The Best MoCA Adapters to Buy (2023)

Example MoCA Home Network Kevin Jones / TechReviewer

When I discovered that MoCA adapters existed, I had just spent a week moving Wi-Fi routers and Wi-Fi access points around my house. I was trying to get a good signal upstairs, downstairs, and outside at the same time. I didn't want to run an Ethernet cable out a window or drill a hole in a wall or floor, so I was stuck with moving around a Wi-Fi access point.

That was until I realized that I already had wire in the walls—coax cable! But wait, you can't use coax cable for Ethernet communication, can you? The answer turned out to be yes, you can!

This article will show you how you can use MoCA adapters in your home and which ones I recommend.

Check out my recommended MoCA Adapter below.

Best MoCA Adapter

Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Runner-up

goCoax MoCA 2.5 Adapter with 2.5GbE Ethernet Port Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Considerations for Choosing a MoCA Adapter

Each version of MoCA supports different speeds. MoCA versions are generally backward compatible but will run at lower speeds when used with older versions.

MoCA 2.5 is the latest commercially available version. MoCA 2.5 provides 2.5 Gbps of network throughput and supports up to 16 adapter nodes.

MoCA versions 2.0 and up include additional security features, such as MoCA protected setup (MPS) and signal power and network management features.

Even though MoCA 2.5 adapters support a total network throughput of 2.5 Gbps, some adapters only have a 1 Gbps Ethernet port. This lower-speed 1 Gbps port would limit the maximum speed of data through an adapter to 1 Gbps.

Some adapters, such as the Actiontec ECB7250, allow for frequency configuration. Configurability can be helpful if you want to avoid a particular frequency range, to prevent the adapters from connecting with existing MoCA devices, such as routers or DVRs.

What You Need to Set Up a Home MoCA Network

Setting up a MoCA Home network is quite simple, as it often requires no software configuration.

• If you have a router that supports MoCA already, you need a minimum of one additional MoCA adapter.
• If your router does not support MoCA, or you want to create a separate coax network for MoCA, then you'll need at least two MoCA adapters. Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

MoCA adapters may come with short Ethernet cables, coax cables, and a coax splitter.

• If your MoCA adapters don't come with Ethernet cables, you'll need Cat 6 or Cat 6a Ethernet cables for each adapter. Tripp Lite Cat6a 10G Patch Cable 3ft Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• If your MoCA adapters don't come with coax cables, you'll need short RG-6 coax cables to connect each adapter to the wall. 3FT RG6 Coaxial Cable (2 Pack) Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• If your MoCA adapters don't come with coax splitters and you are connecting multiple cables, you'll need MoCA compatible coax splitters that support up to 1625 MHz. Coax Splitter MoCA 5-2450 MHz Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• To ensure that the MoCA communication is not accessible by a neighbor, you'll need to ensure that the coax cable coming into your home has a MoCA POE Filter. MoCA POE Filters block 1 GHz frequencies and also reflect them, which improves MoCA communication. MoCA 'POE' Coax Filter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Find MoCA 2.5 Adapters on Amazon (affiliate link).

Find MoCA POE Filters on Amazon (affiliate link).

Find MoCA-compatible Coax Splitters on Amazon (affiliate link).

Check out my Ultimate Cable Internet Wiring & Optimization Guide for additional cable setup guidance.

Recommended Devices

• While older versions only use a 1 Gbps network port, the ECB7250 uses a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, allowing for maximum network utilization.
• I own a pair of these adapters, and they work great!
• Includes most of what you'll need, including two adapters and power supplies, two network cables, two coax cables, and a coax splitter.
• The manufacturer could improve the instructions regarding using the MPS button for encryption, but that won't be needed for most installations.
• Initial installation is very straightforward.
• Check the latest price of the Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter on Amazon (affiliate link). Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• You'll probably want also to buy a MoCA POE Filter if your ISP didn't already install one (for improved security): MoCA 'POE' Coax Filter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

• This adapter should work almost as well as the Actiontec ECB7250 adapter, with a few exceptions:
  • It doesn't include a MoCA-capable coax splitter or coax cables.
  goCoax MoCA 2.5 Adapter with 2.5GbE Ethernet Port Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• You'll need the following additional accessories, if you don't already have them: MoCA 'POE' Coax Filter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link Coax Splitter MoCA 5-2450 MHz Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link 3FT RG6 Coaxial Cable (2 Pack) Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

How to Set Up MoCA Adapters

MoCA adapters can be very simple to set up. Conceptually, you can think of a pair of MoCA adapters as an extension for an Ethernet cable. More than two MoCA adapters behave like an Ethernet hub combined with Ethernet cables.

