One of the most popular and successful Cable Modem brands is the Arris SURFboard series used in millions of homes to provide connectivity to Cable Internet Providers.
Many people nowadays save a lot of monthly rental fees by purchasing their own cable modem instead of leasing the one provided by their ISP, and Arris SURFboard models are among the preferred brands for home and office networks.
ARRIS SB6190 made quite a fuss back in the days. It was one of the first, if not the first, consumer-grade 1.4 Gbps modem (theoretical speed) to be released. It has been in the market for several years now but still remains one of the fastest modems in cable internet services.
ARRIS SB6183 is the older brother of the SB6190. It is not as high-performance, but it sure is less expensive and can satisfy the Internet requirements of most small to medium homes. Moreover, it uses a Broadcom chipset which is more stable and bug free (see explanation later).
You might have heard about those modems already, and you maybe wondering what’s the difference between them and who should get which. Well, we are now going to find that out by first looking at the feature comparison table below (most important specs are shown):
Comparison Table
o Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse),
o Cox
o Suddenlink and more
o Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse Networks),
o Cox,
o Mediacom,
o Suddenlink
o and most other US Cable Internet Providers
o Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse),
o Cox
o Suddenlink and more
o Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse Networks),
o Cox,
o Mediacom,
o Suddenlink
o and most other US Cable Internet Providers
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 20:40 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Channel bonding and DOCSIS
If you are completely new to modems, then there are a couple of things we should explain to you before we examine the two modems.
First of all, channel bonding. Simply put, channel bonding is a process in which two or more channels are combined for increased network throughput. A basic analogy for this would be a water pipe: if you connect say 4 small water pipes into one large pipe, you’ll be able to run more water through it.
The second feature that should be clarified is DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification). It is a telecommunications standard designed to allow high-bandwidth data transfer to cable TV systems. Both Arris SB6183 and SB6190 support DOCSIS 3.0.
Essentially, it is thanks to DOCSIS 3.0 that modems are able to do channel bonding – for example 32 down and 8 up channels for the SB6190 – which allows them to reach great download and upload speeds. Besides, the 3.0 version also has IPv6 support.
DOCSIS 3.0 also introduced significantly increased download and upload rates – 1.2 Gbit/s download and 200 Mbit/s upload peak speeds. This was astounding back in 2006 when the standard was introduced.
But even today, not that many internet users can truly enjoy such speeds for a variety of reasons starting from their budget and ending with the inability of some internet service providers to deliver such data rates.
This remains true even when you take into account the introduction of the fairly recent DOCSIS 3.1 (10 Gbit/s down and 1 to 2 Gbit/s upstream) and 3.1 Full Duplex standards (10 Gbit/s both download and upload rates). You’ll most likely find only a handful of ISPs who could provide you with Gigabit level speeds (thus requiring Gigabit cable modems at the home). Thankfully, DOCSIS 3.0 is at the moment more than enough for virtually everyone.
ARRIS Surfboard SB6183 Modem
- Tom's guide #1 cable Modem choice 2 years in a row. Compatible with major U.S. Cable Internet Providers including Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others. Not compatible with ATT, Verizon, CenturyLink or other DSL or Fiber internet providers.
- DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem best for cable internet speed plans up to 400 Mbps
- 16 downstream x 4 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 bonded channels
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 20:40 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Let’s begin with the simpler model, the SB6183. It comes for about 2/3 the price of the SB6190 and has half the performance. Besides, the SB6183 modem operates at about half the peak rates of DOCSIS 3.0 standard. Still, this doesn’t mean that this modem isn’t a great networking device.
So here is what the SB6183 modem has to offer:
- 686 Mbps download & 131 Mbps upload (theoretical speeds).
- 16 download and 4 upload channels with channel bonding.
- Uses the reliable Broadcom BCM33843D chipset with no lagging bugs.
- DOCSIS 3.0 downstream and upstream channels.
- IPv4 and IPv6 support.
- Usually used in Internet speeds of 300Mbps and lower.
Pros
This model has been in the market for a long time and its famous for its stability. Most small to medium homes with an Internet connection of less than 300Mbps (usually speeds of around 250Mbps are easily achieved) will work fine with the SB6183 and will save money on the purchase price since this is slightly cheaper modem compared to 6190.
Moreover, it uses the Broadcom BCM33843D chipset which offers reliability in packet processing of the modem. On the contrary, the SB6190 uses the Intel Puma 6 chipset which is known to have some latency bugs in some situations therefore affecting mainly online gaming and other latency sensitive applications.
Cons
Some people complain that the LEDs in front of the modem are very bright. In case you have this modem in your bedroom, the bright LEDs might be a problem when you try to sleep.
ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 Modem
- Compatible with major U.S. Cable Internet Providers including Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others. Not compatible with ATT, Verizon, CenturyLink or other DSL or Fiber internet providers. Compatible with major U.S. Cable Internet Providers including Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others. Not compatible with ATT, Verizon, CenturyLink or other DSL or Fiber internet providers.
- DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem best for cable internet speed plans up to 600 Mbps
- 32 downstream x 8 upstream DOCSIS 3.0 bonded channels
Last update on 2023-03-22 at 16:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Arris Surfboard SB6190 modem is a whole another deal. It has the same features as the SB6183, but it is twice as fast.
Here is how easy it is to install this modem in your home or office network (same installation instructions apply also for the SB6183 version):
Here is what this modem can offer to you:
- 1.4 Gbps download & 262 Mbps upload (theoretical speeds).
