Cox offers five internet packages to their customers, from Starter to Ultimate. These are priced at $40 to $85 a month. Such numbers seem straightforward enough at first glance. However, if you dig deeper, you will find more fees you need to shoulder.
One such fee is the Wi-Fi modem rental, which costs $9.99 per month. If you decide to buy the modem right from the start, you’ll have to fork out $150. Then, there are the other charges, such as the monthly Cox Service Protection Plan ($7 per month), taxes, and surcharges. The moment that bill arrives, most likely you’ll have 20% or more to pay compared to what was firstly advertised.
There is one thing you can do, though, about this situation – purchase your own cable modem.
Benefits of Buying Your Own Cable Modem for Cox
The main advantage really is the lessened monthly cost. Once you have your own cable modem, you won’t have to pay the $10 monthly rental fee anymore. That is equivalent to $120 savings in a year.
Modem quality won’t impede your savings since there are options on the market that will do nicely for the purposes they are intended, yet will not cost you more than the modem purchase fee Cox declared. And If you purchased a high-quality device, it will surely last more than a year, extending the amount you save. That’s more money you can use for something productive or fulfilling.
Another benefit to having your own cable modem is that you have the chance to speed up your internet connection. This is subject to your current data plan, of course, but many modem options are designed to make connections faster and more efficient. Using multiple devices to simultaneously stream online content or play internet games need not be a problem.
And then there is the sense of gratification that you will definitely enjoy once you know that you don’t out have to be tied down by a rental fee. You have more affordable and better options, so why not take it?
Cox Will Try to Stop You from Buying a Third-Party Modem
If you seek Cox’s advice on this matter, their customer representatives are likely to dissuade you from getting your own cable modem.
They’ll tell you that they won’t be able to help once the modem you bought breaks down. That the responsibility is all yours. They’d try to say that security of the network might be an issue as well. If you cannot be discouraged from this course of action, they will tell you to go for a modem that is compatible with or won’t compromise their network.
These are all understandable since Cox would rather keep your money and your business via the rental arrangement. They will not like to see a potential source of income go somewhere else. However, you should not be swayed so easily.
There are many high-quality cable modem options you can find right now. Securing the network shouldn’t be too much of a problem as well because there are several protective measures you can take.
Which Cable Modems Should You Buy for Cox?
There are plenty of selections, but to make shopping easier for you, we have lined up here the top 6 cable modems you can choose from. They all run on the current standard technology, DOCSIS 3.0, and are all compatible with Cox’s network. Buy any one of them and you’ll enjoy internet savings right away.
Cisco DPC3010 ($65)
The Cisco DPC3010 Cable Modem is the cheapest in the lineup, but that does not mar its quality. It can handle a maximum download speed of 320 Mbps. Max upload speed, meanwhile, is 120 Mbps. It provides high-speed connectivity and improves your connection’s peak speed.
This device especially shines in the cost-effectiveness department since it is just a little over half what a modem from Cox will cost you.
ARRIS / Motorola SurfBoard SB6121 ($69)
Another affordable option is the ARRIS SURFboard SB6121 Cable Modem. It does not come with a Wi-Fi router nor a VoIP adapter, but it will serve you well. The SB6121 does have a Gigabit Ethernet port where you can plug in your router or computer, guaranteeing faster downloads.
This cable modem offers up to 131 Mbps of upload speed and up to 172 Mbps of download speed. It is also equipped with 4 download and 4 upload channels. It is inexpensive and reliable, making it a really good deal.
Linksys Cable Modem CM3016 ($70)
The Linksys CM3016 is trustworthy enough to handle internet plans of up to 250 Mbps. With its faster downstream and upstream capacity, simultaneous web content streaming or gaming on multiple devices will go smoothly.
As with most cable modems, there are no voice ports available. However, while other current products only sport the Intel Puma 5 chipset, this one has the Intel Puma 6. That means better downloads and uploads, and a more stable connection.
Netgear CMD31T ($90)
When it comes to high performance, the NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.0 – High Speed Cable Modem (CMD31T) is definitely one of the best out there. It can handle up to 150 Mbps download and upload speed without much trouble. So, when you are streaming HD content or playing a graphics-heavy game, you don’t have to worry about slow internet speed as long as your data plan delivers.
This cable modem is ready to use right out of the box, too. Simply plug and use. It has a Gigabit Ethernet port for faster connections. And it stands upright instead of horizontally, allowing you to save space.
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6580 ($108)
Slightly higher on the price ladder, the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6580 is still worth it. True, it costs almost as much as Cox’s modem for sale, but it is a one-off purchase and will last more than a year. You still get to save money and you don’t have to be tied to a rental fee indefinitely.
Performance-wise, this cable modem is able to provide up to 343 Mbps download and 131 Mbps upload speed. Plus, it comes with an N600 Dual-band WiFi router and not just one Gigabit port, but four. For added peace of mind that it will not fail you in just a few months, it comes with a 2-year warranty and tech support for US buyers. In short, no need to cave under Cox’s pressure to not support you in case the cable modem breaks.
Zoom 5341J ($155)
The Zoom 5341J costs more than the yearly rental fee, yet this device provides value for your money by having an energy-saving switching power cube. It may be a costlier investment now, but saving money on both internet and power bills, in the long run, is an excellent trade-off.
As for download and upload speeds, it can handle up to 343 Mbps and 143 Mbps respectively. Plus, it has advanced networking capability (IPv4 and IPv6). You can be more flexible with network addressing and can improve connection security as well. It can be positioned vertically or horizontally depending on the space available. Overall, it still one of the best options you have.
Conclusion
Ditching Cox’s modem rental fees isn’t such a scary or uncertain thing to do at all. With the options outlined here, you can pick the best cable modem for your needs and save a lot of money over time.