All these three contenders are ultra-fast Multi-Gig cable modems with no built-in router. These modems meet the standard of DOCSIS 3.1 and are also backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0, that’s why they provide fast speed for streaming, gaming, and much more.
What do all 3 have in common?
All of them have the following things in common:
- They meet the DOCSIS 3.1 standard while also being backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.
- They utilize similar kinds of modulation methods.
- They are not equipped with a built-in router and telephone features.
- They contain the core chipset of Broadcom BCM3390.
- They provide one year warranty.
- They are compatible with almost all the major internet service providers.
- They meet the latest IPv6 standard of internet protocols.
Let’s see what makes them different.
Table of Contents
Netgear CM1000 Overview:
The Netgear CM1000 provides downloading speed up to 6 Gbps. It does this through 2OFDM × 2OFDMA bonding channels during DOCSIS 3.1 connection.
Usually it provides up to only 1Gbps through 32×8 SCQAM bonding channels during DOCSIS 3.0 connection.
From its 1Gbps speed, it provides the fastest data access and downloading.
Netgear CM1000
Overall, when compared the Netgear CM1000:
- provides up to 1Gbps of downloading speed.
- offers up to 6 Gbps of downloading speed upon upgradation.
- is cheaper compared to its competitors.
Netgear CM1200 Overview:
CM1200 provides downloading speed up to 2Gbps.
This is through the 32×8 SCQAM bonding channels again during DOCSIS 3.0 connection.
It can offer up to even 10 Gbps through 2OFDM × 2OFDMA bonding channels during DOCSIS 3.1 connection.
It’s a faster modem because of its 2Gbps speed.
In comparison the Netgear CM1200:
- provides up to 2Gbps of downloading speed.
- offers up to 10 Gbps of downloading speed upon upgradation.
- is equipped with a link aggregation feature.
- is a better choice from a hardware perspective as it offers more Ethernet ports.
- is relatively larger and heavier.
Netgear CM1200
Netgear CM2000 Overview:
CM2000 provides downloading data up to 2.5Gbps through 32×8 SCQAM bonding channels during DOCSIS 3.0 connection but can go up to 10 Gbps through 2OFDM × 2OFDMA bonding channels during DOCSIS 3.1 connection.
In comparison the Netgear CM2000:
- provides up to 2.5Gbps of downloading speed.
- offers up to 10 Gbps of downloading speed upon upgradation.
- has a more attractive and aesthetic outlook.
- is expensive compared to its competitors.
Netgear CM2000
Side By Side Comparison:
| General Specifications | CM1000 | CM1200 | CM2000 |
| DOCSIS Standard | 3.0/3.1 | 3.0/3.1 | 3.0/3.1 |
| Download Speed | Up to 1Gbps | Up to 2Gbps | Up to 2.5Gbps |
| Built-in Modem Router | No | No | No |
Design and Hardware
Both the Netgear CM1000 and CM1200 are almost similar from a design perspective but the CM2000 differs in this respect.
The identical contenders have a vertical design with sharp edges from each side and a regular thick square-shaped base.
Triangular-shaped grading is being engraved on the side walls of these contenders along with the ‘Netgear’ logo on one side.
But the Netgear CM2000 is having a very unique design with a tower-shaped body and angular slides as its base. Its surface is smooth and shining along with an aesthetic logo of ‘Netgear’ on one of its sides. All modems are black colored.
The front panel of all the contenders seems to be alike since it is comprised of status indicating LED lights. But the rear panel is a little bit different.
The similarities in the rear panel are the reset button, coaxial cable connector, and power connector.
But Netgear CM1000 has only one 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, CM1200 has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and CM2000 has a single 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Port.
CM12000 is also equipped with a link aggregation feature which allows it to provide a 2Gbps of data transfer rate.
Also, CM2000 doesn’t have a Power ON/OFF button, unlike its competitors. Build-in router and telephone capabilities are absent in all these three routers.
From the design perspective, CM2000 wins the race since its appearance is very aesthetic in comparison to its competitor.
But CM1200 is a better choice if we look at the hardware since it provides more Ethernet ports for having multiple connections.
Also, the CM1200 is relatively larger in size and heavier in weight.
| Parameters | CM1000 | CM1200 | CM2000 |
| Dimensions, inch | 8.8(h)x3.5(l)x5.9(w) | 6.1 (h) × 3.4 (l) × 10.3 (w) | 6.8 (h) × 3.7 (l) × 8.2 (w) |
| Telephone Capability | No | No | No |
| Built-in router | No | No | No |
| Weight, g | 431 | 553 | 482 |
| Ethernet Ports | One (1) Gigabit Ethernet port with auto-sensing technology | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet port 1 x WAN Cable Coaxial Port | One (1) 2.5Gbps Ethernet Port, One (1) WAN coaxial cable connection |
Compatibility
These three modems are compatible with many internet service providers worldwide like Spectrum, Cox, Xfinity from Comcast, Cox, etc. And these modems use almost all internet protocols.
All of these are also compatible with the latest protocol IPv6.
By using these protocols, these modems show efficient work for the routing process.
All these modems are also compatible with all kinds of Wi-Fi routers, Mac, Windows, Game stations, etc. From these modems, you can process your work quickly or play games efficiently, and much more.
| Parameters | CM1000 | CM1200 | CM2000 |
| Internet Service providers | Xfinity from Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, Cox, and many others | Same | Same |
| Network Protocol | IPv6 | Same | Same |
| WiFi router, Mac, Windows, Game station, etc. | Compatible with all | Same | Same |
Performance
All contenders are similar in performance because all three meet the standards of DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.0. And utilizes the same kind of modulation methods such as SCQAM in DOCSIS 3.0 while OFDM in DOCSIS 3.1.
The difference between these three contenders is that they provide different downloading speeds due to the difference in their Ethernet LAN Ports.
Practically the speed of CM1000, CM1200, and CM2000 is limited to 1, 2, and 2.5Gbps but they can be upgraded to provide 6, 10, and 10 Gbps respectively in the DOCSIS 3.1 standard.
The bonding channels for these three modems are the same, so they work at the same frequency. All the bonding channels are mentioned below.
Also, the main component of any cable modem, the core chipset, is the same among all the contenders which is the reason for their multi-gig per second capability upon up-gradation.
| Performance Parameters | CM1000 | CM1200 | CM2000 |
| DOCSIS | 3.0/3.1 | 3.0/3.1 | 3.0/3.1 |
| Downloading Speed | 1Gbps | 2Gbps | 2.5Gbps |
| Maximum Downloading Speed | 6 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Broadcom Core Chipset | BCM3390 | BCM3390 | BCM3390 |