Best MoCA Adapter: Reviews Of Our Top Picks in 2020
- By Douglas Moore
- May 12, 2020
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Table of Contents
Whether you’re an avid gamer, need high-speed internet for work, or simply have a full house that’s in dire need of reliable, fast internet for your home entertainment units, you’re one of many on the search for the Holy Grail of fast internet.
Trouble is, a lot of the time people aren’t exactly sure what the Holy Grail of fast internet is.
Most tech-savvy folks will tell you that a hardwired Ethernet connection is unbeatable, and this is true. A wireless connection can waver, plagued by interference and dips in connection strength. Only with an Ethernet cable can you dream of reaching the fastest speeds offered by your ISP.
However, you can’t exactly drill holes in your walls to establish Ethernet connections to every single device. And you probably don’t want cables running all over the place, either.
A simple solution to all this is a MoCA adapter. A MoCA adapter can provide a wired connection to whichever device needs it, but at the same time can significantly improve your home’s wireless network. It will improve your wireless signal strength, kill all the Wi-Fi dead zones in your home, and provide you with a fast, lag-free connection that can almost compete with a hardwired Ethernet connection.
But with so many options on the market, how can you know which MoCA adapter is the best choice? That’s what we’re here for! We’ve compiled a list of the best MoCA adapters on the market which will bring the fastest and most reliable connection to the devices in your home network. We have options that vary in maximum internet speed and price so that you can find one that’s just right for you.
Best MoCA Adapters
Don’t have time? Here’s a quite overview of the features offered by our favorite MoCA adapters:
What is MoCA?
MoCA stands for Multimedia over Coax Alliance, a type of technology that uses the existing coaxial cables in your home and connects them into a single, wired internet network. MoCA adapters are based on wired technology, so they’re a great way to provide multiple devices in the home or office with a low-lag, reliable, and fast internet connection that won’t be subject to interference.
In fact, MoCA adapters can help you get the best performance from your internet connection. You can get up to 2.5Gbps of internet speed and latency as low as 3.5 ms. For dependable, uninterrupted HD streaming and lag-free gaming, MoCA is an excellent solution.
Imagine that you wanted a stronger, wired connection for the devices in your home. A wireless network has some drawbacks – like more frequent interference, drops in connection, lag, and dead zones. On the other hand, using Ethernet cables means drilling holes and running wires all over the place. Well, MoCA solves the issue in an elegant way.
How Do MoCA Adapters Work?
MoCA adapters use your existing TV coaxial cable to connect to cable TV services and share a reliable, high-speed internet connection with other devices in your home. Most homes already have multiple coaxial ports at their disposal.
The way this works is you connect the MoCA adapter to your router or Wi-Fi AP (access point). If you connect the adapter to your router, you can then connect other devices to it for a wired connection using an Ethernet cable. If you connect it to a wireless AP, you can increase the wireless reach and strength and wirelessly connect devices to the AP.
The adapter works as a pathway for your home’s data traffic, providing a reliable connection and faster internet speeds. As MoCA-based networks operate between 500MHz and 1.5GHz, they can avoid interference with broadcasts thanks to the coaxial connection to cable TV services.
How Does Setup Work for MoCA Adapters?
Setup with most MoCA adapters – certainly all the options on our list – is generally very simple. Most have simple plug-and-play installation – you connect the coaxial cord to one end and the Ethernet cable to the other. Easy peasy.
Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need at least two MoCA adapters in your home. For instance, you will need to plug one adapter into your router or modem to get the internet connection onto the MoCA network, and another one into your device that you want to connect to the internet, like a remote Wi-Fi access point, a TV, a computer, or a gaming console.
Another thing to keep in mind in terms of setup is that MoCA adapters don’t work with satellite TV, only cable. So if you have something like DIRECTV or Dish, a MoCA adapter won’t cut it.
Alright, we’ve rambled on enough. Let’s get to it!
