You’re paying good money for Optimum internet. But if you’re still using the rental gateway they shipped you — that bulky, slow little box sitting on your shelf — you’re almost definitely not getting what you’re paying for.
I know because I was there. My Optimum 500 plan felt like a 200 plan. Video calls kept dropping. My kids complained about lag every single night. And every month, I was paying Optimum an extra $15 just to rent their equipment.
That’s when I decided to find the best modem router combo for Optimum and stop giving money away.
Over the past year, I’ve tested three different devices on my Optimum connection. Here’s what actually worked, what disappointed me, and who each device is right for.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally tested or genuinely believe in.
Why You Should Stop Renting Optimum’s Gateway
Let’s be quick about this. Optimum charges around $10–$15 a month for their gateway rental. That’s up to $180 a year. A solid modem router combo costs between $150 and $300 once — and pays for itself within two years easy.
On top of saving money, you get better control. You can update firmware, set parental controls the way you want, and actually troubleshoot problems instead of waiting on hold with customer service for an hour.
Okay. Let’s get into the devices.
1. ARRIS Surfboard G34 — Best Overall Modem Router Combo for Optimum
What I liked right away
When I first unboxed the ARRIS Surfboard G34, I was genuinely surprised by how solid it felt. It’s not a flashy device — no aggressive RGB lighting, no sci-fi antenna towers. Just a clean, upright white box that doesn’t look out of place on a bookshelf.
Setup took me maybe 20 minutes. You download the SURFboard Central app, scan a QR code on the bottom of the device, and it walks you through activation on Optimum’s network. That’s it. No typing in weird codes or calling anyone.
The G34 runs on DOCSIS 3.1 — the current gold standard for cable modem technology — and delivers WiFi 6 speeds up to 3,000 Mbps. It also comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, so I could hardwire my desktop PC, my streaming box, and still have ports to spare.
In real life, I was pulling around 480–510 Mbps on my Optimum 500 plan, which is right where it should be. My previous rental modem was giving me 290–330 Mbps on the same plan. That difference felt enormous. Streaming 4K content on three TVs simultaneously? No buffering at all.
The honest flaw
The WiFi range is decent, but not exceptional. My house is about 2,000 square feet, and in rooms furthest from the device — especially through one thick wall — speeds dropped noticeably, down to around 150 Mbps. For a single-floor apartment or smaller home, this won’t bother you. For larger homes, you might need to pair it with a WiFi extender.
Also, the parental controls work fine, but the app can be a little slow to load sometimes. Nothing deal-breaking, but worth knowing.
Who this is NOT for
If you have a very large home (3,000+ square feet), the G34 alone won’t cover every corner. You’d be better off with a mesh system. And if you’re on a budget under $150, this one might stretch things a bit.
Bottom line: The G34 is my top pick for most Optimum subscribers. With DOCSIS 3.1 and WiFi 6, it’s built to handle whatever Optimum throws at it, including the Gig plan. Solid, reliable, and worth every penny.
See the Details: Best Router for Smart Home 2026 – Next Tech Advisor
2. Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 — Best for Power Users on Optimum Gig
First impressions
The Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 looks like something out of a James Bond movie. It’s angular, dark, and has these aggressive swept-back antennas. I’ll be honest — it’s a little too dramatic-looking for my living room, so I tucked it in an office corner. But wow, does it perform.
The CAX80 uses DOCSIS 3.1 with 32×8 channel bonding, which means it can theoretically handle speeds up to 10,000 Mbps. For Optimum’s Gig plan, that kind of headroom is exactly what you want. It also packs 4 Gigabit LAN ports and a 2.5 Multi-Gig port for wired connections that need extra juice.
I tested this on Optimum’s 1 Gig plan at a friend’s house. We were hitting 890–920 Mbps consistently on a wired connection. Even over WiFi 6, we were getting 650–700 Mbps in the same room. That’s genuinely impressive.
For online gaming, the latency was the lowest I’ve measured — around 8–12ms on average. If your household has serious gamers or you stream professionally, this thing won’t let you down.
The honest flaw
The CAX80 comes at a premium price, and there’s no getting around that. If you’re on Optimum’s lower-tier plans like the 200 Mbps package, you’re massively over-buying. It would be like buying a sports car to drive around a parking lot. The device is also on the larger side — it takes up real desk or shelf space.
Security features are excellent though. It supports WPA3 encryption and has a high-performance built-in processor that handles heavy network loads without slowing down.
Who this is NOT for
If you’re on Optimum’s 200 or 500 plan, the CAX80 is overkill and not worth the price premium. Save that money. But if you’re on the Gig plan and you want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your connection — this is your device.
3. NETGEAR Orbi CBK752 — Best for Large Homes on Optimum
The mesh difference
Here’s the thing nobody tells you when you buy a modem router combo: a single device can only cover so much space. If you have a two-story home, a long ranch-style layout, or thick concrete walls anywhere in the building, you’re going to have dead zones.
That’s where the NETGEAR Orbi CBK752 changes everything.
The Orbi CBK752 is an all-in-one modem and router combo that also functions as a mesh WiFi system. With the included satellite unit, it can cover up to 5,000 square feet. You don’t need to buy a separate modem, and the Orbi app makes installation surprisingly easy.
I tested this in a 2,800 square foot two-story home on an Optimum 500 plan. Without the satellite, the far upstairs bedroom was getting around 95 Mbps. With the satellite placed in the hallway, that same room jumped to 380 Mbps. That’s not a small improvement — that’s a completely different experience.
The honest flaw
The Orbi CBK752 is expensive. It’s the priciest option on this list by a fair margin. Setup is easy, but if something goes wrong and you need support, Netgear’s customer service can be frustrating to navigate. I also found the mesh satellite unit needs to be placed thoughtfully — too close to the main unit and you waste coverage; too far and the connection between them weakens.
It also only supports cable Optimum plans. If you’re on Optimum’s fiber plans, this device isn’t the right fit — you’d need to look elsewhere.
Who this is NOT for
If your home is under 2,000 square feet, the Orbi’s mesh capability is unnecessary and you’re overpaying for features you won’t use. Stick with the ARRIS G34 instead.
Read More About: Best Modem Router Combo for Optimum Internet
What to Look for in a Modem Router Combo for Optimum
Before you buy anything, here are the three things that actually matter:
DOCSIS version. DOCSIS 3.1 is what you want. It’s faster, more secure, and future-proof. Avoid anything running on older DOCSIS 3.0 if you’re on the 500 Mbps plan or above.
WiFi generation. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the current standard. It handles multiple devices better than WiFi 5, which matters if you have a smart home with lots of connected gadgets.
Compatibility. Not all modems work with Optimum. Always double-check the Optimum-approved devices list before you buy, or stick to one of the options above — they’re all confirmed compatible.
My Final Recommendation
For most people on Optimum, the ARRIS Surfboard G34 is the right call. It hits the sweet spot of performance, price, and ease of use. It handles everything from streaming to gaming without any drama, and it’ll pay for itself within 18 months just in rental fee savings.
If you’re on Optimum’s Gig plan and you’re a power user, spend the extra money on the Netgear CAX80. You won’t regret it.
And if your home is large or weirdly shaped and dead zones are ruining your life, the NETGEAR Orbi CBK752 solves that problem completely — just be prepared for the price tag.
Whatever you choose, stop paying Optimum to rent their equipment. You deserve better speeds, and with any of these devices, you’ll actually get them.
