Motorola is one of the most trusted brands in the Internet home connectivity space. They have been manufacturing Cable Modems and Cable+Router combo devices for decades. These devices are reliable, powerful, and backed by an American name on their label.
In this article we will compare and discuss three popular Motorola combo devices (cable modem and WiFi router on the same box).
Specifically, we’ll compare MG7700 vs MG7550 vs MG7540 to see which one will serve your Internet connectivity and WiFi needs in the best way possible.
Finding the right modem+router combo device for your home can be daunting, especially since there are so many models on the market right now.
If you have shortlisted the three Motorola combo devices that we’ll discuss in this article then you have made a great choice, so let’s see which one is the best.
Quick Recommendation
- Best future-proof device in terms of Internet speed, with excellent WiFi coverage: MG7700
- Best device to be used in a crowded WiFi environment (e.g in an apartment or condo): MG7550
Comparison Table
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 19:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Brief Review of the Motorola MG7700
- Fast 24x8 DOCSIS 3.0 cable Modem Plus a built-in AC1900 Dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi Gigabit Router with four Gigabit (GigE) Ethernet ports, power boost Wi-Fi amplifiers, firewall security, and more. The maximum modem speed is 1000 Mbps, supporting service speeds up to 650.
- Eliminate up to 156 dollars per year in cable Modem rental fees. (Savings are shown for Comcast Xfinity and vary by cable service provider.) certified by all leading cable service providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter spectrum (no cable Modem is compatible with fiber optic, DSL, or satellite services, available from Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, and others.)
- Built-in high-speed router with AC1900 wireless and Power boost - Provides internet access for Wi-Fi devices including smartphones, notebooks, tablets, and more. 4 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide wired connections to Windows and Mac computers and other Ethernet-capable devices. A Broadcom cable Modem Chipset provides security from denial of service attacks.
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 19:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The MG7700 is one of the top combo modem/router devices you can buy out there. It is future-proof in terms of supported Internet plans (it can go up to 650 Mbps Internet speed) and many people buy this device to replace the service provider device, thus saving in rental costs.
This relatively compact silver-grey unit features LEDs on the front that are easy to understand and read from a distance.
All connection ports are of course at the back of the box with 4x Gigabit ethernet ports allowing plenty of wired devices to be connected to the router (e.g gaming consoles, desktop computers etc).
Internet Speed
You get fast speeds because it supports the DOCSIS 3.0 standard with 24×8 channels which can work with the Comcast Xfinity 600 Mbps service or the Charter Spectrum 400 Mbps tier plan (plus many others).
Even if you have a lower Internet service speed in your area, getting a device that supports higher speed bandwidth is a smart move (you will be future-proof for speed upgrades).
The Internet speeds supported by this device are going to be more than enough for most people.
WiFi
The WiFi capabilities of this device are its strong area. With 1900 Mbps (max wifi speed) Dual-Band 802.11ac (AC1900) and Wireless Power Boost technology, this unit amplifies the wireless signal (within the FCC limits of course) to reach longer range and cover larger home areas.
An Amazon customer reported that this device covers his 3400 sq.ft home with solid performance and strong signal.
Another great feature of the Dual band WiFi of this model is called “AnyBeam beamforming” which works on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
This feature focuses the WiFi signal on the wireless clients (like a beam) in order to enhance performance and range.
The two features mentioned above (“Power Boost” and “AnyBeam beamforming”) are only available on the MG7700 and MG7550 models. The MG7540 does not support these.
The only small downside of the MG7700 on the WiFi capabilities is that it does not support (currently) DFS WiFi (Dynamic Frequency Selection).
DFS is helpful to reduce interference if you have a lot of other WiFi transmitters in your neighborhood.
If you live for example in a building with many apartments or in a condo and you have a lot of other WiFi routers in close proximity, then with DFS you can use some special wireless channels which are not affected by interference from other neighboring devices.
Motorola states that DFS will be available also on the MG7700 in the future.
Other Characteristics
The setup is a real breeze and the inbuilt Web Graphical User Interface is beginner friendly. This means that you can get everything going very quickly and without much hassle.