Best Overall: Motorola MM1000 MoCA Adapter
Our overall top pick for a MoCA adapter is the Motorola MM1000. This model offers excellent value for your money, as it features reliable performance, fast internet speeds, a secure connection for your home network, and more – for quite a reasonable price. Setup is easy and straight-forward, and the MM1000 is compatible with other MoCA versions.
Pros:
The Motorola MM1000 offers dependable and fast performance. As it uses cable TV (or fiber-optic services), your connection won’t experience any interference. At the same time, MoCA won’t interfere with your TV or internet service, as it shares the coaxial cable. You can connect a router and any other smart device via ethernet ports to get incredible internet speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps (1Gbps).
You can connect up to 16 devices to your router through Motorola MoCA adapters. The bonded MoCa 2.0 adapter will increase the speed and lower the latency of the connected devices in your home. So next time you’re streaming in HD or gaming, you won’t be experiencing lag or high ping.
The Motorola MM1000 MoCA adapter is easy to set up and run. It works over the same coaxial cables that you use for your fiber-optic internet or cable TV. To set it up, all you need to do is plug in the cable. You don’t need any technical know-how, as the adapter comes with preconfigured settings.
The Motorola MM1000 is also easy to combine with other MoCA adapters. If you already have more MoCA adapters at home, or plan to purchase some, you’ll be happy to know that the Motorola MM1000 is compatible with other MoCA versions, like 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, and 2.5.
Lastly, this adapter comes with an amazing 2-year warranty and professional, US-based customer support.
Cons:
In a handful of cases, there has been trouble connecting this adapter to a TiVo cable.
- Upgrade the backbone of your home WiFi system with the Motorola Moca Adapter
- Faster, reliable connections: By using your home’s existing coax wires to create a connection between your router and any device with an Ethernet port
Runner-Up: Actiontec MoCA Adapter
This bonded MoCA 2.0 adapter provides a fast and reliable internet connection and is extremely easy to set up. You can also opt for a discounted 2-pack option, since, as we already mentioned, you’ll need at least two adapters in your home or office. We had a tough time choosing between the Motorola and Actiontec for the top placement on our list – so it suffices to say that the Actiontec MoCA adapter came in as a very close second. The main difference between the two is the design, and we’ll go over the details.
Pros:
The Actiontec offers matching speeds to the Motorola, featuring up to 1Gbps of internet speed. It also provides you with a reliable internet connection that outperforms wireless options in terms of speed and latency.
The Actiontec can be used for wired connections to your devices, or to allow you to set up a second Wi-Fi router in a distant part of your home or office, allowing you extend your existing Wi-Fi network.
Setting up the Actiontec is really easy. You won’t need to do any configurations of the adapter, or re-configurations of the router in most cases. All you need to do is plug cables in!
The main difference in design between the Motorola and the Actiontec is the placement of ports on the device. The Motorola has all ports on one side, while the Actiontec has the coax ports on one end and the other ports (LAN and power) on the other end. Additionally, the Actiontec is slightly larger. Which design is better is a matter of preference.
Cons:
One drawback of the Actiontec MoCA adapter is that it’s a bit pricey. However, you do get a discount if you buy a 2-pack.
The other possible drawback is the design. Some people prefer to have all ports on one side, for a neater look.
- Boost Your MoCA Network with this add-on for a 1Gbps ethernet-coax connection, surpassing traditional Wi-Fi speeds. Speeds vary due to network traffic, materials, and connected devices. Check compatibility with Bonded MoCA 2.0 for optimal performance.
- Enhance Gaming and Streaming with our Carrier-Grade ECB6250 Add-On, featuring a 1Gbps network card for top 4K/HD performance. The carrier-grade ECB6200 with Bonded MoCA 2.0 achieves 1Gbps speeds while remaining a more cost-effective option.
