Experts recommend Arris SURFboard SB8200 more than Motorola MB8600
As of 3 Jan 2025, experts prefer Arris SURFboard SB8200 over Motorola MB8600, but both Modems have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Arris SURFboard SB8200 received 5 recommendations: from Networks Hardware (2 Jul 2022), BestReviews (1 Jul 2024) HighSpeedInternet (15 Jul 2024) and 2 others. By contrast, Motorola MB8600 received only 2 recommendations from Networks Hardware (2 Jul 2022) and HighSpeedInternet (15 Jul 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | Modem | PC Guide  | Lifewire  | Wirecutter  | Tom's Guide  | Networks Hardware  | BestReviews  | HighSpeedInternet  | homeowner.com  | Popular Mechanics  | The Strategist  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | - | $168 |  Arris SURFboard SB8200 The Arris SURFboard SB8200 is a high-performance cable modem that delivers fast and stable internet speeds of up to 2 Gbps, making it ideal for activities such as online gaming, streaming 4K video, or downloading large files, but requires a separate wireless router for Wi-Fi capability. | - | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | - | 9 |
| 6 | - | $250 |  Motorola MB8600 The Motorola MB8600 modem is a reliable and efficient device that supports high-speed internet up to 1 Gbps, but lacks built-in Wi-Fi and has poor customer support. | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire Modems ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 2 Jul 2022 Networks Hardware ranked Motorola MB8600 as #1 and Arris SURFboard SB8200 as #5
Rank Modem Comment #1 out of 9 Motorola MB8600 Best Overall... ... ... #5 out of 9 Arris SURFboard SB8200 Runner Up... ... ... Source: networkshardware.com - On 15 Jul 2024 HighSpeedInternet ranked Motorola MB8600 as #1 and Arris SURFboard SB8200 as #2
Rank Modem Comment #1 out of 5 Motorola MB8600 Best overall#2 out of 5 Arris SURFboard SB8200 Best value... ... ... Source: www.highspeedinternet.com - On 1 Jul 2024 BestReviews ranked Arris SURFboard SB8200 as #3
Rank Modem Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 5 Arris SURFboard SB8200 Customer Favorite... ... ... Source: bestreviews.com - On 10 Oct 2024 homeowner.com ranked Arris SURFboard SB8200 as #7
Rank Modem Comment ... ... ... #7 out of 8 Arris SURFboard SB8200 Best Value for Money... ... ... Source: www.homeowner.com - On 18 Feb 2021 The Strategist ranked Arris SURFboard SB8200 as #9
Rank Modem Comment ... ... ... #9 out of 9 Arris SURFboard SB8200 Best Docsis 3.1 cable modemSource: nymag.com
After counting and adding up the 59 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Arris SURFboard SB8200 outranks Motorola MB8600. This is not to say that Motorola MB8600 is a bad option. Like Arris SURFboard SB8200, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Arris SURFboard SB8200 outranks Motorola MB8600 by 2 positions. This indicates that, as of 3 Jan 2025, Arris SURFboard SB8200 is more critically acclaimed than Motorola MB8600.
| Rank | Change | Price | Modem | PC Guide | Lifewire | Wirecutter | Tom's Guide | Networks Hardware | BestReviews | HighSpeedInternet | homeowner.com | Popular Mechanics | The Strategist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $189 |  Arris Surfboard S33 The Arris Surfboard S33 is a high-speed cable modem with combined download speeds up to 3.5 Gbps, 32 downstream x 8 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 bonded channels, and two Ethernet ports, making it ideal for users who require fast and reliable internet connectivity for gaming, streaming, and other data-intensive activities. | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | - |
| 2 | - | $220 |  Netgear Nighthawk CM2000 The Netgear Nighthawk CM2000 is a high-speed cable modem that is compatible with all major cable internet providers, featuring DOCSIS 3.1 technology, 32x8 channel bonding, a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core Broadcom BCM3390 processor, and a 2.5 Gbps ethernet port, making it ideal for online gaming, streaming, and other high-bandwidth activities. | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 3 | - | 6 | - |
| 3 | - | $45 |  Netgear CM500 The Netgear CM500 modem offers high-speed internet access, easy setup and management, parental controls, and compatibility with major cable internet service providers, but its reliability has received mixed reviews and users should consider purchasing an extended warranty. | 5 | 3 | - | 2 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 6 |
| 4 | - | $168 | Arris SURFboard SB8200 The Arris SURFboard SB8200 is a high-performance cable modem that delivers fast and stable internet speeds of up to 2 Gbps, making it ideal for activities such as online gaming, streaming 4K video, or downloading large files, but requires a separate wireless router for Wi-Fi capability. | - | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | - | 9 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [18]
Total expert reviews: 18
- with a score: 6
- without a score: 12
| Highest score by Techaeris | 95 |
| Average score based on 18 reviews | 86 |
| Lowest score by approvedmodems.org | 66 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
The Arris Surfboard SB8200 is a high-performance cable modem that is perfect for Gigabit speed internet plans. It offers lightning-fast and reliable internet speeds of up to 2Gbps, making it ideal for streaming 4K HD Videos and for Virtual Reality Gaming.
+ pros
- 32 download and 8 upload channels for Gigabit speed internet plans.
- Designed to handle 4K Ultra-HD video streaming and Virtual Reality gaming with ease.
- Simple yet aesthetically appealing design with maximum ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Compatible with major US cable providers like Comcast and Cox.
- Lightning-fast and reliable internet speeds of up to 2Gbps.
- Easy and quick to set up, requiring only a few cable connections and activation through the ISP's portal.
- cons
- No built-in WiFi capability, so a separate router is required.
Show all 18 reviews
Expert reviews [9]
Total expert reviews: 9
- with a score: 4
- without a score: 5
| Highest score by Don't Waste Your Money | 88 |
| Average score based on 9 reviews | 84 |
| Lowest score by approvedmodems.org | 76 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
85
The Motorola MB8600 is a high-performance cable modem that offers the best and fastest internet speed available from your service provider. It is future-proofed for higher-than-Gigabit speeds and is worth the investment even before Gigabit+ speeds become available.
+ pros
- Up to 32 SCQAM or two OFDM bonded channels for the best and fastest internet speed available from your service provider.
- Four Gigabit Ethernet ports and Active Queue Management to keep latency low.
- New design with a robust elliptic-cylindrical plastic case and soft rounded corners.
- Compatible with Comcast XFinity, Cox, and Grande Communications, and will be added to the list of approved modems for W.O.W. and Charter soon.
- Future-proofed for higher-than-Gigabit speeds and can handle a Gigabit data plan without problems.
- cons
- Requires a separate switch or wireless router to connect clients.
- High price tag of newer DOCSIS 3.1 modems should be considered before purchasing.
Show all 9 reviews
From Seller:
- A Trusted Name in Home Connectivity: Better connectivity, better speed. The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem is designed to bring you superior connectivity, increase your network capability and provide faster streaming and downloading throughout your home. From a trusted brand with over 260 million modems sold and growing. .Telephone Port : None. HD Multi-Media Streaming : Yes.
- Read more
From Seller:
- Top Internet Speeds for all Multi-gigabit Speed Tiers - Wirecutter recommends this model as the best cable modem for people using Gigabit Internet plans. Built-in DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.0 32x8 capabilities give top Internet speeds for all cable Internet services.
- Read more
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