Best Routers For Cox: Reviews & Quick Buying Guide 2022
Today I’m going to reveal my top three best Cox internet approved router for 2022. The quick guide will help you in finding the perfect router on your own.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve planned to buy the best router for Cox Internet. However, it is not going to be easy as the market is full of wireless routers that are approved by COX ISP.
Yes, Most modern routers are compatible with Cox Internet service as long as you have the Cox approved modem in your house. It means you need two pieces of equipment for your Cox Internet service – a Cox compatible modem and a Cox Compatible router.
However, as a good reviewer, it is my duty to let you know alternates for these two separate devices, right? Yes, Instead of buying two different devices, we can simply buy a combo device. In other words, we can buy the best Cox compatible router/modem combo. The combo is a really good option for you if you are planning to buy both modem and router separately. However, if you’re not or just want to buy a router or you already have a modem, then don’t waste your money, just go with the recommended ones – best routers for Cox Internet service provider.
If you’re interesting in reading, go through the following paragraph in which you’ll find two Cox approved routers and one cox approved modem/router combo recommendations.
So, what is the best router for Cox in 2022? The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is the overall best router for 2022. It comes under budget and offers some advanced features with high-end security called Armor Security while the Netgear Nighthawk C7000 is my all-time-best modem/router combo.
Quick Guide: How To Find The Best Cox Compatible Router?
When it comes to buying a good router, we have to think of many things, including features, performance, technology, compatibility, and security. Through this quick guide, you will be able to buy the perfect router as per your needs. Let’s consider what are the most important four key factors that we should consider before buying any router.
WiFi Standards:
WiFi standards decide your router’s speeds. These standards were introduced by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The very first WiFi standard was ‘a’ and the latest one is ‘ad.’ In between, there are three other WiFi standards too, such as, ‘b,’ ‘g,’ ‘n,’ ‘ac.’ However, ‘a,’ ‘b,’ ‘g,’ and ‘n’ are old ones, we can’t go for them, so we need to only think of buying routers that come from ‘ac’ or ‘ad’ standards family.
WiFi Bands:
The second thing we need to consider is the bands of a router. You might have noticed three types of routers – Single band, Dual-band, and tri-band. However, Tri-band routers are very expensive, while the Single-band is the thing of the past. So, we can go for either dual-band routers or tri-band routers. If you’re a gamer or want a heavy-duty router, the consider tri-band, other than that; a dual-band router will be best for you.
Ports:
The third thing you should consider is the ports of the router, generally, be seen on the back panel of the router. Plus, we often see a modern router with four fast Ethernet LAN ports with some USB ports, WAN port (Internet Port), ETC. However, my advice to you to buy a router that comes with four fast Ethernet LAN ports with at least one USB port.
MU-MIMO and Beamforming:
When it comes to connecting multiple devices at once, things become very difficult and challenging, and you end up with Network interruptions and slow Internet. Therefore, the MU-MIMO technology is known for the Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). In other words, it allows multiple users to access the Internet at the same time.
On the other hand, the Beamforming technology focuses the signal to the specific direction or connected devices so that you can get stronger, more reliable, and faster Internet over devices.
So, it is recommended to have a router that comes with MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies.
Here Are My Three Top Routers For Cox Internet In 2022
- NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R7000)
- Nighthawk C7000 24X8 Cable Modem/Router
- TP-Link AC1900 Smart Archer A9
1. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R7000) – Best Overall
Overview:
The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is ready to boost up your home Internet network. It is a dual-band router and can provide a wide range of wireless coverage up to 1800sq.ft. With R7000, you can expect WiFi speeds up to 1.9Ghz. Where Its 2.4Ghz band delivers a maximum of WiFi speed of up to 600Mbps, while the 5Ghz band up to 1300Mbps. It boasts a 1Ghz powerful dual-core processor that can handle multiple wired and wireless connections at once.
The design of the router is also good. On the front of the router, it houses a USB 3.0 port, which comes in handy. On the back panel of the router, it includes some physical buttons and ports – 1xWAN, 4xLAN Ethernet Gigabit ports, 1x USB 2.0, Power On/Off button with power slot. Moreover, it also includes three external antennas that work with Beamforming + technology.
The security of the router is also top of the line; there is BitDefender protection for you that provides excellent security and safety from viruses, such as malware and Trojan. The R7000 supports high-end security protocols, WPA2, WPA, and WPA+WPA2, ETC. Plus, you also get Guest WiFi access, DoS, VPN, and Firewall protection as well.
Pros & Cons:
I like:
- It is compatible with Cox Internet Service provider and can be set up within minutes.
- Security and safety are top of the line; it is powered by BitDefender.
- It comes with many useful apps, such as CIRCLE APP, Smart Connect, and NIghthawk App for easy 5-minute setup.
- Multiple wired connections are possible as it comes with four fast Gigabit Ethernet Ports that ensure High-speed up to 1Gbps.
- It supports voice control using Alexa.
I don’t like:
- Reboot and Startup are bit slow.
Summary:
In my opinion, I found the R7000 is the overall best in terms of performance, compatibility with Cox, and features. However, it doesn’t support MU-MIMO technology, yet allows you to connect 30 devices at the same time.
On the other hand, some advanced technologies, such as Beamforming+, smart connect, and armor security, you can’t expect from others. So, it is my first recommendation for Cox approved router.
