NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Cable Modem Router CAX30 Compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox, AX2700 (Up to 2.7Gbps) DOCSIS 3.1

Will be difficult to instal
I wanted an upgrade for my old Net Gear Combo modem. I need to call Spectrum tech support, they simply put the MAC number in place of my old modem’s. I was VERY impressed with Spectrums willingness to help. While on the phone with SPECTRUM I watched in real time the Combo Wi-Fi Combo Modem Router start to function! I don’t try to get every last byte of data from the unit so this review won’t help a demanding user. But for the casual user this should give you an idea what your up against. Oh the Blackhawk App didn’t work I guess because of the MAC address issue.

This Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 WAS A Great Cable Modem/Router For 6 Months. (See Latest Update)
First off, I purchased this Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 cable modem/router to replace a Motorola MG7700 cable modem/router that worked very well for over 5 years, until the 5 ghz wifi transceiver stopped working. I left a detailed, updated Amazon review for the MG7700 as well, 5 years ago. I have absolutely no complaints at all regarding the Motorola MG7700, however, as 3 to 5 years is the “planned obsolescence” of these devices, and then they either stop working due to years of cumulative component heat soaking, or it is time to upgrade them anyway due to advances in technology and its accompanying security protocols.This Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 cable modem/router works very well, and it is really easy to setup with Xfinity. It literally took 15 minutes to get the CAX30 up and running, and 10 minutes of that was just waiting for the ISP to do the configuration on their end. I am a Network Administrator of over 25 years, so I have plenty of experience setting up and troubleshooting both home and corporate Tech. devices, and this CAX30 is no exception. I refuse to call “customer service” these days and have some overseas “Tech.” read a redundant troubleshooting script to me when I can fix most issues by myself (unless the device is DOA).The “trick” to getting these cable modems connected to an ISP is to be patient. First, unplug the old modem (if there is one) and plug in the new modem. Don’t do anything with the modem other than powering it up and connecting the coax cable, and 1 hard-wired computer that will be used to configure the CAX30. Just leave the device alone and let it communicate with the WAN for about 20 minutes, and then proceed to set it up with the ISP.I initially skipped the Netgear App. and setup the CAX30 through the web browser interface using its IP address. I already have the Xfinity App. on my phone anyway, so I just used that App. to setup the CAX30 (which the Netgear App. will actually instruct users to do anyway). The CAX30 had already been up and running for around 20 minutes, as I previously recommended. I scanned the QR code on the side of the CAX30 with my phone, using the Xfinity App., and it automatically sent the modem CM MAC address and serial number to Xfinity. The CAX30 rebooted twice (after an Xfinity firmware update) and it was connected to the internet within 10 minutes. I had absolutely no problems at all connecting the CAX30 to Xfinity by myself, and I have had no issues with it for the many weeks it has been up and running now.After connecting the CAX30 to Xfinity, I updated it to the latest firmware on the router side of the device (this took 5 minutes and 1 reboot). The ISP controls the firmware updates on the modem side, BTW. I then proceeded to change the CAX30’s SSID, WiFi Key, login password and IP address to greatly improve the device’s security, and so it could automatically connect to all of the wireless clients on our home network. Everything connected without a hitch. We also have 2 desktop computers, 1 file/media server, and a gigabit switch plugged into the 4 Ethernet ports. All of the wired and wireless clients are working flawlessly with the CAX30, throughout the house, which is also wired with Cat. 6 Ethernet connections in every room and the garage/shop.The CAX30 has been up and running great for 6 weeks now with no reboots necessary, yet anyway. The WiFi is very fast and stable, and the CAX30 stays connected to up to 20 wireless devices on our home network at once (it will theoretically connect to 25 at a time). We have the 500 mbps Xfinify plan, and we continuously download at speeds just over 600 mbps. Upload speed is around 10 mbps, but that slow upload speed is due to the shortcomings of coax cable (and Xfinity) not being designed for synchronous connections (like fiber and copper are). It has nothing to do with the CAX30 at all.As I previously stated, the CAX30 is working great so far. However, there are a few “tweaks” that can be made in the settings in order to make it run even better, and further enhance security. First of all, make sure that the security changes I previously stated are implemented right away (the SSID can even be hidden). Secondly, make sure both aspects of the firewall are running (both boxes unchecked). Also, if there are a lot of slower IOT (Internet Of Things) smart, security or legacy devices on the wireless network make sure the 20/40 mhz band is turned on and the wireless airtime fair-share is turned off. This will greatly improve the speed and connectivity of those older and/or slower IOT devices, especially if they are far away from the router. Even greater security can be implemented by only allowing specific MAC addresses to connect, or not connect, to the network, but constant device connectivity can also