Most MoCA adapters are configured similarly.

To set up MoCA adapters:

1. Connect one MoCA adapter to your Internet router via an Ethernet cable and to the coax wall outlet via a MoCA-capable coax splitter. You can skip this step if you have a MoCA-capable router, although additional router configuration may be needed.
2. Connect one or more additional MoCA adapters to coax outlets in rooms where you want Internet access. Connect them to computers or other network devices via Ethernet cables.
3. You can also add a MoCA POE (point of entry) filter to the entry point of coax outside your house for increased security and signal quality.

That's it! Your devices should now be on the network and have Internet access.

How Many MoCA Adapters Do I Need?

If your cable modem or fiber router is MoCA-capable, then you'll need at least one additional MoCA adapter. If your cable modem or fiber router is not MoCA-capable, then you'll need at least two MoCA adapters. For increased security, you should also consider using a MoCA Point of Entry (POE) filter.

In addition to a MoCA device or adapter located at the source of your Internet, you'll typically use one MoCA adapter per room in which you want Internet access. From there, you could either connect the MoCA adapter directly to a computer, Wi-Fi access point, or network switch.

Can I Use More Than Two MoCA Adapters?

MoCA networks can contain up to 16 nodes (one network coordinator + 15 other adapters). A MoCA 2.5 network has a throughput capacity of 2.5 Gbps. Networks with more than two MoCA adapters will share this capacity among all nodes.

Are MoCA Adapters Worth It?

MoCA adapters can be an excellent choice for distributing Internet and network access for homes already wired with coax cabling. MoCA adapters can create a high-speed, low-latency, and reliable network connection to any room in a home. The performance of MoCA adapters makes them perfect for gaming or streaming 4K content on your TV. MoCA adapters provide a hard-wired solution while avoiding the need to drill holes or run additional Ethernet cables.

You could also consider Powerline adapters for a lower-cost and lower-speed alternative, which I discuss in MoCA vs. Powerline.

MoCA Setup Tips

• MoCA is incompatible with Satellite TV, Dish, Direct TV, and AT&T U-verse TV, which use the same frequency bands.
• Fios/Xfinity: Some people have experienced compatibility issues when using Xfinity DVRs, as they communicate using MoCA frequencies. The most straightforward workaround is to prevent communication with the Fios/Xfinity devices by configuring the MoCA adapters to use D-band high-end frequencies at 1400 Mhz and above. Xfinity uses 1150 MHz frequencies for MoCA on LAN networks. In this configuration, you would need at least two MoCA adapters. If this sounds too advanced for you, you could consider Powerline adapters, which I discuss in MoCA vs. Powerline.
• Coax amplifiers and splitters will need to support the frequencies of up to 1625 MHz used by MoCA. Coax Splitter MoCA 5-2450 MHz Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• Using MoCA over RG-6 coax cables is best, but it may still work over older cables.
• MoCA adapters are generally backward compatible but will run at lower speeds when used with older versions.

MoCA Point of Entry Filters filter out the 1 GHz+ frequencies used by MoCA devices.

MoCA devices commonly include DVRs and MoCA adapters and can be used for Ethernet communication over a coax cable.

MoCA POE Filters are beneficial for privacy, to prevent leaking data to your nearby neighbors, as well as reducing noise on the line.

They also reflect the MoCA frequencies, which can be desirable for improved MoCA device communication.

Your cable provider may have already installed a MoCA POE Filter with one of these labels:

• Do not remove—Required for multi-room DVR operation
• Do not remove—Required for whole-home DVR operation
• Do not remove—Required for any-room DVR operation

Despite the phrasing, these filters also apply to MoCA adapters for Ethernet usage. The main reason for this wording is that DVR set-top boxes are a more common usage of MoCA.

