Motorola MB7420 VsArris SB6183- Which One Offers Faster Internet Speeds?
Surfing the internet is no longer a luxury.Our work, school and social interactions depend on it. That is why if you are not getting a fast experience from the ISP rented cable modem, you should make a switch. We hope this MB7420 Vs SB6183 comparison will help you buy a good cable modem.
Good internet connection coupled with fast speeds will no doubt have you enjoying your time on the net. With recent technological advancement in mobile devices, the starting point of fast internet speeds is almost always your cable modem. As ISPs keep upgrading maximum internet speeds, they don’t always upgrade their cable modems. You can go around this hurdle by purchasing your own modem. So, how do you tell a good modem, from the thousands of them out there? This is where our comparison review comes in handy. Both the MB7420 and the SB6183 modems have impressive features and are regarded as good. Let’s therefore try to identify which one would specifically meet your needs.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between MB7420 and SB6183?
Model |
Motorola MB7420 |
Arris SB6183 (Winner) |
Speeds |
Download speeds- 686 Mbps
Upload speeds-123 Mbps |
Download speed- 686 Mbps
Upload speed- 101 Mbps |
Channels |
Downstream Channels- 16
Upstream channels- 4 |
Downstream Channels-16
Upstream channels-4 |
Gigabit Ethernet ports |
1 |
1 |
Chipset |
Broadcom BCM3384 |
Broadcom BCM33843D |
DOCSIS Certification |
3.0 |
3.0 |
WI-FI Connection |
No |
No |
Dimensions and Weight |
4.9 X 2.1 X 6.1; 0.58lbs |
5 X 2 X 5; 0.9lbs |
Color |
Black |
White |
MB7420 Vs SB6183- How do they Compare?
The Motorola division making modems and routers was acquired by Arris in 2013, about 60 years after Motorola started manufacturing them. The devices have maintained their high quality and reliability.
Design Features
The 2 modems are almost identical in dimensions. Arris SB6183 is elegant in its design with a lot of vent holes around it to help with airflow/circulation. With its white plastic case the SB6183 given an impression of a wrapping around a small main rectangle body. Where space is a determining factor the SB6183 has been designed in such a way that that it can be mounted on a wall. This modem is also heavier than the MB7420, which gives it more stability. The MB7420 is black and weighs 0.58 Ibs. Its small size makes it very convenient to have at home or in the office. However, it has stability problems as it is very light.Because of its elegance in white, option to mount on the wall and stability due to its weight, SB6183 is the better modem, in design.
Technology and Performance
The Arris SB6183 comes with the Broadcom BCM 33843D chipset which incorporates a 1GHz-capable tuner that is able to make use of the full downstream bandwidth to capture all of the 16 channels for bonding. This improves the modem’soverall performance. On the other hand, the Motorola MB7420 has the newer Broadcom 3384 chipset which is equipped with a Full Band Capture Digital Tuner that enables it to ensure consistently fast speeds form your service provider.
In terms of speed, both modems have the same high download speeds. In upload speeds, MB7420 has a slight advantage over the SB6183. This does not make a difference in overall performance anyway, because, when using the internet, we download more than we upload. All the same,MB7420’s Full Band Capture Digital Tuner technology gives it a better standing than that SB6183 in matters technology.
Affordability
Though there seems to be no difference in performance between these 2 modems, the MB7420 is slightly more costly compared to the SB6183.
Motorola MB7420 VsArris SB6183- A Comparative Overview
Motorola MB7420
- This 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem provides speeds up to 686 Mbps, sixteen times faster than DOCSIS 2.0. A...
- Cable modem's Ethernet port connects to a computer, HDTV, game station, or wireless router. (This Model...
This is a modem is worth having in your home or workplace. Powered by Docsis 3.0, it offers fast speeds of up to 686 Mbps . Combined with its 16 X 4 channel bonding the modem supports high-speed internet surfing, HDTV, gaming stations and downloading content. The Motorola MB7420 has a back panel that is color coded with ports labeled clearly to avoid getting wires crossed. Also, the MB7420 has 1 Gigabit port and vents at either side to check over-heating.
Moreover, the MB7420’s available Ethernet port helps connects to a computer, gaming station and HDTV and wireless router. It is perfect for internet plans of up to 300Mbps, is easy to set up and has minimal interruptions. This modem is compatible with Cox, Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse, Charter Spectrum and Comcast Xfinity. It does not include a Wi-Fi router. Neither does it support digital voice service.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Easy to set up
- Compact sleek design
- Have power surge circuits
- Compatible with major ISPs
Cons
- Has been known to have stability issues
- No built-in Wi-Fi router
The Arris SB6183
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The SB6183 has a sleek and fresh design that visually appeals to many users. To support its download speeds of 686 Mbps the modem is equipped with a dual thread processor, clocked at 600MHz, along with a 1GB DD3 SDRAM and a 64-Mbit 3.0 V SPI flash memory. All these features help improve the overall performance of the modem.
Moreover, the SB6183 has one Gigabit Ethernet port that can be used to connect to a Wi-Fi router or other device. This being a DOCSIS 3.0 certified modem, it is eight times faster than DOCSIS 2.0 modems and as such is capable of transferring data over high speeds. This modem is perfect for streaming of HD movies, online gaming and downloading large files. Because it has built-in Wi-Fi router, the user can pair it with any router, including mesh or gaming routers.
Pros
- Downstream speeds of 686 Mbps
- Easy web access
- Compatible with many ISPs
- Easy to set up
Cons
- LED Indicator lights are too bright
- No built-in Wi-Fi router
Conclusion
When push comes to shove, it seems a choice for the better cable modem between MB7420 and SB6183 may be determined by whether you like white or black. This is because the 2 modems compete neck to neck on all the important features. They have the same high speeds of 686 Mbps, are both Docsis 3.0 compatible with 16 X 4 channel bonding, and both support the IPv4 and IPv6 standards. Apart from black for MB7420 and white for SB6183, allow us to end by saying that if you value a good brand name and are ready to pay extra for it, then you are better off with the Motorola MB7420. If on the other hand you simply want a good modem at a bargain price, then go with the Arris SB6183.
Verdict: Which is Better- MB7420 or SB6183?
Considering that Motorola cable modems are now produced by Arris, it is of no consequence to say one brand is better than the other. Our pick in this comparison is therefore the SB6183 because it offers everything the Motorola does, but at a lower cost.
FAQ’s
Does the Arris SB6183 have Wi-Fi?
No, the SB6183 is a cable modem only. If you desire wireless access you will need a wireless router to go with your modem.
What is a 16 x 4 Modem?
It is a cable modem equipped with the Docsis 3.0 protocol and having 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels for data transmission. Such modems have high speeds of up to 686 Mbps which can support computers, HDTV, game stations and many others.
