Does ASUS Make Modems?

On this page (8 sections)

1. Does ASUS make modems for cable internet?
2. What ASUS networking gear actually does
3. Which modem should you pair with an ASUS router?
4. How do you connect an ASUS router to a cable modem?
5. Why does the ASUS modem question come up so often?
6. Do you need an ASUS modem if you already own the router?
7. What about ASUS modem and router bundles?
8. The short answer on ASUS modems

No, ASUS doesn't make modems. The company sells routers and mesh systems, not standalone cable modems, so the question "does ASUS make modems" gets a clear no for anyone shopping for one.

That doesn't leave ASUS out of the picture. An ASUS router pairs with a modem from another brand, and that split lets you choose each half on its own.

Does ASUS make modems for cable internet?

No. ASUS has no DOCSIS cable modem in its US lineup.

Its networking catalog covers routers, range extenders and mesh systems, and those devices connect through a modem rather than replacing one.

Cable modems need CableLabs certification and provider approval, and the brands that do that work are ARRIS, Motorola, NETGEAR and a handful of others. ASUS stays on the router side of the split.

That split matters for how you buy. A modem handles the coax line and the internet signal, and a router shares that connection over Wi-Fi.

ASUS sells the second half only.

If you want one box that does both, that is a gateway, and your cable provider rents you one. Buying your own means buying a modem and a router separately.

The modem half is also where plan speed lives. Every modem here tops out at a certain tier, so the model you pick sets how much of your plan reaches the router at all.

The SB8200 supports plans up to 2 Gbps, the CM2000 is built for plans up to 2.5 Gbps, and the MB8611 lists downstream speeds just below 2,500 Mbps.

What ASUS networking gear actually does

ASUS equipment handles Wi-Fi and network features, not the cable line. Think routers and mesh nodes with software features for priorities, parental controls and guest networks.

ASUS routers plug into a modem through an Ethernet port and take over from there. They broadcast Wi-Fi, hand out local addresses, and let you manage the network from the ASUS app.

This is the role an ASUS device plays in a cable home: it's the Wi-Fi half. The modem is the piece that talks to the provider, and it comes from a different brand.

If you already own an ASUS router, you're halfway to a home network. You just need a modem that your provider approves and that matches your plan's speed.

The modem's Ethernet port is the handoff point, so a model with only one port still works fine when the router is the only thing plugged into it.

Which modem should you pair with an ASUS router?

Pick a CableLabs-certified modem that matches your plan and has an Ethernet port for the router. DOCSIS 3.1 models cover current plans and leave room for faster tiers.

These three are the modems we'd compare first, and each one connects to an ASUS router with a single Ethernet cable.

Check provider support before you order. ARRIS says the SB8200 is tested with Cox, Xfinity and Spectrum, and Motorola lists Comcast Xfinity, Cox and Spectrum among supported providers.

How the three modems compare on paper

The SB8200 is a modem only, so an ASUS router is required for Wi-Fi. It measures 5.13 by 1.75 by 5.25 inches and weighs 1.5 pounds, a small white box with discrete LEDs for power, upstream, downstream and online status.

Its two 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports support up to 2 Gbps wired aggregate, which is why it can feed a router and still leave a port for a wired device.

The MB8611 moves to a single 2.5 GB Ethernet port with downstream speeds just below 2,500 Mbps and upstream up to 800 Mbps when your plan supports it. It is backward compatible with 32x8 DOCSIS 3.0, so it works on older tiers too.

The CM2000 pairs a single 2.5 Gig Ethernet port with DOCSIS 3.1, 32x8 channel bonding and OFDM(A) 2x2, and NETGEAR rates it for plans up to 2.5 Gbps. All three are cable only and none of them replaces an ASUS router.

Two more checks are worth making. The ARRIS is qualified for Cox, Xfinity and Spectrum and is not compatible with fiber, DSL or satellite services.

The NETGEAR is made for US use and does not work with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH or bundled voice service.

The boxes differ too. The ARRIS ships with a power supply, quick-start guide and a two-year warranty card, Motorola backs the MB8611 with a two-year warranty and USA support, and the NETGEAR kit adds an Ethernet cable to its quick install guide and power adapter.

How do you connect an ASUS router to a cable modem?

