Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM1000: Which is the Best DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem? Yes, the SB8200 is better than the SB6190, especially because it doesn’t suffer from the latency-bug and if you want to get higher download/upload speeds, the SB8200 will be relevant for a long time. Conclusion After the Intel Puma 6 mess, it was a relief to see that two major manufacturers equipped their DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems with a Broadcom chipset (Zoom also went this route), so there isn’t much to criticize right now (maybe the price and the weird 5Gbps promises). It is perfect for things like 4K Ultra-HD video streaming and Virtual Reality gaming. The Arris SB8200 is also the only Docsis 3.1 modem with two Ethernet ports capable of doing 2Gbps down and is the most future proof of any modem on the market at the time of writing this review. Of course, if you use Comcast XFinity, the activation is done automatically for both modems, otherwise, you’ll need to call your ISP and provide the necessary info. The Spectrum Analyzer is very useful for identifying any cable modem issues on the fly, by displaying a live status of the radio frequency and by allowing you to change various parameters (adjust the Frequency, Span, Amplitude, Bandwidth and the Measurements). The Arris Surfboard cable modem combo is a fairly decent router/ modem combo, but it is not for everyone. On the right side of the modem, there is a recessed rectangular band positioned towards the centre with several special spaces which help mount the device on the wall (the same pattern can be found on the left side, for symmetry, but it lacks the wall-mounting spaces). I do seem to suffer from the latency bug that most of these units have. The usual user will not see a download speed greater than 1Gbps and the only way to actually reach 2Gbps is through link aggregation (something that may only become available for business owners). As a side note, I was delighted to see that the latency problems that plagued the previous Arris modem are gone and that happened because the SB8200 uses a Broadcom processor, instead of the Intel Puma 6. What to look for when buying a new tablet (Tablet Buying Guide), MBReviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking MBReviews.com to amazon.com, or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com. ARRIS provides this guide without warranty of any kind, implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. IS this modem better than the SB6190 in areas that don’t have gig services? As expected, Internet Service Providers are not very happy when you purchase your own modem, so, most will be reluctant to help you with any problem that they may think is modem related (if there’s a problem with the connection, your modem is the first to get blamed). Is it worth buying a refurbished laptop for working at home? ALSO CHECK OUT: ARRIS SB8200 VS MOTOROLA MB8600. The Arris SB8200 and the Netgear CM1000 are the early adopters of the new DOCSIS 3.1 technology (along the Zoom Motorola MB8600, which was released only a couple of months ago), offering bonding of up to 32 download channels and 8 upload channels and each of these devices promise to give you the possibility of using the fastest speed plan available from your Internet service provider. The ARRIS SURFboard SBG10 is a DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, Dual-Band Concurrent AC Wi-Fi Access Point and 2-Port Gigabit Ethernet Router in one device. Overall, this is a very good device and definitely one of the most future-proofed cable modems on the market (alongside Netgear CM1000), but its price tag makes it more suitable for tech enthusiasts, than the average user. All this internal hardware coupled with the DOCSIS 3.1 technology can make anyone excited about the potential of any of the two modems, but, despite the promised ‘Download speeds up to 5Gbps*’ largely written on the box, the output of the SB8200’s Gigabit ports can only go up to 2Gbps combined (clarified in smaller fonts towards the bottom of the box). Arris will grant you access to the Status screen (Startup Procedure and the Downstream and Upstream Bonded Channels), the Product Information, the Event Log, the Addresses, Configuration and Help. How does the Motorola – DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem – Model MB8600 compare to these? Verdict: Usually, a networking product is defined more by its features, functionality or practicality and less about its design, but, in the consumer market, the external look of a device can be a key differentiating factor. Free 2-day shipping. You can also access the Product Information (displays software and hardware-related information – Standard Specification Compliant, Hardware and Software version, the MAC address, the Serial Number and the Up Time), the Event Log, the Addresses (displays the Serial Number and the HFC MAC Address), the Configuration and the Help sections. N600 WiFi DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Router ... ARRIS. ARRIS modems provide a better Wi-Fi experience and are compatible with most cable providers including Xfinity and Spectrum. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you consent on the use of cookies. It’s quite unusual to see two Ethernet ports on a cable modem and the reason Arris has added them is to allow the connection of two devices at the same time (the ISP has to provide an additional IP address for the second device – ISPs don’t provide additional IP addresses to home users, as far as I’m aware, so only business owners can take advantage of this feature), but there are additional possible applications, such as creating a failover system (it’s obvious that you would need a second carrier for it to work) or link aggregation. The DOCSIS 3.1 standard was developed as an alternative to the Fiber technology and, at the moment, it support at least 10Gbps for downstream and 1Gbps for upstream (using 4096 QAM), so people got very excited and expected that these cable modems could (or would) actually reach those speeds (and no, the manufacturers did not help to alleviate the hype with their inflated numbers on the box). Reply. 