MoCA 'POE' Coax Filter

What Is MoCA?

A pair of MoCA adapters allows you to use a coax cable for Ethernet communication. MoCA adapters behave like an extension for an Ethernet cable. Multi-node configurations can also function as an Ethernet hub.

For example:

• Suppose you have a cable modem downstairs and multiple computers in various rooms upstairs which need Internet access.
• You can share the downstairs coax outlet with the cable modem by using a MoCA-compatible coax splitter. The MoCA adapter is then connected to the modem using an Ethernet cable.
• Upstairs, you can provide Internet access to each computer by connecting MoCA adapters to nearby coax outlets. The computers connect to the MoCA adapters with Ethernet cables.
• That's it! MoCA adapters are typically plug and play, meaning that no additional configuration is required.

Some modems may include built-in MoCA support, making it so that you only need a single adapter.

What Can You Use MoCA Adapters For?

MoCA adaptors in a home network can adapt an Ethernet cable to a coax cable and then back to an Ethernet cable. However, MoCA adapters allow for a multi-point network, connecting multiple Ethernet cables as a hub does. You can use MoCA Home adapters for extending any network or internet connection over a coax cable. You can use MoCA networks in all of the same ways as Ethernet cables and hubs.

• Backhaul for a Mesh Wi-Fi System (i.e., a wired backbone for the Wi-Fi satellites).
• Extend wireless coverage.
• Use existing coax cables as a replacement for Ethernet cables.
• Get Internet access into hard-to-reach places in your home.
• Use wired connections to avoid Wi-Fi interference from neighbors.
• Avoid the latency of Wi-Fi while playing games on consoles and computers.
• A secure alternative to Wi-Fi when using a MoCA POE Filter.

Moca Backward Compatibility

MoCA 2.5 is backward compatible with 2.0 and 1.1.

MoCA 2.0 is backward compatible with 1.1.

Does MoCA Conflict With DOCSIS 3.1 or DOCSIS 4.0?

Another important consideration is regarding MoCA POE Filters. These filters are necessary for creating a network barrier so that your devices do not communicate with your neighbor's devices and vice versa. However, if your internet service provider uses high-frequency DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 channels above 1 GHz, a 1 GHz low pass filter may block those channels. To avoid this, you could segregate your modem from the rest of the MoCA network, as described in: How to Use Multiple Partitioned Coax Networks With MoCA.

MoCA and DOCSIS Frequency Overlap Kevin Jones / TechReviewer

MoCA Security: Is MoCA Secure?

By default, most MoCA adapters will not be secure. However, they can be secured in three different ways:

• MoCA POE Filter - A Point of Entry filter is a low pass filter that filters out and reflects MoCA signals. POE Filters will prevent your devices from communicating with nearby neighbors. MoCA signals can travel up to about 300 feet.

• Encryption - MoCA 2.5 adapters typically support some form of encryption, although it often requires manual configuration. Node password sharing is possible via an MPS (MoCA protected setup) button, similar to the WPS button on many Wi-Fi devices.

• Coax partitioning - By disconnecting your MoCA coax cables from the cables that leave the property, you prevent other devices from accessing your data via coax.

Building Your Network

If you want to learn more about internet equipment, networking, or wiring, check out these articles:

• MoCA vs. Powerline? Which You Should Buy - This article compares MoCA adapters and Powerline adapters for home networks.
• Cat 5e vs. Cat 6a - Which to Buy? - This article compares the various categories of Ethernet cables.
• Essential Equipment Guide for Cable Internet - This guide shows you the essential components required for setting up your cable Internet connection.
• Modem Router Combo vs. Separate? Which You Should Buy - This guide explains the pros and cons of modem router combos vs. separate modems and routers.
• Ultimate Cable Internet Wiring & Optimization Guide - This guide shows you how to wire and optimize cable Internet for your home or office.
• How to Connect Ethernet Cables - Network Switches & Couplers - This article explains how to use network switches and couplers for extending and distributing your network.