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Getting the right router for Xfinity internet is essential to getting the best experience.
If your router is too slow, you won’t get the full upload, download, or streaming speeds you’re paying for.
Here are our top choices for Xfinity routers, as well as some other information to help you make a purchasing decision.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Routers For Xfinity
- OUR TOP PICK: Motorola MT7711
- RUNNER-UP: Netgear C3700
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Motorola MG7540
Comparison of the Best Xfinity Compatible Routers
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What Should I Look For When Buying an Xfinity Compatible Router?
Here are some of the top features to look for when buying an Xfinity router.
Beamforming
Most wireless signals are spherical, which makes it easy to cover as much of your household as possible. Beamforming is an advanced technology that focuses the wireless signal towards specific devices.
The result of this is that the signal is more robust, more stable, and may go farther than before. Beamforming is relatively rare, but it’s certainly worth getting if you’re choosing between a router with it and a router without.
Quality of Service
This feature doesn’t have anything to do with the customer support behind the product. Instead, Quality of Service (QoS) is a router feature that prioritizes traffic based on importance. If you’re making a phone or video call, it will prioritize your traffic over something like casual internet use.
Quality of Service is prevalent on business-level devices, but you can also find it on some residential routers. QoS is especially valuable if you’re working from home.
Range
A router’s range is its effective signal range under normal circumstances. If you have many thick walls in your house, you can expect a shorter practical range. Bigger isn’t always better here, though.
The edges of the signal range will always be weaker, which can be inconvenient if you have a smart TV on one side of the house and your router is on the other side. Instead of trying to get one signal to reach everywhere in a larger home, consider getting a signal repeater and trying to have consistent signal strength throughout your whole house instead.
Smaller houses and apartments usually do fine with the standard signal strength from a router.
Review of the Best Xfinity Compatible Routers
Here are our top five choices for Xfinity routers.
Best Overall:
Motorola MT7711
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers agree that this is a great modem, and that’s no surprise, given that it’s built specifically for Xfinity internet users. They also like that it’s a gateway system, which means it fulfills both modem and router functions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router stands out because it’s an officially-recommended product created by one of the industry’s top companies. Setup is easy enough, though you may need to call Comcast, and it features a large slate of modern technologies and features that help optimize performance.
Bottom Line
This is a great modem/router combo, which we expect from a product that Comcast itself recommends to make the most of their gigabit internet plans. It’s hard to go wrong with this choice.
Runner-up:
Netgear C3700
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers like this product for its dual-band feature. For those who aren’t familiar, dual-band (also known as channel bonding) uses both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections on wireless devices simultaneously, which significantly improves overall speeds. However, some users also reported that it can be unreliable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This device stands out mainly for its focus on high-quality streaming and downloading over wireless connections. The dual-band component is the most valuable part of the setup, and it’s quite competitive on pricing as well. Unfortunately, it has fewer ethernet ports than some other modems, which means it isn’t as good for physical connections.
Bottom Line
This router is a solid runner-up to our top choice, and the fact that it’s compatible with many ISPs makes it a better option if you think you’ll move away from Xfinity at some point. However, production issues mean it can fail earlier than some other options, so be sure to get a good warranty plan.
Best for the Money:
Motorola MG7540
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers see this as a top choice for wireless internet performance, which is what it focuses on. They also like that it’s compatible with several different cable internet providers, including CableOne and Mediacom, but it’s not compatible with all services.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router stands out for offering excellent performance at a highly competitive price point. It also has several rare features, including the ability to use WiFi DFS frequencies. That function limits the potential for WiFi interference from other networks in the area, like those in your neighbors’ homes. We think more routers should have that feature.
Bottom Line
Motorola’s MG7540 is a great router, though occasional production issues stop it from being perfect. While it doesn’t perform quite as well as our top choice, it’s an excellent value for anyone buying on a budget.
Best Modem Router for Xfinity:
ARRIS Surfboard SBG10
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers think this modem is significantly better than basic Xfinity rental modems, which makes it worth considering for any buyer. It’s also much smaller than most gateway systems, which is useful if you’re limited on space and need to prioritize device size.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Arris isn’t as well-known as manufacturers like Netgear, but they’re still a reliable choice for solid, well-built products. This particular device works well with most standard Xfinity plans and has enough range to support smaller households or apartments. However, it’s not quite as good for larger households.
Bottom Line
With competitive pricing and reliable service, this is a good backup choice if you can’t get one of our top options. It doesn’t have fancier options like beamforming, but it does have dual-band support.
