Modem/Router combination for best download and upload speed?

A bit late in the game here, but I thought a few pieces of information may be helpful in deciding what networking hardware you end up buying.

• Modem: As mentioned by others, it's important to contact your ISP to see which models they support (if you own it), or what they will provide you (renting it.) The key factor is the Modem's DOCSIS standard that it supports. For up to 1 Gbps upload/download service, DOCSIS 3.0 will suffice. If you should be lucky enough to get higher speed service, then you want to make sure that the modem will support DOCSIS 3.1.
• Router: Unfortunately, your current Apple AirPort Extreme will be the "bottleneck" as the very latest model was discontinued in early 2018 and is quickly becoming outdated for anything beyond 100 - 150 Mbps Internet service. There are many choices to go with. For consumer-grade routers, with excellent user configuration options, I would suggest that you look at those provided by either Asus or Synology. If you are looking for a more pro-sumer-grade routers, you may want to consider those by Ubiquiti.
• Gateway (combination modem & router): These, as you can imagine, are a compromise as they try to do all of the functions of both the modem and the router.
• Your network "backbone:" Is your home currently equipped with an Ethernet backbone? That is, does it have a wiring closet and have Ethernet runs throughout terminating at wall plates in the rooms where you want network connectivity OR do you want to go completely wireless throughout your home? Be aware, that if throughput performance is your main goal, wired connection still far exceed wireless ones.
• Your home's layout will play in where you will want to have wireless coverage, i.e., how many and where you will want to place wireless access points. Don't expect a single wireless router to cover your whole house, especially if it is multi-floored.

Anyways, just thought these might be helpful. Also a good source to compare what networking hardware is out there that is independent of the manufacturers' or magazine reviews (paid by those same manufacturers,) would be a website like, SmallNetBuilder. Good luck!

I can'r speak specifically to your case, but I use a Comcast combination modem/ router which provides exceptionally fast Wi-Fi. I have also noted that it does have two speeds and one needs to be selected. You need to work directly with your providers on issues with their products. Good luck.

You should be using a Router with two simultaneous independent bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. That is almost any Router you buy today. (That is also what an Apple airport extreme can do for you.)

Whether that can provide satisfactory results depends on two factors:

a) distance from Router to Mac and the building materials that intervene, and

b) competition from others in your 'network neighborhood'.

Most of the information online assumes you like in a sprawling suburban single-family house, far from your neighbors, and they write that what you need in more access points.

More readers post here with problems in their dense apartment blocks, and have too much competition from their neighbors' routers. What helps them is to move the origin of their networks connection closer to the center of their living space.

Generally speaking, more technology can allow for the possibility of higher speeds, but only if you already have great signal with little direct competition. (In which case you may not need more technology at all.)

one more solution that provides GREAT speeds and no interruptions is running an Ethernet cable. But in many cases, that is not a realistic option.

What MAY be an option with cable-internet is to move the Modem/Router to a different outlet on the cable-TV plant, somewhere else in the living space.

Getting the full advertised 300mbps from Spectrum depends on a lot of factors. The cable leading up to your home or office, the age of the cable and equipment in your neighborhood, plus the amount of users taxing the service.

If you are getting a steady 250mbps, then maybe that is all any of your neighbors are getting as well.

If you are getting slower or speeds or frequent outages, then maybe it's time to give Spectrum the boot.

Spectrum provides a modem/router combo for its customers. I personally have their modem only and Linksys Velop mesh routers. I have Spectrums’s gigabit service and get all of it on a wired connection. WiFi will never get that because of its nature and radio/electrical interference. I get about 725mbps on WiFi

Check with Spectrum to see what they allow for devices.

https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/compliant-modems-charter-network