Fastest Speeds: Translite MoCA 2.5 Adapter TL-MC84
The Translite MoCA 2.5 TL-MC84 comes in a set of two adapters, and they offer some of the fastest internet speeds on the market. You can get data transfer speeds of up to 2.5Gbps, so it’s a good choice for those looking for the fastest internet connection. The Translite adapters will also tighten the internet security in your home when using MoCA, and offer some flexible customization features.
Pros:
The Translite MoCA adapters come with a number of useful features. To begin with, they are backward interoperable with other MoCA versions, like 2.0 and 1.1. Additionally, they come with added security tools such as enhanced privacy. They also come with a management proxy, network-wide beacon power, bridge detection, and the possibility for remote management via TR-069.
These MoCA adapters also offer some flexibility in configuration in terms of the frequency range. The high-frequency range is between 1125 and 1675 MHz, and you can select the exact channel based on the requirements of your network.
Like other MoCA adapters, the Translite adapters will completely minimize the chances of interference. In addition to the frequency range which is unique to these adapters, the Translite also comes with a physical layer of advanced ACMT which is actually OFDMA, so it has high interference-proof capabilities by avoiding lower-range frequency signals.
Lastly, design. Like the Motorola, the Translite adapters have all ports placed on one end of the device.
Cons:
Although the Translite adapters are meant to go up to 2.5Gbps in internet speed, some users have found the throughput slightly lacking.
Another drawback is that the Translite adapters are the priciest on our list. A two-pack of any other recommendation comes out cheaper, even the Actiontec.
- MoCA 2.5 offers actual data rates up to 2.5 Gbit/s, continues to be backward interoperable with MoCA 2.0 and MoCA 1.1, and adds MoCA protected setup (MPS), Management Proxy, Enhanced Privacy, Network wide Beacon Power, Bridge detection and TR-069 remote management.
- Flexible frequency selection: It works at high frequency range. Frequency range is between 1125~1675 MHZ. Channels can be flexibly selected based on network condition.
Best on a Budget: goCoax 2.5 MoCA Adapter
The goCoax 2.5 MoCA Adapter is our favorite budget-friendly option. It has a lot to offer for an affordable price: fast internet speeds of up to 2.5Gbps, lots of flexible configuration settings, and easy setup.
Pros:
Like the Translite, goCoax is also a version 2.5 MoCA adapter, so it’s meant to reach internet speeds as fast as 2.5Gbps. Plus, lag can be as low as 3ms. This will allow multiple members in your home to stream and game in HD or 4K with a smooth, fast, lag-free connection.
The goCoax offers even more versatility, not unlike the Translite. As it’s also a 2.5 model, it comes with power save, MoCA protected setup, network-wide beacon power, enhanced privacy, and a management proxy.
The goCoax adapter is a great choice for those who like to play with granular setup options. The goCoax adapters offer a lot of flexible configurability and versatile features on their web interface.
Setting up the goCoax is quite easy, as it’s plug-and-play.
Cons:
The Ethernet port for this unit is a bit flimsy, so you may have a bit of trouble connecting the Ethernet cable securely.
- MoCA 2.5 can offer extremely high bandwidth of 2.5 Gbps. This bandwidth are shared by all the MoCA devices in the same coaxial network. That is more than enough to allow streaming 4K/8K videos at the same time, while still playing an online game and transferring pictures from a computer or a mobile device to a television for viewing.
- Combined with the GE Ethernet inerface, our product can provide the real 1Gbps backhual to your home network. This is a cost effective and amazing upgrading.
Conclusion
The overall best MoCA adapter on the market today is the Motorola MM1000 MoCA Adapter. Not only does it come with excellent performance, but it’s also the best value you can get for the money. A single unit costs $69.99 on Amazon, which is quite affordable compared to other options. The MM1000 offers consistently reliable and fast internet speeds up to 1Gbps. Additionally, it’s compatible with most other MoCA adapter versions, both previous and later. We also love the design on the Motorola, since all ports are placed on one end of the device for a neat-looking setup. This adapter comes with a 2-year warranty.
