Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem (2022) – MB8600 vs SB8200 vs CM1000

Cable internet has seen a huge jump in speeds, and to reach that gigabit potential, you need to have the best DOCSIS 3.1 modem to complement the gigabit speed internet packages that many ISPs are launching nationally.

Honestly, gigabit technology is new on the block, and that is why many modems are not built to support or handle the higher speed tiers that your ISP may be providing to your area.

This is where the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems (Motorola MB8600 vs Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM1000) enter the scene. Now modem manufacturers are providing modems for homes that can handle gigabit service.

How are they different from previous modems? They are designed keeping in mind the awesome gigabit speeds you will have or already have access to.

BlueGadgetTooth reviewed and tested the MB8600 vs SB8200 vs CM1000 to check which gigabit modem topped this guide. Take a closer look at the DOCSIS 3.1 modems that BlueGadgetTooth recommends below.

Not sure of your speeds? Use this speed tool to check if you need a gigabit modem.

Benefits Of Having A DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Benefits

Save on Expensive Installation Fees – It can get pretty frustrating waiting for the technician to come by your place to simply install a cable or wiring to get high speed internet. You can install a DOCSIS 3.1 modem by yourself. Save time, save money.

Increased Speed And Data Capacity – It has been proven that having a DOCSIS 3.1 modem can help boost your capacity over the same spectrum by over 50%.

Active Queue Management – Reduces network delay significantly, even though you may have many connected devices that may drain your bandwidth. This means that your HD videos will load faster and your graphics on your online games will be clearer and sharper than ever, using higher resolutions.

Accessible High Speed Internet – As it uses your ISPs existing HFC network, they don’t have to go through a complete overhaul and can provide higher speeds and improved performance easily, with only minor upgrades, which will result in cable speeds rivaling the super fast fiber speeds.

Improved Wireless Speeds – When your network itself is tapping into Gigabit speeds, your wireless network will also translate to a higher speed tier for your mobile devices. As of now, wireless performance vs wired is far behind, but with a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, we may find that the gap is getting bridged.

10 Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modems (2022)

Device

Speeds

Ports

Rating

Check Now

1. Motorola MB8600

Editor's Choice

3.8 Gbps

4 Ports

100%

2. Netgear CM1000

1 Gbps

1 Port

97%

3. Arris SB8200

2 Gbps

2 Ports

96%

4. Netgear C7800

Modem Router Combo

2 Gbps

4 Ports

99%

5. Netgear CM1200

High Performance

2 Gbps

4 Ports

98%

6. Netgear CM1150

For Xfinity Voice

2 Gbps

4 Ports

97%

7. Arris SBG8300

1 Gbps

4 Ports

94%

8. Arris SURFboard T25

2 Gbps

4 Ports

93%

9. Motorola MG8702

3.2 Gbps

4 Ports

96%

10. Netgear CBR750

Extended Coverage

4.2 Gbps

4 Ports

99%

1. Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Overall (Editor's Choice)

Newly released in 2019, the Motorola Ultra Fast DOCSIS 3.1 MB8600 is built to deliver Gigabit speeds, provided your ISP can handle it. 

We appreciate that it is backwards compatible to accommodate the type of ISP you have, so you won’t face any problems if your ISP hasn’t updated its end to accommodate DOCSIS 3.1.

This modem is considered to be our Editor’s choice and our best DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem because you usually buy a new modem because you want better speeds. The deciding factor in selecting nay modem should be the total bandwidth provided, and the Motorola MB8600 is a beast in the modem arena.

Gigabit Ethernet connections is considered to be the best way to channel the internet in your home, due to lower pings, lower packet loss and stable bandwidth, but the MB8600 is too much for just one Gigabit Ethernet port to handle.

In fact, you may have to use 4 to really max out your download bandwidth because one won’t be able to handle it. If this is not future proofing your home, what is?

Performance

Even though you are still heavily reliant on your ISP to fully take advantage of the DOCSIS 3.1 standard, the modem has AQM feature which helps to prioritize important data and helps to really improve performance significantly.