Just go to the specified IP address in your web browser and you’re ready to access the control panel to change any settings you like.
Important Features
Here are the features that really count:
- 24×8 cable modem (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Inbuilt protection from DoS attacks due to the Broadcom modem chipset
- Inbuilt AC1900 WiFi router.
- Included wireless power boost technology to amplify the signal.
- Anybeam beamforming.
- 4x gigabit Ethernet ports.
- Firewall built into the router with easy control panel access for users.
- Included parental controls via the control panel.
- Included guest network feature that allows you to offer secure Internet to home guests without making your own network vulnerable.
- Ability to support up to 253 connections simultaneously from wired or wireless clients.
- Support for both IPV4 and IPV6
Pros
This is what we really like:
- Compatible with the most popular cable Internet providers.
- Supports up to 650 Mbps Internet plans.
- Uses a Broadcom chipset which is known for its stability and reliability.
- Unique WiFi features such as “Power Boost” and “Anybeam beamforming” will help a lot in better coverage and WiFi performance.
- Buy your own device to save on rental costs.
Cons
No unit is perfect so here are some of the things that we don’t like:
- Being a combination modem and router means that you have to place it in an ideal location in your home (this is valid for all combo devices).
- Does not support WiFi DFS (for the time being).
- A little more expensive than the other models in this list.
Verdict
Overall, the MG7700 will satisfy the needs of most home users. Moreover, the price difference of this model compared to the other 2 devices in this article is negligible.
We highly recommend the MG7700 as a future-proof device with excellent WiFi capabilities and reliability.
Check Price and Reviews of MG7700 at Amazon
Brief Review of the Motorola MG7550
- 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem plus a built-in AC1900 Dual Band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) WiFi Gigabit Router with four Gigabit (GigE) Ethernet ports, a firewall DFS, Power Boost, and more. This product is recommended for actual cable Internet service speeds up to 375 Mbps. A Broadcom cable modem chipset provides security from Denial of Service attacks. WiFi performance is exceptionally good, even in multi-dwelling units with lots of WiFi noise from neighbors. DFS and Power Boost are key
- Requires cable Internet service. Approved by and for use with Comcast Xfinity and Xfinity X1, Cox, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable, Suddenlink, WOW., CableOne and other cable service providers. Eliminate cable modem rental fees up to 156 dollars per year. (Savings are shown for Xfinity and vary by cable service provider. No cable modem is compatible with fiber optic, DSL, or satellite services from Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, and others. Model MG7550 has no phone jack.)
- Built-in high-speed Wi-Fi router with AC1900 Wi-Fi, and Power Boost, and DFS provides Internet access for Wi-Fi devices including smartphones, notebooks, tablets, game stations, HDTVs, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and AppleTV. Four 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide wired connections to Windows and Mac computers, HDTVs, game stations, streaming TV devices, and other Ethernet-capable devices.
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 19:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model lies in the middle ground from the three devices in this article but it has some characteristics that can make it a winner.
Basically it supports all WiFi features of the higher model (MG7700) plus it supports also DFS which helps in reducing interference in crowded wireless areas.
The fact also that it supports four of the biggest cable providers makes it worth looking at if you want to save money on renting such a unit.
Your investment will not only net you a faster modem/router combo unit but you’ll be saving money after the first year.
Internet Speed
This is a 16×4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable device which supports up to 375 Mbps of actual Internet line speeds. Such speed level is more than enough for moderate bandwidth needs and will easily support UHD video streaming, online gaming, fast internet downloads etc.
Compared to the MG7700 however, the MG7550 will not be future-proof in terms of speed upgrades.
We all know that Internet speeds are accelerating year-over-year, with consumers wanting more bandwidth.
It will be a matter of time when most people will require more than 300-400 Mbps to satisfy their home Internet bandwidth requirements.
For the time being though, the MG7550 can support the needs of most home networks with no problems.
WiFi
The MG7550 has exactly the same unique WiFi features and specs as the previous MG7700, plus it also supports WiFi DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection).
