Arris SB8200 Vs Netgear CM1000 – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

You want faster internet speed, right?

Over the past couple of years, cable internet has been able to grow and offer impressive speeds. All of us, especially when home, want to be able to access the websites we want or stream videos as fast as possible. For you to benefit from modern gigabit potential, you'll need the best DOCSIS 3.1 modem to really tap into gigabit-speed internet packages.

PRODUCT	DETAILS
	Arris SB8200	Maximum download speeds of up to 2 Gbps You get compatibility with most major ISPs Streaming 4K videos online won’t be an issue	View Latest Price
	Netgear CM1000		View Latest Price

With the Arris SB8200 and Netgear CM1000 being the go-to for many, trying to choose between the two can be a bit difficult.So, keep reading our Arris SB8200 vs. Netgear CM1000 comparison to see which one we’ve crowned as the winner!

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?

Before you go ahead and grab the first DOCSIS 3.1 modem you see, you need to take a breather and consider certain factors.

Not every modem is going to work the same. And purchasing one that isn’t able to offer you the speeds you expect is going to feel as if you’ve flushed your hard-earned money down the drain. So, allow us to offer you some tips to ensure you end up making an informed buying decision.

The Installation Process

You should consider the installation process of the modem. No one wants to sit around, trying to make sense of a hefty instruction manual. The easier a modem is to install by yourself, the sooner you can enjoy fantastic internet speeds. Quick installations help save on time and money.

The Speed Boost

While every modem might boast about increasing speeds, some perform better than others. So, remember to read the specifications and see the differences before making a purchase.

ISP Compatibility

A modem is still going to work with the ISP to increase speeds. So, take note of your modem’s ISP compatibility. You should also call your internet provider to be sure.

The Ports

The ports in the modem are there to offer more convenience. Some modems support Link Aggregation, which allows for ports to be connected as a single bundle (Link Aggregation Group). However, not all ISPs will be compatible with Link Aggregation. Also, a single port can increase the chances of your internet connection breaking if the Ethernet port fails.

We kept these features and more in mind to announce our winner.

Arris SB8200 Vs. Netgear CM1000 Comparison

It’s time for us to share an in-detail comparison between our two selected modems. We’ll be going over both device's encryption, speed ratings, streaming capabilities, number of ports, and more. And of course, we’ll be selecting a winner in each category to make the buying process easier for you.

Encryption

We’re going to begin our comparison by going over the Encryption ratings of both modems to see which one comes out as our top pick.

For those who don’t know, in simple terms, encryption (related to WiFi) is about security. You don’t want everyone outside to have access to your WiFi and hack your information, right? That’s why it’s recommended for encryption to be enabled on a wireless router. When it’s enabled, your WiFi network will ask for a password to offer access to the internet.

Without having a password, anyone can connect to your WiFi and steal speed off of your bandwidth, which causes your internet speed to slow down. Such situations can get annoying when you’re streaming your favorite movie or live-streaming content to an online audience. However, even with a password, if an outdated encryption method is being used, hackers can still cause harm.

WPA2, while not perfect, is considered the best home-based wireless network protection encryption. As far as encryption and these two modems are concerned, the good news is that both are compatible with WPA2 protocols. This means that using these modems won’t negatively affect WiFi security or mess with internet speeds. So, in our first comparison category, we have a draw.

Wireless Speed Rating

The faster the wireless speed, the better the online experience you'll have. Now, before you begin getting annoyed about slow speeds even when the device states otherwise, there's something you need to know. For example, a product claiming that you will experience download speeds of 5 Gbps doesn't mean you will get it. It all depends on the link speed you have as well as what your ISP provider offers.

Coming to our comparison, both modems allow you the ability to connect them to the best router you have for all your wireless internet connection needs.

• Netgear Cable Modem CM1000: It promotes itself as offering 1000 Mbps download speed. As far actually using it is concerned, the boost in wireless speed rating isn't too significant from this modem. It can help boost speeds by at least 100 Mbps.
• Arris SB8200: It boasts about offering a maximum download speed of 10 Gbps. Looking at the wireless speed rating provided by this device, this modem is sure to double your speed!

From the data we have shared, you can see that the winner of this round is the Arris SB8200. Even though the Netgear modem is still a reliable device, the Arris does perform better in terms of wireless speed.

Streaming Capabilities

Anyone with an internet connection wants to be able to stream movies without any lag or at least, with as little lag as possible. For those who might not know, the streaming speed can be defined as the strength of the connection between the internet and your device. Better streaming speeds mean more data packets can reach your device when playing online videos.

Using these two modems can definitely help with making your streaming experience better. However, again, both of these modems do have certain differences you should know about.

• Netgear Cable Modem CM1000: It claims to have a downstream data speed of 6000Mbps. With such speeds, you can easily stream Ultra HD videos without any issues.
• Arris SB8200: This one claims to have downstream data speed of up to 10000 Mbps. You can easily stream 4K videos without any lag. The 45 Mbps upstream range allows you to live-stream effectively your vlog or videogame plays effectively.