be monitored in the Netgear App., from any mobile device. Also, turn off the WPS pin code generator, as this leaves the router wide-open to a brute-force attack.This Wireless router uses both beam-forming and MIMO technologies that greatly enhance the speed and stability of the wireless network, especially for clients that are a long distance from the router. WPA3 encryption is also included with the wireless router for greater security, but very few devices actually use WPA3 encryption at this point in time, so it is more of a future-proofing feature over the current WPA2 encryption standard. The wireless router functionality can be split into 2 separate SSIDs on the 5 ghz and 2.4 ghz frequencies, or set to one SSID “smart” mode, and the wireless router will automatically detect the most efficient frequency to use to communicate with each client on the network. There is also a “guest” network, but I recommend leaving that turned off for enhanced WiFi security.The one thing I can strongly suggest in order to enhance the performance and longevity of the CAX30 is to KEEP IT COOL! These modem/routers run very warm, and they need cool air circulating around them at all times. Do not put the CAX30 in a cabinet or near other devices that give off a lot of heat. The CAX30 needs to be about 5 feet off of the ground, on an open shelf, and in the center of the house in order to get the greatest functionality out of it, and make it last for many years to come (ok the “expected” 3 to 5 years at least). There are many other things that can be implemented in order to improve the longevity, functionality, and security of all Tech. devices, but these “home” use devices are rather limited in those aspects, so I just wanted to give everyone some helpful advice is all.Overall, I am very impressed with this CAX30 so far, but only time time will tell how long things will actually last these days. However, if I can get another 5 years out of the CAX30, like I did with the MG7700, I will be a very happy camper (fingers crossed). On that note, I can highly recommend this CAX30 to anyone looking for a really good (albeit, pricey) cable modem/router combination. Although, many people choose to go with a separate modem and router these days for better performance and security, and also to keep their ISP’s firmware updates out of their router. Also, since so many people are concerned about product and company origins these days. Netgear is located in San Jose, California, and the Nighthawk CAX30 is manufactured in Indonesia. I hope this extensive review helps everyone to make an informed decision regarding the potential purchase and setup of the CAX30. Good luck!UPDATE: This Netgear CAX30 cable modem/router has been up and running for over 3 months now without a single hiccup. I reboot it once a month to clear the memory cache, just as routine maintenance, and it automatically reconnects to all attached devices within minutes. This CAX30 stays connected to around 23 wired and wireless devices 24/7, throughout the day. Some devices are permanently connected and some are randomly used. So far, I would say that this CAX30 is an excellent cable modem/router.UPDATE #2 On 12/18/2024: This Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 is now defective after barely 6+ months of use. At 5+ months it started randomly dropping wireless connections, and at 6+ months it permanently lost the internet connection to Xfinity. I tried all of the regular troubleshooting steps, including 2 factory resets. Comcast even did a line test from their end, and they could no longer “see” the modem on their network. All of the lights on the front of the unit were also randomly flashing and then turning off. So much for a “great” Netgear product.I originally gave this Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 a 5 star rating because it WAS working very well for 5+ months. However, I have now dropped that rating down to 1 star. A quality product should last longer than 5 to 6 months now, shouldn’t it? Especially at the steep price of this Netgear Nighthawk CAX30. Netgear used to make some great networking products. Not so much these days, I see. I do not feel like fighting with Netgear over warranty issues (yet anyway), and I need a constant fast/stable internet connection at home for work, so I have now replaced this Netgear Nighthawk CAX30 with an Arris SURFBoard G36 modem/router Combo. The Arris modem/router was very easy to install, and it fixed all of the issues that the Netgear modem/router was causing. The Arris even improved on the internet and wireless speed and stability over the Netgear. Only time will tell how long the Arris SURFBoard G36 will last, but it has been up and running flawlessly for over a month straight now. Hopefully, the Arris lasts a whole lot longer than the 6+ months the Netgear lasted. Keeping fingers crossed.

Works well and as advertised. Solid performance.
Looks to handle the gig speed tier I got from Xfinity. Nice to have the standard wifi for work and standard avtivity, 5G wifi for streaming and gaming, and the option to run ethernet as well. All have tested and work great so far.

Reliability, speed, investment
This maybe too early for a review but I couldn’t hold on. I want to say if you want to invest on a router/modem this is the device you need. I had an issue with my TP-Link router and they couldn’t even figure it out what’s wrong with it so I asked my IT tech from work and they referred me to netgear nighthawk. They knew what they were talking about. No issue at the moment and the speed is immaculate! I even get WiFi across my neighbor house that how far it goes. No need to get an extender because it give you the bandwidth you need