When you have an army of smart home devices, and ultra-fast signal speed is a bare necessity! There is a vast range of options that can satisfy such requirements- and the Netgear C7800 is a worthy candidate.
It is an impressive modem router, no doubt, but there is a lot you need to know before you make the purchase. This Netgear C7800 review will help you determine if this cable modem router is a good fit for you. After all, every army needs a commander!
In a hurry? Check out the Netgear C7800 on Amazon
The Netgear C7800 Review: An Ultra-High Speed Cable Modem plus Wi-Fi Router Combo
The Netgear C7800- the Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1- is the first cable modem router to have a DOCSIS 3.1 CableLabs certification. It can serve you with a platter of high-quality experiences in the fields of VR gaming, streaming, and several others.
Here’s a glance at some of the best features of this Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo:
- DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem provides 1 Gigabit per second Data Transfer Rate
- Three ports
- Lightening-fast internet speed
- Capable of seamlessly streaming multiple HD videos to several devices
- Excellent for gaming
- Compatible with all major cable internet providers like Xfinity, Comcast, Cox, and more
- Multiple download channels
These are just a few characteristic features of this modem router. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the Nighthawk C7800 DOCSIS 3.1 Two-In-One Cable Modem.
Capacity and Capability
The Netgear C7800 can support up to 3.2Gbps merged Wi-Fi speed. This makes it a suitable candidate if you are into extreme gaming or intensive surfing or streaming- that’s called making the most of the internet! No matter what your activity entails, the Netgear C7800 will not let the signal drop or cause any delays. You will want to come home to your internet connection- or go to work simply for it!
DOCSIS 3.1
The C7800 makes the use of DOCSIS 3.1 to guarantee a lightening-fast and lag-free expedience with your Wi-Fi. DOCSIS is an abbreviation for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification. DOCSIS 3.1 is a telecommunication standard that can support a capacity of 10Gbps downstream and 1Gbps upstream. DOCSIS 3.1 is over ten times faster than DOCSIS 3.0, its predecessor, in the realm of download speeds as well.
The Nighthawk consists of two DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM channels for downstream and an additional two for upstream. What’s more, the cable modem adopts beamforming to enhance the signal speed while making it more reliable and accessible.
A 2-In-One Device
It is a 2-In-One device, allowing you to conquer more tasks with a compact tool. Combining a cable modem and router, it is a cost-effective and economical approach. You will save the time and money it would otherwise take to buy and install two separate devices. Moreover, you can benefit from greater efficiency and manage your space in a better manner too.
Your smart home devices will be happy to see a combo deal!
Size and Weight
With a 2-in-One device comes a large size and a heavyweight. The Netgear C7800 is quite huge- with dimensions of 12.4 x 10.4 x 7.5 inches. It has a whopping weight of 1.4 kg.
This device’s size and weight do not lean in its favor if you look at the overall ease of handling. The advancement in technology today certainly paves a path towards lighter and less bulky equipment, and the C7800 is not so.
Components
The Netgear C7800 has high-performance, active antennae fixed in the back of the device. There are four antennae, which aid in increasing the Wi-Fi range. Power amplifiers also back them.
In the same area, you will spy one coaxial port for power and internet output. There are four Gigabit Ethernet ports for all your wired connections as well.
The modem router has a power button- a necessity- that you can use to give the device a cold boot or shut it down. It acts as a reset button. On the front side, the Netgear C7800 proudly showcases three buttons- switches for LED, Wi-Fi, and WPS. Not many modems have this feature.
The LED button turns off the white light from the signals. The device consists of twelve LED lights on one side that display its status. If you are not fond of flashy or blinking lights, you can use the LED button to douse all lights except the power indicator. It can make all the difference when you are in a dark room.
As for the ports, the C7800 has two USB3.0 ports that can connect your network storage drives. This way, you have the freedom to create backups of all your precious data in a central location.
Performance of the Netgear C7800
You must be familiar with the idiom “all that glitters is not gold,” so you cannot judge a device merely based on its features. It is essential to develop an idea of its performance as well. While the Netgear C7800 boasts of an extensive and impressive arsenal of characteristics, take a look at their functioning.
The cable modem router performs exceptionally well in the area of Wi-Fi speed due to its 1.5Ghz dual processor. As you already know, it can support rates of up to 3.2Gbps.
You have next-generation Gigabit speeds of the internet right at your fingertips with 512 MB RAM and 128MB flash in addition to the former. In essence, you can leap with joy since you will have access to fast wired and wireless WAN-to-LAN speeds!