So, again, in our second category, our winner is the Arris SB8200. It’s a great modem to use if you want to have uninterrupted streaming speeds on your devices. Whether you’re browsing YouTube or you’re watching 4K Digital versions of your favorite movies, streaming will be a breeze with this modem.

The Ports

We have to talk about the ports being offered by these two modems and how it all relates to internet speeds. As mentioned, some modems allow for a Link Aggregation Group or LAG. You should know that LAG plays a role in offering more convenience when it comes to a faster and stable internet connection. In contrast, a modem that only has a single port does increase the chances of you losing your connection if the said port fails.

So, let’s see where our two modems stand when it comes to ports.

• Netgear Cable Modem CM1000: Going over the design, you will see that this model only has one Gigabit Ethernet port. So, that means you won't be able to benefit from LAG. Furthermore, having only one port means that it won't offer you higher speeds compared to modems with more ports. Due to a LAN Ethernet port being limited to 1 Gbps, that's the maximum download speed you can expect from this modem.
• Arris SB8200: Now, this modem is a very different story compared to its Netgear counterpart. It features a total of two Ethernet ports, with each having two LEDs. The amber LED displays a 10/1000 Mbps connection with the green for a GigE data connection. The two ports mean this modem is capable of offering a maximum download speed of 2 Gbps. You can also connect two separate devices simultaneously.

So, as far as ports and the associated speeds are concerned, the Arris SB8200 is our winner!

Compatibility and Performance

We’ve reached the end of our comparison battle. Our final comparison category is going to be the overall compatibility and the compatibility-linked performance of these two modems. Let’s begin!

Netgear CM1000: This model is compatible with Comcast (if you’re using the Xfinity service) as well as Cox and Mediacom Cable. So, you can see that there are ISPs it won’t be compatible with.

Arris SB8200: This model is compatible with Comcast and Cox, too. Other than that, it’s compatible with most ISPs. But still, it’s recommended you check with your provider before making a purchase.

Going by overall compatibility, the Arris SB8200 is workable with more ISPs compared to the Netgear CM1000. This means that the Arris model will offer you higher internet speeds on the same connection in contrast to you using the Netgear model and wanting better speed.

Also, take note; for you to benefit the most from the DOCSIS 3.1 technology, you need to go for a Gigabit+ data plan, with the 1 Gbps tier being the more common and recommended. And yes, you should talk to your provider about any internet speed caps that might be in place before deciding to spend money on a modem.

Arris SB8200 and Netgear CM1000 Differences

We're done with the comparison between the two. Now, we're going to give you a rundown of the differences between these modems. We will be highlighting three main aspects.

Speed

We know that you’re probably reading this entire article to learn about the speeds you’ll be getting from these modems. From all of the specifications we have gone through, the Arris SB8200 is definitely superior compared to the Netgear CM1000.

We say this because the Arris modem gives you maximum download speeds of 2 Gbps in contract to the 1 Gbps offered by the Netgear modem. Not only that, but the streaming speeds are better. With Arris, you won't face any lag while streaming 4K videos while the Netgear is better suited for watching Ultra HD content. Live-streaming content is also better with the Arris.

Setting Them Up

Setting up both modems is going to be very easy for you. Both devices follow the plug-and-play rule. They also have a web-based interface that you can use to view their status. However, there is still a difference you should know about.

The Arris modem has a unique feature by the name Spectrum Analyzer. Such a feature gives you the ability to monitor the cable line’s connection. The Netgear modem doesn’t offer such access.

Design

The designs of these devices are different as well. The Arris modem has a white plastic case similar to its predecessors with a matte finish. The edges of this modem are rounded. The white color might not be for everyone, but it still offers a lot of extra internet speed. So, it all kind of works out even if you don't like white.

As for the Netgear modem, this one can come across as more stylish due to the design featuring a black color. It has a polyhedron-shaped case, which many gamers and streamers will appreciate. It has a matte finish with the edges being a bit curved.

In a sense, the Arris modem is more cheerful compared to the more stylish-serious appearance of the Netgear model. Both have cut-outs to help keep overheating at bay.

Overview of Our Winner

So, after much deliberation and presenting you with all of the facts, we can surely say that the Arris SB8200 is our clear winner.

One of the best things about this modem is the internet speed it offers. With this modem, you will get a maximum download speed of 2 Gbps. This allows you to stream online videos even in 4K resolution without encountering any lag issues. The 45 Gbps upstream speed gives you the ability to live-stream without any annoyance. Such speeds make this modem great for vloggers and online content creators.  

Other than that, we selected the Arris modem because of the ports it has. The LAG feature is excellent for anyone wanting more speed. The two Ethernet ports also allow you to connect more than two devices simultaneously.

And of course, our winner is also compatible with most major ISPs. Such a level of compatibility means you should be able to go ahead and buy it to enjoy faster internet speeds without worrying about compatibility issues.

Conclusion

The right modem can enable you to make the most out of your internet connection, doubling your internet speed or coming close to it is possible. We hope you ended up gaining some useful information through our comparison of the Arris SB8200 and the Netgear CM 1000 modems.

Again, do make sure you check with your ISP provider to see which modem is compatible. Also, always check out the ports the device offers and take note of the downstream and upstream speeds to make an informed buying decision.