In summary, here are the important unique features on the WiFi radio supported:
- Power Boost
- Anybeam beamforming
- DFS
Moreover, the MG7550 is also Dual Band AC1900 device (just like the MG7700).
An Amazon customer reported that they use the MG7550 in a two-story 3100 sq.ft house (all brick walls) and they get WiFi signal everywhere including the patio.
The DFS spec allows you to use a less-crowded wifi channel (in a frequency range band which is not used by most other WiFi devices) in order to reduce interference.
This will be very helpful if you live in a crowded neighborhood or in a multi-apartment building.
Important Features
Here are the features that really count:
- 16×4 cable modem (DOCSIS 3.0) supporting up to 375Mbps of Internet plans.
- Inbuilt AC1900 WiFi router at gigabit speeds
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Included wireless power boost technology to amplify the signal
- Inclusion of special AnyBeam beamforming technology for better wireless signals
- Supports DFS channels for lower interference.
- Firewall built into the router with easy control panel access for users
- Included parental controls via the control panel
- Included guest network feature that allows you to offer secure Internet to home guests without making your own network vulnerable
- Ability to support up to 253 connections simultaneously from wired or wireless clients
- Support for both IPV4 and IPV6
Pros
This is what we really like:
- Support for all of the biggest cable internet provides, including Cox, Comcast, Spectrum, Time Warner, Suddenlink, WOW, Sparklight etc means that you save on renting a modem from one of these companies.
- Color-coded rear panel makes it easy to see where cables need to go
- The included wireless power boost and Beamforming technology make for a strong, stable signal.
- Support for DFS channels to reduce interference.
Cons
No unit is perfect so here are some of the things that we don’t like:
- The 16×4 cable channels are somewhat limiting in terms of maximum supported Internet speed.
- Not future-proof if you want to reach speeds above 300-400Mbps in the future.
- It is not the cheapest unit but will be better than any rental modem that the cable companies can provide you.
Verdict
If you are not planning to upgrade to Internet plans above 300-400 Mbps, then the MG7550 is the ideal model in this comparison article.
It has the best WiFi specs from all three devices in this list and its price tag is not prohibitive for such a capable device.
We highly recommend the MG7550 if you live in a crowded WiFi area and you don’t plan to upgrade your Internet speed any time soon (i.e you are satisfied with 300-375 Mbps of Internet bandwidth).
Check Price and Reviews of MG7550 at Amazon
Brief Review of the Motorola MG7540
- 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem plus a built-in AC1600 Dual Band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) WiFi Gigabit Router with four Gigabit (GigE) Ethernet ports, a firewall, and more. This product is recommended for actual cable Internet service speeds up to 375 Mbps. A Broadcom cable modem chipset provides security from Denial of Service attacks.
- Requires cable Internet service. Approved by Comcast Xfinity and Xfinity X1, Cox, Charter Spectrum, BrightHouse, WOW., CableOne, RCN, Mediacom and other cable service providers. Eliminate cable modem rental fees up to 168 dollars per year. (Savings are shown for Xfinity and vary by provider). Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink and other fiber optic, DSL or satellite services. Model MG7540 does not have a phone jack. This model cannot be used for making or receiving telephone calls.
- Built-in high-speed Wi-Fi router with AC1600 Wi-Fi provides Internet access for Wi-Fi devices including smartphones, notebooks, tablets, game stations, HDTVs, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and AppleTV. 4 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide wired connections to Windows and Mac computers, HDTVs, game stations, streaming TV devices, and other Ethernet-capable devices.
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 19:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The MG7540 is the least preferable model in our comparison here. It lacks the unique WiFi features of the 2 models discussed above and also its lower price point is not enough to justify a buying decision for this model instead of one of the others.
Internet Speed
Just like the MG7550, this is also a 16×4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable device which supports up to 375 Mbps of actual Internet line speeds.
Such speed level is more than enough for moderate bandwidth needs and will easily support UHD video streaming, online gaming, fast internet downloads etc.
Compared to the MG7700 however, the MG7540 will not be future-proof in terms of speed upgrades.
WiFi
This is an AC1600 dual-band device. This WiFi speed is on the lower-end of the limit to support the WiFi speeds of most modern homes.
