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Netgear Nighthawk CM3000 vs Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem

The CM3000 is the newer, faster modem: a 2.5Gbps port, link aggregation to 2Gbps, and headroom for multi-gig cable plans. The CM1000 is the older first-generation DOCSIS 3.1 unit, capped at a single Gigabit port and 1Gbps service. Buyers on gigabit or slower plans who want a proven, simple modem still do fine with the CM1000. Owners of both report stable connections and easy self-activation; the CM3000 is the one to step up to if your provider sells speeds above 1Gbps.

  • Choose the Nighthawk CM3000 if your cable plan is above 1Gbps or you want a 2.5G port and link aggregation for future upgrades.
  • Choose the CM1000 if your plan tops out at 1Gbps and you want the simplest certified DOCSIS 3.1 modem.

Prices

  • Netgear Nighthawk CM3000: $179.99 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem: $179.00 at PC Richard & Son (checked today)
  • Difference: the Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem is $0.99 cheaper than the Netgear Nighthawk CM3000 today
Netgear
Netgear Nighthawk CM3000 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem

Netgear Nighthawk CM3000

Netgear Nighthawk CM3000 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem

$179.99at WalmartChecked 56 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • 2.5G port handles multi-gig cable plans
  • Link aggregation reaches 2Gbps
  • Three LAN ports for wired devices
  • Newer DOCSIS 3.1 chipset with OFDMA upstream
Cons
  • Overkill for plans at 1Gbps or below
  • Larger footprint than the CM1000
  • Only one 2.5G port
Netgear
Netgear DOCSIS 3.1 Ultra-High Speed Cable Modem

Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem

Netgear DOCSIS 3.1 Ultra-High Speed Cable Modem

$179.00at PC Richard & SonChecked 56 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • Certified DOCSIS 3.1 with 32x8 fallback
  • Simple single-port setup
  • Compact vertical design
  • Widely compatible with Comcast and other providers
Cons
  • Capped at 1Gbps service
  • Single Gigabit Ethernet port
  • Older first-generation 3.1 hardware

What separates them

Netgear Nighthawk CM3000Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem
Max download speedUp to 2.5Gbps over the 2.5G portUp to 1Gbps over a single Gigabit port
Ethernet portsOne 2.5G plus two 1G portsOne Gigabit port
Link aggregationSupports up to 2Gbps combinedNot supported
DOCSIS 3.1 channels2 OFDMA upstream, multi-gig downstream2x2 OFDM downstream and upstream
DOCSIS 3.0 fallback32x8 channel bonding32x8 channel bonding
Design generationNewer Nighthawk chassis with more ventilationOlder compact vertical design
Telephone portsTwo telephone ports listedNone
SetupSelf-activation with major cable providersSelf-activation with major cable providers

Price history

  • Netgear Nighthawk CM3000: lowest $179.99 on Nov 13 at Walmart.
  • Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem: lowest $179.00 on Nov 13 at PC Richard & Son.

Prices at every store

Netgear Nighthawk CM3000

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Verdi

    $179.99Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Micro CenterNew

    In stock

    $249.99+ $12.99 shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit Micro Center
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $279.88Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • NFMNew

    In stock

    $299.00Checked 56 min ago
    Visit NFM
All 11 stores and price history →

Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $179.00Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $199.00Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Abt Electronics & AppliancesNew

    In stock

    $199.00Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit Abt Electronics & Appliances
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $199.00Free shippingChecked 56 min ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 14 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNetgear Nighthawk CM3000Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem
ColorBlackBlack
DOCSIS standardDOCSIS 3.1—
Download speedup to 2.5Gbps—
Upload speedup to 1Gbps—
2.5G LAN portsone 2.5Gbps LAN Ethernet port—
Gigabit LAN portstwo 1Gbps LAN Ethernet ports—
Link aggregationup to 2Gbps—
Product height4.5—
Product length10—
Product width9—
Product weight2.45—
ModelCM3000-100NAS—
Show all 39 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNetgear Nighthawk CM3000Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem
Device TypeCable modem—
Included AccessoryPower Supply—
Included ComponentEthernet Cable—
Connectivity TechnologyWired—
Host InterfaceRJ-45—
Docsis Version3.1—
Backward Compatible ToDOCSIS 3.0 (32x8 channel bonding)—
Channel Bonding Docsis 3032x8—
Compatible Docsis Version3.0—

What reviewers say

Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem

Owners generally find the CM1000 reliable on gigabit cable plans and easy to activate with their provider. Complaints center on its age and its single gigabit port rather than on performance.

What people mention
  • SpeedPraisedOwners report it delivers close to the full gigabit their plan allows.
  • SetupPraisedActivation with the cable provider is described as quick and painless.
  • StabilityPraisedUsers say connections stay steady through peak evening hours.
  • PortsCriticisedThe lone gigabit Ethernet port is seen as limiting for wired devices.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a 1.2Gbps or 2Gbps cable plan?
The CM3000. Its 2.5G port passes speeds above 1Gbps; the CM1000's Gigabit port caps you at 1Gbps no matter what you pay for.
Do I need the CM3000 if my plan is 500Mbps?
No. The CM1000 handles that plan fully, and the extra ports and speed on the CM3000 go unused.
Which lasts longer?
Both are passive modems with no moving parts and similar build quality. The CM3000 has more headroom as providers push faster tiers, so it stays useful longer.
Is the CM3000 worth stepping up to?
Yes if you have or plan multi-gig service, wired devices needing 2.5G, or want link aggregation. Otherwise the CM1000 covers gigabit plans fine.
Do both work with Comcast Xfinity?
Yes. Both are DOCSIS 3.1 certified and self-activate with major cable providers, including Xfinity gigabit tiers.
Can I use either with a separate router?
Yes. Both are modems only, with no built-in Wi-Fi, so you pair them with your own router.

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Backwards Compatible Docsis Version
3.0
—
Cable Modem StandardDOCSIS 3.0—
Docsis 31 Download SpeedUp to 10 Gbps—
Docsis 31 Upload SpeedUp to 1 Gbps—
Docsis 31 Internet Speed2.5X Faster—
Downstream Channels Docsis 3032x8—
Upstream Channels Docsis 312 OFDMA—
Wan Port Count1—
Telephone Port Count2—
Voice Ports0—
Network Transport ProtocolIPv6—
BuiltIn Wireless RouterNo—
Ethernet Port Type2.5G, LAN—
Wan Port TypeCoaxial—
Ethernet Lan Rj45 Ports1—
Type—Cable
Interface—Ethernet
Transmission Speed—1 gbps