Which is better for a 1.2 Gbps or faster plan?

The CM2000. Its 2.5G port passes the full speed to a multi-gig router on one cable. The CM1100 needs two bonded ports and a compatible router to get past 1 Gbps.

Both are DOCSIS 3.1 modems with similar internals and no moving parts. The CM1100 has more owner reports of steady long-term use; the CM2000 has fewer reports to judge by.

Is the CM2000 worth stepping up to?

Yes if you have or plan a plan above 1 Gbps, or a router with a 2.5G WAN port. If your plan is 1 Gbps or less, the CM1100 covers it.

Do both work with Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox?

Yes, but the CM1100 is certified to 800 Mbps on Xfinity and 1 Gbps on Spectrum and Cox. The CM2000 is certified across those providers at its full rate.

Do I need a special router for either?

For the CM2000, a router with a 2.5G WAN port to use its top speed. For the CM1100, a router that supports link aggregation to exceed 1 Gbps.

Can I use either for phone service?

Both list two dedicated telephone ports, so voice service works on either with a supported provider plan.

NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

The CM2000 is the stronger pick for most people: its single 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port carries the full 2.5 Gbps the modem is rated for, so it feeds a multi-gig router or a 2.5G PC port without link aggregation. The CM1100 is the value choice for plans up to 1 Gbps, but its two Gigabit ports only reach multi-gig speeds when a compatible router bonds them. Both are DOCSIS 3.1 with OFDM/OFDMA and backward compatibility with 3.0, and owners of the CM1100 report easy setup and a steady connection.

Choose the CM2000 if your plan is above 1 Gbps or your router has a 2.5G WAN port and you want one cable to carry the full speed.
Choose the CM1100 if your plan tops out at 1 Gbps and you want a proven DOCSIS 3.1 modem that owners call easy to set up and reliable.

Prices

NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem: $110.55 at directmacro.com (last seen Nov 12)
NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100: $39.00 at GYT USA (checked today)
Difference: the NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100 is $71.55 cheaper than the NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem at the latest prices (Nov 12 and Nov 14)

	NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100
Ethernet ports	One 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port	Two Gigabit Ethernet ports with link aggregation
Multi-gig delivery	Full 2.5 Gbps through a single port	Up to 2 Gbps only when a compatible router bonds both ports
Provider certification	Xfinity, Cox and Spectrum	Xfinity up to 800 Mbps, Spectrum and Cox up to 1 Gbps
Channel bonding	DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM downstream and OFDMA upstream	2 OFDM downstream and 2 OFDMA upstream channels
Voice support	Two dedicated telephone ports	Two dedicated telephone ports
Setup and owner reports	Fewer owner reports; setup depends on the router	Owners call setup easy and the connection steady; default settings can underperform
Size and weight	About 1.09 lb, 4.3 x 8.3 x 10 in	About 460 g, 5.9 in tall

Spec	NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100
Modem type	Cable Modem	Cable Modem
Model	CM2000	CM1100-100NAR
Dimensions	4.30 x 8.30 x 10.00 Inches	6.8 x 3.7 x 8.2 in
Maximum Transfer Rate	2.5 Gbps	2.5 Gbps
Data Link Protocol	Ethernet	Ethernet
Data Transfer Rate	2.5 Gbps	2 gigabits_per_second
Compliant Standards	DOCSIS 3.1, DOCSIS 3.0	DOCSIS 3.1, DOCSIS 3.0
Communications Type	Data, Voice	Data, Voice
Digital Signaling Protocol	DOCSIS 3.1	DOCSIS 3.1
Modulation Technology	OFDMA	OFDMA
Line Coding Format	OFDM	OFDM
Carrier	All major US Cable Service Providers, XFINITY f…	Spectrum

Spec	NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100
Ethernet Ports	2.5 Gigabit Ethernet	2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
Connectivity Technology	Wired	Wired
Interface	Ethernet	Ethernet
Number Of	Two (dedicated telephone ports)	Two (dedicated telephone ports)
Coverage Area	Up to 3000 sq. ft.	Up to 3000 sq. ft.
Transmission Speed	2.5Gbps	1 gbps
Network Highlights	IPv6 Compatible	IPv6 Compatible
Network Transport Protocol	IPv6	IPv6
Protocol Specifications	DOCSIS 3.1, DOCSIS 3.0

NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

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NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

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NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

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NETGEAR CM2000 Cable Modem

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

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NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1100

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