2024 the best modem review
Price: $219.99 - $199.00
(as of Nov 14, 2024 01:59:16 UTC - Details)
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Your multi-Gigabit home network will be ready with the SURFboard S33. A DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. With a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port plus an additional 1 Gbps Ethernet port it's capable of combined download speeds up to 3.5 Gbps. The S33 is the fastest modem in the SURFboard lineup delivering the fastest speeds and the latest technology without the premium rental cost.
Save Money: Own your modem and save. Reduce your cable bill up to $168 dollars per year in cable modem rental fees (Savings vary by cable service provider). Certified for use with most U.S. cable internet service providers. For a complete list see additional details below.
Modem Technology: DOCSIS 3.1 is the newest technology available from cable internet providers. Its 10x faster than DOCSIS 3.0, provides better security, reduces lag while gaming & enables multi-gig networking (ability to run fast speeds on your copper cable from your internet provider).
Simple and Secure Set-up: Plug-in the device, download the SURFboard Central App, and follow the instructions to activate the modem. Connect to a Wi-Fi router for networking.
Compatibility: The SURFboard S33 is compatible with major U.S. cable internet providers including Cox (Gigablast), Spectrum (Internet Gig), Xfinity (Blast!/Extreme Pro) and others. It's approved for cable internet speed plans up to 2.5-Gbps. Check your Internet Service Provider (ISP) website to confirm compatibility.
Reviewer: RC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: S33 Modem is great. Xfinity install... BIG pain
Review: The ARRIS S33 modem was a great upgrade. My prior modem was another ARRIS product and it worked really well. I've had several ARRIS products and all have functioned without issue. The only reason I upgraded was because my old modem was running DOCSIS 3.0 and I wanted to move to DOCSIS 3.1 to get the most out of the 1.2Gps service that I'm paying for. This new S33 modem improved my speeds across all devices by well over 100Mbps. On my M1 iMac I'm now getting 950 Mbps on average. The ARRIS S33 modem is a five star product.I'll summarize the rest of the story so you don't have to read it if you don't want to. You CAN use this modem with your Xfinity service. But you're going to have to work to get it done. The saga below is provided so if you decide to activate this with Xfinity, you'll have an idea of what you'll go through.Now for the ugly: installing this modem with Xfinity service... This is a simple modem. It's designed to be pretty much plug-n-play. Connect coax, plug in power, plug in ethernet cable then activate through Xfinity's app. All the connections on the modem are simple. I went to Xfinity's app to activate and the activation function wouldn't work. It said I had to contact an Xfinity agent directly. So I started the chat with an Xfinity agent. I spent over an hour chatting with the agent as they tried to figure it out. First they said the modem isn't compatible with Xfinity's service. I pointed out it's the recommended modem on Xfinity's website. Then they said they couldn't find the modem in their system so couldn't register it on my account. More haggling. They escalated the issue. Escalation agent had the same problems. After more than an hour they told me I'd have to take the modem to a service center because "the service centers have special tools to scan the modem into the system directly." He assured me no appointment was necessary with my case number. Off to the Xfinity service center I go. I get there and it's a 45 minute wait. The guy says their case number doesn't mean anything to them and I'd still have to wait in line. The guy calls my name and I walk up to the counter. As soon as I lay the modem box on the counter the guy says, "Oh, no. Another one of these." He proceeds to tell me he'll do everything he can to help but they've not been able to do anything with these modems in the service center. He says the service centers don't have any special tools and have to do the same things the online agents do. And he comments that he wishes the online agents wouldn't tell customers what the service centers can do, they're always wrong and just dump problems on the service center. Sure enough, the modem isn't listed in his system either. Nice guy and admits this situation has been causing a terrible customer experience with several customers. He escalates the case to some tech group offsite. He gives me a new case number and says they will have to try to manually configure the modem for my account and I should get a call within an hour. I walked out ticked off and skeptical that I'd get a call or that they'd fix it. 50 minutes later I get a call. A nice guy from the Xfinity tech group tells me he's got it configured and it should install fine. Just have to activate it through the app. I reinstall the modem and go to the Xfinity app to activate. Same error in the app as before and it makes me contact an agent. So I start the chat and explain the situation. The chat agent says to give him a few minutes to review and attempt the activation. He comes back on about 5 minutes later and says it's activated. Sure enough. The modem light is blue and I once again have data flowing. It took somewhere about 4 hours, two chat sessions, a trip to the local service center and referral to some higher Xfinity tech group; but it finally got installed.
Reviewer: Chicago Dan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Blazing Speeds Meet Xfinity Activation Challenge! ð»ð§ð
Review: TLDR: ARRIS S33 modem: significant speed upgrade, perfect for 1.2Gbps service, but challenging Xfinity installation. ð»ððUpgrading to the ARRIS S33 modem was like jumping to lightspeed in my home network. Coming from a history of using ARRIS products, which have always been stellar, this move was more about staying ahead in the internet speed game.The motivation? To tap into the full potential of my 1.2Gbps service. The previous modem was a faithful servant in the realm of DOCSIS 3.0, but the S33, with its DOCSIS 3.1 technology, has taken things to the next level. It's like unleashing the full power of my internet service. On my M1 iMac, I'm now hitting an average of 950 Mbps, which is phenomenal. It's a five-star experience in terms of performance.However, it's not all smooth sailing. If you're with Xfinity, brace yourself for a bit of an odyssey. The modem itself is designed for simplicity â a plug-n-play dream. But the activation with Xfinity? That's where the plot thickens.My attempt to activate through the Xfinity app hit a wall. The app was a no-go, and the chat with Xfinity agents turned into a marathon of confusion and miscommunication. From compatibility doubts to system non-recognition, it was a series of hurdles. The escalation didn't smooth things out either.A trip to the Xfinity service center, based on agent advice, turned into a waiting game and a revelation that the service centers are just as much in the dark. Despite the assurances and escalations, the solution still felt elusive.But, in a twist worthy of a tech thriller, a call from Xfinity's tech group brought the light at the end of the tunnel. The modem was finally configured, activated, and ready to go. The ordeal? Roughly 4 hours, multiple chats, a service center visit, and a pinch of patience.In conclusion, the ARRIS S33 modem is a beast in terms of speed and reliability, a definite upgrade for anyone looking to maximize their internet service. Just be prepared for a bit of an installation saga with Xfinity â it's worth it in the end!
Customers say
Customers like the speed and ease of setup of the modem. They mention it handles the new Spectrum Ultra speeds consistently and is a beast in terms of speed and reliability. Some also like the size. However, some dislike the heat level. Opinions are mixed on functionality, connectivity, stability, and compatibility with other modems.
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