Zoom 5350 Wireless Cable Modem Product Details
The Zoom 5350 combines a DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, a Wireless-N Router, and a four-port 1000/100/10 Mbps Ethernet Switch. The Model 5350 is approved by CableLabs for use on all cable systems in the US, including DOCSIS 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1 services. The Model 5350 has also received additional testing and approval from Comcast, Cox, time Warner Cable, CableOne and other cable service operators.
Shu Guice –
I got the Zoom yesterda and quickly installed it. The product manaul is aimed at WPS config but not so clear on how you can enable WEP. You actually have to disable WPS in order to have the option to enable WEP, which is not on the manual. I figured this out while I was waiting on the phone to try to talk to Zoom support. Ethernet works fast but not so with the wireless. I have a big house, the TV is in the far corner when using Roku with wireless, the signal is not stable. Now I have to consider a WI-FI access point. I think my old 2wire’s wireless might work even better than the Zoom.
Micah –
This cable modem works immediately out of the box, sets up simply and started working right away. I use Comcast. No problem to set up. Once set up, if you are nearby this thing is perfect. Wireless is fast, wired connections are fast, all is well.
In the next room there is a new Mac desktop, about 35 feet away from the Zoom and one wall. It barely picks up the signal.
If you have a home or anything you need a REAL wireless signal for, pick something else. If you want a great modem that will be placed exacty where most of your equipment is (e.g. behind the tv with multiple things connected), then it’s perfect.
I would still buy this, if for nothing else than the price for a good modem and a good router in one piece.
xbubbax –
Very easy to setup out of the box but documentation a bit lacking in explanation of configuration and features.
I guess it is assumed you already know how to configure your modem.
I did have a problem with an older HP/Compaq laptop running MS Vista.
It would not connect to internet using WPA or PSK, tried every thing I read in variuos blogs but nothing worked.
Discovered there was an update for the Atheros WiFi Adapter, downloaded and installed it – connects perfectly now.
Very fast 20MBS download speeds. Very pleased with product.
Jef A. Osborne –
Easy installation and works great. My 2 complaints are;
1. It’s really expensive
2. The range is not great
I’ve got a 6 year old Linksys that consistently has a better signal throughout the house. If you need a cable modem/router unit, this is good. If you need a cable modem/router unit that has great range, look elsewhere.
Reviewer 2 –
My modem started dropping internet connectivity. I work in the IT field, (sometimes from home).
I was using a 6″ fan blowing on the router, Yesterday, after dropping connection 3 times, I took the left cover off, and I am running it without the cover (plus the fan). There’s that last 5point-star screw under one of the little rubber foot pads, I got mine apart without breaking it.
Original review:
I had 3 components connected for networking, the Cable Modem, the Wireless Router, and my VONAGE transformer. This brought it down to 2. I still needed the Vonage converter in addition to the router, if this could have done all 3 functions, I would have been thrilled. Reviews on a device that served all three functions SUCKED, so I got this guy.
I’ve been using this for several months. So far, I haven’t had to do any reboots of this router. Was running a windows 7 pc as internet connection for netflix, etc where my router was upstairs, and the PC downstairs. Now I’m using a western digital WD TV box, and it’s working fine. Oh yeah, I bought a mini fan to cool off the router and vonage box on hot days, per recommendation of a friend.
P. Durrett –
I recently became a Comcast customer and didn’t want to pay a lease fee for a modem. After reading the reviews for this item on amazon I purchased. Setup was simple and I’m very happy to see they’ve combined the router and modem so I can reduce the clutter on my desktop. I have this in my office and use my Internet primarily in my bedroom and living room. I find that he doesn’t seem to push out a very strong signal. My office is near the front of my home so relocating it to a more central location may help. Otherwise, very happy.
BDRand –
The Zoom 5350 is a simple-to-set-up, excellent modem and wifi router. The effective range of the wifi signal is very good as well. Plenty of connection options. I’ve been using it for a few months now and it has performed perfectly well.
I would buy it again and would recommend it to others without reservation.