Now our websites didn’t take any time to load, and gaming and doing any online activities that was HD4k was pure bliss.

Honestly. If anyone has ever played GoW on their laptops and watched the graphics load frame by frame, will appreciate the smooth transition from scene to scene, without interruptions.

Speeds

We did notice a bump up in speeds, with our devices registering speeds up to 872Mbps in multiple speed tests. This is at close proximity, as we went further away, the speed dropped marginally, but not enough to give us palpitations.

  • DOCSIS 3.1 and backwards compatible
  • Reliable connectivity
  • Simple installation and set up process
  • Boosts speed and performance
  • Impressive throughput
  • We didn't find any!

2. Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

Netgear has and still continues to create top of the line internet equipment that we can rely on. The CM1000 is no different, instead taking your internet online experience to the next level with its DOCSIS 3.1 modem.

Although it is compatible with a select few ISPs like Cox, Comcast, Mediacom Cable, if you are a subscriber to any of those companies, you should seriously consider buying the CM1000.

Performance

When we started testing this modem, we weren’t too sure about it because we knew about the firmware issues the CM1000 faced when it was first released. Updates were released, but we still had that in the back of our minds.

However, when it came to performance, there were no glitches. There were no sudden shut downs, or unresolved issues and the speeds were what we expected.

If you are looking to give your network a boost we recommend you buy this router, invest in some good Cat6 cables and simply factory reset your router.

Speed

We are not joking; this modem did boost our speeds. It’s not so Earth shattering as doubling our speeds – no way, but enough to make us appreciate that this is a pretty sweet deal.

Our speeds went up by at least 100Mbps, and that is good news for us considering we were getting decent speeds in the first place.

  • Fast self activation process
  • Multiple SC-QAM channels which means less congestion
  • Lowers latency issues and minimalizes pings which is awesome for gamers
  • Boosts speeds
  • Compatible wih all ISPs
  • More ports would be appreciated

3. ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1

Arris is a well known brand in the world of internet equipment, and we knew this list would be incomplete without the Arris SB8200 being featured on it.

From being compatible with all major ISPs, to having two Gigabit Ethernet ports so that you can create two separate networks, the SB8200 is considered to be one of the top gigabit modems.

Performance

The home of today has many demands of its modem – from demanding better and faster speeds to improved reliability; the new tech generation has lost patience with slow gadgets and poor connectivity.

Time and tide wait for no man, and an electrical gadget can get obsolete very quickly, which is why Arris released the SB8200, in an effort to keep homes future proofed, without compromising on performance.

This definitely gets high recommendations from the BlueGadgetTooth team for the sheer user friendliness of the self activation and set up process. Coming from someone who constantly needs to ask questions, this is high praise indeed.

Transferring heavy data files was a breeze and we noticed that the latency issues we were facing had reduced considerably. Even though we tried to put a lot of load onto the network, we faced no networks.

Of course, it’s not all rosy and we did find that the SB8200 got considerably hot. You would be well advised to place this in a well ventilated area to be on the safe side.

Speeds

From the minute we plugged in the SB8200, we saw our speeds doubling. This is always a good thing and we have no complaints when it comes to speed.

  • Compatible with most major ISPs, but it is better to double check before purchasing
  • Delivers excellent speeds
  • Very easy installation and set up process
  • Superb performance
  • Good deal
  • Can get quite hot

4. Netgear Nighthawk C7800 DOCSIS 3.1

Best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Router Combo

There is nothing better than getting the best money saving deal you can possibly get.

With the C7800, launched by Netgear as part of its Nighthawk series, you get something legendary, very cool looking and something that gets the job done, without the hassle of shopping around for a second device to get your devices connected.

This is a huge time saver in so many ways – we appreciate the fact that it is a modem router combo, saving us the time in looking for something that would be compatible with the modem, and one that would complement the DOCSIS 3.1 standard as well as the features the C7800 has.

The days of renting our modem from our ISP was over, and we could happily say goodbye to those rental fees that juts added up over time, with nothing spectacular to show for it. 

