The combination of Netgear CM3000 vs CBR750 are two of the most well-known cable modem routers for home and small offices. Hence, in this detailed comparison article, I will be featuring a comparison of the two devices in terms of the various specifications, the features that they offer, how they perform in ushering in their respective tasks and what real users have to say in a bid to help you arrive at a decision making choice on which of the devices is best suited for use in a given network.
Introduction
Home networking equipment manufactures known globally are among them with Netgear being at the forefront. The models CM3000 and CBR750 are a cable modem routers of the Netgear company that enables to use various devices at home on the high-speed cable Internet through one device.
The former is one of the high-end cable modem routers from the company while the latter is among the low-end. hence these models are pretty similar in most of aspects provided the goal of the model in question is the same, but the differences arise in terms of the specs, the rate of operation, and the I/O options and features which can be a decisive factor when choosing this device to purchase.
Key Specifications
Let’s start by comparing some of the key specs of the Netgear CM3000 vs CBR750:
Cable Modem Specifications
- Specs – Both are DOCIS 3.0 cable modems that are compatible with most cable internet plans in North America.
- Channels – The CM3000 supports 4096QAM and has 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels. The CBR750 supports 256QAM and has 8 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels.
- Speeds – The CM3000 can support speeds up to 1Gbps downstream and 250Mbps upstream. The CBR750 supports speeds up to 680Mbps downstream and 140Mbps upstream.
Router Specifications
- WiFi Standards – The CM3000 supports tri-band WiFi 6 while the CBR750 supports dual-band WiFi 5.
- WiFi Speeds – On the WiFi 6 bands, the CM3000 supports up to 1.2Gbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2.4Gbps each on the two 5GHz bands. The CBR750 supports up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1.3Gbps on the 5GHz band.
- Ports – The CM3000 has 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports while the CBR750 has 3 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports.
As you can see, the CM3000 has clearer advantages in terms of modem specs, WiFi standards, speeds and number of Ethernet ports compared to the CBR750. This makes it a better choice if you need the latest and fastest connectivity.
Key Features
Moving beyond the specifications, here are some of the main features offered by these two devices netgear cm3000 vs cbr750:
Parental Controls
- Both models offer parental control features to filter content and manage device time online. The CM3000 allows creating separate profiles with custom access rules.
- The CBR750 allows blocking categories like games, social media etc. but doesn’t offer profile-based controls.
Priority & QoS
- The CM3000 has advanced QoS capabilities to prioritize internet traffic for important devices and applications. It also has bandwidth limit controls.
- The CBR750 has basic QoS to prioritize gaming traffic but lacks bandwidth limits and advanced traffic controls.
Security
- The CM3000 supports the latest WPA3 WiFi security standard and has network monitoring tools. It gets security updates for the lifetime of the device.
- The CBR750 only supports the older WPA/WPA2 standards. It has basic firewall protection but lacks advanced security and monitoring features.
App Ecosystem
- The CM3000 works with the Nighthawk app for remote access and management on iOS and Android. App options are more extensive.
- The CBR750 works with the myNETGEAR app but has fewer remote management options compared to the Nighthawk app.
As you can see, the CM3000 has a clear edge in features with more advanced networking, security and parental control options versus the basic feature set on the CBR750.
Performance
Let’s look at some real-world performance comparisons between these two devices based on third-party reviews and user feedback:
- WiFi Speed Tests: Reviews show the CM3000 consistently delivering speeds close to the theoretical maximum, especially on the tri-band WiFi 6. The CBR750 delivered decent but comparatively slower speeds.
- Long Range: With its tri-band technology and more powerful antennas, the CM3000 provides better and more reliable whole-home coverage compared to the dual-band CBR750.
- Connected Devices: The CM3000 can easily handle 20+ concurrently connected devices without slowdowns. Real-world tests show the CBR750 struggling with over 15 connected devices.
- Gaming Performance: Gamers report lower lag and better responsiveness when using the CM3000 versus the CBR750 for online multiplayer gaming.
- ISP Speeds: Both devices are capable of delivering full advertised speeds from most cable internet plans of up to 1Gbps. The CM3000 has headroom for future-proofing.
In terms of real performance, the CM3000 has proven consistently better and more future-proof versus the CBR750, especially in large homes or when connecting numerous devices simultaneously.
User Ratings
Looking at user reviews and ratings further reinforces the CM3000 as the better-performing product:
- Amazon Ratings: The CM3000 averages 4.3/5 stars with over 8,000 ratings while the CBR750 averages 3.8/5 stars with over 3,000 ratings.
- Common Themes: Users praise the CM3000’s speed, range and dependability. Complaints for CBR750 include weak signals, slow performance and occasional disconnections.
- Reliability: Long-term owners report the CM3000 providing stable, trouble-free internet for years. The CBR750 receives some complaints about intermittent issues.
- Support: Users note Netgear’s support for the CM3000 as responsive. Though service is available for both, it seems better for the higher-end model.
Overall, real user reviews and collective long-term experiences validate the performance consistency delivered by the CM3000 over the CBR750 in most household setups and use cases.
Price Comparison
Now let’s compare the typical prices of these devices netgear cm3000 vs cbr750:
- Retail Price: The CM3000 retails for around $230-250 while the CBR750 costs $150-170 normally. So there is a $70-80 price difference.
- Sales and Packages: Both devices often see deeper discounts when purchased as part of internet provider bundles. You may also find open-box deals.
- Value Over Time: While the CBR750 is more affordable, user feedback points to the CM3000 delivering better overall value due to its stronger and more reliable performance over several years of use.
So in summary, you end up paying around 25-30% higher for the CM3000 but get substantially better specs, features and long-term usability in return based on reviews. The value proposition tends to favor the pricier CM3000.
FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Q. Is CM3000 or CBR750 better for gaming?
A. The CM3000 delivers lower latency and more reliable connections ideal for online gaming due to its tri-band WiFi 6 and higher speeds.
Q. Which one has longer range?
A. With its advanced antenna design and tri-band technology, the CM3000 provides better and more consistent WiFi coverage throughout large homes.
Q. Do they support the same internet speeds?
A. While both support Gigabit cable speeds, the CM3000’s 4096QAM modem enables potentially faster speeds and future-proofing for higher tiers as they become available.
Q. Can I use my existing cable modem?
A. No, both devices integrate a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem. Using your own modem will not work with these all-in-one router/modems.
Q. Which needs fewer devices?
A. The CM3000 supports tri-band WiFi 6 allowing more devices to connect simultaneously with fewer slowdowns compared to the dual-band CBR750.
Q. Is one easier to set up?
A. Setup process is largely similar through the mobile apps, though some report the CM3000 detecting network settings quicker out of the box.
Conclusion
To summarize the comparison, the Netgear CM3000 is the better overall choice for most households thanks to:
- More powerful cable modem with higher channel and speed capacity
- Tri-band WiFi 6 for greater performance and future-proofing
- Faster wired and wireless speeds along with better coverage
- More advanced security, parental controls and network management
- Higher expansion capacity and flexibility for numerous concurrent devices
- Stronger build quality and reliability backed by positive user experiences
While a little pricier, the CM3000 provides much better value in terms of long-term usability. Unless strict budget or simple usage is a major constraint, the CM3000 is generally recommended over the CBR750. However, the CBR750 remains a decent affordable option for basic home networking needs as well.
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