Hi there! With working from home on the rise along with homes overflowing with tablets, game consoles, smart speakers and more, having reliable WiFi is more critical than ever. But what equipment do you actually need for strong whole-home connectivity? Should you use a router, modem or both?
I‘ll cut through the confusion by clearly explaining the difference between these devices, when one makes sense over the other, and provide specific Spectrum recommendations based on their available plans.
Router vs. Modem: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Router | Modem |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity Method | WiFi & Ethernet | Ethernet Only |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 2000Mbps | Up to 400 Mbps |
| Number of Supported Devices | Unlimited | One |
| Security Protections | Firewall, Encryption | None |
First, let‘s define what each one actually does:
What is a Modem?
A modem converts the signal from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) into information that your computer and devices can interact with. Think of it like a translator that makes it possible for your digital devices speak with the analog phone and cable lines that connect to your ISP.
On its own without a router, you can only connect a single wired device to a modem using an Ethernet cable. Any additional laptops, phones, tablets, or computers would be completely unable to get online!
What is a Router?
Routers do something different than modems. Their job is to transmit the signal from your modem wirelessly to enable connecting multiple devices at once. Routers have WiFi radios inside that broadcast your network‘s signal on specific radio frequency bands.
The router also handles intelligently "routing" data to/from your different gadgets and managing overall network traffic flow. Many routers have bonus capabilities too like parental controls, malware protection, connecting external storage drives, etc.
Think of the combo like this – the modem translates the raw internet signal while the router distributes and manages it for all your household devices!
Why a Router Matters More Now
- Over 20 connected devices per household on average (up from 11 in 2019) – smartphones, tablets, computers, smart home tech like doorbell cameras all need networking access
- Average fixed broadband speeds in US is over 200 Mbps (up 33% since 2020)
- 55% of Americans work from home requiring video conferencing, cloud file access, remote desktop connections daily
With this surge of bandwidth usage and connectivity needs, a modem‘s single wired connection just doesn‘t cut it anymore for most homes!
Spectrum Router vs Modem Comparison
I‘ll dig deeper into how routers and modems differ across some key factors:
WiFi Support
One of the most basic differences is that routers connect devices wirelessly while modems require directly plugging a computer into the unit with an Ethernet cable. WiFi routers broadcast your home network by encoding data over high frequency radio signals your device antennas pick up.
WiFi standards supported:
- Routers – 802.11ac and 802.11ax WiFi 6
- Modems – None! No wireless connectivity at all
WiFi capability makes routers far easier to use across phones, tablets, laptops allowing placement anywhere in your home, not tethered by cords next to the modem.
Connection Speed
With video calls, streaming movies, gaming downloads, etc – faster connection speeds equal better performance and less frustration from lagging, buffering, or grainy video.
Maximum speeds on Spectrum network:
- Modem – Up to 400 Megabits per second (Mbps) down
- Router – 2000 Mbps down with latest models
So routers support 5x higher throughput meeting demands from ultra HD 4K streaming which requires over 25 Mbps alone. For context, here are typical uses cases and required speeds:
- Web browsing, email, social – 5 – 25 Mbps
- Streaming HD video – 25+ Mbps
- Video conferencing – 10+ Mbps down, 3+ Mbps up
- Gaming online – 25+ Mbps
While a modem hitting 400 Mbps could support some simpler usage, a multi-device household streaming UHD Netflix and jumping on video calls will need a router tapping into Spectrum‘s gigabit+ plans.
Device Connections
In a world centered on mobile devices that move around your house (not a wired desktop computer), being able to connect more than one device is pretty important!
- Modem – Designed primarily to connect a single computer. Adding additional wired devices degrades connectivity plus no WiFi at all for wireless access points.
- Router – Supports many users across a combination of steady Ethernet ports for wired devices, consistently strong dual-band WiFi, intelligent device management and bandwidth throttling when needed.
So while modems are really built for a one device per person era, Spectrum routers excel at handling many concurrent HD streams, video calls, gaming sessions that families demand now.
| Feature | Router | Modem |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Devices Supported | Unlimited | 1-2 Max |
Really for any multi-person household with 3+ devices needing routine access, a router ends up being required.
Brief History of Routers vs Modems
Let‘s take a quick historical tour highlighting how routers came to be and steadily offered more home connectivity capabilities:
- 1960s – Early data routing and packet switching foundations allowing networks to efficiently transfer data
- 1980s – Dial-up modems introduced to encode analog signal over phone lines for slow home internet access (~50 Kbps)
- 1990s – Broadband cable modems launched increased speed 10-30x dialup and allowed "always on" internet
- 2000s – WiFi wireless routers gain traction for cable modem connectivity without cabling
- Today – Spectrum delivers multi-gigabit routers with strong dual-band WiFi 6 supporting 50+ devices concurrently across average home footprint
While modems brought initial mainstream home internet access, routers emerged as networking tech leaders because of soaring demands for mobility, speed, simultaneous connections across our vast device collections!
Spectrum Router & Modem Equipment Options
Many find it easier to lease networking equipment directly through their Internet Service Provider (ISP) like Spectrum rather than buying their own. Here is an overview of the latest pricing to lease routers vs modems from Spectrum:
Spectrum Routers
- $5 per month – Entry-level router with 100 Mbps ports
- $10 per month – Dual-band AC1900 router with speeds up to 400 Mbps
- $15 per month – High-end WiFi 6 router with over 2Gbps throughput
Spectrum Modems
- Typically no charge – Included with Internet service plans (around $50 to purchase your own)
- Max speed 400Mbps down
What‘s interesting is comparing the capabilities you get across the router price points – supporting incrementally faster maximum speeds along with more simultaneous connections. Contrast that to a fixed-speed modem without WiFi baked into entry-level pricing.
There are a couple strategic ways to optimize your costs in a modem + router setup:
- Purchase your own basic modem to avoid modem fees
- Lease high-end Spectrum router gain regular firmware updates and warranty protections
Going with Spectrum router rentals gives you access to the latest hardware innovations without large upfront costs.
Key Router vs Modem Takeaways
- Routers support reliable whole-home WiFi mobility
- Routers sustain consistent high-speeds for multiple devices rather than bottlenecking
- Advanced routers provide extra features like parental controls and malware detection
- With average households now having over 20 connected devices that move around, routers make connectivity seamless
Really for any family with broadband service beyond checking email sporadically, I typically recommend complementing your modem with an AC1900+ router minimum, and optimally a multi-gig WiFi 6 model long-term.
The flexibility to mix and match your own modem along with Spectrum‘s cutting edge leased routers gives a nice way to balance capability and costs.
Drop any other questions below in the comments! I‘m happy to provide my insight as an independent technology advisor helping find the right home connectivity solutions.