2. Nighthawk C7000 24X8 Cable Modem/Router – Best Cox Combo Router
Overview:
The second router on the list is Netgear Nighthawk C7000. It is not a router, but a combo device, meaning it has both modem and router’s functionalities. In other words, you don’t need to buy a separate router and modem. You can save some money (the company says you can save up to $150/yr) if you purchase a combo cox compatible router.
The Nighthawk C7000 is approved by all major cable Internet Service Providers, such as Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, and many more. However, it doesn’t support Verizon Fios or other bundled voice services. Like R7000, it also offers excellent WiFi coverage of up to 1800sq.ft and supports multiple devices up to 30 at the same time.
On the modem’s end, the Netgear C7000 is engineered with DOCSIS 3.0 and 24×8 channel bonding. As the company says, it is built for serious speeds and supports fast Internal plans with maximum speeds up to 400Mbps, meaning no problem while playing HD games and Streaming HD contents.
When it comes to the router, it is dual-band and can deliver a combined maximum WiFi speeds of up to 1.9Gbps. Where 2.4Ghz band ensures 600Mpbs and 5Ghz band ensures 1300Mbps. It has four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB ports for multiple wired connections and sharing content between devices. It also supports high-end security protocols, such as WPA and WPA2.
Pros & Cons:
I like:
- The C7000 is certified with all major USA Internet Service Providers.
- It allows you to connect up to 30 devices at once, meaning seamless WiFi without any network interference.
- The setup is quite easy and only takes 5 minutes using its app.
- It supports fast cable Internet Plans up to 400Mbps.
- Fast wired multiple connections possible through 4xLAN Gigabit Ethernet port.
I don’t like:
- It is not compatible with Verizon Fios, AT&T, CenturyLink, and other DSL providers as well.
Summary:
The Netgear Nighthawk C7000 is a complete package when it comes to buying a combo device. It has fast modem technology and supports DOCSIS 3.0 with the 24×8 channel bonding.
Even though it is a combo device and offers both modem’s and router’s functionalities, I never recommend this combo unit if you already have COX compatible modem in your house.
3. TP-Link AC1900 Smart Archer A9 – Budget Pick
Overview:
The third router on my list is Archer A9, and this is because I wanted to have a budget-friendly router too. The Tp-link Archer A9 is an amazing looking, feature-packed, and offers advanced technology, “such as MU-MIMO, Beamforming, smart connect, and it supports Alexa and IFTTT too.
The Archer A9 offers incredible WiFi speeds of up to 1900Mbps. However, it is not possible to deliver such amount of speed from the single-band router. That is why Tp-Link had to come with dual-band so that it can deliver fast WiFi speed up to 1.9Ghz. Where 2.4GHz band delivers 600Mbps, while the 5Ghz band delivers 1300Mbps; thus, combined maximum WiFi speed is 1900Mbps.
If you look at the back panel of the Archer A9, it seems quite busy as it has so many different types of physical buttons and ports including Power On/Off button, WPS/WiFi button, and some ports, such as USB port, Gigabit WAN port, and four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. Moreover, it also houses three external high gain antennas that allow your router to direct WiFi signal to your device.
The Security and Safety of the router are also good. In other words, it is beyond security. It offers all the traditional network security features such as Parental Controls, Guest Network, a VPN server, and Access Control.
Pros & Cons:
I like:
- It performs excellent when it comes to 4K streaming and gaming simultaneously.
- It lets you connect multiple devices at once as it comes with Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology.
- The smart connect feature optimizes your device’s connection, it is an automatic process, by switching to the fastest band.
- The Airtime Fairness feature kicks off all of your older devices to slow down your WiFi and ensures fast lag-free network.
- The Network Management and Easy Setup are possible using its Tether App.
I don’t like:
- The LED lights are a bit bright at night but can be turned off.
Summary:
If you are out of budget, yet want an excellent powerful router for Cox, consider this Tp-Link Archer A9. You will not be disappointed when it comes to compatibility with Cox modem. With A9, you can easily stream HD videos and HD gaming at the same time as it is packed with MU-MIMO and Beamforming. So, Archer A9 is for those who are looking for a budget-friendly option.
Conclusion:
The Quick Guide, three best routers for Cox, and of course, my recommendations are the result of in-depth research, testing, and use. I’ve tried all three cox compatible routers. Therefore, I can recommend them all sort of persons. However, if you haven’t read the entire article yet, let me give you a brief overview of them.
The very first router, which is Netgear Nighthawk R7000, is overall best in terms of features, performance, technology, and security. However, this one costs a bit more compared to others. I recommend this Cox certified router from a medium to a large home and for those who are looking for a best long-range router.
The second router on my list is Netgear Nighthawk C7000, which is a modem/router combo device, not a router. However, it can be used as a standalone router too, but there is no sense if one buys an expensive dual facilities router. So I recommend this router for those who don’t have Cox compatible modem in their house yet and looking for the best router/modem combo for Cox.
The third router on my list is Tp-Link Archer A9. I always take one budget-friendly router on my list. Despite being budget-friendly, it offers excellent advanced features and technologies such as MU-MIO and Beamforming+. So this is my best budget-friendly Cox compatible router’s recommendation in 2022.