Arris Surfboard SB6183 VS SB6190 – which Arris modem is more reliable?

Among the top modem manufacturers is the Arris Company. Take a look as we compare two of their best models: Surfboard SB6183 and Surfboard SB6190 to find out which one is the most suitable for you.

Modems have become an essential device in home networking today. Arris Company is known for its Surfboard series which manufactures the best modems in the market. Two of the most popular modems they’ve provided us over the years are the Arris SB6183 and Arris SB6190. While we love both of them for their reliability, the modems have been designed for different types of users. The Arris SB6190 is designed for high performance usage while the other is a mid-level router with decent performance and an affordable price tag. The table below highlights more of their differences.

What are the Differences between the Arris Surfboard SB6183 and SB6190?

Model
Arris Surfboard SB6183
Arris Surfboard SB6190 (Winner)
Download speed
Up to 686 Mbps
Up to 1400 Mbps
Upload speed
Up to 131 Mbps
Up to 262 Mbps
Number of channels
16 up channels

4 down channels

32 up channels

8 down channels

Ethernet ports
1
1
Cable approved
Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, SuddenLink
Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, SuddenLink, Mediacom
DOCSIS
3.0
3.0
Processor chipset
Broadcom
Intel Puma
Availability

Arris Surfboard SB6183 VS SB6190 – How do they compare?

Performance and speed

The key difference between these two modems is their speed and performance. In this category, the Arris SB6190 is much faster, almost double the speed of the SB6183. It therefore offers better performance overall. The SB6190 boasts download and upload speeds of 1400 Mbps and 686 Mbps respectively while the SB6183 provides speeds of up to 686 Mbps and 131 Mbps respectively.

Because of this, you will find that the SB6190 is mainly used by heavy internet users such as live gamers who stream in 4K. It is also great for small businesses and cafes. The other modem is mainly used for small homes. The most important thing to always remember however, is that these cable modems have to be used with a router as they are solely modems and not modem-router devices. Overall, go for the Arris SB6190 if you want raw speed and power.

Design

Since both are modems from the same company, there is little to split these two when it comes to their exterior design. First, they both come in black or white and feature the signature tower design used by all Arris modems. In size and dimensions, they are also similar at both 5.2 inches for length and width.

The SB6190 is however slightly taller at 3.0 inches while the SB6183 stands at 2.1 inches. As you can tell, they are quite similar. But if space is an issue for you, the SB6183 would be the better choice as it is smaller and less pronounced.

Wired connectivity

Say you want to connect a router or device such as laptop to your modem, you will need a physical connection for this. These cable modems do not support wireless connections and therefore have ports. The SB6190 and SB6183 both come with one Ethernet port for connection to the router. This is because you will need a router for Wi-Fi access even after you have bought a modem. One again, there is no difference between these modems when it comes to wired connections and support.

Cables internet providers supported

A modem acts as the gateway between the ISP signal and you devices. This is the reason it is connected directly to the internet service provider. Here, the Arris Surfboard SB6190 takes the win as it supports more cables. The following are supported by this modem: Comcast, Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Suddenlink, Charter, Brighthouse and more. The SB6183 on the other hand supports fewer cable providers that include the following: Comcast, Xfinity, Spectrum and Suddenlink. However, they both do not support Verizon, AT&T and Centurylink. The SB6190 is better as it provides much more options for ISPs.

Pricing

Another top consideration when buying a modem is the price. The Arris SB6190 is much more expensive than the SB6183. This is mainly due to the fact that it provides higher speed and overall better performance. But if you’re on a budget, we recommend you go for the SB6183.However, they both provide great value for money and you probably won’t regret buying either of them.

Arris Surfboard SB6183 VS SB6190– A comparison review

Arris Surfboard SB6183

ARRIS SURFboard mAX Pro (16x4) DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, approved for Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & more
  • Tom's guide #1 cable Modem choice 2 years in a row. Compatible with major U.S. Cable Internet Providers...
  • DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem best for cable internet speed plans up to 400 Mbps

One of the best low budget modem you can buy today is the Arris Surfboard SB6183. It has been ranked the number one modem for two years in a row by customers and it’s easy to see why. First, the SB6183 supports a decent number of internet service provider cables from the popular Xfinity, Spectrum to less popular cables such as Charter and time Warner. On top of that, the modem is rated at upload and download speeds of 131 Mbps and 686 Mbps respectively – this speeds are however theoretical and may not be achieved. When used in the real world, the modem provides speeds about 300 Mbps which is pretty much enough for everybody.

The SB6183 is a cable modem, meaning you will have to buy a router to use if you want a Wi-Fi connection. In addition, it supports Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, DOCSIS 3.0, which is a telecommunication standard for high bandwidth transfer over cable. The standard serves to boost performance as well. Another great feature of the modem is the 16 down channels and 4 up channels it supports. There is alsoIPV4 and IPV6 support. Both of these features greatly improve the performance of the modem and overall reliability.

Pros

  • The modem offers consistent and stable performance
  • It is great for small to medium sized homes with speeds of up to 250 Mbps
  • Cheaper than the SB6190
  • It features a great design

Cons

  • LEDs are too bright and may hinder sleep if placed in the bedroom

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Arris Surfboard SB6190

ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 32 x 8 Gigabit Cable Modem | Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum | 1 Gbps Port | 800 Mbps Max Internet Speeds | Easy Set-up SURFboard Central App | 2 Year Warranty,Black
  • A Trusted Name in Home Connectivity: Better connectivity, better speed. The ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS...
  • Save Money: Own your modem and save. Reduce your cable bill up to $168 dollars per year in cable modem...

The Arris SB6190 is quite similar to the previous model with one major difference: speed. This modem is twice as fast as the SB6183. To make this possible, it was equipped with loads improved features. First, the modem has double the channels with 32 down channels and 8 up channels.

What this means is more data will flow the modem at a time. Furthermore, it is also equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 which works to boost performance and enhance stability. The SB6190 also stands out due to the many cable providers it supports with the major ones being: Cox, Spectrum, Xfinityand more. It is however not compatible with fiber or DSL internet providers. Like the previous model, there is only one Ethernet port on the unit to be connected to your router.

Pros

  • Very high speeds of up to 350 Mbps
  • The unit is durable and will last you many years
  • It is the ideal choice for large homes and small businesses
  • It provides great stability and consistency in performance

Cons

  • The intel chipset is prone to high latency
  • It is expensive

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Conclusion

Both these modems are great depending on the users’ needs. If you are looking for a budget friendly choice of the two, the Arris SB6183 is the best choice for you. Otherwise, if you are looking for an all-round powerful modem with strong coverage, the SB6190is the most suitable choice for you.

Final Verdict -So which is better, Arris Surfboard SB6183 or SB6190?

All factors considered, the Arris SB6190 is the better modem. This is because it offers great value for money while still offering almost double the speed of the Arris SB6183.

FAQs

  1. Does the SB6183 support DOCSIS 3.0?

Yes. It is equipped with this feature to improve performance

  1. Which modem may suffer from high latency?

The SB6190 is prone to high latency due to the Intel Puma chipset that powers it.

 

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