Reddit reviews ARRIS Surfboard SB6183-RB 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, (Renewed)-White

If you're not on Altice One, you'll need a modem and a router.
Get an Arris 6183 modem for cheap like this one here

Assuming you're not tech savvy since you're asking this, I won't recommend a router that needs to be flashed with OpenWRT, even though that would be ope of the best options. For straight out of the box firmware, TP-Link has always been the most stable and user friendly for me. You can pick up an A7 like this for a reasonable price if you shop around usually.

Buy an Arris SB6183(Get the extended warranty for $3) and a TP-Link router.

total~$90

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM

ARRIS Surfboard SB6183-RB 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, (Renewed)-White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_F64gDb842QEBB




Just get this one, or the new one if you don't like to buy refurbished things. For half the cost, why not buy refurbs? They already have the kinks worked out, lol.

I have Xfinity and this modem is perfect, I've literally never had a single issue, and it took maybe 5 minutes to set up. At $30, that what, 3 months of rental fees?!?! It's an outrageous racket Comcast has going for themselves. Unless you get 1GB fiber, you shouldn't ever have to upgrade as it's rated at over 600mbps.

I'm running the following setup on Optimum and I like it.

Modem

Arris SB6183-RB

Optimum can provide you a list of compatible modems if you want a different one. When you buy a modem you need customer service to register the MAC address of the modem to your account for your internet service to work. You can do this over the phone (I'm 99% sure you can).

Router

Netgear Orbi RBK50

The Orbi is a no bullshit, easy to set up, whole home mesh network. I have the base router setup next to my modem at one end of the house and I have the satellite setup in the middle of the house. It covers my entire 2,200 sq ft house (basement, first and second floors).

Google wi-fi is another option for a mesh router system that is cheaper.

If you don't need the coverage of mesh systems, there are a million different options you can choose. I'd go from this list: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

I would divorce the two units (combination units tend to cut corners and if you ever get fiber internet or want to repurpose a part you're stuck).

My general suggestion would be SB6183 modem + (TP-Link Archer C7 or A7 or on sale Google OnHub for $70ish) - the google stuff is better out of the box(what I'd suggest a relative 1000 miles away would get), the TP-Link gear is MUCH more configurable and would give you better options if flashed (like SQM support).

This would all cost around $100-120ish which is a hair over your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM
https://www.amazon.com/Google-WiFi-Router-TP-Link-Managed/dp/B013ALA9LA
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1750-Smart-WiFi-Router/dp/B079JD7F7G

Get a used Motorola surfboard. Should be able to find a decent modem for under $100


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ERK1JLM/ref=psdcmw_284715_t1_B00MA5U1FW

Don't do it. Get a modem and get a router. I'd get a cheap refurb modem as the standards are changing and prices will drop.

When the cable modem standard changes (or you change to an incompatible provider) you just unplug the router, plug it into the new device and everything is ready to go; all your devices have their password, all your guests and all the devices you forgot about still are connected.

You didn't mention speeds or carrier so it's hard to spec it for you. I have had several friends get this router and recommended it many times and had zero complaints. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUDUJE0/

I'd just get a cheap refurb router from Amazon, Arris SB6141 (these were $30 but jumped up to $40 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OMDZAV0 ) or SB6183 (dropped to $45 https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM )and plug it in. Look and see what devices your provider supports and the speeds they support (my 6141 is up to 343Mbps but some carriers only support it to 110Mbps, I've had this refurb for 3 years and it's running great).

Do you have 25mbps or 60mbps available in your area? How do those prices compare to the 400mbps year promo?

For those tiers, this would be fine:

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=cable+modem&qid=1556745896&s=gateway&sr=8-17

-That modem is just fine for 60mbps.

-For the router I would stick with a reliable brand name. I would get the TP-Link. When it comes to wifi you want it to be reliable 100% of the time without interruptions. (Tp-Link, Asus, Netgear, Linksys)

I found a modem with more channels (16×4) on Amazon renewed for the same price as the one you listed. I've always bought Arris modems to use on comcast. They are reliable as it gets


https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=arris+renewed&qid=1564972764&s=gateway&sr=8-1

And

Similar priced modem/router combo

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-Certified-Spectrum-SBG10/dp/B07H42QXF1/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=arris+modem+router+combo&qid=1564972365&s=gateway&sprefix=arris+modem&sr=8-4

I've been using this ARRIS Surfboard SB6141 refurb for two years now with 200mbit service. I hit about 230 with it.

Or there's a higher end version for $10 more here.

EDIT: Just saw that you need wifi built in. Here's a ARRIS Surfboard SBG6700AC-RB w/ AC1600 modem/router combo unit for $69.

ARRIS Surfboard SB6183-RB 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, (Renewed)-White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ldE6CbTDKWFFJ

Channel bonding. A quick Google or Youtube should point you right.

Basically DOCIS 2 was 1x1 which using an example of a hwy would be a one lane hwy going up and down.

8x4 means a 8 lane hwy going down and a 4 lane hwy going up. They have more lanes to combine 'channels' so you get the speeds is the layman's answer.

For your speeds not really but the 6183 is indeed a better option at $3 more

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541916614&sr=1-4&keywords=sb6183

the 6190 should be avoided. It uses a chip that is known to have latency issues. Un-detected by most people but still a thing if you have gamers in the house.

Plus when you switch to Gigabit anyway, these modems wont be useful anymore either way.

Just be wary if buying a refurb of MAC activation if they previous owner also had comcast.

Here's what I got. I have the 100 download plan from mediacom and get that speed 99% of the time.

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=refurbished+docsis+3.0&qid=1569198826&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Then for a router the archer a5 or a7 wouldn't be bad options!

Oof, the SB8200 looks to be overkill and is twice the price. Considering your internet is only 100Mb/s download, it is unnecessary to get the SB8200. I would personally just go for the cheaper route SB6183 and save your money. If it ends up not working the way you want it to (e.g. not getting full speeds, although you should since its 100) then return it for another alternative.

The only idea that comes to mind on why Comcast would recommend the SB8200 is to future proof yourself in the event you want to go for a higher internet tier, the additional channels would be nice as well but not 100% necessary for the value. The SB6183 is capable of going up to 686 Mb/s (theoretical).

Refurbished: https://smile.amazon.com/ARRIS-Surfboard-SB6183-RB-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01ERK1JLM New: https://smile.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6183-Docsis-Packaging/dp/B00MA5U1FW/