Best DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem?

Sumanji · 7 Sep 2017 at 13:28

Hi,

I just moved to the US and am going to sign up for cable internet with Comcast. I will sorely miss Hyperoptic in London, but this is my only option here

I want to buy my own cable modem and I was wondering what the best DOCSIS 3.1 model is, so I can be somewhat future proofed. I used to have a Motorola SB6141 (now Arris), and I understand that's a reliable brand.

Are there any newer makes/models that come highly recommended please?

Thanks,

Suman

Glanza · 7 Sep 2017 at 14:02

Not in a area that Google cover? Would love me some 1GB up and down.

Sumanji · 7 Sep 2017 at 15:58

Haha sadly not... In Boston, options are limited!

DIABLO · 7 Sep 2017 at 17:54

Are you not limited by an approved list of modems as well?

Sumanji · 7 Sep 2017 at 18:19

DIABLO said:
Are you not limited by an approved list of modems as well?

Good shout, just looked it up and here are my options:

- Arris SB8200
- Arris SB6190
- Motorola MB8600
- Netgear CM1000

Any of those I should actively seek out / avoid?

Cheers,

Su

Caged · 7 Sep 2017 at 19:43

Don't buy a Netgear, the 6190 is DOCSIS 3.0, the Motorola is cheaper on Amazon than the SB8200.

DIABLO · 7 Sep 2017 at 22:05

Comparison reviews of the Arris SB8200 and the Netgear. http://www.mbreviews.com/arris-sb8200-vs-netgear-cm1000/

OllyM · 8 Sep 2017 at 01:26

Sumanji said:
Haha sadly not... In Boston, options are limited!

Do you not have Verizon FiOS available? I'm sure they were supposed to be rolling out there.

Glanza said:
Not in a area that Google cover? Would love me some 1GB up and down.

Google only covers about 10 cities but AT&T is rapidly rolling out FTTP across its footprint and Verizon has FiOS in many states. I have Gigabit FiOS at home.

Sumanji · 8 Sep 2017 at 02:18

Sadly no Fios here, Verizon only offer DSL in my building

I went with the Motorola in the end... Apparently it's just a rebranded Zoom unit, but all three docsis 3.1 modems seem to use the same broadcom chipset anyway, so I assume there's no major difference.

As an aside, it's so sad to see a historic brand like Motorola butchered and sold off like this... Sigh

Su

OllyM · 8 Sep 2017 at 02:23

Ah, that's a shame

I'd probably go for the Arris SB8200 if you really want a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, whatever you do avoid the 6190 as it has that awful Intel chipset that causes latency spikes.