Looking for guidance on a new router or a router/modem upgrade for better future connectivity?
Looking for guidance on a new router or a router/modem upgrade for better future connectivity?
Hey there, I'm dealing with a 300 Mbps plan from Spectrum, but my router can only handle 200 Mbps. Looking ahead, I want Ethernet ports inside the house, so I need equipment that will still work well for a while. I own a Netgear C3700 router from about seven years ago—it's been great—but we're using a Google Wi-Fi mesh system connected to it for our main connection, which is also performing well. It doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 yet, though I’ve heard newer models will. My question: if I want Ethernet ports installed later but need the current speed now, what do you think would be best? Should I just connect the Google router directly to the modem without any ports, or should I get a combo device with open ports for future upgrades? Would a switch be necessary to link the modem and router? Let me know your thoughts.
Ports can be added using a network switch easily. The Google router should have two Ethernet ports—one for WAN (Internet) and another for LAN, which connects to the switch. I’m not sure about the speed of the internet these routers support. Usually, most routers are limited by the SOC they use; for example, my Synology RT2600 AC is rated around 850 Mbps. Some manufacturers list these numbers, while others don’t. To stay ahead of future needs, consider a Docsis 3.1 modem. For extra future-proofing, look for a model with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port so you can exceed Gigabit speeds if available. The industry is shifting toward Docsis 4.0, but it’s unclear when that will arrive. I can’t give specific advice because what works well on Charter’s network isn’t clear from what I’ve heard.