- 32 download and 8 up channels with channel bonding.
- It uses the Intel Puma 6 chipset.
- DOCSIS 3.0 downstream and upstream channels.
- IPv4 and IPv6 support.
- Used in Internet speeds of 400Mbps and lower.
SB6190 pretty much operates on the limits of the DOCSIS 3.0 standard.
You should note though that 1.4 Gbps download isn’t the actual rate you will be getting. First of all, we already said that DOCSIS 3.0 supports up to 1.2 Gbps download speeds.
Secondly, the Ethernet port of the SB6190 modem only supports up to 1.0 Gbps link speeds. You thus won’t get download speeds of more than 1.0 Gbps with this modem, which still is a huge rate.
The same goes for the upload rate: you probably won’t get the 262 Mbps rate even if your ISP provides it.
The actual download rate that most people get with this modem is in the range of 300-400 Mbps which is still pretty fast for most homes and offices.
Pros
It can handle ISP internet speeds of more than 300Mbps (usually in the range of 300-400 Mbps), therefore it is future proof. You will be able to use this modem on your cable service for years ahead in the future with no problems.
Moreover, the higher download and upload speeds will enable many people in the home network (more than 2-3 users simultaneously) to stream UHD video and play online games with no problems. The upload speed is also important for smart homes which contain IoT devices that upload a lot of data to cloud services.
Cons
Although the specs mention Gigabit download speeds, the actual down bandwidth will not be able to reach past 300-400 Mbps.
Another major disadvantage of this modem is that it uses the Puma 6 chipset from Intel. This chip is prone to high latency under certain circumstances. Intel issued a firmware upgrade to this chipset which fixed the problems but maybe not entirely.
SB6190 vs SB6183 – How do they compare?
We’re done with the numbers, so let’s see how the two modems compare and for which use case they are best for.
Well, when it comes to the specs, everything is pretty straightforward. The SB6190 is about twice as fast as the SB6183 but generally has the same features. While the difference between the modems is quite evident, you may be confused if you are going to buy the first modem in your life.
Arris recommends the SB6183 modem for HD video streaming and online gaming on multiple devices simultaneously, whereas the SB6190 is a suitable choice for Ultra HD (UHD) video streaming and again online gaming on multiple home devices simultaneously.
When to choose the SB6183
So how do you pick the right modem? Well, if you aren’t specifically looking to stream UHD video and your Internet connection bandwidth is less than 300Mbps, then the SB6183 would probably be more than enough for you (especially if there are only 1-2 heavy internet users in the home).
If you are mostly playing video games online, then there is not that much point in buying the SB6190 modem. Even for those gamers who stream live on Twitch or YouTube in 1080p, the SB6183 should be quite enough. Also, many people are considering the SB6183 to be a very reliable and stable hardware device (thanks to Broadcom chipset), so have this point in mind as well.
When to choose the SB6190
However, if you will be doing a lot of activities simultaneously, downloading large files often, or watching lots of UHD films (Ultra High Definition quality), then you would probably need to go for the SB6190 modem.
Moreover, if there are multiple Internet users in the home network (more than 2-3) who are simultaneously watching streaming video (e.g using High Definition Netflix on multiple video streaming devices) and your Internet speed is between 300-400Mbps, then the SB6190 will be a better choice. Paying a little more for this modem would be pretty reasonable in that case because you will take full advantage of the link bandwidth as well.
Things to keep in mind
- These modems both require cable internet service. They won’t work with DSL, satellite, or other technologies.
- Check whether or not your provider supports this modem. Both modems work with a wide range of ISPs, so contact your provider to see whether or not they work with the modem. These modems aren’t supported by Verizon, AT&T, and CenturyLink.
- Check how many down and up channels your ISP provides. If your ISP doesn’t support as many channels as you need, you might want to switch to another ISP that does.
- Both modems don’t come with a Wi-Fi router so you will need additional wireless router to be connected to the Ethernet port of the cable modem.
- The modems have only 1 Gigabit Ethernet port (to be used by your home router).
- Your ISP (or cable provider) might ask you to give them the MAC address of the modem (found at the bottom of the device) in order to enable the service.
Conclusion
So basically, if you are mostly doing some general stuff online like streaming high-definition movies or gaming, then the SB6183 would most likely be more than enough. On the other hand, if you need a modem to provide you with quick connection regardless of how many simultaneous things you do, then Arris SB6190 would probably be the right pick.
I have used the 6190 since release. If you use a fan to keep it cool, it is very reliable, I have no issues and I get 400Mbs service now through testing. You can buy fans for this modem on Amazon, less than $20.
The SB6190 modem is not very reliable. From day one had a latency issue. The modem eventually died after six months. Arris support is not very effective at all as it took three reps to get the return process going. Turn around time is also slow. I ended up buying another brand because I could not afford to wait 2-3 weeks to get a warranty exchange.
well, in my opinion a Broadcom based device would be more reliable indeed.
Harris, I use an Arris SB6183 router and wonder if it’s still provides the speed and security it once did? My Comcast internet speed is 600mbs down, 24mb up. I have no one else that uses my computer connection. Any thoughts or recommendations is appreciated. __Paul.
Paul,
Although the SB6183 is a solid modem, I believe it can’t support the full line speed of your Comcast plan (600 mbps). Have you tried a speed test?
I’d suggest to upgrade to a modem with faster speed support such as the Motorola MB8600 (https://www.tech21century.com/best-modem-router-for-comcast-xfinity/).
Harris
Thanks for the information. I have purchased the SB6190.