Optimum — Best Modem To Buy For

: Optimum officially requires DOCSIS 3.1 modems for all speeds to ensure network health; DOCSIS 2.0 or 3.0 modems are no longer allowed.

is the best modem to buy for Optimum cable service in 2026, offering multi-gigabit speeds and a future-proof DOCSIS 3.1 standard . If you have , you cannot use a third-party modem and must use the provided fiber gateway . Top Modem Recommendations for Optimum Best Overall: Arris SURFboard S33 best modem to buy for optimum

A premium modem-router combo that includes a mesh Wi-Fi system. It covers up to and is recommended for large or oddly shaped homes. Best for Phone Service: Arris TM3402 : Optimum officially requires DOCSIS 3

A highly reliable, "classic" DOCSIS 3.1 modem with dual gigabit ports Top Modem Recommendations for Optimum Best Overall: Arris

: Stay away from modems with Intel Puma 6 or 7 chipsets, which are known for latency spikes and jitter.

“With smart WiFi, [the Optimum gateway] picks between whether your smart devices pick up the 2G internet or the 5G. This “smart” WiFi will completely mess up any system you have.” Reddit · r/OPTIMUM · 2 years ago