ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem Review
If you are looking for a fast and reliable cable modem that can handle the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology, you may want to consider the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200. This modem is one of the first to support both DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.0 standards, which means it can deliver speeds up to 10 times faster than the previous generation of cable modems. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200, as well as compare it with some of its competitors.
Features
The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is a sleek and compact device that measures 5.24 x 5.24 x 1.65 inches and weighs 2.1 lbs. It has a white plastic case with a matte finish and ventilation holes on all sides to prevent overheating. It also has four rubber feet to keep it stable on any surface.
The modem has two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back, which allow you to connect it to a router or a computer. You can also use both ports simultaneously to create two separate home networks or to enable link aggregation for faster speeds. However, this feature may not be supported by all cable providers, so you should check with your ISP before using it.
The modem also has a coaxial cable connector, a power adapter port, and a reset button on the back. On the front, there are four LED indicators that show the power, receive, send, and online status of the modem.
The main feature of the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is its support for DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which is the newest and most advanced standard for cable internet. DOCSIS 3.1 enables faster and more efficient data transmission over the existing cable infrastructure, using techniques such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding.
With DOCSIS 3.1, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 can support download speeds up to 10 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps, depending on your cable plan and provider. This is ideal for streaming 4K Ultra HD video, gaming online, or downloading large files in seconds.
The modem is also backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0, which means it can work with older cable networks and plans as well. The modem supports up to 32 downstream and 8 upstream bonded channels with DOCSIS 3.0, which can deliver speeds up to 1.4 Gbps downstream and 262 Mbps upstream.
The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is compatible with most major cable providers in the US, such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum, and more. However, you should always check with your ISP before buying any modem to make sure it is approved and compatible with your service.
The modem is easy to set up and activate with your cable provider. You just need to connect the coaxial cable from the wall outlet to the modem, connect the power adapter to the modem and an electrical outlet, connect an Ethernet cable from the modem to your router or computer, and then follow the instructions from your ISP to activate the service.
The modem also comes with a two-year warranty and technical support from ARRIS.
Benefits
There are many benefits of using the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 as your cable modem. Some of them are:
– You can save money by avoiding monthly rental fees from your cable provider.
– You can enjoy faster and more reliable internet speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 technology.
– You can future-proof your home network with a modem that supports the latest standard for cable internet.
– You can create two separate home networks or enable link aggregation with two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
– You can easily set up and activate the modem with your cable provider.
Drawbacks
There are also some drawbacks of using the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 as your cable modem. Some of them are:
– The modem is relatively expensive compared to other modems on the market.
– The modem may not work with some cable providers or plans that do not support DOCSIS 3.1 or link aggregation.
– The modem may run hot due to its high performance and ventilation design.
– The modem does not have a built-in router or Wi-Fi capability, so you need to buy a separate device for wireless connectivity.
Comparison
There are many other cable modems that support DOCSIS 3.1 technology on the market. Here are some of them and how they compare to the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200:
| Modem | Price | Ethernet Ports | Downstream Channels | Upstream Channels | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 | $149.00 | 2 | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or 2 x 2 (DOCSIS 3.1) | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or 2 x 2 (DOCSIS 3.1) | 10 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1) or 1.4 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.0) | 1 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1) or 262 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.0) |
| [NETGEAR CM1000] | $169.99 | 1 | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or 2 x 2 (DOCSIS 3.1) | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or 2 x 2 (DOCSIS 3.1) | 10 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1) or 1 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.0) | 1 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1) or 246 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.0) |
| [Motorola MB8600] | $149.99 | 4 | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or OFDM (DOCSIS 3.1) | 32 x 8 (DOCSIS 3.0) or OFDM (DOCSIS 3.1) | Up to the ISP limit | Up to the ISP limit |
As you can see, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 has a similar performance and price to the other two modems, but it has an advantage of having two Ethernet ports that can be used for link aggregation or dual networks.
Reviews
Here are some representative reviews from customers who bought the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200:
– “I bought this modem to replace my old one that was not compatible with my new gigabit plan from Xfinity. The setup was easy and the activation was quick. The modem works great and I get consistent speeds of over 900 Mbps on both download and upload. I am very happy with this purchase and I recommend it to anyone who needs a fast and reliable modem.”
– “This modem is a beast! It supports DOCSIS 3.1 and it can handle any speed that your cable provider can offer. It also has two Ethernet ports that you can use to create two separate networks or to combine them for faster speeds. The modem is well built and has good ventilation to prevent overheating. It is a bit pricey, but it is worth it if you want the best modem for your home network.”
– “I bought this modem because I wanted to upgrade to DOCSIS 3.1 and save money on rental fees from my cable provider. The modem arrived quickly and it was easy to set up and activate with Cox. However, after a few days of use, I noticed that the modem would randomly drop the connection and reboot itself several times a day. This was very annoying and frustrating, especially when I was working from home or streaming video. I contacted ARRIS support and they told me to update the firmware, but that did not solve the problem. I ended up returning the modem and getting a different one.”
Conclusion
The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is a high-performance cable modem that supports DOCSIS 3.1 technology and delivers fast and reliable internet speeds for your home network. It is compatible with most major cable providers in the US and it has two Gigabit Ethernet ports that can be used for link aggregation or dual networks.
The modem is easy to set up and activate with your cable provider and it comes with a two-year warranty and technical support from ARRIS.
The main drawback of the modem is its relatively high price compared to other modems on the market, as well as some reports of connection issues and overheating.
Overall, the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is a great choice for anyone who wants a future-proofed modem that can handle the latest standard for cable internet.
If you are interested in buying the ARRIS SURFboard SB8200, you can click on this [link] to purchase it from Amazon.com.
Thank you for reading this article and I hope you found it helpful and informative.
Link direct:
Click to Buy!
