NETGEAR
NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000
$299.99
Best Cable Modems · head-to-head
NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 vs Motorola B12
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Motorola B12 is cheaper at $130.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Motorola
Motorola B12
$130.95Cheaper
Which is better: the NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 or Motorola B12?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Motorola B12 is the cheaper at $130.95.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 | Motorola B12 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299.99 | $130.95 |
| Brand | NETGEAR | Motorola |
| Released | — | — |
| Docsis version | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Max download (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Max upload (Gbps) | 1 | — |
| Channel bonding | — | 32x8 |
| Ofdm channels | — | 2x2 |
| Ethernet ports | 3 | 1 |
| Max ethernet speed (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Link aggregation | Yes | No |
| Mid split support | Yes | Yes |
| Active queue management | — | Yes |
| Weight grams | 495 | — |
Sources — NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000: netgear.com (verified 2026-07-11). Motorola B12: en-us.support.motorola.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 and Motorola B12?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (2 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Ethernet ports: NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 3 vs Motorola B12 1
- Link aggregation: NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 true vs Motorola B12 false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000
Only one whitelisted tester — Tom's Guide's 2026 cable-modem roundup (updated 17 Feb 2026) — covers the CM3000, as qualitative buying-guide prose with no published benchmarks for this model. It praises the future-proof 2.5 Gbps download ceiling, sleek Wi-Fi 7-ready vertical design, and extra gigabit ports for link aggregation, but flags the $299 price (most expensive in the roundup) and that it only makes sense with a rare, pricey multi-gig internet plan. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Future-proof multi-gig download ceiling (up to 2.5 Gbps); Sleek vertical, Wi-Fi 7-ready design with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port; Extra gigabit ports enabling link aggregation.
Flagged: Most expensive modem in the roundup at $299; Only worthwhile with a rare/expensive multi-gig internet plan.
Motorola B12
Only one whitelisted tester, Tom's Guide, covers the Motorola B12, and only as a design-first roundup pick (Best for simplicity), not a benchmarked review; no lab speed numbers were published for this model. It is praised for a uniquely compact, decor-friendly build, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, the MotoSync app and a two-year warranty, but flagged for a single status LED and ISP setup friction. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Uniquely compact, decor-friendly design that hides in plain sight; 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port for multi-gig cable plans; Easy setup and management via the MotoSync app.
Flagged: Only a single status indicator light; Setup issues reported with some ISPs.