Although it supports DFS (to minimize interference), it does not have the other important features of the higher end model such as Power Boost and Anybeam beamforming (although the latter is supported only on the 5GHz band).
Overall, the WiFi capabilities of this model are not that good compared to MG7700 and MG7550.
Important Features
Here are the features that really count:
- 16×4 cable modem (DOCSIS 3.0) supporting up to 375Mbps of Internet plans.
- Inbuilt AC1600 WiFi router at gigabit speeds
- Ability to operate at DFS frequencies so that wireless interference is less likely
- 4x gigabit Ethernet ports
- Firewall built into the router with easy control panel access for users
- Included parental controls via the control panel
- Included guest network feature that allows you to offer secure Internet to home guests without making your own network vulnerable
- Ability to support up to 253 connections simultaneously from wired or wireless clients
- Support for both IPV4 and IPV6
Pros
This is what we really like:
- Support for operating on the DFS wireless frequency that makes this a great option for people who often have signal interference from neighbors
- Cheaper compared to the other models in this list.
Cons
No unit is perfect so here are some of the things that we don’t like:
- AC1600 is limiting in terms of speed on the WiFi channels.
- Does not support Power Boost and Anybeam beamforming on both bands.
- 16×4 cable channels are limiting in terms of future Internet speed upgrades.
Check Price and Reviews of MG7540 at Amazon
Comparison of MG7700 vs. MG7550
Here’s a brief comparison of the MG7700 and the MG7550:
- The MG7700 supports significantly faster download Internet speeds, reaching up to 650Mbps plans, compared to 375 Mbps Internet plans supported by the MG7550.
- Upload speeds on the MG7700 will also be significantly higher compared to MG7550. Upload speeds are very important nowadays since modern homes upload a lot of data to the cloud.
- Both devices work on the DOCSIS 3.0 cable standard which is currently the most popular cable Internet service available (although DOCSIS 3.1 is also available for Gigabit speeds).
- Both devices feature wireless power boost and Anybeam technology for improved signal speeds and stability.
- The MG7550 supports DFS which helps in reducing interference (only in crowded WiFi environments). Currently the MG7700 does not support DFS but Motorola states that it will be supported in the near future.
Overall, the MG7700 is the clear leader in terms of Internet speed. If you live in a house instead of apartment, I would recommend the MG7700 so that you will be able to upgrade your Internet speed as your bandwidth needs increase over time.
However, if you live in an apartment with a lot of interference from close-by WiFi devices (on the same building for example), then the MG7550 might be a better choice with its support for DFS.
Comparison of MG7540 vs. MG7550
Here’s a brief comparison of the MG7540 and the MG7550:
- Both the MG7540 and the MG7550 operate with 16 upstream and 4 downstream cable channels which can reach up to 375 Mbps Internet speed.
- The MG7550 is AC1900 on the WiFi, whereas the MG7540 is only AC1600. In modern homes, faster WiFi bandwidth is very important to support many wireless clients. Therefore, the MG7550 is a clear winner in this area.
- The MG7550 features Beamforming and Power Boost technologies on both the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz bands, something that the MG7540 does not support. These wireless technologies can increase the WiFi coverage and performance considerably, therefore they are very important in your decision process. Again, the MG7550 is a clear winner in this area.
The comparison between MG7550 vs MG7540 shows the first model to be the clear winner mainly because of the much better WiFi capabilities. Moreover, the price difference between the two is negligible. We highly recommend the MG7550 over the MG7540 model.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to save some money on renting out a modem from your cable company, these Motorola cable modem/router combo devices will definitely save the bank after their first year of use.
They are all capable devices but your choice largely depends on the size and type of your home, the surrounding environment and how much bandwidth you really need.
If you want to be ready for higher Internet speed plans in the future (reaching up to 675 Mbps) the MG7700 is the clear winner.
Check Price and Reviews of MG7700 at Amazon
On the other hand, if you are satisfied with Internet plans of up to 375Mbps and you live in a crowded WiFi environment, the MG7550 is the best choice among the three models.
Check Price and Reviews of MG7550 at Amazon
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