Table of Contents
Introduction
Modem selection can be tricky so you need to make an informed decision. A lot of options with improved technology are available in the market these days. You can make a right decision if you take your requirements into consideration. Modern modems support great speeds for web browsing, office work, gaming, downloading, research purposes etc. The fastest modems that are available in the market are the cable modems that can provide up to 10 Gbps of speed.
Keep in mind that even the earliest cable modems were 20-60 times faster than the dial-up modems. Cable modems are operating on an international standard known as DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification).
Arris SB8200 Review
Arris SB8200My product is one of the few modems in the market that are supporting DOCSIS 3.1 under this price tag. It is a cable modem and very suitable for 300 Mpbs or above connections. As we have mentioned earlier, this modem operates on DOCSIS 3.1, which is the latest technology until now. With the blazing speed it supports, this device can handle all the tasks quite easily including gaming and streaming high quality videos.
Features
Arris SB8200 offers a download speed of up to 2 Gbps, as well as great uploading speeds. It has 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels, showing its capability to support great speeds. The internet protocol versions 4 and 6 enable it to provide an addressing capability of approximately 4.3 billion addresses.
It comes with two Ethernet ports, making the creation of two home networks possible or you can connect one port with the Wi-Fi router. The major advantage of having two Ethernet ports is that your connectivity to the home network will not get affected if you want to connect a Wi-Fi router. In addition, this modem supports all kinds of Wi-Fi router.
Pros
- Compatible with major cable providers
- Using latest technology
- High speed
- Also compatible with DOCSIS 3.0
- Vertical design saves desk space
Cons
- No inbuilt Wi-Fi support
- No telephone port
- Compatibility issues with some telecommunication companies
Installation of the Arris SB8200
The box includes a SB8200 quick start guide, power supply, cable modem, Ethernet cable, regulatory card and software license,as well as the support information card. A coaxial cable is necessary for connection, so you will have to buy one if it is not installed already to a wall outlet. Connect the device to a computer through the Ethernet port located at the back of the device.
Setting up the Device
For setting up the device, you need high speed internet access and a Windows 10, 8, or 7, or Macintosh® 10.4 or higher, or UNIX® or LINUX® operating system. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable with the port given at the back of device. After connecting the device to a power source, turn the device on. If the device is indicating green lights in the icons, then you have a stable internet connection. The modem will show blue lights for a high speed DOCSIS 3.1 connection, but DOCSIS 3.1 is not available in every area. Visit www.arris.com/consumer or call 1-877-466-8646 if you are facing any issue regarding the connection or device.
Safety
- Only use the power cable that is provided in the box.
- If you are using an extension, do not overload it.
- Use it where the temperature does not exceed 40 degree Celsius.
- Do not block the airflow of the device.
- Do not place anything on top of the device.
Modem Label
The modem label is indicated on the bottom of your Arris SB8200. It has a special ID which is needed when you contact the service provider or Arris technical support.
Warranty
The company gives a 90-day warranty for the software and a 2-year warranty for the hardware. Use your device with care because you cannot claim the warranty if the device is broken, misused, water damaged, or if you have the device for the period of more than two years.
Head to Head Comparison
Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM 1000
Both devices fall in the same price range but, when it comes to the downloading speed, Arris SB8200 totally beats the Netgear CM1000 with a difference of 1 Gbps. The Arris SB8200 comes with two Ethernet ports while Netgear CM1000 comes with a single Ethernet port. You don’t get built-in Wi-Fi in both devices; you will have to buy a Wi-Fi router separately if you buy these.
With the Arris SB8200, you get the luxury of connecting a Wi-Fi router as well as maintaining a home network while the Netgear CM1000 does not offer this feature due to lack of Ethernet ports. Arris SB8200 comes with 3 GB of RAM and 128 MB dual flash memory while Netgear CM1000 is offering only 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB NAND of flash memory. Both devices are operating on same chipset that is Broadcom BCM3390. Talking about compatibility, then Netgear CM1000 is compatible with more telecommunication services than SB8200.
DOCSIS 3.1 is supported by both the devices which mean you will get high speeds in any case. If DOCSIS 3.1 is not available in your area, then they are also compatible with the DOCSIS 3.0 version. SB8200 and CM 1000 come with 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels which means that their speed is not compromised at any stage. The good thing is that SB8200 and CM1000 offers simple CD less installation. Both devices have vertical shapes but if we talk about the designs, then the Netgear CM1000 definitely gets more points for its sleek and modern design.
If we talk about warranty, then the Arris SB8200 offers a 2-year warranty on hardware while the CM1000 offers only a 1-year warranty for its users.
Arris SB8200 vs Motorola MB8600
This can be a tough comparison in terms of price and features. Arris SB8200 and Motorola MB8600 fall in the same price range and support DOCSIS 3.1. Both are also compatible with the DOCSIS 3.0 and have 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels.