Performance

The set up process was fairly simple and probably took us about fifteen minutes, which included a few minutes of just goofing around. When it came to wireless performance, we weren’t too sure as modem router combos usually don’t have the same level of awesomeness as a separate modem and router.

But we have to admit, this is a pretty sweet deal, and the connection as well as range delivered with this gadget is excellent.

Speeds

It is built to deliver speeds that could theoretically reach 3.2Gbps. This is still a ways away as your ISP probably needs to catch up.

However, we found that our speeds had increased to what our old router and modem used to deliver, so that’s good news. It’s still not blazingly fast but we suspect it could have something to do with our ISP, and not the limitations of the product.

  • MU-MIMO technology
  • USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports
  • You can connect more than 12 devices at a time
  • Great choice for gaming and streaming
  • Antennae provide great range
  • Guest screen is not customizable

5. Netgear CM1200 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem 

High Performance

The highest performance DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem that you can get is the Netgear Nighthawk CM1200. Getting your own modem will save you on rental fees from your cable internet company.

Design

The design of the CM1200 modem is an upright tower design. It is a black casing with a lot of vents to ensure that your modem will be as cool as possible. It should be easy to place wherever you would like it to go since it is slim as well as tall.

The design also includes several Ethernet ports. There is link aggregation that combines two 1G ports into one 2G port, allowing you to have faster wired Ethernet speed than you might have known was possible.

There are also four 1G ports, so you should be able to wire in any device that really needs that high speed connection.

Performance

This modem is made for performance. It has 32x8 channel bonding and OFDM 2x2 in addition to DOCSIS 3.1. This is not a router/modem combo unit, but instead a high-powered solo modem that will work with your cable internet.

Looking at the modem’s speeds, it offers you up to 2 Gbps, which is more than you might be able to get from your ISP.

It never hurts to have more speed capability than your package allows, but be aware that you are still limited by the cable internet that you are set up for.

The max download speed with this modem is 2000 Mbps as well, so just keep that in mind.

  • 2G port for faster wired speed
  • 4 x 1G Ethernet ports
  • 32x8 channel bonding
  • Works with any Wi-Fi router
  • 2 Gbps speed
  • Netgear customer service is not always accessible if you need help with this modem

6. Netgear CM1150V DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

For Xfinity Voice

The Netgear Nighthawk line continues to impress us with the CM1150V DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. This modem offers amazing speeds that are sure to provide the best online experience possible.

As a bonus, it is also easy to setup and can be accomplished in only 5 minutes, taking away a lot of the heavy work of getting a modem up and running.

Design

The CM1150V is built for online streaming, easily taking on multi-player gaming and 4K HD streaming. This is important if you have a network that streams from multiple devices regularly.

The 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports will give you the fastest wired speeds possible, whether you are attaching it to your computer, a router, or to another device. The link aggregation combines 2 x 1-Gigabit ports into a 2-Gigabit port to give you even faster speeds.

It also has 2 telephone ports that will prioritize voice over internet if you are using a voice service with your cable package. This will work with any cable provider, however, so even if you do not have voice capabilities with your ISP, you will still be able to use the high speeds and performance that the CM1150V offers.

Performance

You will notice a great amount of speed capabilities from this Nighthawk modem. As long as you can get it from your cable provider, this modem can reach speeds up to 2 Gbps.

If you do not have this through your ISP right now, at least you know that this modem is ready to take on the challenge when technology does improve, preventing you from needing a new one. In that way, this cable modem is “future safe.”

  • Speeds up to 2 Gbps
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • Works with Xfinity Voice
  • Supports any wireless router
  • 32x8 channel bonding
  • No built-in wireless router

7. ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 Modem

DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Router Combo

Another DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem that should not escape your attention is the ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300.

This modem uses a Surfboard Manager app on both iOS and Android devices for ease of use. That also helps with the settings on your modem. It is a modem/router combo unit as well, which should give you more for your money.

