Cox internet subscribers might find it quite demanding when choosing the best routers for them. A couple of factors play vital roles here, such as internet speed, number of users that will be connecting, the subscribers’ internet package, and a lot more.
While some brands may present mouthwatering features that may seem like the best deal, it is safer to be more informed before purchasing. Luckily, this review will do just that for you.
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1. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 Smart Wi-Fi Router
The Netgear R7000 is a superb smart Wi-Fi router that boasts of speed up to 1900Mbps, a sleek design, and multiple connections of up to 30 devices with a coverage of 1800 square feet. It has 3.0 USB port and three flexible antennas that boost signal quality all around your home or within its coverage feet. It can also grant you a smooth entry into Ready-Cloud. Additionally, there is a standard USB 2.0 that can connect to even more devices, however, the speed might not be as fast as you’ll get using the USB 3.0.
More interestingly, the performance and services of Netgear R7000 allow you to enjoy smooth access to the network remotely and USB drives of 2.4GHz to 5.0GHz bands when the need arises. Households with children able to use a computer or access the internet, this outstanding device delivers child monitors with Disney to help guardians or parents monitor the type of programs their children or ward have access to, as well as the time they spend watching them.
With its dual-core processor of 1GHz, 11AC speed, and dynamic QoS, you are guaranteed a smooth connectivity experience without lag or disconnection when gaming or streaming online. It can manage every bit of microseconds when gaming to help you achieve that big win when competing online. The Dynamic QoS of the Netgear R7000 ensures that the router provides the best speed for all your devices and maintains it to the end.
SpecificationsÂ
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 1900Mbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 1800 square-feet
- Ports – One USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, Four Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming+, Dual Band QoS, Smart Connect
ProsÂ
- Beamforming technology allows multiple connections simultaneously
- Monitored circle with Disney for children
- Ready-share and Ready-cloud allows you to share and access your files via USB anywhere, anytime
ConsÂ
- Requires additional cable to connect to a separate modem
- Quite bulky
2. Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 Router
Speaking of design, the Netgear RAX120 features two fins instead of the regular externally adjustable antennas on typical router modems. Although the antennas are concealed within the fins, they are high-gain, sophisticated antennas.
Interestingly, the Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 comes with two 3.0 USB ports rather than just one, as in other routers in its class. It also possesses 2.5GHz and 5.0GHz Ethernet ports that can work simultaneously with its Wi-Fi connectivity. These features give users a satisfying experience on the internet with wide coverage when streaming or gaming without lagging or buffering.
At optimum performance, this device can reach speeds up to 6GB per second, and can easily support up to 12 simultaneous connections without reductions in speed, making it one of the best performing multipurpose Wi-Fi routers available today.
More so, it comes with the Beamforming+ technology and MU-MIMO that allows users to connect more than one device at a time. This technology will keep your internet connectivity running smoothly with zero hassles, regardless of the number of devices connected at the same time.
SpecificationsÂ
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 6Gbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 3500 square-feet
- Ports – Two USB 3.0, Five Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming+, Dual Band, Smart Connect, MU-MIMO, 1024-QAM, OFDMA, 2.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
ProsÂ
- Two solid USB 3.0 ports
- Five gigabit Ethernet ports
- Broad Wi-Fi coverage
- Impressive Wi-Fi speed up to 6Gbps
ConsÂ
- Quite Bulky
3. Netgear Nighthawk C7000 Smart Wi-Fi Router
Similar to the R7000 we reviewed, the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 features one of the sleekest and most attractive designs a Wi-Fi router combo can possess. It possesses a vertical shape with no external or flexible antennae. This feature is in no way a hindrance to its connectivity, it still boasts of speed up to 400Mbps.
It is a sophisticated Wi-Fi router with four 10/100/1000 local area network Ethernet ports that guarantees your devices get the highest internet speed they require to perform satisfactorily. Similarly, it comes with two USB 2.0 ports to connect more devices or other accessories. Even though the Netgear C7000 focuses majorly on LAN Ethernet connectivity, it is also compatible with cable internet service providers, such that if you change your cable internet, you’ll still be able to use it.
This awesome Wi-Fi router won’t disappoint in performance and functionality because of its rugged build-up, diverse connectivity, and high internet speed. To begin, the C7000 features the Beamforming capability with access to iTunes, and can extend your internet coverage throughout your house or within its coverage limit.
The bonding channel of this router combo supports 24 by 8 downstream channels, and gives you an uninterrupted speed for streaming and gaming. This ability is crucial if you often play games online or stream videos.
SpecificationsÂ
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 1900 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 1800 square-feet
- Ports – One USB 2.0 and Four Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming, 24X8 DOCSIS 3.0 Channel Bonding, Smart Connect
ProsÂ
- Parental control features
- Beamforming technology
- USB and Ethernet port sharing
ConsÂ
- Can get hot after extensive use
4. Motorola MG7550 Router Combo
The Motorola MG7550 router combo features a unique and rugged vertically shaped design that is compact enough to take up minimal space on your counter or work desk. The antenna of this router combo is inbuilt, so that you will not have to worry about adjusting it or worry about breakage during transit.
Interestingly, this router combo doesn’t come equipped with USB ports, but focuses more on your gigabit Ethernet local area network. It possesses four Ethernet 10/100/1000 gigabit LAN ports that guarantee high internet speed connectivity. Therefore, it is an ideal router combo for wired connections in homes and offices. This feature allows you to wire in any device you want to connect to the internet, giving you a superb and uninterrupted network signal on Macs, Windows computers, or other accessories.
