Modem and router: rent or buy?
The modem connects your home to the provider. The router shares that connection over Wi-Fi. You can rent both from the provider or, on many plans, buy your own.
- Renting is often $10 to $15 a month, or $120 to $180 a year.
- On cable, buying an approved modem usually pays off in about a year.
- On fiber, the provider box stays, but you can add your own router.
What each box does
Modem: translates the signal from the provider's line (coax, phone line or fiber) into a network connection. One device can plug into it.
Router: takes that one connection and shares it with every device in the house, by Wi-Fi and by Ethernet ports. It also acts as a basic firewall.
A gateway is both in one box. Most rented equipment is a gateway.
Renting
- Nothing to pay up front.
- The provider replaces it if it fails and updates it for you.
- Support is simpler, because they know the equipment.
- You pay the fee for as long as you have service.
Buying
- A good cable modem costs roughly $80 to $200, and a solid router about the same.
- No monthly fee, so it pays for itself in one to two years.
- You choose the Wi-Fi quality, which is often better than a rented gateway.
- You handle setup and replacement yourself.
What to check before you buy
- The provider's approved list. Cable providers publish the modems that work on their network.
- The speed rating. For cable plans above 500 Mbps you want a DOCSIS 3.1 modem.
- Phone service. If you have a home phone line through the provider, you need a modem with a voice port.
- Wi-Fi standard. Wi-Fi 6 or newer is the sensible minimum for a new router.
By connection type
- Cable: you can usually replace both modem and router.
- Fiber: the provider's terminal stays. You can often use your own router.
- DSL: compatible modems exist, but the provider's is usually easiest.
- 5G home and satellite: the provider's equipment is required.
Common questions
Do I need both a modem and a router?
Yes, unless you have a gateway, which combines the two.
Will my own router make the internet faster?
It will not change the speed of the line, but a better router can make Wi-Fi faster and reach farther.
What happens to a rented modem when I cancel?
You must return it. Keep the return receipt until your final bill is settled.