Design

The SBG8300 comes equipped with 4 x 1-Gigabit ports, making it easy to hardwire computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs to your modem. It also comes with a built-in dual-band Wave 2 wireless router, so you will not have to get a separate unit for your wireless devices.

Additionally, this modem has 32 downstream x 8 upstream DOCSIS channels as well as 2 downstream x 2 upstream OFDM channels. This is how the modem is able to really keep up with the speeds that we have come to expect from our modems.

The modem is also simple to setup, but you will need to double check with your service provider that it is compatible.

Performance

One of the best things about this modem is that it is capable of true Gigabit download speeds, which is important if you have a Gigabit plan through your ISP.

The router is decent, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with MIMO antenna configuration. This will allow you to stream along the 5 GHz band and keep devices that you use for browsing on the 2.4 GHz band.

  • Dual-band Wave 2 Wi-Fi
  • Surfboard Manager App for iOS and Android
  • Works with Alexa
  • 32 downstream x 8 upstream DOCSIS channels
  • 4x 1 Gigabit ports
  • It is difficult to update the wireless software

8. ARRIS SURFboard T25 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem

Another great DOCSIS 3.1 compatible modem is the ARRIS SURFboard T25. This is an incredibly popular modem and for good reason.

Performance

The SURFboard T25 has great performance, though it does list itself as being compatible with Xfinity cable internet, so if you have Cox or Spectrum, this modem might not work out for you. It also does not have a built-in router, so you will need to buy one separately if you are hoping to have wireless connectivity.

The modem also supports Xfinity Voice with a digital voice adapter. In fact, it has two telephony ports available to help provide that type of connectivity. For this reason, it is considered a two-in-one device, acting as both modem and a voice device.

Speeds

The SURFboard T25 can reach speeds up to 2 Gbps, depending on the type of internet package that you have. It is 10 times faster than DOCSIS 3.0 and it is capable of boding up to 32 downstream and 8 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 channels as well as 2 downstream and 2 upstream OFDM DOCSIS 3.1 channels.

Ultimately, this modem is capable of true Gigabit download speeds, making it the best option if you have a Gigabit internet plan. This is ideal if you like to stream often or if you are an online gamer. It even supports virtual reality gaming efficiently, making good use of all of your available speeds. The system is made to allow for 4K Ultra-HD video streaming as well.

  • 2 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • 32 downstream x 8 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 channels
  • 2 downstream x 2 upstream OFDM DOCSIS 3.1 channels
  • Speeds up to 2 Gbps
  • 2 Telephony ports for Xfinity Voice
  • Only certified by Xfinity

9. Motorola MG8702 Modem Router 

This is a wonderfully fast device, and it has just about anything that you should need for the average, modern home network.

Design

The design of the MG8702 is what you would expect to see from any Motorola device. It has their signature tower look, with venting down the sides to help keep the device as cool as possible.

It also does not take up much room and can be placed just about anywhere in your home. This design is really nice, because you do not need to worry about the internal components overheating or breaking down sooner than expected.

Additionally, this device comes with four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports. These are really nice to have if you are worried about losing a connection of if you just want to have the best speeds possible for certain devices in your network.

This might mean heavy streaming devices like game systems or televisions, but it also might just mean your computer.

Performance

The MG8702 DOCSIS 3.1 modem has the ability to reach speeds up to 3200 Mbps, blowing away most of the other devices out there.

Of course, most ISPs cannot offer this level of speeds with a modem yet, but having this modem means that when the speeds are made available, you will easily be able to use every drop that you have.

The device is also backward compatible, so it will work with any devices that you had that worked with DOCSIS 3.0 technology. There are more and more devices that will easily work with the DOCSIS 3.1 modems, so this won’t be a concern forever.

The built-in router with this device is dual-band and has a lot of great features. It has MU-MIMO technology built-in, which is really nice if you do any heavy streaming on the network. It also has beamforming technology to help increase the signal strength across the entire network.