16x4 Cable Modem MB7420 . Netgear has its interface divided into Basic (Home and Cable Connection) and Advanced options (ADVANCED Home and Administration). It’s nice to see that both Arris and Netgear have gone past the Intel Puma chipset line (especially the Puma 6) and have used a Broadcom-based chipset this time (this choice has removed any possible latency issues which plagued the previous models, both Arris SB6190 and CM700). (using a Raspberry Pi 4). Next, if the activation process isn’t done automatically, you need to contact your service provider to activate the modem (to check if everything is working properly, just open a browser and type a valid URL). Now, does the usual consumer actually need such a device right now? Netgear has also equipped the CM1000 with a Broadcom BCM3390 chipset, 128 MB of flash memory and 256 MB of RAM. Mark is also the main tech writer for MBReviews.com, covering not only his passion, the networking devices, but also other cool electronic gadgets that you may find useful for your every day life. Using the SB8200 modem, if you go to 192.168.100.1:8080 and enter admin for user name and password for password (while using Google Chrome or Safari), you gain access to a Spectrum Analyzer, which is a very useful tool for identifying immediately any possible modem issues. Today's connected home demands speeds far more powerful than ever. Each choice comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. (pfSense installation guide). First off the Surfboard is about the size of a … SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem . The ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 Cable Modem supports IPv4 and IPv6. Well, there already is an article on this website which highlights the differences between Arris SB8200 and Zoom Motorola MB8600: https://www.mbreviews.com/arris-sb8200-vs-motorola-mb8600/. With DOCSIS download speeds up to 686 Mbps and 802.11ac Wi-Fi speeds up to 1600 Mbps, it's the perfect choice for low-bandwidth homes looking to save monthly rental fees. As newer technologies are being developed and immediately implemented into new modems, there’s always the risk that the device would overheat (until developers find the best balance between performance and hardware – it’s usually a lengthy process), but, it seems that Arris took this risk seriously and covered the SB8200, almost entirely, with cut-out which facilitate a better airflow. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. An affordable entry-level cable modem with few faults and high satisfaction ratings. That being said, Arris is still the most preferred cable modem by all Internet Service Providers from the US and, if you need to purchase a new modem, even if you haven’t gotten a Gigabit tier, the SB8200 is definitely one of the most future-proofed devices on the market (and modems tend to stick around for years). Purchasing your own cable modem is the cheaper option on the long run because some ISPs have a bad habit of requesting a large sum every month for their rentals and you would get your money back in less than an year and a half (sometimes, even sooner). Design If you take the last four modems released by Arris (from the older Arris SB6141 and SB6183 to the more recent, SB6190 and the latest SB8200), you can hardly tell them apart since they all pretty much share the same design. Furthermore, because the price of either cable modems is rather high right now, some may argue that it’s better to give in and go with renting the device for a monthly fee. Overall, both modems are well built and have an attractive design, both will handle a 1Gbps data plan and each of these devices will give you access to a user-friendly web interface. Compatibility and Performance Arris SB8200 is a relatively new device, but it is compatible with the major Internet Service Providers, such as Comcast (Xfinity service) and Cox, while Charter, Time Warner and Bright House should also add it to the compatible modems list in a short period of time (pending status). In order to fully take advantage of the DOCSIS 3.1 technology, it is required a Gigabit+ data plan and right now, even the 1Gbps tier is something exotic, but it is slowly being implemented to a larger scale (in a couple of years it will also become truly affordable). On the back of the CM1000 you can find all the required ports and buttons: a recessed Reset button, a LAN Gigabit Ethernet port, the coaxial cable connector, the Power button and the Power adapter input. As I said in the previous section, the maximum theoretical output should be 2Gbps if link aggregation is involved, but, most people will want to use it with a 1Gbps download data plan, so, in reality, you can get an average of 950 Mbps (what a Gigabit Ethernet port can usually deliver). (pfSense installation guide). Be the heart of your home network with an ARRIS SURFboard modem. (using a Raspberry Pi 4). As always, before purchasing this cable modem, you need to make sure it is compatible with your ISP (you could verify their website for a full list of compatible modems or just call them) and, since the SB8200 comes with some novelty features, you need to make sure you actually need such a device and that it is (or will be) suitable for the data plans that your ISP can provide (1Gbps or more, when it become available). Shop ARRIS SURFboard 32 x 8 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem White at Best Buy. After your modem is live, both Arris and Netgear offer a web-based utility to view the status of your connection or to make some further modifications. On the bottom of the SB8200, you can find a small label with info about the device (such as the Serial Number, the MAC ID and the model name), while on the front of the modem, there are four LED lights which show the status of the Power, Receive (if it’s green, there’s a high-speed Internet connection using bonded DOCSIS 3.0 channels, and, if it’s blue, then it uses bonded DOCSIS 3.1 channels), Send (green – DOCSIS 3.0; blue – DOCSIS 3.1) and Online (green