If you use Charter Spectrum as your internet service provider, you might be looking for the best router for Spectrum with superior value for money and performance. Having the right router for your network is the best way to get the most out of your internet package. In this roundup review, you can learn about some of the top Spectrum compatible routers and how they fare as far as performance.
What to Look for in a Router for Spectrum
Not all wireless routers are equal, and that is why you need to know about the different features and specifications of the wi-fi routers you are considering. A router is the all-important device that connects computers on a local network with the internet. It connects to the modem and the computers and other wi-fi-enabled devices. If you want to get the most of your online experience, you need a router that delivers fast, reliable wifi where you need it.
Your wireless router must also be compatible with the services. Here are some of the main features and specifications you should look at in your search for the perfect router:
- A multi-core processor of at least 128GB RAM
- Dual-band or more
- USB port
- Fast real-life speed
- Smarthome integration
- Supports a mesh network
- Advanced security features
When handling multiple devices, you also want to check that your router does this lag-free. The better a router ranks in the criteria above, the better the overall performance and the experience you are going to have using it.
Does Spectrum Give a Router?
Many internet service providers (ISPs) provide their own routers when they onboard a new customer, and Charter Spectrum internet service is no different. When you sign up with the company, you have the option to receive a pre-configured wifi router for a monthly fee.
All routers for Spectrum support 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies. Here are some of the choices:
- Wave 2
- Wifi 6
While each router for Spectrum works well, there are not the best router choices on the market. Alternatively, you can opt to use your own choice of a wireless router. Your wireless router and modem can be separate devices, but you can also utilize a modem router combo.
Does Any Router Work with Spectrum?
If you decide to find your own alternative, you must make sure you use a Spectrum-approved option. Your router or your modem router combo must be on the list of Spectrum compatible devices. Only a small selection of the routers on the market can work with Charter Spectrum internet. There are also a few options for a modem router combo for Spectrum if you prefer to have one rather than multiple devices.
Benefits of Having Your Own Spectrum Router
While it may seem like the easier and more convenient path to rent out the router provided by Spectrum, there are many benefits of finding your own wireless router compared with renting a router. The most obvious one is that you can do away with the monthly rental charges. Other perks include faster intent speeds, extended wireless coverage, and increased security.
There are also some benefits of buying the best modem router combo for your own use. You can cut down the configuration and updating time and the total costs and save space as well.
Best Router for Charter Spectrum
In the next section, you can explore five of the best routers for Spectrum. These are Spectrum-approved models with a range of features for better performance compared with any router from Spectrum. The first one includes a modem.
Motorola MG7550 Modem Router Combo
The Motorola MG7550 combines a 16 x3 cable modem with an AC1900 dual-band wi-fi gigabit router. The device is black and weighs 2.65 pounds. It is recommended for internet download speeds of up to 375 Mbps and a maximum wi-fi speed of up to 1900 Mbps. This modem and router combo is approved for use with Spectrum together with Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Time Warner Cable, CableOne, Suddenlink, and WOW! It is among of the best Charter Spectrum modem and router combos.
Pros:
- Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Has 4-gigabit ethernet ports
- Stand-up tower design saved space and improves device cooling.
- Power Boost extends wi-fi speed and range.
- Advanced security from DFS firewall protection
Cons:
- Firmware not easy to update
TP-Link Archer A7 Smart Wi-fi Router
The TP-Link Archer A7 router is a budget-friendly option available to Spectrum internet users. It has three external antennas for long-range wi-fi. It is a dual-band router and supports frequencies of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This device is ideal as an online gaming router on the Spectrum internet plan. It has a powerful CPU processor and can handle over 50 connected devices, while providing a high speed, stable and reliable connection and great performance. Parental controls and guest wi-fi are available. It is best for internet speeds up to 300 Mbps and can be used with 4k streaming. This device weighs 0.93 pounds.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Provides coverage for up to 2500 square feet, with extended coverage from TP-Link One Mesh
- Wireless USB 2.0 port
- 4-gigabit ethernet ports to connect with using an ethernet cable
- Ideal for 4K streaming in HD
- Easy to set up, install, and can be managed and updated remotely on the cloud
- TP-Link Tether app
Cons:
- Occasional rebooting required
Netgear Nighthawk R7000 Smart Wi-fi Router
The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is a dual-band router with great overall performance. It can handle a wireless speed of up to 1900 Mbps. It has a range of up to 1800 square feet and can connect with over 30 devices. The data transfer rate is 1300 Mbps. It has three amplified antennas to boost range, internet speed, and overall performance. There is a 30-day free trial for Netgear Armor Powered by BitDefender to improve your cybersecurity and protect ou home network. Guest wifi access is included.
- Ports include 4 x 1G Ethernet and both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.
- Wide coverage
- Smart parental controls
- Fast internet speed
- Double firewall protection
Cons:
- Nothing significant
Netgear Nighthawk RAX80
The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 is a wireless router that is compatible with all cable providers. This makes it easy for you to upgrade your router at any point when you want superior performance. It has fast wifi 6 performance. It works with internet plans with up to 1-gigabit speed. It has a wide coverage and can provide wireless internet to an area of up to 2500 sq. ft. The frequency is 5Ghz. The data transfer rate is 6000 Mbps. The security protocol is WPA2-PSK. If you want to protect all your devices and your home network, you can make use of the 30-day free trial on Netgear Armor powered by Bitdefender. It also has other advanced security and access control features, including guest access wi-fi, Firewall, and VPN.
Pros:
- 64-bit, 1.8GHz quad-core processor
- 8 simultaneous streams
- MU-MIMO technology
- Smart parental controls for safe internet access
- Five 1-gigabit ethernet ports
- Easy to set up and manage
- Two USB 3.0 ports
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Connection and power lights are not always clearly visible.
Netgear Orbi Mesh WiFi System
The Netgear Orbi Mesh WiFi System is a great choice of wifi router, especially if wide coverage is an essential must-have for you. This is a tri-band router with WPA2-PSK as the security protocol. It works with all internet providers. This device has advanced security features. You can also take advantage of the 30-day free trial of Netgear Armor powered by Bitdefender. This device is designed to provide one of the highest ranges.
Getting started with the Netgear Orbi Mesh Wifi System is very easy to do. You can connect it to your Spectrum modem and customize it within a few minutes using the Orbi app. Here you can also adjust your wifi settings, test your internet speed, and monitor how your data is being used.
Pros:
- No dead spots
- Tri-band
- Extended reach for larger spaces of up to 5000 square feet
- 4x 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Easy to set up and manage using the Orbi app
- Speeds up to 3 Gbps
- Can connect 40+ devices
- Uses MU-MIMO technology
Cons:
- No notable issues
Conclusion
To get the best wireless router for Spectrum, there are a few features you must look at. The overall performance combines aspects such as speed, range, ease of use, and a whole host of other features. It’s also important to keep in mind that everyone uses the internet for a different purpose and therefore has different requirements for the best wireless router. If you want to connect many devices, you also need to check that your router can do this lag-free.
Our winner for this roundup review of the best router for Charter Spectrum is Netgear Nighthawk R7000. This product scored highly on all the aspects you should look for. It has high speed, wide-coverage, advanced security, and other great features. The performance was one of the best, which makes this router from Netgear our clear winner for Spectrum internet users.
