Ever since I started writing about the Internet, I’ve been advising my readers to buy their own modem and router. This is one of the easiest ways to save money on the Internet. The upfront cost is small and it usually pays for itself within a year. My secret? I rent a router. Xfinity forever.
Most ISPs charge $10 to $15 per month for the equipment, but modems and routers are usually available for less than $200. Buying your own Internet equipment usually pays for itself within the first year, but it often comes with additional problems.
For the longest time, I’ve been paying an extra $10 to $15 (Xfinity seems to raise the price of its equipment by a dollar or two each year) for the privilege of using Xfinity’s modem and router gateway devices. My internet bill is reasonable, so I didn’t mind paying a little extra for the convenience, but after digging through some old bills, I found a number that’s made me reconsider: $873. That’s what I’ve spent on Xfinity equipment fees over the years.
With the money I spent renting Xfinity equipment, I could have bought the most advanced router CNET has ever tested, plus another one as a backup, doubled my Internet speed, or booked a flight to Oslo.
While I’m happy with my service, owning your own equipment is almost always the better choice. You’ll often get better performance — my upload speeds have increased by over 2,000% — and, as I say, it usually pays for itself within the first year or two.
Paying a little extra for the convenience of not having to buy and set up your own equipment might be perfectly fine, but if you want to save money in the long run, or don’t mind buying and managing your own equipment, buying your own router and modem is a much better deal.
Here’s what I learned about switching from rented equipment to your own, and how to make a similar change as easily as possible.
How to Choose the Right Modem and Router
The best internet is the one you don’t notice. I can’t remember the last time I experienced a dropped connection or saw the buffering wheel at home. This was all happening on a 2017 device that Xfinity describes as an “outdated wireless gateway with limited speeds and features.”
This shows that the type of internet user you are has a lot to do with the type of equipment you need. I live in a 750 square foot apartment and my internet needs are mainly limited to video calling and streaming TV. If I live in a larger house with multiple floors, the same router may not be sufficient. Similarly, activities like online gaming depend on split-second responses. If this instant responsiveness is important to you, it may be worth investing in a gaming router that minimizes lag.
Wi-Fi routers range from entry-level models like the TP-Link AC1200 to $31 From ultra-advanced mesh systems like the Netgear Orbi 970 Series $1,700To test each Wi-Fi router, CNET runs speed tests three times in five different rooms in our testing facility and records the results for download speeds, upload speeds, and latency. This process is repeated six times to account for variability in network performance at different times of day.
After looking at our guide to choosing the best wireless routers, we decided to go with our budget-conscious picks. TP-Link Archer AX21“It’s nothing special, but in our testing it performed nearly perfectly for a small to medium-sized home, and it’s easy to set up,” wrote my colleague and router expert Ry Crist. Since you only get 200Mbps with your Xfinity plan, the 700Mbps the TP-Link achieves at close range is more than enough, and it costs just $75.
Do I need to buy a modem?
Depending on the type of internet you have, you may need to purchase a cable modem in addition to a router. Some ISPs, such as Spectrum, provide the modem for free but charge extra for the router.
The most important thing to look out for when choosing a modem is compatibility. Your internet provider’s website will have a page listing all the models that the modem supports, so you won’t be left out. You can also choose between DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1. The newer standard offers faster speeds, but DOCSIS 3.1 modems are usually more expensive. Other things to consider are the modem’s speed limit (make sure it’s equal to or higher than your internet plan) and the number of Ethernet ports.
Xfinity doesn’t provide a free modem, so I had to buy one in addition to my Wi-Fi router. Hitron CODA modem –The DOCSIS 3.1 model is one of the cheapest Xfinity-compatible models I found at $100. It only supports download speeds up to 867Mbps, but that’s still much faster than my Xfinity plan.
How to set up a new modem and router
While ordering equipment is easy, the pain of setting up third-party equipment has plagued many customers for years. Whether you’re starting service with a new provider or replacing old equipment, the process is largely the same. Here’s everything you need to know.