  • Speeds up to 3200 Mbps
  • Dual-band router
  • MU-MIMO technology
  • Beamforming technology
  • USB 3.0
  • There’s a learning curve to operate this

10. Netgear Orbi CBR750

If you are looking for the best DOCSIS 3.1 modem that will also give you extended coverage, we suggest the NetgearOrbi CBR750.

This is a modem router combo that can be easily turned into a mesh system, giving you full range over the entirety of your network.

Design

Let’s look at the design of the Orbi CBR750. The Orbi is sleek and has a grey and white casing, rather than the more common black. The device also stands vertically, rather than resting horizontally, so you will not need to worry about it taking up too much room.

The CBR750 comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports that will easily allow you to plug in anything that requires a secure connection.

It also supports the WPA2 wireless security protocols. Finally, you do get guest network access, a VPN, and a firewall to keep your network locked down and safe. The setup for the security features for this device is very simple and should be quick to do.

Performance

When we look at the performance for the CBR750, you will see that it is nothing short of amazing.

You can easily achieve speeds up to 4.2 Gbps, but it is unlikely that your cable provider offers these speeds. Regardless, you really can expect to receive the speeds that you are paying for through your ISP’s speed package. When you are able to upgrade speeds with your ISP, this device will still work.

The best thing about this device is that by itself, it covers up to 2,500 square feet. You can turn this into a mesh system by adding on extra points, extending the reach of your coverage indefinitely.

The more points that you add, the better extended coverage that you will be able to get. It also can support more than 40 connected devices at a time, which should be able to cover all of the devices within your home network easily.

  • Can be turned into a mesh system
  • Easy to use
  • Can support more than 40 devices
  • Covers up to 2,500 square feet
  • Speeds up to 4.2 Gbps
  • We didn’t find any

DOCSIS 3.1 Modem Router Combo vs. DOCSIS 3.1 Separate Units

If you are wondering whether you should opt for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem router combo or go with separate units, there are pros and cons to each option. It will depend on your network needs.

Pros For Modem Router Combo:

  • Less expensive since it is just one device
  • Takes up less space than two devices would
  • Easier to update
  • Easier to setup

Pros For Separate Units:

  • More choice in selecting your router
  • Custom updates
  • You can always change routers
  • Works if you don’t want a router

Most people will go with a combo unit, because it is easier to operate and to setup. It just depends on your needs.

What ISPs Support DOCSIS 3.1?

As of now, the largest ISPs in the country offer Gigabit internet. Cox, Comcast Xfinity, Google Fiber, AT&T and CenturyLink all provide gigabit internet. If you live in a city, your chances of having access to super fast speed internet is pretty high.

But why would you need Gigabit Internet?

The first thing that comes to mind is the blazing speed. Modems with DOCSIS 3.1 can support downstream speeds of up to 10Gbps!

Paying for Gigabit internet can be an expensive affair, but one way of saving on those huge costs is to get your own networking equipment and buy your own DOCSIS 3.1 modem for your home. Having your own gigabit modem and router can cut down on pesky rental fees, allowing you to come close to achieving those max speeds.

Quick Note:

Not all ISPS that provide gigabit internet require the use of a cable modem. FTTN (Fiber to the node) and cable tech will need the traditional modem, whereas FTTP (Fiber to the premises) will provide an ONT (Optical network terminal), for which no consumer version exists.

What To Consider When Choosing A Gigabit Modem

Gigabit Modem Criteria

Is It Compatible With Your ISP: Before buying any modem, you have to check the list of compatible modems on your ISP’s website. You can also simply pick up the phone and call them up to find out. Always make sure that the modem you buy works with your ISP.

Speed: Gigabit speeds are still relatively new, so unless you know that your ISP is delivering gigabit speeds to your doorstep or is expected to provide amazing speeds soon, there is no real rush to upgrade to the DOCSIS 3.1 modem just yet. However, it’s always good to future proof your home.

Number of Ethernet Ports: This can be a point of concern for many. You probably will be using a separate router to access the internet, or may have multiple devices that you want to plug in directly to your modem to access high uninterrupted speeds.

