Last updated: August 2026
Key Takeaways
- Every modem below appears on Xfinity's official approved device list, verified by us on August 1, 2026. Comcast last revised that page on July 21, 2026.
- Xfinity removed roughly 30 older DOCSIS 3.0 modems from the public list in April 2026, including the NETGEAR CM500, CM700, original CM1000, and TP-Link CR1900.
- Plans sold before mid-2025 still pay $15 to $25 per month in gateway rental, so owning a modem saves real money. Newer Everyday Pricing plans include the gateway, and owners buy their own for control and privacy instead.
More than 35 modems and gateways are approved for Xfinity right now, and every one of them is listed below, checked against Comcast's official device page on August 1, 2026. The short version: buy DOCSIS 3.1, match your plan speed, and if your plan advertises faster uploads, pick a model Xfinity tags as Next Gen Speed Tier.
What Is the Xfinity Approved Modem List?
The Xfinity approved modem list is the official set of retail, customer-owned modems that Comcast has tested and certified for its cable network. A retail modem that is not on this list will not provision, no matter how new it is. Comcast revises the list a few times a year, most recently on July 21, 2026, and publishes it at xfinity.com/support/articles/list-of-approved-cable-modems.
One nuance the official page does not explain: it covers retail third-party equipment only. Some Comcast-deployed gateways, such as the ARRIS SVG2482AC voice modem, do not appear on the retail list yet continue to activate on Xfinity accounts every day. Absence from the page is not always the same thing as removal from the network.
Approved Standalone DOCSIS 3.1 Modems (2026)
Standalone modems pair with any WiFi router you choose, which is why they remain the most flexible option. The designation column below uses Xfinity's own labels: "Recommended" is Comcast's endorsement, and "Next Gen Speed Tier" means the modem supports the upgraded upload tiers.
| Model | Xfinity Designation | Max Wired Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARRIS S33 (also S33v2, S33v3) | — | Up to 2.33 Gbps | Gigabit and 2 Gig plans, 2.5G port |
| ARRIS S34 | Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.32 Gbps | Next-Gen upload tiers |
| ARRIS SB8200 (also v2, v3) | — | Up to 957 Mbps | Budget pick for plans up to 1 Gbps |
| Hitron CODA | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 934 Mbps | Sub-gigabit plans with upgraded uploads |
| Hitron CODA56 | Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.33 Gbps | Best value for multi-gig |
| HUMAX HGD310 | — | Up to 943 Mbps | Mid-tier value |
| Motorola B12 | — | Up to 2.33 Gbps | Multi-gig plans, newer chipset |
| Motorola MB8600 | — | Up to 949 Mbps | Budget classic up to 1 Gbps |
| Motorola MB8611 | — | Up to 2.34 Gbps | Gigabit and 2 Gig, low latency |
| NETGEAR CM1000v2 (and CM1000-1AZNAS) | — | Up to 950 Mbps | Plans up to 1 Gbps; original CM1000 was removed |
| NETGEAR CM1100 | — | Up to 945 Mbps | Plans up to 1 Gbps |
| NETGEAR CM1200 | — | Up to 949 Mbps | Plans up to 1 Gbps, link aggregation |
| NETGEAR CM2000 | — | Up to 2.34 Gbps | 2 Gig plans |
| NETGEAR CM2500 | Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 936 Mbps | Upgraded upload tiers |
| NETGEAR CM3000 | Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.33 Gbps | Multi-gig plus the heaviest uploads |
| Ubiquiti UCI | Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.33 Gbps | UniFi network integration |
Designations and wired speed maximums are Xfinity's own, taken from its official device list and verified on August 1, 2026.