1. Activate your new modem with your ISP
A modem is a device that delivers internet to your home through a coaxial cable that is connected to your internet provider’s network. For a modem to work, your ISP must associate a specific modem with your account. If you are replacing old equipment, your ISP will turn it off when they activate your new modem. ISPs do this by recording the MAC (Media Access Control) number on the bottom of your modem.
This can usually be done through your internet provider’s app, live chat, or by calling their customer service number.
2. Connect the coaxial cable to the modem
Once your new modem’s MAC address has been registered with your ISP, you’ll be instructed to plug your modem into a cable wall outlet and into a power outlet. You may have to wait up to five minutes, but the lights on your modem will tell you if your modem is receiving an Internet signal. When the indicator lights come on, you’re ready to set up your wireless router.
3. Set up your Wi-Fi router
Each Wi-Fi router has its own setup instructions, so you’ll need to follow the steps provided. For the TP-Link Archer AX21, unplug the modem and connect it to the router’s WAN port. Ethernet cableI powered on the modem and plugged the router into a power outlet, and from there I used the TP-Link app to set up my new network.
That’s the brief. There are many other things to consider when setting up a wireless router, such as choosing the best location, setting up parental controls, and protecting privacy. For my purposes, however, I was ready to start testing my new Internet connection.
Speed Comparison: Which Configuration is Fastest?
I wanted to see how my new modem and router compared to my old gear, so I ran speed tests before and after connecting: once from my desk next to the router, and once from the farthest corner of my apartment (the bathroom, unfortunately).
My old modem and router returned speeds of 164/5Mbps from my desk and 143/5Mbps from the bathroom – not bad for an internet plan that advertises speeds of 200/10Mbps. But the speeds on my new equipment were astounding – 237/118Mbps at both my desk and the bathroom. Not only did I save money by buying my own equipment, but I actually got a lot faster speeds.
I don’t understand why my new equipment’s upload speed is 10 times faster than my old equipment. I have Xfinity’s Connect More plan, but I should only get 10Mbps upload speed with this plan. In 2022, Xfinity announced that they will increase the upload speed on my plan to 100Mbps, but only for customers who pay $25/month for xFi Complete equipment. Apparently, I am getting the same benefit with my new modem and router. My guess is that the upgrade from a DOCSIS 3.0 to a 3.1 modem is the main reason for the sudden increase in upload speed.
How to Prevent Headaches
I eventually got the modem and router set up properly, but I made a lot of mistakes along the way, and here are some things I’d change:
- Buy a modem and router on day one. Moving is a pain, and no one wants to add more to their to-do list. But this is one of those tasks where the extra effort pays off (mine cost me nearly $1,000). Setting up your internet will likely require a technician to come to your home, so it makes sense to have a modem and router ready in case any issues arise.
- Use your Internet Service Provider’s list of compatible modems. Routers aren’t tied to a specific provider, but if you have to buy a modem yourself, you need to make sure it works with your ISP. Don’t skimp here. I searched Amazon for a modem that said it was compatible with Xfinity, but ended up having to return it a week later (and several hours on the phone). Your provider should have a page that lists all the modems that will work. Don’t stray from there.
- Pay only for the speed you need. Internet equipment is expensive. There’s no point paying for a 2,000Mbps certified modem when your plan only gives you 200Mbps. The same goes for routers. If all you want to do is stream TV and scroll the web, there’s no need to pay top dollar for a gaming router with excessive latency.
Conclusion
Setting up a new modem and router is no fun, but is it worth it? Absolutely. Not only has my internet speed improved dramatically, but I’ve also paid significantly less. I’m saving $15/month on equipment, and along the way the Xfinity agent lowered the price of next year’s plan, so my monthly bill will go from $78.54 to $50. That’s way more than I thought I’d save, and the new equipment paid for itself within the first 6 months. My only regret is not making the decision sooner.