Homer3D –
I bought this because I use to have a modem and a router and figured it would be nice to have it all in one. Setup is easy. Worked good as a modem but as a router, not so good. The wired router part works flawlessly but the wireless range sucks. I live in a 2 story house with the office upstairs. Downstairs I have an internet enabled TV, set top box, blu-ray player, and my Xbox. All of which worked fine connecting via wifi before, but now cannot hold a stable connection. To test, I would take my iPhone and be in any room upstairs and run an internet speed tests. I would get close to my purchased speed (15-20Mbps). Go downstairs and maybe get 1 or 2 Mbps. I watch movies via Amazon Prime and I am unable to make it through 1 movie without it disconnecting 4 or 5 times. I did all the tweaks I could think of but nothing helped so I disabled the wifi on the Zoom and hooked up my almost 10 year old Linksys wifi router back up. Since then, I have had no issues with wifi connections and can stream HD on Amazon Prime again with no drops. If I knew I was going to have this problem with the Zoom I would have just purchased a cheaper modem only device.
TheConnoisseur –
I recommend for those who want the convenience of an all-in-one wireless modem/router.
I checked reviews of this before I purchased. Some bad reviews had me worried but I decided to try anyway.
Like others have mentioned, this model is “supported” by Comcast as listed on their website (there are about 8 or so others too). Another reviewer has the website location listed on their review.
Also, as others have said, the set-up process for this modem/router is a snap. I’m not very good with this type of technology but it was easy even for me!
I’ve only had for a week but I am a satisfied customer.
I prefer combo wireless modem/routers because I keep unplugged when I’m not using it. It allows me to tuck away in a drawer away from sight (all the bright lights and wires kind of make it an eyesore).
I also have a Zoom modem/router for DSL and it works great. So I’m starting to become a fan of Zoom products in general.
Buy it!
Eric Madis –
It is convenient to be able to use a combined modem and router. I purchased this for my son, who goes to Berklee College of Music and shares an apartment with three other guys. They rely heavily on their online access, since all homework is emailed and/or posted, including large music files, etc.
The Zoom 5350 works well as long as you are using an ethernet cord. Then it is as faster as you need it to be. However, like I have read in other reviews of the Zoom 5350, the wireless speed is less than half what it is with a cord. Some difference is to be expected between wireless and ethernet cord speed of course, but this is ridiculous.
As cool as the Zoom 5350 is, I cannot recommend it because of the extremely slow wireless speed. Sorry……
Alma –
I did not want to pay the cable company a rental fee of 8 dollars a month for using their modem so I got this one figuring it’s about one year worth of rental fees and I’ve paid off my own modem.
That said, I have not complaints about this modem at all so far. It came in, I called the cable company and gave them my mac address, 10min later I was online.
llalib –
So easy to set up. It was plugged in and working in minutes–has decent range in our house. When we got a new wireless printer, i simply pushed the button on the front of the router when prompted by the printer, and the two devices “talked” and everything was setup with no passwords required. It couldn’t be easier.
isambard –
I had a Linksys WCG200 I got several years ago (it had been on the list of recommended gateways on Comcast’s list) and I, like many other reviewers, had continual problems with it locking up and having to be re-booted. Comcast upgraded me to 25 MBS and told me I wouldn’t get any improvement with a DOCSYS 2.0 device. So I decided to bite the bullet and get a new gateway/router. I looked through their list of supported 3.0 models and went with the Zoom. But I did have some initial problems with accessing the modem to set it up — the login code they provided didn’t work. Zoom’s tech support was very slow (one half-hour wait that got disconnected and another 40-minute wait), but the tech was good and it was soon working fine. The automatic registration with Comcast didn’t work either, so I had to call them on the phone; but although it took another half-hour, it went smoothly. Since then I have had absolutely no problems and great performance.
Dustin K –
I’ve had two Motorola Surfboard Modem/Routers that I’ve leased from my cable company. The first lasted about 18 months, having to “unplug and plug it back it” every few days. The second lasted about two months. Knowing it would be quicker to order one on Amazon and have it over-nighted, rather than wait for a tech to come out and replace it, I opted to purchase this guy and eliminate the monthly rental fee.
