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Looking to up your Internet connection significantly? CommScope has something that might help. Today, the company announced the availability of the ARRIS SURFboard S33 Cable Modem that can handle a faster-than-Gigabit broadband connection.
Update: The full review of the ARRIS SURFboard S33 Cable Modem is available.
Indeed, the new modem comes with a 2.5Gbps and another 1Gbps LAN port. As a result, technically, it can deliver up to 3.5Gbps of combined broadband bandwidth. In reality, though, chances are you'll get 1 Gbps or a 2.5Gbps connection from it. And those are plenty fast.
The modem supports 32 x 8 DOCSIS 3.1 standard. As a result, it can technically handle up to 4Gbps download and 1Gbps upload speeds on the WAN side. Obviously, the actual speeds depend on your Internet plan.
Physically, the S33 is relatively compact, coming in a slender cylindrical shape that measures 5.1 in × 1.8 in × 4.7 in. It's slated to be compatible with all popular cable providers in the US, including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and more.
CommScope says the new modem is easy to set up, which is true for all cable modems and comes with a 2-year warranty. It's available now at Best Buy with a retail price of around $170.
I just got the S33 this week to replace my SB8200, mostly to leverage the 2.5Gbps link in anticipation of the AXE11000 I have pre-ordered. I currently have it connected to my R9000 via the SFP+ port and throughput has increased 20% – 30% for me (ymmv) and have achieved the xfinity 20% over-provision on my Gigabit. The R9000 doesn’t have WAN aggregation so I never attempted the dual ip connection on the SB8200.
I’ve liked and would recommend Arris in general and the S33 in particular.
Thanks for sharing, Derek. I might check it out. It’s a bit hard since I don’t have a plan that needs it’s features.
I know you get a ton of…is X, Y and Z a good combination of devices to get great connectivity and you are probably tired of them but I am going to do the same based upon multiple product posts that you have made about these products. I am back ordered for getting the ASUS RT-AX89X router and am also buying this Arris S33 cable modem…also buying a “NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch(GC728X) – with 2 x 1G SFP and 2 x 10G SFP+”. My intention is to connect the S33 via 2.5gig port to one of the RT-AX89X 10 gig ports(CAT8)…then connect from the second router 10 gig port to 10 gig SFP+ port on the Netgear switch to allow me to patch room ethernet wall jacks for wired devices where possible. I am also upgrading the WiFi adapter in my Lenovo Legend laptop to 6e(future-proof as router doesn’t do 6e). Any of this sound bad from a config standpoint? Home is about 2800 sq ft single story so I may need to add another router/AP to opposite end of house for AImesh if I have dead zones for wifi.
Side note: Arris Max Pro is horrible with zero config options…it will be a bookend shortly for that reason.
Thanks for the awesome reviews and tip posts, they help the inner geek.
~Gary
That sounds quite great, Gary. I’m suing the RT-AX89X right now (with my NAS server) but don’t have a 10Gbps switch yet (mostly because I’d need more than one and there aren’t a lot of options). One thing, the manage switch will require work to set it up, but I assumed you already knew that.
Just what we need. The average internet speed in the u.s. is 55mbps. Many people are denied internet service at all. It looks like the 1% salary thing again. Free the people, down with isp tyranny, let the Great Fairness begin !
I hear you, Tim. 🙂
I dunno about 1% salary. But it is a geographic “privilege”. I get 1 Gb/s from xfinity for $70. Some neighbors have the same service and can’t stream Netflix in 4K. I think I was “lucky” that my tap into the cable was replaced/updated and there’s fiber nearby. So the geography can be as hit-or-miss as one city block.
Maybe skynet (tesla starlink) will bring rural broadband to the 99% unwashed taxpayer. : )
I also have a mofi4500 from millenicom ($78/month for about 50Mbps wireless over t-mobile unlimited) … speeds vary by signal quality of course, but that’s plenty for me and a luxury compared to the AT&T adsl it replaced (8 Mbps on a good day.)
holy moly. gimme gimme.
Is this in any way improved advanced beyond the SB8200?
https://www.surfboard.com/products/cable-modems/sb8200/
If so, this is perfect timing for me – I was about to buy their “old” SB8200 unit and pair it with their wifi-6 mesh .
https://www.surfboard.com/products/cable-modems/s33/
Looks like it’s a pre-order for Nov 23 availability.
I wonder if they’ll have a black friday price coming up.
You don’t have an “influencer” link or whatever it’s called?
I feel like I owe you a “sales commission” for your work.
Also, would be great to have you review their wifi6 mesh
https://www.surfboard.com/products/max-mesh-wi-fi-system/
(they make big claims … only Dong Knows the truth … : )
It sure is better, Adam. Among other things, the 2.5Gbps port itself means you’ll get up to that via a single cable, assuming your router has a 2.5Gbps or faster WAN port. I have no influencer link or any commission on this product, unless if you buy it or anything from Amazon, using a link from this website. I think you can buy the S33 at Best Buy. I already reviewed the mAX Pro.