The number of Ethernet ports as well as the speeds offered on those ports should be able to handle gigabit speeds. Having more is always better, and having a few slow Ethernet ports could be a death trap for your internet speed.

Are DOCSIS 3.1 Modems Backward Compatible With DOCSIS 3.0?

If you are looking into a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, you will be relieved to know that they are compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.

If your ISP does not support DOCSIS 3.1 yet, your new DOCSIS 3.1 will be treated like a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. That is, until your ISP upgrades its capabilities.

How Do Motorola MB8600 vs Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM1000 Compare?

After reviewing the Motorola MB8600 vs Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM1000, it was clear to see which one was the winner. However, let’s compare the three gigabit modems with each other for a close look.

Arris SB8200 vs Motorola MB8600

Model

Motorola MB8600

Arris SB8200

Gigabit Ethernet Ports

4

2

Max Download

3.8 Gbps

1.9 Gbps

Memory

512 MB

3 GB

QAM

32x8

32x8

Operating Temperature

32 - 104 F

32 - 122 F

Link Aggregation

Yes

Yes

Design: 

At first glance, the two modems would seem quite similar, apart from the colour difference of white and sleek grey. However, there are subtle differences that set the SB8200 vs MB8600 apart.

A closer look will reveal the physical power button and the 2 additional Ethernet ports on the Motorola MB8600. It is bigger than the SB8200, but it works at a lower temperature, while having 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports located at the back. It is also lighter than the SB8200, so no heavy weight lifting for you, if you own the MB8600.

Hardware: 

Admittedly, the SB8200 has 3GB RAM. That is far more than the MB8600 which has only 512MB RAM. Does this make a difference?

We don’t think so. The 3GB RAM is overkill, and perhaps the reason why the SB8200 runs hotter, using up more power. More RAM won’t give you faster speeds, whereas the MB8600’s 4 gigabit Ethernet ports will make it faster in the near future.

In addition to this, the MB8600 has lightning protection and advanced surge protection built into the modem. This is a better feature than excess RAM any given day.

Speed and Performance: 

As mentioned in our guide, the MB8600 is a beast in the modem arena. The 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports are great for solving bandwidth issues. Its AQM feature also helps improve performance, and we reached close to the advertised speeds.

On the other hand, SB8200 was great for solving latency problems. Our speed did see a considerable boost, but our vote goes to the MB8600, hands down.

Compatibility: 

The MB8600 is compatible with Cox Gigablast, Mediacom and Comcast Gigabit services, while approved for all speeds provided by Comcast Xfinity, CableOne and Cox.

The SB8200 is compatible with Comcast Xfinity, WOW, Spectrum, Time Warner, Brighthouse and Cox Cable. Both modems seem on par with each other in terms of compatibility.

Note: Cable modems are not compatible with DSL, satellite or fiber optic services provided by Verizon, AT&T or CenturyLink, Frontier.

Winner:

Looking at the sheer number of features, design, performance and speeds, it’s clear that the Motorola MB8600 is the winner here.

If you’re looking to really future proof your home, want the best gigabit modem for a lower cost that operates at lower temperatures, then the MB8600 is the modem for you. Also, the MB8600 is the only modem that can break the Gigabit barrier with link aggregation.

Motorola MB8600 vs Netgear CM1000

Model

Motorola MB8600

Netgear CM1000

Gigabit Ethernet Ports

4

1

Max Download

3.8 Gbps

1 Gbps

Memory

512 MB

256 MB

QAM

32x8

32x8

Operating Temperature

32 - 104 F

32 - 102 F

Link Aggregation

Yes

Yes

Design:

The Netgear CM1000 has more or less stuck to its standard design lines, with a few improvements. Slightly curved edges and a no fingerprint retention matt black finish makes it very attractive.

Both MB8600 vs CM1000 have great heat management, with all the indicators, ports and also boast of good design. However, the 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports on the MB8600 makes the Motorola modem the winner.

Hardware: 

Both the MB8600 vs CM1000 use a Broadcom based chipset instead of the Intel Puma chipset, removing any latency issues. The MB8600 has a 512MB RAM, while the CM1000 has 256MB RAM.

