Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.
If you are renting a modem from an internet service provider, it is most likely a modem and router combo. Buying a combo unit is the most cost-effective way to replace a rental, especially if you stream content to wireless devices in your home network like phones, tablets or laptops. The Motorola MG7550 is a high-speed cable modem and gigabit router packaged together in one well-designed housing. If you're looking for a DSL modem-router, check out the Netgear AC1600.
The modem features 16 downstream channels capable of downloading at 686 Mbps, and four upstream channels capable of 123 Mbps uploads. Like the Motorola MB7420, the MG7550 unit’s modem portion includes a full-band digital tuner that automatically finds the channels with the least amount of traffic and focuses its work through those channels. This means you get a fast and reliable network connection.
The router portion of the MG7550 is a 3 x 3 gigabit router, which means it has three send and three receive channels. It is more than capable of broadcasting content throughout a small- or medium-size home or office. There are four Gigabit Ethernet connections on the back panel for hard-wiring to a computer, gaming console and other Ethernet-capable devices.
The MG7550 is supported by four of the largest cable internet providers: Comcast, Charter Spectrum, Time Warner and Cox. These companies charge as much as $120 per year to rent a modem that is likely less efficient at delivering service than the MG7550. At less than $200, your investment will pay for itself long before the two-year Motorola warranty term has expired.
The front panel has seven LED indicators to alert you of the status of the router and modem. Ideally you will see five green LEDs and two blue LEDs if you are using bonded channels and transmitting wireless content. The status indicators are clearly defined in the user manual supplied in the retail packaging. If you misplace the user manual, it is available for download on the manufacturer’s website.
The rear panel is color-coded for easy setup. The yellow section houses the four Gigabit Ethernet connections. Below the Ethernet outputs is a red section that include a reset button and buttons to turn WLAN and WPS on and off. Turning the WLAN button off disables the Wi-Fi output. You need to enable the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button if you want to allow devices, such as phones and tablets, to use the wireless network without entering a password every time they connect.
The blue section on the rear panel holds the coaxial connection that sends data to the modem. Below the coax connection is a power switch and power supply input. Placing the heavy coax connection and power supply input near the bottom of the MG7550 helps keep the vertical-standing device upright.
Motorola offers a two-year manufacturer warranty. If you have questions regarding your modem and router combo, you can contact the company’s U.S.-based technical support team either by email or phone.
If you are currently renting a modem from one of the larger cable providers, it is probably a modem and router combo. The Motorola MG7550 modem-router can replace that combo unit and save you money within the first year of ownership.
