The best modem for your household will depend on the service you subscribe to. If your cable company offers 100 Mbps plans, you won’t be able to take advantage of that without a high-speed, DOCSIS 3.0 modem. However, if you’re only subscribing to a 20 Mbps or lower plan, an older DOCSIS 2.0 modem may work just fine. Before you go out and purchase a modem, check with your local cable provider. Their website should provide a list of approved modems for each level of service. If not, give them a call. Most cable providers also offer a rental option. While this will likely be more expensive in the long run to purchasing your own, it means you will always get a new modem when you need it.