Spectrum compatible modems: what you gain by buying your own
Spectrum is the odd one out — it supplies a modem at no monthly charge and bills for the Wi-Fi router instead. Buying your own modem and router removes that router fee and gives you hardware you control.
Confirm your model on Spectrum's own list before buying · Spectrum's compatible modems
What we'd buy for Spectrum
Prices move weekly, so we link out rather than print a figure that will be wrong when you read it.
Fast enough for any plan sold today and approved across the major cable networks. The default answer.
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The one to buy on a gigabit plan or above. No built-in Wi-Fi, so the radio cannot age before the modem does.
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Cheaper, and nothing wasted if your plan tops out near 500 Mbps.
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Home phone needs a voice-capable modem — a data-only model will not carry the line.
Check price →Every Spectrum-compatible model, by brand
ARRIS / SURFboard 4 models
NETGEAR 4 models
Motorola 3 models
Hitron 1 model
Ubiquiti 1 model
Spectrum modems: questions
If Spectrum's modem is free, why buy one?
The modem is free; the Wi-Fi service is not. Owning both means no monthly equipment line at all, and a router you can replace on your own schedule.
Does Spectrum charge an activation fee for my own modem?
Self-activation is normally free through the app or website. Check your account before a technician visit is scheduled, since visits can carry a charge.
Some links earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you. It never changes which modems appear or how they are ordered. Device lists come from Spectrum's own pages and change without notice — check before purchasing.