Run one Ethernet cable from the modem to the router's WAN port, then power both up. The order is simple: coax to modem, modem to router, router to your devices.

Follow these steps:

1. Screw the coax cable onto the modem and plug in its power.
2. Wait for the modem's online light to go solid, which means activation is done.
3. Connect an Ethernet cable from the modem to the ASUS router's WAN or Internet port.
4. Power the router, open the ASUS app or its setup page, and finish the Wi-Fi setup.

If the lights don't settle, our guide to modem lights blinking explains what each one means. For a fuller walkthrough, see how to connect a modem to a router step by step.

Cable choice matters less than people think, but a bad one causes odd dropouts. Our rundown of the Ethernet cable for modem connections covers the category to buy.

What to do if the router can't find the internet

Activation is the usual culprit. The modem has to be provisioned by your provider before it hands out a connection, and that step is separate from anything you do in the ASUS app.

Motorola keeps it to three connections: power, coax and Ethernet. If those are right and the online light is solid, restart the router and let it pull a fresh address from the modem.

Why does the ASUS modem question come up so often?

People see ASUS routers sold next to modems and assume the brand covers both. The two sit on the same shelf and both have "internet" in the product name, so the mix-up is natural.

The names don't help. A "cable modem router combo" is a gateway, and that's a different product from a router.

ASUS sells plain routers, which need a modem in front of them.

Cable providers push rentals too, so many homes have a single rented gateway. When you start pricing your own gear, the split between modem and router becomes the first thing to sort out.

One check settles it: look at the ports. A modem has a coax connector plus Ethernet.

An ASUS router has Ethernet and no coax input.

Do you need an ASUS modem if you already own the router?

No. Keep the ASUS router and add a modem from a certified brand.

Nothing about an ASUS router requires an ASUS modem, because the two connect over standard Ethernet.

Start with your provider's approved modem list and your plan's speed. A 1 Gbps plan doesn't need a 2.5 Gbps modem, though one leaves headroom if you upgrade.

Then count your needs. The SB8200 has two Ethernet ports, which can feed a router and one wired device.

The MB8611 and CM2000 each have a single port, so everything else goes through the router.

Setup on the modem side is the same for all three: connect the cable, power on, and activate with your provider. Motorola narrows it to three connections, power, coax and Ethernet.

If the setup stumbles, our fixes for a modem not connecting to internet cover the usual causes, from activation to cabling.

What about ASUS modem and router bundles?

There is no ASUS cable modem to bundle, so bundles you see online pair an ASUS router with another brand's modem. Read the box contents before buying any "kit".

Some bundles combine a router with a modem, a switch or a mesh node. That can be good value when the modem on the list is approved by your provider and matches your speed tier.

If a bundle shows an ASUS router only, it's a router package. Plan for a separate modem purchase, or check whether your provider already supplied one you can use.

The router you already own is worth keeping. Pairing it with a well-chosen modem costs less than replacing both, and you keep the ASUS app and features you know.

The short answer on ASUS modems

ASUS doesn't make modems, so do the job in two parts: a certified modem and an ASUS router. The SB8200 is the easiest pick for most cable homes because two Ethernet ports and DOCSIS 3.1 cover common plans.

Pick the MB8611 if you want a 2.5 Gbps port with latency management, or the CM2000 for a simple single-port path to 2.5 Gbps plans.

So when the question is does ASUS make modems, the answer stays no, and the better question is which modem your provider approves. Match that to your speed tier, connect it to your ASUS router, and you have the same setup ASUS homes use every day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an ASUS router with my own cable modem?

Yes. A cable modem connects to one Ethernet port on the ASUS router, usually marked WAN or Internet.

Set the router to its usual mode, or to access point mode if your modem is a gateway with routing built in, then finish setup in the ASUS app.

Is an ASUS modem gateway a thing?

ASUS sells DSL and mobile routers in some markets, but there is no ASUS DOCSIS cable modem gateway for US cable providers. Your cable company supplies a gateway if you rent one, or you buy a modem and add an ASUS router for Wi-Fi.

Does ASUS make a modem for Xfinity or Spectrum?

No. ASUS doesn't make a cable modem for Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox or any other US cable provider.

Its routers work fine on those networks once a compatible modem connects you to the line and your provider has activated the equipment.