ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC Review
The ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC is truly the best package for high bandwidth applications, be it gaming or HD Video Streaming. Even better, it is a 3 in 1 device with an AC1900 Wi-Fi Router, a 16 x 4 Cable Modem and a Gigabit 4 port Wired Router designed to accommodate all your networking needs. Below is a detailed review.
After looking into multiple online shopping websites, I have found that the ARRIS SURFboard is an exceptional network device, which is greatly renowned for both its features and overall network performance. Over the time that I have used it at home and in the office, I would totally recommend it for heavy file transfers, gaming and HD video streaming. It establishes incredible speed for standard internet support and it eliminates any kind of buffer that could tamper with any downloads and uploads. In addition to that, it provides the easiest installation methods and it is completely user friendly. What’s better than that?
Table of Contents
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC Review and Breakdown
- 3 products in 1: 16x4 Cable Modem, AC1900 WiFi Router and Gigabit 4 port Wired Router
- Ceritified on Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner, Brighthouse Networks), Mediacom and...
In general, there are not many routers that come packaged like the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC while maintaining its budget friendly nature. So, we could say that the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900 completely stands out for its 3 in 1, multi-purpose nature. It comes with a Gigabit 4 port Wired Router that allows you to establish stable and fast Ethernet connections to your network devices, a 16×4 Cable Modem that that allows your computer to seamlessly communicate with your Internet service provider over a secure landline connection and an AC1900 Wi-Fi Router that supports the speed of the fastest Wi-Fi clients in the network market.
The ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC is simply a cable modem router that allows you to seamlessly play your favorite online games for hours without any buffering issues, surf the web at your leisure and stream videos and music at any time throughout your day. It uses the DOCSIS 3.0 standard and it has been designed to deliver top speed internet to your internet devices directly via either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
In addition to that, it is certified on multiple US Cable Internet Providers including Mediacom, Cox, Comcast Xfinity and Spectrum (Time Warner, Charter and Brighthouse Networks) among others. Its Cable Modem features 4 upload and 16 Download bonded channels. It allows you to upload content at up to 131 Mbps and download at 686 Mbps, based on your Internet Service plan and it is approved for service plans of up to 300 Mbps.
It supports both the IPv4 and the latest IPv6 internet standard which govern the transmission of data packets across the internet. It is optimized through the use of Wi-Fi beamforming technology that ensures maximum coverage across your home or office and optimal network performance. It allows you establish 4 simultaneous connections when you need a faster and more stable connection. Also, it comes with a 2 year warranty alongside US based customer service to ensure a satisfactory network experience and it is quite easy to install and use.
What we liked;
- Great upstream and downstream speeds
- Reduced buffering and fast refresh rates when using high bandwidth applications
- Super easy to install and setup
- Compatible with most internet service providers
- Elegant and sophisticated design
What we don’t like;
- Tends to get warm at times
- No DNS server in its router
- Firmware issues
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC Specifications
Model |
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC |
Device Type |
Cable Modem Router |
Wi-Fi Standard |
802.11ac |
DOCSIS Standard |
DOCSIS 3.0 |
Router Frequency Bands |
2.4 and 5 GHz |
Bonded Channels on Modem |
16 Downstream and 4 Upstream |
DOCSIS Upload and Download Speeds
(Modem) |
131 + 686 Mbps |
Wi-Fi Speeds |
1,900 Mbps |
Ports and Connectivity |
Four Gigabit Ethernet |
Special Features |
3 products packages in 1 network housing; AC1900 Wi-Fi Router, 16x 4 Cable Modem and Gigabit 4 Port Wired Router |
Availability |
ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC Features
Design and Structure
The ARRIS SURFboard comes in a white color that elegantly raises the aesthetic fabric of your home and its housing structure can only allow for vertical placement which may tamper with its sturdiness. However, you can easily sort this out by mounting it to your table top or to your wall, depending on your personal preference. It has been packaged as 3 network devices within one housing structure which is an added advantage if you are on a budget. It includes an AC1900 Wi-Fi router, a Gigabit 4 Port Wired Router and a 16×4 Cable Modem. When looking into its size, it measures about 9.5 by 2.2 inches and it weighs about 2.65 lbs, thus portable and compact enough to fit into your storage spaces.
Speed, Performance and Security
The ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC supports both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz frequency bands that work simultaneously to ensure a faster and more stable network. It provides you with an incredible internet speed of up to 686 Mbps which is just enough for high bandwidth applications. It includes four gigabit Ethernet ports in its structure that come in handy when you want to establish a faster and more stable wired connection to your network devices. To deliver better internet for all of the network devices in your home or office, it has 16 download and 4 upload broadcasting channels and it supports the DOCSIS 3.0 internet protocol.
It has wide range area capabilities and can cover a range of up to 2,000 square feet, thus no more dead spots in your home or office. To ensure network safety and security, it has the WPA 2 network data encryption.
Setup and Installation
The ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900 AC comes with a guide book that allows for easy set up and installation. It offers parental controls that have the easiest setup and configuration.
Who is it best suited for?
The ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC is an ideal cable modem router for homes and offices that all fully dependent on high speed internet for all their applications. It has efficient bandwidth performance and it has wide range area capabilities that fully eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots.
Are there any alternatives to the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC?
Yes, there are. Among the alternative cable modem routers that you can use in place of the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC, are either the NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 which the best network device for gaming in this category or the Motorola MG7550 which is a very affordable option in this category.
Features of the alternative cable modem routers
Model |
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 |
Motorola MG7550 |
Device Type |
Cable Modem Router |
Cable Modem Router |
Wi-Fi Standard |
802.11 ac |
802.11 ac |
DOCSIS Standard |
DOCSIS 3.0 |
DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 |
Router Frequency Bands |
2.4 and 5 GHz |
2.4 and 5 GHz |
Bonded Channels on Modem |
8 Upstream x 24 Downstream |
8 Upstream x 24 Downstream |
DOCSIS Download Speeds
(Modem) |
Up to 960 Mbps |
Up to 686 Mbps |
Wi-Fi Speeds |
AC1900
(600 + 1300 Mbps) |
AC1900
(600 + 1300 Mbps) |
Ports and Connectivity |
Four Gigabit Ethernet + 2 USB 2.0 ports |
Four Gigabit Ethernet |
Availability |
Verdict: So, Should I buy the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC?
Absolutely. The ARISS SURFboard is an absolute bang for the buck and it is a guarantee of high internet speeds alongside unique network features that are beneficial to your everyday internet use. In addition to that, it is compatible with most Internet Service Providers and it is capable of extending Wi-Fi coverage over a wide range.
FAQs
-
Does the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC have a telephone port?
No, it does not.
-
Does the ARRIS SURFboard SBG6900AC come with any network cables?
Yes, it does. It comes with an Ethernet cable.