The runner-up for the best MoCA adapter is the Actiontec MoCA Adapter. It shares most of the amazing features of the Motorola – including the maximum speed and reliability. However, the Actiontec is pricier, costing $49.99 on Amazon. Getting a two-pack comes with a good discount though, as you can get the second adapter for 40% less. The design of the Actiontec is a bit different, too, as the ports are divided between the two ends of the device.
The adapter which offers the fastest speeds is the Translite MoCA 2.5 Adapter TL-MC84. As it’s a v2.5 MoCA adapter, it can also support internet speeds of up to 2.5Gbps. It also has a flexible frequency range which you can tune based on the needs of your network. This adapter is quite pricey as well, as a two-pack costs $99.99 – more than a two-pack of any other option on this list.
And speaking of prices, you don’t need to pay a lot to get a decent adapter, and the goCoax 2.5 MoCA Adapter is proof of that. A single adapter costs just Price not available on Amazon, so you can easily afford two – or however many you need for your home network. It provides the same maximum internet speed of 2.5Gbps, just like the Translite. The goCoax web interface offers a lot of flexible configuration options, so if you like fiddling with granular settings, go for it!
How To Choose The Right MoCA Adapter
Alright, so now you know what the best MoCA adapters on the market are, but which one is the best choice for you? Here are a couple of factors you should consider while choosing.
Internet Speed
What maximum internet speed are you hoping to achieve? And what sort of an internet plan are you on? Make sure that the internet package you’ve purchased from your ISP is compatible with your new MoCA adapter. If you’ve bought an internet plan that can go up to 2.5Gbps data transfer speed, but have a MoCA adapter with a 1Gbps limitation, you won’t be able to optimize the power and speed of your connection.
Design
Some MoCA adapters have all ports on one end, while others divide them between two ends. Figure out what you prefer aesthetically, and also what would be a better fit for your home. The Motorola and Translite have all ports on one end, while the Actiontec and the goCoax have the coaxial ports on one end, and the Ethernet and power cable ports on the other end.
Some people find having all ports on one side a neater option. The advantage of having ports on two sides, on the other hand, is that it’s easier to connect the various cables in some homes.
Budget
The price of MoCA adapters can range from about $60 to over $100 per device. Keep in mind that you’ll likely be buying at least two, and check which models come with a 2-pack discount. But don’t worry if you’re not able to afford the priciest recommendation – our top pick, the Motorola, is not much more expensive than our cheapest choice! Money doesn’t always guarantee quality.
A Few Words Before You Go…
Hopefully, our reviews and buying guide have been helpful in your search for the best MoCA adapter for your home. MoCA adapters are a great way to keep the whole family happy when it comes to a lag-free, fast internet connection. You’ll be able to game, work, and stream without fear of drops in connection. Plus, they’ll help you strengthen your Wi-Fi signal if you want to add extra Wi-Fi routers to your home and eliminate dead zones!
In case you need it, here’s a reminder of our top picks:
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I have an existing home Ethernet network (which connects to the Internet via a new Arris S33 cable modem) and would like to continue using my old Motorola MG7550 (cable modem/wireless router) just as a wireless router. However, the MG7550 does not have an RJ45 WAN port, so I cannot just plug the MG7550 into the Ethernet network.
That said, could I connect the MG7550 to the Ethernet network via coax and a MoCA adapter?
Hi Charlie,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that configuration won’t work – you’ll need a wireless router that has an RJ45 WAN port.
I understand the Ethernet port on all units reviewed here limit throughout to one gigabit. If so, your conclusion is flawed: 2.5 gigabit option on some units only helps if you have a lot of traffic over coax
I.e. >2 connections. If you are only using 2 units, the one gigabit will work the same as the 2.5 gigabit option.
The higher maximum speed will also help you maintain a higher speed over lower quality cables as well.