I was slightly apprehensive in purchasing a Zoom, as the Motorola’s have higher product ratings. However, the price point was slightly less on this unit.
So far, this modem/router works much, much better than my previous units. I’ve yet to experience any network time outs, dropped signals, etc. Additionally, this router seems to send a stronger signal throughout my house.
The best feature is when I visit a speedtest website. I’ve tested it twice, each time ranging between 35 MBPS and 50 MBPS (My cable company caps us at 50MBPS.) Both of these tests were conducted during “high-traffic times”, between 5 and 7 PM on weeknights. With my previous modem, I was lucky to break 30.
I’ll update the review should this modem demonstrate any irregular behaviors in the next year. Otherwise, I’d definitely suggest this unit over renting a motorola!!
Iwona K. –
We were so excited to get this combo router/modem. We have internet through Comcast and we had to call and get them to hook it uo over their lines etc. That part took only about 20 minutes but we had to call back because the first person we spoke to was someone who had no idea what to do and all they did was took one number off the back of the modem and sent us on our merry way. Well, eventually we got it going and there have been problems since the start. It seems to have a spotty signal. We have 2 laptops, 2 computers and several tablets, smart phones, etc. The two computers are LANNED up to the unit and the rest operates on WiFi. It has been a series of dropped connections, one computer has internet but the other doesn’t, WiFi signal ALWAYS shows up as being present but that obviously doesn’t mean squat. So I got upset and I went in and I changed some settings via IP and it seems to be a bit better. Im still skeptical and sometimes out laptops and smartphones STILL lose signal. My boyfriend says that it is working great but that is because he set it up originally on his computer. So.. I don’t know, if I could redo thins whole thing I think I would continue paying the $8/month to rent Comcast’s crappy, but entirely dependable modem. Le sigh.
Michael E. Lewis –
Needed a new modem with built in router. This seemed to do the trick. When you have an external router from time to time you have to reboot it when the cable company updates software etc. I bought thus modem with built in router and could not get the wireless to connect. I contacted support from the manufacturer and they couldn’t help. I ended up buying an external router after all. I still used this as my modem and direct connect to my computer but can’t use the built in wireless.
D. Emmons –
I have had this for about a year now and am very happy with it. I have a summer house I wanted to put internet into. Time Warner said to avoid renting there equipment. I needed a wireless Modem/Router. I had never heard of Zoom but after reading many reviews of other manufactures I decided to give the Zoom a try. I have not had any issues with it and couldn’t be happier.
jdub002 –
Purchased in October 2013, and from day 1, my connection was terrible. Unfortunatly it took a little over 3 months to dignose the issue with my ISP to determine if it was this modem/router causing the issue or something on their end. I had to purchase another from a different manufacture. I am not sure if this is a defective product or if the whole line is bad, but previous reviews indicate its a problem with this item. Either way, I will not purchase anything from Zoom or ANTonline as they took a long time to get back to me after inquiring about getting the item replaced.
