Motorola MB8600
Score: 82/100
Arris SURFboard SB8200
Score: 75/100Rankings
The Motorola MB8600 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem delivering up to 3.8 Gbps downstream speeds and four Gigabit Ethernet ports. Its lack of built-in Wi-Fi and masked Ethernet ports limit flexibility for some users. Ideal for gigabit plans where a separate router is already in use.
The ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem delivering very high theoretical speeds and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi and can run hot, with some users experiencing lag spikes and port issues. Best suited for households that already have a separate router and need a high-performance wired modem.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
3,800 Mbps | 10,000 Mbpsbest | |
800 Mbps | 2,000 Mbpsbest | |
4 portsbest | 2 ports | |
| ↓ lower better | 30 Wbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 0.031 kgbest | 0.608 kg |
2 yearsbest | 2 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(2) | ||
Maximum Download Speed (Mbps) | 3800 Mbps | 10000 Mbps |
Maximum Upload Speed (Mbps) | 800 Mbps | 2000 Mbps |
Ports(1) | ||
Ethernet Ports (count) (ports) | 4 ports | 2 ports |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to 40°C | 0-50°C |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 0.031 kg | 0.6078 kg |
Dimensions (HxWxD) (mm) | 200x57x184 mm mm | 133.35x130.30x44.45 mm mm |
General(1) | ||
Provider Compatibility | Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum | Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers view the MB8600 as a solid, no-frills DOCSIS 3.1 modem that excels in raw speed potential and low-latency performance thanks to its Broadcom chipset and AQM.
Consumers generally praise the MB8600 for delivering consistent gigabit-class speeds and an easy setup with major ISPs. Common praise centers on its stability and the ability to handle multiple static IPs, while recurring complaints focus on the hidden Ethernet ports, occasional distance-related speed loss, and the need for an external router due to the absence of Wi-Fi.
Reviewers highlight the SB8200's ability to deliver true gigabit speeds on DOCSIS 3.1 networks, praising its dual Gigabit ports, solid build, and proven compatibility with Cox and Xfinity. They note the lack of built-in Wi-Fi as a trade-off and caution that real-world speeds depend on ISP provisioning, while occasional lag spikes are mentioned as a minor drawback.
Users consistently praise the modem's speed, ease of setup, compact design, and compatibility with major ISPs, but many complain about the unit running hot, occasional lag spikes, and Ethernet port failures that cause connectivity drops.
“"valuable" frill-free DOCSIS 3.1 modem ideal for 1 Gbps plans”
“"Reliable high speeds (e.g., 900+ Mbps down at 20 ft in tests, stable for gigabit plans)"”