Approved Modem and Router Combos for 2026
Combo units put the modem and WiFi router in one box. Setup is simpler, but the WiFi side cannot be upgraded on its own when standards advance.
| Model | Xfinity Designation | Max Wired Speed | WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARRIS G18 | — | Up to 935 Mbps | WiFi 6, entry-level combo |
| ARRIS G20 | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 934 Mbps | WiFi 6, upgraded uploads |
| ARRIS G34 | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 934 Mbps | WiFi 6 |
| ARRIS G36 | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.37 Gbps | WiFi 6, multi-gig |
| ARRIS G54 | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 2.34 Gbps | WiFi 6E, multi-gig |
| ARRIS SBG8300 | — | Up to 941 Mbps | WiFi 5 |
| ASUS CMAX6000 | — | Up to 952 Mbps | WiFi 6 |
| Motorola MG8702 | — | Up to 945 Mbps | WiFi 5 |
| Motorola MG8725 | — | Up to 2.34 Gbps | WiFi 6, multi-gig |
| NETGEAR CAX30 | — | Up to 949 Mbps | WiFi 6 |
| NETGEAR CAX80 | — | Up to 2.37 Gbps | WiFi 6, multi-gig |
| NETGEAR CBR750 | Next Gen Speed Tier | Up to 942 Mbps | WiFi 6 mesh (Orbi) |
Speeds are Xfinity's tested wired maximums from the official device list, verified August 1, 2026.
Xfinity Voice Approved Modems
Xfinity Voice requires a voice-capable modem; a standard data modem will not carry the phone service. Comcast's own rental Gateway is voice-enabled, and three retail models are approved. Browse all Comcast Xfinity phone modems, or pick from the official list:
- ARRIS T25 — standalone voice modem, DOCSIS 3.1, no WiFi, up to 949 Mbps
- NETGEAR CM2050V — Recommended, Next Gen Speed Tier voice modem, up to 2.32 Gbps
- Motorola MT8733 — voice modem with built-in WiFi 6 router, up to 2.33 Gbps
List Changes in 2026: The Audit Log
The approved list is a moving target, so this section records what changed and when we last checked.
- August 1, 2026: Full audit against the official page, which Comcast revised on July 21. Every model in the tables above confirmed present. Newly covered in this guide since our May edition: ARRIS G18 and G20, NETGEAR CM2500, and the v2/v3 hardware revisions Xfinity now lists separately.
- April 2026: Roughly 30 DOCSIS 3.0 models dropped from the public list, including the NETGEAR CM500, CM700, original CM1000, and C6230; ARRIS SB6183, SB6190, SBG10, and several older SBG gateways; TP-Link CR500, CR700, CR1900, TC-7610, and TC-7620; Motorola MG7315, MG7540, MG7550, MG7700, and MT7711; Linksys CM3008, CM3016, and CM3024; and ASUS CM-16 and CM-32.
If you own a removed model, plan its replacement: delisted devices face activation failures and lose network support over time. And do not buy one at a clearance price, no matter how tempting. For the full story behind the phase-out, see our guide to Xfinity removing DOCSIS 3.0 modems.
Match Your Modem to Your Xfinity Plan
Comcast restructured its plans in 2025 into simplified national speed tiers running from roughly 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps, with symmetrical multi-gig service expanding in major metros. Your bill or the Xfinity app shows the exact speed you pay for; match the modem to that number.
Plans up to 1 Gbps
Any DOCSIS 3.1 modem in the tables handles these tiers. The ARRIS SB8200, Motorola MB8600, and NETGEAR CM1100 are the proven budget picks.
Check Availability: ARRIS SB8200
Gigabit and 2 Gig plans
Gigabit tiers are over-provisioned, and a standard 1 Gigabit port caps real-world speeds around 940 Mbps. Choose a modem with a 2.5 Gbps port: the Motorola MB8611, NETGEAR CM2000, ARRIS S33, Hitron CODA56, or Motorola B12.
Check Availability: Motorola MB8611
Next-Gen upload tiers
Cable uploads were stuck near 35 Mbps for years; mid-split and high-split technology raises them to 100 Mbps and beyond where Xfinity has upgraded the network. If your plan advertises enhanced uploads, buy only from the models Xfinity tags Next Gen Speed Tier: the ARRIS S34, NETGEAR CM3000, NETGEAR CM2500, or Hitron CODA56. For deeper comparisons, see our DOCSIS 3.1 modem rankings.