signifies that the modem is connected to the Internet). What to look for when buying a new tablet (Tablet Buying Guide), MBReviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking MBReviews.com to amazon.com, or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com. 32 download x 8 upload channels; 32x8 cable modem supports IPv4 and IPv6 Internet browsing standards The SB8200 is compatible with major US Cable providers like Comcast (Xfinity service by Comcast) Cox, and others. Now, let’s discuss a bit the ‘Download speeds up to 5Gbps*’ written on the box. This has definitely improved a lot the airflow and it manages to keep the device surprisingly cool. Sure enough, in the future, things can change for the better for Arris and the SB8200 may be able to reach up to 2Gbps. I see that it is the newest 3.1 now available on market and that it also has 32×8 support for the older DOCSIS 3.0 standard. Now, on the front of the SB8200, you can find four LED indicators which show the status of the Power, Receive (green – DOCSIS 3.0 / blue – DOCSIS 3.1), Send (same as the Receive LED) and Online. The three hottest DOCSIS 3.1 modems to hit the market are the ARRIS SB8200, the Motorola MB8600 by Zoom, and the Netgear CM1000. $168 per year ($14 x 12 months) is a steep price to pay to simply borrow an Xfinity modem. I wonder if Netgear could patch in a Spectrum Analyzer in future firmware… I didn’t do much research prior to my purchase, but I went with the CM1000 and haven’t really had any complaints yet. It has been pretty solid thus far. It does not have Wi-Fi so you would need a Router. And you can get a refurbished model for half the price which is even better! Arris SB8200 is part of the first wave of cable modems to support both the new DOCSIS 3.1 traffic and the older DOCSIS 3.0 standard (which should ease the transition to the newer technology), allowing its users to take advantage of the fastest download speed available from the ISP and supporting bonding of up to 32 download QAM channels and 8 upload channels. Arris SB8200 does not have any built-in wireless capabilities and you would need a wireless router to connect it to the modem. Learn more about our best-selling network products here. NETGEAR. The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem – the newest technology being offered by cable providers. At the moment, not really, since DOCSIS 3.1 is just being implemented by the ISPs and to take advantage of the two ports, you would need to use link aggregation, which is something that should be implemented in the future. To access the web utility of either SB8200 or CM1000, go to https://192.168.100.1 and each modem will have its set of options. How to update the MSI MAG X570 Tomahawk WiFi BIOS to support the AMD Zen 3 Series (Ryzen 5000), What to do when the 5GHz band is not appearing as available, How to find and change the wireless security key of your router, How to turn an old PC into a router? And you can get a refurbished model for half the price which is even better! I know that the DOCSIS 3.1 standard is not yet widespread and is just recently being implemented by cable providers, so it may seem that the SB8200 is a bit early (especially for the consumer market), but, in reality, it came just at the right time to help Arris out of the SB6190 mess (because of the Intel Puma 6 chipset latency bug) and to prepare us for that sweet Gigabit+ download speed we’ve been dreaming for years. One important differentiating factor is the size of these modems: the SB8200 is small and compact, measuring 5.24 x 5.24 x 1.65 inches and, while, it isn’t a heavy device (it weighs 2.1 lbs), the four rubber feet help a lot from keeping the modem from budging. Plus, it has two 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports! Click on the, LXORY XStand Apple Watch and iPhone Dock Review. Modem Gurus. The edges have remained rounded and the thick plastic band is still wrapping around the rectangular central piece, so, overall, the SB8200 is hardly distinguishable from the previous generations of Arris cable modems. The case gives the impression of two distinct pieces, one external part which wraps around a smaller rectangular piece, leaving narrow canals in-between for a series of ventilation holes. Arris has also taken some precautions to ensure a proper ventilation and, similarly to the CM1000, it has covered the SB8200 with lost of cut-outs which should improve the airflow (despite that, the SB8200 runs a bit warmer than the CM1000). Is it worth buying a refurbished laptop for working at home? Compatibility and Performance In terms of compatibility, both the Arris SB8200 and Netgear CM1000 are compatible with Comcast (using the Xfinity service) and Cox, while Charter seems to take longer than usual to add either cable modems to their list of compatible devices (possibly because of the fusion with Time Warner and Bright House – you’ve got to love monopolies). But, while Arris and Netgear, each has built a future-proof cable modem by adopting the DOCSIS 3.1 technology, the SB8200 has some features that sets it apart and makes it the better device on the long run: the two Ethernet ports which can use link aggregation and the Spectrum Analyzer. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. How to update the MSI MAG X570 Tomahawk WiFi BIOS to support the AMD Zen 3 Series (Ryzen 5000), What to do when the 5GHz band is not appearing as available, How to find and change the wireless security key of your router, How to turn an old PC into a router? The device is still relatively small (measuring only 5.24 x 5.24 x 1.65 inches) and it is a bit lightweight (weighs 2.1 lbs), but the four feet with rubber pads should add a bit to the stability factor. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you consent on the, LXORY XStand Watch... Surfboard SB8200 is a DOCSIS 3.1 Cable modem to keep the device surprisingly cool don ’ allow... * ’ written on the, LXORY XStand Apple Watch and iPhone Dock Review provide. Netgear has also equipped the CM1000 with a Broadcom BCM3390 chipset, 128 MB of flash and. 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