DOCSIS 3.0 vs. 3.1: Which is Better for Your Internet? -CNET
What does DOCSIS mean?
DOCSIS stands for cable service interface specification data, the key there being ‘cable service’. It is the standard that determines how your modem does its job in transmitting cable Internet signals to and from your home. If you have cable internet, whether from Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, or one of the many regional providers, then you have a DOCSIS-compatible modem.
Modern cable modems comply with DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. Specifications for DOCSIS 4.0 have been released, but DOCSIS 4.0 modems are not currently available at retail.
So if you’re looking for a new cable internet modem, you have a choice of DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. As the numbers suggest, the two modem versions are comparable, but I would recommend opting for DOCSIS 3.1 if you don’t want to wait for a new 4.0 modem.
What are the differences between DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0?
Despite the simple one-tenth difference in versions, DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 modems vary in performance, prices and availability. DOCSIS 4.0 would imply a bigger performance jump, but the improvement is largely related to upstream capacity. Here’s a quick look at the benefits of each.
DOCSIS 3.0 modem benefits
- Price: DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems are generally cheaper than their 3.1 counterparts.
- Availability: When you buy a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, you will likely have more options, including used or refurbished devices.
DOCSIS 3.1 modem benefits
- Speed: DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems support higher speeds than DOCSIS 3.0 modems, so they are better suited for high-speed plans, especially those with gig speeds or higher.
- Security: DOCSIS 3.1 modems may provide better online security than 3.0 models, especially if you purchase a combination modem-router device.
DOCSIS 4.0 modem benefits
- Upload speeds: DOCSIS 4.0 is designed to “significantly increase upstream capacity,” according to CableLabsthe organization that draws up and tests DOCSIS specifications.
- Future-proof: DOCSIS 3.1 is the current standard, but 3.0 is still in use, almost twenty years after its introduction in 2006. It is safe to assume that 4.0 modems will be useful for many years to come.
DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0 specifications
| Device | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Price range | Specification issued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOCSIS 3.0 | 1Gbps | 100Mbps | $50 – $150 | 2006 |
| DOCSIS 3.1 | 10Gbps | 1Gbps | $150 – $250 | 2013 |
| DOCSIS 4.0 | 10Gbps | 6Gbps | N/A | 2019 |
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The main difference between DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 is that the latter can support download speeds 10 times faster than DOCSIS 3.0, up to 10 Gbps. DOCSIS 4.0 also supports downloads up to 10 Gbps, but is capable of significantly faster uploads, up to 6 Gbps. The symmetrical, or close, download and upload speed brings cable internet closer to matching the speed potential of fiber internet services.
DOCSIS 4.0 could pave the way for faster cable plans
Most cable providers already offer a gigabit subscription with maximum speeds of around 940 or 1,000 megabits per second. Astound, Cox, Xfinity and select other cable providers offer download speeds of over 1,000 Mbps.
With DOCSIS 4.0 technology, cable providers can offer even faster speeds using today’s hybrid cable/fiber infrastructure. According to CableLabs, DOCSIS 4.0 will provide “an increase in upstream capacity and more options for operators to increase downstream capacity.”
Yet DOCSIS 3.1 is the current standard for fast cable internet
If you choose speeds above 1 gig and rent your equipment, you will receive a modem router combo that comes with built-in DOCSIS 3.1 so you don’t have to worry about your modem’s specifications. Otherwise, if you choose to use your own equipment, you’ll want to spend a little extra for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to take full advantage of the plan’s speed potential.
What if I don’t need gig and multi-gigabit speeds?
The speed potential of DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 is impressive, but unless you have a high-speed plan, that may not matter. Suppose your selected plan offers speeds up to 200 Mbps. If you rent from your provider, the modem that comes with your equipment may be a DOCSIS 3.0 model, which can more than support your Internet connection.
If you choose to use your own modem, you probably won’t see much, if any, performance improvement if you purchase a DOCSIS 3.1 device instead of a DOCSIS 3.0 device. Considering the price difference and options available between the two, you are better off opting for DOCSIS 3.0 on lower internet plans.
DOCSIS 3.0 has more, cheaper options
DOCSIS 3.0 is the cheaper option when shopping for a modem or modem-router combo. New DOCSIS 3.0 modems can cost between $50 and $150 depending on the device you choose and the source you buy it from, but you may be able to score a used device for less than $50. On the other hand, DOCSIS 3.1 modems can easily cost $150 to $250 or higher.
Manufacturers such as Arris, Asus, Netgear and Motorola have been making DOCSIS 3.0 modems for years. These manufacturers also make DOCSIS 3.1 modems, but you will likely have fewer options than if you purchased a DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
DOCSIS 3.1 is safer and better for long-term use
Any major update to the Internet Protocol, such as the move from DOCSIS 3.0 to 3.1, will include enhanced security features. This is usually accompanied by improved encryption, so a DOCSIS 3.1 modem will likely be better equipped to keep your information safe. Moreover, the best router and modem combinations equipped with DOCSIS 3.1 will also include WPA3, a more advanced router security feature than older modem routers that may come with DOCSIS 3.0 and WPA2.
DOCSIS 3.0 was released in 2006 and DOCSIS 3.1 was released in 2013, which is quite a long time in the tech world – long enough for the initial security measures to become outdated. Modem manufacturers and ISPs regularly release security updates to keep your equipment safe. Still, I would recommend extra security software or using a good VPN to help improve your online security, especially when using a DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
Given the increase in home internet speeds and the need for up-to-date security, DOCSIS 3.1 is well on its way to completely replacing DOCSIS 3.0. That hasn’t quite worked out yet, especially since slower, cheaper cable internet plans can still get by with DOCSIS 3.0 technology.
Coming soon: DOCSIS 4.0
DOCSIS 4.0 technology is about to improve cable internet services, but it isn’t here yet. Xfinity is the only major cable internet provider that has begun rolling out DOCSIS 4.0, but only in select service areas in Atlanta, Georgia; Colorado Springs, Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
If you want to get ahead of the curve and purchase a DOCSIS 4.0 modem, you’re unfortunately out of luck. There are currently no DOCSIS 4.0 modems available for retail purchase, at least none that I could find from a trusted source.
Why choose one DOCSIS modem over another?
Since DOCSIS 4.0 modems are not yet available, your choice for a new or used device will come down to version 3.0 or 3.1. If you’re happy with a low or medium cable Internet plan, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will likely meet all your needs and at a lower price than a DOCSIS 3.1 device.
If you’re signing up for faster speeds, especially those approaching or exceeding 1 Gbps, or if you simply want a device that you know you can use for years to come, a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is the way to go. You’ll have to pay more for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, but chances are you’ll also pay a premium for those faster speeds, so you might as well equip your home with a device that lets you enjoy them.