Both are equally on par with each other, but the Motorola MB8600 seems better equipped to handle the load and higher speeds, which makes it the winner between the two.

Speed and Performance:

Both modems deliver excellent speeds, so even if you choose the MB8600 vs CM1000, your performance in terms of speed and performance will be more or less similar.

However, the 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports give the MB8600 a distinct advantage for future proofing your home.

Compatibility: 

The MB8600 is compatible with Comcast, Cox and Mediacom, while the CM1000 is compatible with Comcast, Cox, Mediacom and WOW. It’s just a matter of time before Charter approves these modems.

To us, it makes no difference as the two biggest ISPs approved both.

Winner: 

Even though the Motorola MB86000 vs Netgear CM1000 go neck on neck in various categories, the BlueGadgetTooth team favours the Motorola MB8600.

The more ports, more Gig speeds, built in surge and lightning protection, cooler operating temperature all make us favour the MB8600 as the winner.

Arris SB8200 vs Netgear CM1000

Model

Arris SB8200

Netgear CM1000

Gigabit Ethernet Ports

2

1

Max Download

1.9 Gbps

1 Gbps

Memory

3 MB

256 MB

QAM

32x8

32x8

Operating Temperature

32 - 122 F

32 - 102 F

Link Aggregation

Yes

Yes

Design: 

The design styles of the SB8200 vs CM1000 are slightly different in approach. While the white form of the SM8200 looks decidedly more cheerful, the CM1000 seems a little more sombre.

However, both take care to control heat management, with the cut-outs on the sides. The CM1000 is decidedly lighter, more than 1lb lighter than the SB8200. This could be great for you or not, depending on where you place it in your home.

The lighter weight may make the CM1000 easier to push off a surface. However, as the Arris SB8200 has a second Ethernet port, it gets the vote for this round’s winner.

Hardware:

Both modems use Broadcom chips, so no complaints there. The SB8200 has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, which can reach 2Gbps download combined through link aggregation.

However, that is still a ways away, however, that is enough to tell us that the Arris SB8200 is a better choice for us in terms of its hardware.

Speed and Performance:

Both modems are great for HD gaming, 4K HD streaming and VR. However, the performance on the Arris SB8200 was marginally better due to its lowering our latency issues and boosting the speeds more than the CM1000. Arris wins this round.

Compatibility:

The SB8200 is compatible with Cox, Comcast and WOW, whereas Netgear’s CM1000 is compatible with Cox, Comcast, WOW and Mediacom. Just because it is compatible with more ISPs makes the Netgear CM1000 the winner.

Winner: 

This comparison round was a little more close, due to the many similarities in terms of design, build and performance.

However, little details like the Arris SB8200 having a Spectrum Analyzer that makes the set up process easier and thee extra Ethernet port tips the Arris SB8200 as the winner between the SB8200 vs CM1000.

Final Words

Gigabit speeds are still not as prevalent as we would like, but future proofing your home with a high performing DOCSIS 3.1 modem is important, if you want to access those awesome lightning speeds the moment your ISP brings those gig speeds to your doorstep.

The SB8200 vs MB8600 vs CM1000 comparison battle was tough, but thorough reviews and our research proved that our Editor’s Choice – the Motorola MB8600 to be the overall favorite.

The affordability and as it supports port bonding and the highest potential download speed makes this our top pick.

Any of the modems mentioned in this guide will do the trick for your home, but if you’re looking for something which takes up less time and is a little more hassle free, you could opt for the Netgear Nighthawk C7800, which is the best DOCSIS 3.1 modem router combo.

In the end, you should think about how many gadgets will be wired connected to your modem for better speeds, like your gaming station, streaming video device, computer or HDTV, apart from your wireless router. 

About the Author tomas

Hey, it's Tomas here! I'm the founder and chief editor here at BlueGadgetTooth. After spending hours explaining my parents how to hook up their Internet, why it's being so slow etc. I decided to start this blog to help people with their gadgets and questions about technology.

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