WOW! (Wide Open West) has numerous modems that can be used for their internet service. Broken into two categories below (WiFi and DOCSIS 3.1), you will find the recommended WOW approved modems.
To receive WOW! phone service, you must use a WOW! supplied eMTA (cable modem and telephone adapter). Monthly lease fees apply.
Read the Cable Modem Buying Guide to help you choose a modem. Do not forget to purchase your modem accessories.
Internet providers have begun removing some DOCSIS 3.0 modems from their networks. To maximize the years of use from a modem, it is strongly recommended to purchase a DOCSIS 3.1 device (the latest standard).
Note: ApprovedModemList.com may receive a small commission from affiliate links, which helps to keep this website online.
Jump to the full WOW! approved modem list
Last Updated: May 1, 2022
Recommended WOW! Approved Modems for May 2022
Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
| Model # | Motorola MB8611 |
| DOCSIS | 3.1 |
| Color | Black |
| WiFi Router | No |
| VoIP Telephone Adapter | No |
Best WiFi Modem
| Model # | NETGEAR CAX80 |
| DOCSIS | 3.1 |
| Color | Black |
| WiFi Router | Yes (WiFi 6) |
| VoIP Telephone Adapter | No |
Full WOW! Approved Modem List
The Modems Listed Below Are All DOCSIS 3.0 Modems Unless Indicated as a DOCSIS 3.1 Modem
♦ Indicates an Intel Puma Chipset Defect – Do Not Buy
Note: ✅ means Yes, ❌ means No
| Brand | Model # | Channels | VoIP | WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARRIS | G34 ♦ | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | G36 ♦ | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | DG2460 ♦ | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | S33 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| ARRIS | SB6190 ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ❌ |
| ARRIS | SB8200 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| ARRIS | SBG7400AC2 ♦ | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | SBG7580-AC ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | SBG7600AC2 ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ARRIS | SBG8300 ♦ | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| ASUS | CM-32 ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| Linksys | CG7500 ♦ | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| Linksys | CM3024 ♦ | 24×8 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Motorola | MB7621 | 24×8 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Motorola | MB8600 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Motorola | MB8611 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Motorola | MG7700 | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| Motorola | MG8702 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | C6900 | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | C7000 | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | C7000v2 | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | C7500 | 24×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | C7800 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | CM600 | 24×8 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM700 ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM1000 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM1000v2 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM1100 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM1200 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CM2000 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ❌ |
| NETGEAR | CAX30S | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | CAX80 | DOCSIS 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ |
| NETGEAR | CBR40 ♦ | 32×8 | ❌ | ✅ |
Channels: first # refers to downstream channels, second # refers to upstream channels (e.g. 16×4, means 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels)
DOCSIS 3.1 offers the fastest speeds
VoIP: indicates if the modem has telephone capability
WiFi: indicates if the modem has WiFi capability
WOW! Approved Modems Removed in February 2021
ARRIS SB6120
ARRIS SB6121
ARRIS SB6141
ARRIS SB6180
ARRIS SB6182
ARRIS SBG6400
ARRIS SBG6580
ARRIS SBG6700-AC
ARRIS SBG6782-AC
Cisco/Linksys DPC3008
Cisco DPC3010
Cisco DPC3825
D-Link DCM-301
Linksys CM3008
Motorola MB7220
Motorola MG7310
Motorola MG7315
NETGEAR C3000-100NAS
NETGEAR C3000v2
NETGEAR C3700-100NAS
NETGEAR C3700v2
NETGEAR C6220
NETGEAR C6300BD
NETGEAR CG3000D
NETGEAR CG3000Dv2 N450
NETGEAR CG4500BD
NETGEAR CM400
Ubee DDW365
Ubee DDW366
WOW! Approved Modems Removed in April 2021
ARRIS SB6183
ARRIS SBG10
ARRIS SBG6900-AC
ARRIS SBG6950AC2
ASUS CM-16
Linksys CM3016
Motorola MB7420
Motorola MG7540
Motorola MG7550
NETGEAR C6250
NETGEAR C6300
NETGEAR C6300v2
NETGEAR CM500
SMC D3CM1604
WOW! Company Information
WOW! Phone Support: 1-866-496-9669
WOW! serves the following areas: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Bought a netgear c7000v2 which according to this list is compatible (And is advertised at the top as the best pick for a modem and wifi combination). I spent 42 minutes on the phone with wow only to find out it is not compatible and I need to drive back to the store and hope the next one I pick off of this list will be so we can try again. I would recommend updating this list to reflect modems that actually work.
Sorry for the issue you are having, Nicholas. WOW! does not provide an actual approved modem list like most other ISPs. The list WOW! provides states that if you purchase a DOSCIS 3.0 or DOCSIS 3.1 modem, it should work on the their network. If others have issues with the NETGEAR C7000v2 it will be updated.
WOW! previously listed specific modem models as approved; they no longer do that. In general, any DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 modem should work with the WOW! network.
Any one else have issues with the NETGEAR C7000v2 working on the WOW! network?