Best Cable Modem Router for Xfinity:
Netgear C6250
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers broadly like this device, mainly because it offers easy setup and has a smooth, modern look that matches most decor. The speeds are reasonable on regular internet plans, though you can expect things to drop off if you have a higher internet speed tier from Xfinity.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This device stands out because it’s a solid combo system that offers solid performance at a reasonable price. Most buyers are extremely happy with it, and the different options for different speeds are very useful if you expect to upgrade your internet plan in the future.
Bottom Line
This isn’t the best value for performance among Xfinity routers, but it’s enough for most users. Like our previous option, this is a good backup choice if you don’t want to get one of our top options. It’s not bad; it’s just not quite as good as they are.
What Makes a Router Great For Use With Xfinity?
Several factors help determine whether a router is a right choice to use with Xfinity.
Wireless Standard
The best wireless standards are 11ad and 11ax, although these are currently hard to find on routers. These support speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps, but most people don’t get internet that fast from Xfinity.
Home users should look for 11ac (listed on routers as 802.11ac), which supports up to 1.3 Gbps. This is the speed most people receive from Xfinity.
Motorola MT7711 (Source)
MU-MIMO
MU-MIMO is a relatively new technology standard that lets routers work with different devices at the same time more efficiently. This feature is most useful in households where several people want to use the internet all at once, such as for streaming videos.
Compatibility
Most routers are compatible with Xfinity internet. While you probably don’t need to worry about this, some older routers and those built for other internet companies may not work as well with Xfinity. Any router made within the last few years should be compatible with no further issues to worry about.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Here are some aspects of routers to consider before buying.
Dual-Band Capability
Dual-band capability is common on newer routers. This technology uses both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges, allowing compatible devices to connect with different signals from the same router. In a practical sense, this technology improves speeds when you’re using multiple devices.
However, getting the most from this requires having devices that can access these signal ranges. If everything in your house uses 2.4 GHz, dual-band is meaningless to you. Accordingly, check your devices before you go shopping for a router with this feature.
Number of Ethernet Ports
The number of ethernet ports determines how many devices you can easily connect to your router. For example, you may want to plug computers, video game consoles, VoIP phones, and other devices directly into the router instead of relying on WiFi for everything.
Remember, physical connections have the same strength anywhere in your house and don’t interfere with your wireless signal’s strength unless you’re trying to use a lot of data on multiple devices. If you can use a physical connection for a device, you probably should.
Netgear C3700 (Source)
Pricing Options
Most routers are available for a flat rate at your local home and office retailers, as well as online through many stores. That said, some stores offer monthly payment plans instead. This can be a great way to get a good router on a tighter budget.
Routers are essential for using the internet and act as a gateway for all other devices’ speed and performance, so it’s always best to get the most powerful router your budget allows. This helps future-proof your internet setup, too, in case you want to get faster speeds or add more devices later.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Router For Xfinity
There are several advantages to investing in a quality router when you’re using Xfinity. Here are the most notable advantages.
Consistent Connections
No router is perfect 100% of the time, but high-quality routers last longer and have stronger, stabler connections for longer periods. This means fewer resets and interruptions compared to cheap routers.
Motorola MG7540
Long-Term Savings
A high-quality router should last you for many years. Cheaper routers, in contrast, tend to fail much faster. This means that you could end up spending more money for a worse experience if you only buy cheap routers.
Aside from routers that are already available as part of a monthly plan, many stores are willing to offer financing options so you can pay off your router over time. This mitigates the up-front problems of a higher price, so there’s no reason to avoid trying to get these longer-term savings.
Modern Features
Modern features include many newer technologies, most of which companies develop based on the ways people use routers. Over the last few years, this mainly includes multi-device use and live content streaming, sometimes simultaneously.
Routers have worked with multiple devices for a long time, but streaming service like Netflix to four devices simultaneously, without losing any video quality, requires a lot more work than visiting a different web page every few minutes.
In short, quality routers work better with the way most people want to use the internet.
Types of Modems Compatible With Xfinity
There are four types of modems compatible with Xfinity WiFi, but most people only use two of them in practice.
Fiber
Fiber is functionally the fastest internet connection available, but it’s not available in all areas. If you get fiber at your house through Xfinity, you should get a fiber-compatible modem (and router) to take advantage of its high speeds.
Most houses that have fiber connections also have cable connections.
Cable
Cable modems get their name from the way they connect to the internet through a coaxial cable. Most connect to ports in the wall, but they can also connect to a cable box used for television in a few cases. Cable represents what people consider high-speed internet.
DSL
DSL modems, unlike cable modems, often have limits that prevent them from working with anyone except their provider. These are significantly better than dialup in terms of overall speed but not remotely comparable to cable or fiber.