Do You Still Save Money Buying Your Own Modem?
It depends on when you signed up. On plans sold before mid-2025, Xfinity's standalone gateway rental runs $15 per month, or $25 with xFi Complete, which is $180 to $300 a year. A modem you own typically pays for itself against that fee within the first year or two, then saves money every year after.
On the newer Everyday Pricing plans, Comcast bundles the gateway and unlimited data into the monthly price, per Comcast's July 2025 announcement. There is no separate fee left to eliminate, so the case for owning shifts from savings to control. The included gateway runs Comcast's firmware, routes your network management through the Xfinity app, and broadcasts the public Xfinity WiFi hotspot by default. Your own modem and router mean your hardware, your firmware schedule, your settings, and no equipment to return when you leave. The rental fee did not disappear on the new plans; it moved inside the price and brought Comcast's management layer with it.
What About DOCSIS 4.0?
Xfinity's newest rental gateways run DOCSIS 4.0, but retail DOCSIS 4.0 modems were still not widely available as of mid-2026. A DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gbps port remains the right purchase for nearly every plan today. We track the retail rollout in our DOCSIS 4.0 modem guide.
How to Activate Your New Xfinity Modem
- Connect the coaxial cable to the wall outlet and the modem, then plug in power and wait 2 to 5 minutes for the lights to stabilize.
- Open the Xfinity app, sign in, and tap Activate Modem or Activate xFi Gateway.
- Scan the barcode or QR code on the back of the modem when prompted.
- If the app fails, complete the same steps at xfinity.com/activate in a browser.
- Connect your router or devices and run a speed test.
For the full walkthrough with troubleshooting, see our Xfinity modem activation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NETGEAR CM1000 still on the Xfinity approved list?
The original CM1000 was removed in April 2026. Two newer hardware revisions, the CM1000v2 and CM1000-1AZNAS, appear on the current official list as of our August 1, 2026 audit. If you own a first-generation CM1000, plan to replace it with a current DOCSIS 3.1 model.
What is the best Xfinity approved modem for gigabit service?
The Motorola MB8611, NETGEAR CM2000, and ARRIS S33 lead for standard gigabit plans thanks to their 2.5 Gbps ports. None of the three carries Xfinity's Next Gen Speed Tier tag, so if your plan advertises uploads in the hundreds of megabits, choose the ARRIS S34, Hitron CODA56, or NETGEAR CM3000 instead.
Can I use any DOCSIS 3.1 modem with Xfinity?
No. Comcast certifies each model individually, and a retail modem that does not appear on the approved list will not be provisioned even if it supports the same DOCSIS version. Always check the official list before buying.
How often does Xfinity update the approved modem list?
A few times a year. New DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 devices are added as they pass certification, and older hardware is dropped. The page was last revised on July 21, 2026, which is why this guide records the date of every audit.
Do new Xfinity plans still charge a modem rental fee?
Everyday Pricing plans introduced in 2025 include the gateway and unlimited data in the monthly price, so there is no separate rental fee to remove. Plans sold before that restructure still bill $15 to $25 per month for the gateway, and those customers save the most by owning a modem.
Will my old Xfinity modem still work in 2026?
If it appears on the current official list, yes. If it was removed in 2024, 2025, or the April 2026 purge, replace it: delisted modems eventually fail to reactivate and lose support. Check the model number on the label against the tables above.
Should I buy a used or refurbished Xfinity modem?
The distinction matters. A used modem from a private seller may still be registered to the previous owner's account, which is the most common reason activation stalls. A professionally refurbished unit is deregistered, tested, and warrantied before sale, which removes that risk. Browse our refurbished Xfinity compatible modems, each backed by a 90-day warranty.
1 comment
Xfinity, says they are not responsible for updating the modems firmware, because it is not their modem. But I know they are and well 5 separate times I’ve tried. Any advice?