Check out these new modem and router options.
Check out these new modem and router options.
I own a Netgear CM1000 and an Orbi RBR20 with three mesh units. The modem seems to be malfunctioning, requiring resets every couple of weeks. Both have been in use for roughly three and a half years. I’m currently on a 500mbps plan from Cox, which I expect to upgrade to 1gbps by July when my current contract ends. There are around 30 smart devices spread across a 2-story home of about 4,000 sqft. I don’t want to buy more Netgear gear anymore—they’re failing too soon. My old Asus router, similar to the RT56, has lasted many years. I’ve never replaced a Motorola modem except when I needed one for my parent’s phone line. An Arris modem has worked reliably for over five years with no issues. Any advice would be appreciated.
I've previously relied on Arris modems. Last year I moved to a Motorola MB8611 (which has performed well for me) and think it's also compatible with Cox (residing in a Spectrum area). Over the years, I've added extra heat sinks and fans to both my routers and modems. This helps avoid slowdowns during long downloads and reduces the need to reset them frequently. For a router, I've been using Amplifi Alien (Ubiquiti), which is reliable but I have some concerns about requiring a phone app. Additionally, pushing the app to others can be intrusive since it often requires entering all details rather than just the essentials. At least Linksys avoids forcing the app on users. Based on this experience, I probably wouldn't consider purchasing another Ubiquiti product.
My parents' modem faces the same problem, requiring a restart roughly once a week. When I'd ask, they'd remind me to unplug and plug it back in, which resolved the issue every time. Around Christmas, I would sneak downstairs to the modem and set it on a $5 light timer from the hardware store. It shuts off power for 15 minutes at 3 a.m., when most people are asleep. They haven't reached out about any internet issues since then. Maybe think about this if your setup is otherwise fine in terms of speed and range, but you only need a power reset occasionally.
If you prefer not to ride every day but opt for weekly use, placing the modem on a smart plug with an IFTTT routine could work. You can lower the frequency to once daily when you're away. At home it's fine, but you keep your desktop active for remote access and security features like cameras and feeders. Stability matters to you. Performance details are acceptable. When it functions, it does. Your setup includes Ubiquiti access points in various rooms, which you didn't use before because you already had OBI-ROS. Knowing this helps avoid them. The Netgear app behaves strangely outside your network and isn't a favorite. It works well with Google Wi-Fi at home. It resets automatically if the power goes out. To add a heatsink and fan, you'd need to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific modem model.
You really don't have to rely on smart plugs or complicated setups. My in-laws faced a similar issue with a budget modem that needed frequent resets. I simply connected it to a basic vacation timer (Amazon link example) and scheduled a power cycle during the night. Regarding the heatsink and fans, it was quite simple. Most routers and cable modems operate on 12 volts, so you can directly connect them to the device's power source. I've consistently used Noctua's 40mm fans—they perform well, come with wiring, and fit most setups. These are old photos I already have on my web server: the female lead included with the Noctua fan makes replacement easy for me. I haven't had to swap any myself. I soldered the leads straight onto the board where the AC adapter connector is, since it's 12 volts. Heat sinks are inexpensive, so if a flat unit has one, you can apply thermal epoxy to it. The fan is positioned on either side, wherever it needs to be. This particular model ended up in the center; another would fit only in the lower corner but still helped due to airflow. Even for routers, adding a fan in a better spot lowered my temperatures by about 20 degrees (as shown by CPU readings).
I own a Comcast account and have been using the CM1000 consistently without issues. Many users switching to the S33 are attracted by its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and the fact that Comcast offers 1.4 Gbps down with 45 Mbps up. However, most people seem satisfied with the S33 setup. From a router perspective, I don’t have any recommendations. Your home is large, which can present some challenges. I’d suggest considering a mesh network system. Since one router can cover the entire house, I wouldn’t recommend going that route. Instead, I’d look into ASUS products, especially their AI mesh feature. It looks appealing and offers good value—you can easily add more nodes as needed.