Review on 📶 MOTOROLA MB7420 Cable Modem - 16x4, White - 686 Mbps DOCSIS 3.0: Ultimate Internet Connectivity! by Joe Unruh

This review was written the same day I received the modem so don't count on it for long term experience. The setup process went well, the modem is working correctly. I get the speed I pay for, same as before. I bought the modem because my provider is in the process of updating their network and once the updates are complete I will need a 16 channel modem to keep my current plan with the new speeds they are offering. I wanted to write this review to provide some useful information to anyone considering this model as I would like to find documentation for newer modems before purchasing. First, it is the heat generated by the device. I have attached a photo taken with a thermal camera showing the modem after 2 hours of use. At its hottest point, it reads 111 degrees Fahrenheit. (Approximately 44 degrees Celsius) This indicates that the modem is warm to the touch but not hot. I also measured the modem's standby power consumption with a kill-a-watt meter. This happens with a modem connected to the network and some devices connected through a router with some connections open but no active downloads or streaming. The idle power consumption is an average of 7.7 watts. I like the modem itself, although at the moment I'm not sure I'll keep it. Compared to my previous modem (SB6141), both power consumption (5.9W vs. 7.7W) and heat output (98F vs. 111F) are higher. On the other hand, it offers twice as many channels and twice as much maximum speed. Given the jump in performance, the difference between the two likely means that the MB7420 is actually better in terms of performance per watt. If you need the speed that this modem is capable of, then this is a very good option.