Netgear makes great modems and routers, period. But then, if you are to pick only one, a reliable modem from Netgear comes across as the most appropriate choice. And if you are searching for one, CM1100 is worth consideration.
For starters, Netgear Nighthawk CM1100 is one of the most efficient cable modems in the market. Be it your undying insistence towards experiencing multi-gig speeds or finding a device that agrees with the existing home decor arrangement; the CM1100 dons several hats at once.
As per my tests and findings, CM1100 is quite an increment over the CM1000, which is also a very reliable modem but mostly restricted to standard, Gig level plans. Coming to the CM1100, the device seems like a great fit for standard households, offices, and commercial establishments.
Plus, if you plan on setting up an extensive wireless network, be assured that the Nighthawk CM1100 will work with most mesh and standalone routers.
But that’s just a sneak peek into what this modem has to offer and if you plan on discovering more, kindly read on as I have reviewed the Netgear Nighthawk CM1100 across several parameters to understand how good a fit it is!
Netgear Nighthawk CM1100 Specs
| Technology | DOCSIS 3.1 |
| Backward Compatibility | Yes |
| Channel Bonding | 32 x 8 |
| Ports | 2 Gig Ethernet |
| Phone Jack | No |
| Modem Router Combo | No |
| Suitable Internet Plan | Up to 2 Gbps |
| Compatible ISPs | Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Optimum, and Mediacom. |
| IPv6 Support | Yes |
| Processor | Broadcom BCM3390 |
| RAM | 256MB |
| NAND Storage | 128MB |
| Dimensions | 8.80 x 3.40 x 5.90 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
Netgear CM1100 Review: After 2 Weeks of Use!
Well, in the subsequent sections, I shall dissect the CM1100 across several factors, only to present a holistic view of this device.
And, just to make things more credible, I would like to state that I have used CM1100 as my go-to, primary modem for two weeks straight. It was paired with a Comcast Gig internet plan and a Nighthawk RAX120 Wi-Fi 6 router.
Design & Build
Let’s start with the aesthetics first. The Nighthawk CM1100 sports a sleek form factor, measuring 8.80 x 3.40 x 5.90 inches. Also, it is one of the lightest products around, weighing 1 pound to be exact.
Coming to the design and build quality, this feathery device assumes a vertical form factor that is even ventilated enough to minimize overheating.
And to top it all off, there are several indicators in play, allowing you to keep track of the network conditions with relative ease.
Ports & Connectivity
If you are game for wired connectivity, this modem comes equipped with 2 Gig ethernet ports. This functionality lets you reach multi-Gig speeds, provided your ISP lets you in on two IP addresses.
And to make things even more interesting, Netgear throws in link aggregation support, allowing you to make use of two IPs and reach speeds up to 2Gbps.
In case you're looking for similar specs in a modem, then you can consider getting the Netgear CM1200. Here's a comparison between CM1100 vs CM1200.
Connectivity-wise, this modem is compatible with most wireless AC and wireless AX routers. Plus, it even exhibits QoS support, allowing you to prioritize traffic across wired and wireless networks. Other relevant specs include IPv6 functionality and support for auto device configuration.
Compatibility with ISPs
This modem works with Comcast, Charter Spectrum, Cox, and some other internet service providers in the US.
Also, I have been using it with a gigabit internet from Comcast Xfinity and was able to reach max speeds of up to 931 Mbps in download and over 34 Mbps in upload. Note that speeds were measured at 20 feet distance.
Hardware & Technology
Powering the CM1100 is a powerful BCM3390 SoC, which lets you cut through any form of congestion with relative ease. Working alongside the chipset is 256MB of RAM and 128MB of storage space that houses firmware details and other relevant insights.
Also, this is one of the top-rated DOCSIS 3.1 modems with built-in support for 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA channels. However, for modern-day gig-level internet plans, the DOCSIS 3.0 backhaul technology is more than adequate, courtesy of 32 x 8 channel bonding support.
The existing hardware setup lets you experience the best streaming and gaming throughputs, whilst cutting out latency, lags, and pings, to a considerable extent.
If and when connected with a router, this modem lets you assume max speeds of almost 990 Mbps. And with a WiFi 6 router in play, you can get access to max 2.4 GHz speeds of up to 150 Mbps and 5 GHz of almost 600 Mbps, with this modem in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Netgear Nighthawk CM1100 is one of the easiest modems to set up, courtesy of the responsive web interface. And what works really well for this modem is the inventive self-activation modem-setup technology.
The CM1100 from Netgear, first of all, gets rid of the Intel Puma chipset. This makes the connections way more reliable and keeps the gaming latency within manageable standards.
Yes, as compared to the ISP rentals, the CM1100 seems like a more affordable pick as it allows you to save over 100 dollars on a YoY basis.
Conclusion
Overall, the Netgear CM1100 is one of the more reliable modems on the list, provided you are willing to deploy it for UHD streaming and online gaming.
And while you can pick any other device, the CM1100 lets you achieve all that and more at an extremely affordable price.
And most importantly, it is also a future-proof modem with DOCSIS 3.1 support that even sets you up for more far-reaching internet plans.
