
There are benefits to choosing either a separate modem and router or a modem router combo. If you are confused on what is what, check out our informative articles here.