The wireless connectivity of this unique multipurpose router combo gives you pleasant, high performance with power amplifiers that can boost your Wi-Fi internet signals to a very high and enjoyable level. The significant connectivity boost will give you outstanding and impressive speed, performance, and functionality with no lagging or buffering at intervals.
In addition to its numerous capabilities, the MG7550 modem router features the Beamforming ability with a 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz network bands that focuses specifically on wireless connections, such as clouds and iTunes. Hence, streaming videos and playing games on the internet will have a stronger internet connection.
Specifications
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 686 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 1800 square-feet
- Ports – Four Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming, 16X4 DOCSIS 3.0 Channel Bonding, Dual Band, Smart Connect
ProsÂ
- Compact design
- Dual-band with beamforming technology
- Four Ethernet ports
ConsÂ
- No USB port
5. Linksys EA9550 Wi-Fi Router Combo
If what you’re looking for is performance and high, uninterrupted internet speed, then the Linksys EA9550 Wi-Fi router combo is your best bet. While the Linksys EA9550 is a tri-band router for homes and offices, it also features a Max-Stream technological design which is quite bulky, but it delivers the best performance a Wi-Fi router combo can possess.
Compact-wise, the EA9550 has a bit of a fallback, with a whopping 6 antennas, making the router quite a bit harder to conceal in a backpack, unlike other compact routers. Nonetheless, its performance is even more impressive than its size. Similarly, its design is unique, with a chic and slim look that is very artistic.
Linksys EA9550 comes with five local area networks -LAN Ethernet ports, and an additional USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port, giving you several alternatives for connectivity. Functionally, this is the best router for Cox. This device takes less than 20 minutes to set up and is fully packed with everything a household might need for internet connectivity. It can connect to multiple devices and accessories simultaneously using the next generation MU-MIMO technology, guaranteeing seamless streaming and gaming for as long as you need.
The five LAN Ethernet ports provide speeds that are ten times faster than other standard Ethernet ports, and can allow safe connections from any device to the router within its coverage area. They work best for HD smart TVs, gaming, and the majority of other internet-enabled accessories.
SpecificationsÂ
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 5.3Gbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 3000 square-feet
- Ports – One USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, Eight Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming, MU-MIMO, Tri-Band, Smart Connect
ProsÂ
- Six flexible antennas
- Beamforming and MU-MIMO technology
- High Wi-Fi speed
ConsÂ
- Quite bulky
- No firmware updates
6. Motorola MR2600 Router Combo
The Motorola MR2600 is one of the most budget-friendly router combos with a modest design and connectivity. This lightweight router possesses four adjustable external antennae on a fairly sleek build. It features four local area network ports that connect to computers, HD TVs, gaming systems, smartphones, tablets, and any other devices or accessories that require internet connection. Similarly, there are also USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports on this router, with the USB 3.0 port compatible with DLNA media sharing.
Technologically, the MR2600 from Motorola uses the Wave 2 MU-MIMO allowing multiple devices to stream uninterruptedly from the router at the same time without buffering or lagging. This technological advantage places the device as one of the best choices for household use in streaming via computer, smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets or gaming online.
Although it is a budget-friendly router, it still blends smoothly into different surroundings and performs optimally with both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. Its body framework is mostly plastic, yet it can stand the test of time if well-maintained. It has several air vents, with the one at the bottom being most prominent to help the device stay cool at all times.
SpecificationsÂ
- Wi-Fi Speed – Up to 2600 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Coverage – Up to 2500 square-feet
- Ports – One USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, four Ethernet Ports
- Additional Technology – Beamforming, MU-MIMO, Smart Connect
ProsÂ
- Beamforming technology
- Four adjustable antenna
- USB and Ethernet ports
ConsÂ
- No firmware update
Buying Guide
It may seem easy when trying to choose the best router for cox, but truthfully, it is not. There are several factors you have to keep in mind when buying one. They are;
Internet Connection Speed
Although many router brands have high speed, some misrepresent their capacities. You might find that many brands today list impressive speeds in theory. But, it is more appropriate to find out the actual speed in real life. The majority of times, the real-life speed is quite lower than the advertised speed.
One reliable way to determine the real speed of a router is verifying the speed after numerous users rely on or connect to the same internet service provider, the state of the router itself, and the internet package with the ISP.
Ports and Compatibility
The way internet connections are received is different in modems. Thus, routers are not universally compatible with all networks, therefore you need to make sure you’re getting a brand that specifically says it works with Cox internet.
The number and type of ports a modem router possesses also play a vital role in its functionality. These ports can either be USB, WAN, LAN, or eSATA. However, this feature differs by router. Some routers might have a few types of ports, while others might have all of them. The majority of routers have a 2.0 and 3.0 USB, Ethernet LAN ports, and one WAN port.
Beamforming and MU-MIMO Technology
These unique technologies are very important in modern-day routers. Be sure to check if the brand you’re choosing has this technology installed. They are the key factor in multiple device connectivity and coverage, meaning they allow several devices to connect to the router simultaneously.
Internet Packages
The internet package you’re subscribed to also plays a key role in the router you’ll be choosing. This package is what determines how much broadband and speed you get. For instance, if you’re on a package that offers an internet speed of only 100 Mbps, buying a router with a higher speed like 1000Mbps won’t increase your internet speed. You’re still limited to the subscribed speed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to the best router for Cox Gigablast, we recommend brands that are budget-friendly yet diverse in performance. Depending on the number of users that will be connecting to the router, it is better to get a brand that allows more than 30 users to connect simultaneously.