SB8200 has got two Ethernet ports while the MB8600 offers four Ethernet ports with a speed of up to 6 Gbps. Hence, Motorola MB8600 provides a combo of four Ethernet ports and high speeds beyond your imaginations; this means that you can make a decent number of home networks and connect a Wi-Fi router as well. Motorola has a memory of 512 MB RAM and 128 MB NAND flash while the Arris SB8200 offers 3 GB of RAM and 128 MB dual flash memory; whereas both have the same chipset, which is Broadcom BCM3390.
The SB8200 and MB8600 offer a 2-year warranty for their users. The Motorola MB8600 is not only supporting high speeds but it is also compatible with more telecommunication companies compared to Arris SB8200. Both devices can work efficiently with any Wi-Fi router but the MB8600 is providing a tuner as well to enhance speed and save energy. Many people have a misconception that the MS8600 has only one Ethernet port; this is because the other three are covered with plastic. Uncover the plastic, if you want to use the other three Ethernet ports.
Choosing a modem depends on you but there is an advantage, you will get with every modem. You are going to save a lot of money every year, if you buy a modem for yourself. There is no need to pay any rent to your service provider for the modem. Buying a modem will save you $150 to $200 yearly.
About the Arris DOCSIS 3.1
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) offers a high bandwidth, which means the rate of date transfer is exceptional. It is an international standard operating in the market for over two decades. DOCSIS operates over the coaxial cable T.V system, which most cable operators are using.
DOCSIS has six versions available. DOCSIS 1.0 was first introduced in 1997, while the fastest DOCSIS 3.1 was introduced in 2016 and it is the latest version providing a download speed of up to 10 Gbps and upload speed of up to 1 Gbps. The DOCSIS 3.1 Full Duplex is also available, providing up to 10 Gbps uploading speed. Other versions of DOCSIS are also available, which kept coming from time to time depending on the consumers’ speed needs.
Alternatives
Motorola MG7315
Features
- Supports speeds of up to 145 Mbps
- Built-in N450 single band (2.4 GHz) Wi-Fi
- Four Ethernet Ports
- Compatible with many telecommunications services
- Vertical design saves space on desk
If you are on a tight budget and want to have a cable modem that is offering inbuilt Wi-Fi, then you are going to love this MG7315. This device supports DOCSIS 3.0 and is capable of providing you good speeds. Considering its price, the speed it is supporting is not bad. It has eight download and four upload channels. If you want better performance in terms of speed and Wi-Fi, then you can consider other devices in this range like MG7540 by paying a slight difference in price.
Netgear CM500
Features
- Low price
- One Gigabit Ethernet port
- Works with any Wi-Fi router
- 16 downstream and 4 upstream channels
- Works with major service providers
Whether you are living alone or you want a connection to fulfill your basic internet needs while enjoying a good speed and also not exceeding the budget, then the CM500 can be your best choice. This device supports speeds of up to 680 Mbps but is suitable for plans of up to 300 Mbps. It supports DOCSIS 3.0, which makes it a good choice. If you are looking for speed while maintaining your budget, then you will not find many options like this Netgear device.
Motorola MT7711
Features
- Supports DOCSIS 3.0
- Speed up to 650 Mbps
- 24 downstream and 8 upstream channels
- Compatible with DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS 1.1
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Four Ethernet ports
- Two telephone ports
- Two years warranty
This device offers you something you just can’t refuse. The Motorola MT7711 can be the best choice if you are looking for a 3-in-1 modem. You don’t need to worry about phone or Wi-Fi if you have got this device; it will fulfill all your needs in a great price. However, since this device only works with Comcast Xfinity and it cannot be used with any other services. MT7711 also supports Xfinity voice features. If you are thinking of using Comcast Xfinity services, then this device is best suited for you.
Final Words
You should consider buying the Arris SB8200 if you need ultra speeds. Consider whether you need a Wi-Fi router and Ethernet ports or not. If you have already got a Wi-Fi router or you only need to connect to the internet with two home desktop computers, then the SB8200 will be the perfect option for you. The Arris SB8200 is trending in the market because of its support for the DOCSIS 3.1. If you are living in an area where you have access to the DOCSIS 3.1, then you should definitely buy this modem.
Always select a modem according to your internet plan that your service provider is offering. If you have no access to the DOCSIS 3.1, then there is no need to pay for the DOCSIS 3.1 supporting device. Simply go for a DOCSIS 3.0 supporting device.
You should decide whether you need a Wi-Fi router or not. If you need a Wi-Fi router, then instead of going for a separate router, you should buy a built-in Wi-Fi modem. Buying a built-in Wi-Fi device will cost you comparatively less than buying the modem and Wi-Fi router separately. Also consider buying a modem that comes with a warranty so you can easily get it repaired or exchanged in case of any fault in the product. Do not go for a cheap one or you will regret saving money later.
Leave a Reply