Modem Gurus: I dealt with WOW for a year, they do have an approved hardware list, (https://approvedmodemlist.com/wow-approved-modems) and they actually software limit other hardware. I purchased Gigabit speed internet and my combo modem/router which was DOCSIS compatible yet their own chart said they limited it to 250MPS. This is an attempt to drive subscribers to their equipment and additional rental costs.
Which device are you using, DougE? For 1 Gigabit speed, you will need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem.
No real performance issues, but cannot get a firmware update. No update and then Nighthawk app doesn’t work. Neither Netgear or WOW want to take responsibility. Customer is just left hanging
Unfortunately you have to wait on WOW! to launch the firmware update to you, Keith. The modem manufacturer creates the firmware update and then passes it on to the ISP. The ISP then tests the update on their network to make sure it works and doesn’t create any harm to their service. This will happen with each firmware update, unfortunately. It is the ISP’s responsibility to push firmware updates to your modem.
Yes I have the same problem. Cable installer said wow has a problem with this.
Yes, my c7000v2 firmware can not be updated per WoW customer service. They do not support a modem that does come from them. I am having issues with slow speeds and WoW keeps pushing me to buy everything from them. I am very close to leaving WoW. Errr
James, if you have the option of another internet service provider, it may be time for some new internet service.
Yes. My C7000 v2 stopped working right. Any suggestions?
Did you try unplugging the device for a couple of minutes and plugging it back in to allow it to reboot? Terry, if that doesn’t fix your issue, the next step is to contact WOW! to determine if they can communicate with your C7000v2. They will either say everything looks good on their end (you may possibly have a defective device) or they need to send a technician to look at your cable line.
Is there a recommended modem for WOW’s 1GB internet service that also supports WOW’s phone service?
No, you must use a WOW! supplied modem for phone service and monthly lease fees will apply.
Why must I use (and pay monthly fees for) a WOW modem if I have phone service? With other providers (e.g. Xfinity), this is not the case. With their service I can purchase my own modem.
Some internet providers require their own modems for phone service to be sure the phone service works properly on their network. Unfortunately, it is WOW!’s network, their rules. Terry, you can ditch the WOW! phone service and use a non-phone modem if you combine it with something like an Ooma device (Ooma handles your phone service).
I have an ARRIS DG 2470 I have been renting from WOW for a couple years now.
This model is not listed on your approved for Feb 2021 modem list or on your removed modems for Feb 2021.
Is there a newer better model I should be using?
If that is the modem WOW! gave to you, then you are fine continuing to use it. If you want to purchase your own cable modem, then you should pick one from the list. Babaluie, if you are getting connection issues with the ARRIS DG2470, it will likely be due to the bad Intel Puma chipset in the device. If you are not having any problems, no need to switch devices.
Is it true that with if you have internet and phone, you MUST use their router/modem for services to work? This is what I was told after I switched over to WOW and had their service several months before they alerted me about other router/modems and pay their monthly fees.
That is true, Silvrladee. You can view this notation on the WOW! approved modem page (look under the table). Unfortunately, a few internet service providers (ISP) require use of their own equipment for phone service to work properly.
You can eliminate phone service by using a mobile phone or purchasing an Ooma device. Ooma uses any internet connection to deliver phone service to your home regardless of your ISP.
So my Motorola MG7550 modem quit working Memorial Day. Is this an issue with the modem or did WOW turn it off?
Likely WOW! deactivated your device because it is only a 16-channel download modem. You can see here that WOW! has announced that a 24-channel download modem (minimum requirement) is now required for their network. Scott, if you are upgrading, go with a DOCSIS 3.1 modem as all DOCSIS 3.0 modems will eventually stop working on WOW!’s network.
Not sure if that is correct. I recently signed up with WOW and successfully connected my Motorola MG7540 modem to their network. Its a 16×4
Well you got lucky, Dan. As the link shown above states, WOW! no longer allows 4×4 channel or 8×4 channel modems to be activated. WOW! states nothing about 16×4 channel devices, so that is a grey area for the company right now. The minimum requirement is a 24×8 channel modem. Others may not have luck activating a 16×4 device. But as anyone purchasing a new modem today should certainly be looking to acquire a DOCSIS 3.1 modem for the future anyway, as all DOCSIS 3.0 modems will be end-of-life soon.
SB8200 doesn’t seem like it’s supported anymore. At least not with a router, DNS is hosed and WOW tells me to contact Arris, Arris says it’s either WOW or my router’s fault of course.
The ARRIS SB8200 should certainly be supported by WOW! as it is one of the most popular DOCSIS 3.1 modems. Did you try your internet connection without using your router? The router could be the problem.
43 modems were removed from the WOW compatible list in 2021 !! How convenient for WOW and certainly not for the owners of those modems. Even if you bought one of the expensive modems that stayed on the approved list, what prevents WOW from cutting off the service the very next day? We just bought an approved Motorola modem, with tax, over $325 – that is almost 30 months worth of a WOW-rented modem at $14. I guess WOW won. Rent the modem.
Thanks, Allison, for the comment. With DOCSIS 3.0 devices being phased out, it is why at the top of the page it is strongly recommended to purchase a DOCSIS 3.1 modem.