If you remain in stride with the latest technology in this sphere, you will know that Netgear often implements simultaneous dual-band WiFi on its routers. The C7800 cable modem router also assures you of a 4×4 transmitter plus receiver for both channels- the 2.5Ghz frequencies channel and the 5Ghz channel.
The 2.5Ghz channel comes with 1024 QAM support, running at a speed of 1000 Mbps. The 5Ghz channel runs at a rate of 2200 Mbps.
With the Netgear C7800, you can remain confident of fast downloads and uploads- with 8 upstream and 32 downstream channels.
You will need to have Safari 1.4, Google Chrome 11.0, Firefox 2.0, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 as minimum requirements for the device to work. Anything that fails to meet this basic minimum standard is not acceptable to the C7800.
Security
There is no lack of security features when it comes to the Netgear C7800. It has double firewall protection, that is, NAT and SPI. Along with this, it also comprises of Denial-Of-Service protection against attacks and WiFi network safety measures like WPA/WPA-2-PSK.
Do you have guests over and need to give them a taste of your internet? The Nighthawk C7800 DOCSIS 3.1 has a secure guest network too.
In addition to the necessary safety measures, the Netgear C7800 also allows you to access parental controls. Through these controls, you can filter websites for all devices connected. You can also put a personal FTP server in place.
If you are far from home and need to gain remote access to your network for management or control, you can download the Netgear Genie mobile application. It is available on the AppStore for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android smartphones and tablets.
The Genie app opens avenues for you to observe, connect, and drive the network of your home systems. You can also detect, diagnose, and mend any issues that may crop up within the network. It is possible to reboot the device from a remote location as well!
The Pros And Cons of The Netgear C7800
Every coin has two sides, and it applies to the Netgear Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo. While the modem router has its advantages, it comes with some shortcomings and drawbacks as well. Take a look at these below.
Pros
- Ultra high speeed, uninterrupted internet connection
- Dual-purpose WiFi router device prevents any compromises on efficiency and signal speed
- Extensive range
- Well-equipped to support IPv6
- You can back up data from your computer to your USB drive with the Ready SHARE Vault App
- Compatible with most operating systems and their versions, such as Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista; Mac OS, LINUX, and UNIX
- Works well with most browsers, including Safari, Chrome, and Internet Explorer and most internet providers like Xfinity
- Comes with a hardware warranty for a year in addition to 90 days of 24×7 technical support
- Impressive security features
- Functions with all major internet service providers
- Uses beamforming
- Option of Netgear Genie
Cons
- Bulky- large and heavy in size despite current developments in technology
- May be too expensive
- Has problems with the firmware updates- you must double-check the version of the firmware before you buy
- Does not work with browsers below Google Chrome 11.0, Safari 1.4, Internet Explorer 5.0, and Firefox 2.0
- Confusion regarding the aspects of AC3200
What Should You Look For In A Cable Modem And Router Combo
It is crucial to buy the right cable modem and reasonably simple to make the correct choice amongst the plenty of options available. There are several essential criteria that every cable modem should fulfill to pass as a decent to excellent device. The speed, brand, DOCSIS compatibility, download channels, and more should be taken into account.
Speed
You must review the download speeds that each modem can support. Buy a cable modem that goes well with your internet package. If you have the wrong modem, you may not be able to make the most of the internet speed for which you pay.
Brand
Multiple well-known brands have a good history with happy customers. You can assure yourself of the quality and performance of devices you buy from profitable brands. These include Netgear, Motorola, ARRIS, and others.
DOCSIS Compatibility
You must ensure that the modem you are looking to buy is compatible with DOCSIS 3.1 or 3.0. However, modems with DOCSIS 3.1 are bound to be more expensive.
Do cable modem WiFi router combo devices come with any disadvantages?
A common question that people ask is whether there are any disadvantages to a modem router combo. It is indeed convenient to revel in the benefits of two devices in one body. However, it also limits your range of flexibility as opposed to a separate modem and router.
If you wish to upgrade your home network, you can replace the router and access more features. Individual routers and modems often have a more comprehensive array of features and characteristics than combo devices.
In addition to the factor above, combo devices are also more expensive than individual modems and routers. However, you can rent a modem and router combo instead of buying it to combat this issue in some form.
To Sum Up
If you take an overall evaluation into account, the Netgear C7800 is an excellent investment. It merges the benefits of a modem and a router and brings home plenty of conveniences. The combo device helps you save up on money as well as time.
The Netgear C7800 features the latest DOCSIS 3.1, giving you access to the future of Wi-Fi speeds. In addition to this, it is loaded with other impressive elements too. The device has fantastic coverage, stability, and strength.
While combo devices do come with their own set of issues, they are worth it!
Looking for more DOCSIS 3.1 Modems? Check out my reviews of them here.