J W 1987 –
i puchased this unit for two reasons i needed the router for my magic jacks for home phone and for sepperate fax line and also because comcast was charging 7.99 month modem rental so in less than a year this will pay for its self i have noticed no differance in performence from comcast provided modem and this great unit
Brian P –
As others have commented, the Zoom 5350 has a good modem and a poor router. I bought it refurbished from Zoom for only $53, thinking that if the router didn’t perform well, I’d turn off the Zoom’s wireless and connect a separate router. That’s exactly what happened after only getting 20-30Mbps down and 5Mbps up on the Zoom, significantly less than Comcast/Xfinity’s Technicolor gateway that delivers twice the speed. (I have Comcast Blast 105Mbps service.) Surprisingly, using a direct connection via ethernet between the Zoom and my laptop, the unit downloaded data FASTER than the Comcast Technicolor gateway. Up to 105Mbps. Upload speeds were in the 10-12Mbps range. Despite the acceptable wired performance, though, When I called Zoom technical support, an uncaring tech rep told me I was lucky to get even 15Mbps down speed due to the Zoom’s dated chipset. (He recommended a more expensive Zoom device. )I recommend you purchase another modem/router. While the Zoom was in transit, I found out from T-Mobile, my wireless carrier, about the T-Mobile Personal CellSpot, a free rental by T-Mobile as long you have the carrier’s service. This router is actually an Asus AC-68U, a dual-band (2.4Mhz/5Mhz) device with top Wi-Fi speeds of 1900Mhps. It’s highly rated by PC Magazine and elsewhere. After connecting, the CellSpot to the Asus modem, my wireless download speeds increased to 50-60Mhps on the laptop and an unbelievable 145Mbps on my iPhone. You can also make Wi-Fi phone calls on your T-Mobile mobile phone. It’s a no-brainer, then, if you’re a T-Mobile customer. Buy a decent modem and have T-Mobile ship you the CellSpot. If you don’t have T-Mobile, consider buying a highly-rated cable/dsl modem and the TP-Link TL-WR841N router for $20 or less online. The TP-Link lacks 802.11ac and dual-band. Top download speed is 300Mbps, half of the T-Mobile CellSpot base speed but has top reviews in the major computer magazines. Before getting my CellSpot, I bought one online for $19 (free shipping). It’s still in shrink wrap; so I haven’t tested it. But I’m keeping it just in case I switch carriers and need a powerful router.Bottom-line. I don’t recommend the Zoom 5350 modem/router because of its dated chipset and poor wireless performance. Either buy a separate modem and router or pay more for a combo that performs well. Read Amazon reader surveys and check out the online computer/network sites.
Ramenani –
This is supposed to work with my xfinity connection, but it did not work I called the customer support and they said this has been removed from there list since it is out dated but they did not mention it in there website. the product is great but Xfinity is very bad with there updating there website.
Seagreen –
Have Blast! Internet through Comcast. They wanted to charge me an extra $10 a month to rent their modem, which I was not thrilled about given how expensive their services are already. I bought this refurbished and only paid $60, which is about half the price of new combo modem/WiFi routers. It came in a very professional box that included a letter saying that this modem works for ALL cable services, and not to listen to any con men that say otherwise. Needless to say, I set it up yesterday and it’s been working wonderfully. Now I have a modem that’s going to save me money in the long run!
Jason –
I have Comcast in downtown Seattle, and the speeds are fine for streaming Netflix — full HD quality almost all the time. Very few network drops (maybe 3 or 4 per year — which are annoying, but it could be worse). The bad part is the wifi connection. If you use wifi by itself, say on a gaming console when the wired connection is not being used, it works fine and is quick. But, if you attempt to use your laptop or mobile phone via wifi while the wired network is being used (e.g. Netflix), the connectivity basically drops to zero. You will get a few Facebook posts and maybe a single image if you’re lucky. Instagram images show up perhaps 33% of the time. Loading webpages is a thing of dreams.
subterfuge27 –
We picked this up because we were upgrading Internet speeds and it was on thr Time Warner recommended list. This would be fine for a small apartment, but the signal is not very strong and there’s no way to attach an antenna. If you have two floors or even more than a studio apartment, i highly suggest getting separate cable modem and wireless router. We will be reattaching our old router and shutting off the wifi on this combo modem.
Heidi –
Works well, had difficulty accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime services, but Zoom customer service helped quickly and efficiently. Gave clear directions of steps, stayed on line while I changed programming to allow access. Would purchase another Zoom product.
Lucky –
Save money on rental device Fromm Comcast.
Esdras cruz –
Muy bueno nunca tuve problemas
Dillons4 –
Since this is a gateway, it requires 2 reviews. The modem was very easy to set up and it connected easily to my ISP. Upload/download speeds are impressive and an improvement over the modem rented from our cable company.
The router/WiFi works well and was fairly easy to set up on our home network. The guest WiFi function is very useful since my children often have their friends over with their wireless devices.
The only thing missing is the ability to control the time that the WiFi is available. Although this does have the capability to disable/enable the WiFi manually using the built in router settings, many newer routers have the capability to shut off the WiFi function on an automatic basis to accommodate school nights.
All in all, this is a good value, sets up easily and performs very well.