Dialup
Dialup is the slowest form of internet connection. It’s not fast enough to stream almost any type of content, and it’s not worth getting a dialup modem unless you have no other option.
How Do These Compare?
Here’s some information on how different options compare to each other.
Gateway vs Router for Xfinity
For those who aren’t familiar with the technology, gateways are a combination of modem (which receives the internet signal) and router (which connects the internet signal to other devices). Gateways are an increasingly popular choice for people because it’s one less device to keep track of, but it also means you’ll need to replace the entire thing when it fails.
Both of these are viable choices. Gateways are more expensive but also easier to set up. Many also have additional ethernet ports when compared to regular routers. All of the recommendations above are gateways.
Routers are more affordable but also complicate a home network setup when you compare them to gateways. That said, the fact that you can exchange them separately makes it somewhat easier to upgrade without having to set up an entirely new modem when you want to change the router.
Since both of these are good options, just pick the one you like better. If you’re setting up an entirely new network and don’t have any existing hardware, gateways are a better choice.
Rent A Modem From Xfinity vs Buy
ARRIS Surfboard SBG10
In most cases, buying a modem is cheaper in the long-term. We recommend doing that when possible, but renting a modem does have the advantage of making it easy to exchange for a new one whenever you want.
How To Set Up Xfinity WiFi On Your Own Modem
Setting up Xfinity WiFi on any modem is easy as long as you follow these steps.
- Find your Comcast Account Number. You may need this during the installation process. It’s located on your bill, and you can also find it by logging into your Xfinity account.
- Unplug and remove the old modem. Disconnecting your old components takes them out of the network. If you’re connecting a new router, wait until you’re done connecting the modem.
- Tighten the coaxial cable. Also known as the “coax,” this is the thick, usually-black cable with a single prong in it that goes into your modem from the wall. Tightening it as far as it will go with your fingers ensures you’ll get the best possible signal strength. Do not use tools to tighten this connection.
- Wait for the modem to connect. This may take several minutes, but your modem should display green lights when it’s done.
- Connect your router. You can connect the router directly to the modem now, but don’t plug in all of your devices just yet. Instead, try to access the internet from a computer. Visit www.xfinity.com/activate if the page doesn’t pop up on its own.
- Follow the prompts. You may need to create a username and password or go through other steps to set up your account.
At this point, several things may happen. Comcast sometimes reboots the modem after you connect and set things up for the first time, so just let that run through if needed. Otherwise, once the connection is fully established, you can start connecting other devices to your router.
In rare cases, the steps above may not work for your modem. There may be special steps to set up components like VPNs or unusual hardware add-ons. In these cases, defer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Conclusion
Choosing the best router for Xfinity isn’t as simple as looking for something with the right network protocol and range. The increasing number and variety of features on routers mean that different devices are more useful in different locations.
Homes have a huge variety of layouts, so look at your location first, then figure out which modem makes the most sense for you.
People Also Ask
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about Xfinity internet access.
Can I Use My Own Router with Xfinity?
Yes. You can use Xfinity with almost any router, but lower-quality routers won’t give you the full value of your internet package.
How Can I Boost My Xfinity WiFi Signal?
The best way to boost your Xfinity WiFi signal is by placing your router in an open space, as far away from potential obstructions as possible. The best location is in the center of your house, which maximizes the range of your WiFi signal.
If that doesn’t work for your household, see ‘How To Extend Xfinity WiFi Range,’ below.
Can You Have Two Xfinity Routers?
No. Like most internet providers, Xfinity only allows one router per household. You can get around this if you’re willing to pay for multiple internet subscriptions, but most people don’t want or need to do that.
That said, if you want to improve connections in other areas of your house, you do have several options. For example, you can run wired connections or set up wireless repeaters.
Netgear C6250 (Source)
How Much Does a Router Cost For Xfinity?
Router costs vary, but most routers are in the $50 to $250 range. Xfinity may offer you a router as part of your internet subscription, in which case it is effectively free. However, these routers are usually rentals rather than things you can own.
How Does Xfinity WiFi Work?
Xfinity WiFi works the same way as other WiFi systems. In most cases, the internet arrives at your household through a wired connection. It goes to your modem first, then possibly to your router (if these devices are separate). The router broadcasts the WiFi signal, allowing devices within its range to connect.
How To Extend Xfinity WiFi Range
There are several ways to extend your Xfinity WiFi range. The easiest method is using a WiFi repeater, which is a special device that broadcasts a WiFi signal but only transmits the data back to your router.
If you want to extend your physical WiFi range, you can buy equipment that sends the internet over your house’s power lines. This is often easier than running a wire through the house, though it’s also more expensive.
