# ARRIS SURFboard S33 vs Motorola B12: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the ARRIS SURFboard S33 (ARRIS) and Motorola B12 (Motorola) among cable modems. Motorola B12 is the cheaper of the two at $130.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | ARRIS SURFboard S33 | Motorola B12 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $169.95 | $130.95 |
| Brand | ARRIS | Motorola |
| Docsis version | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Max download (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Max upload (Gbps) | — | — |
| Channel bonding | 32x8 | 32x8 |
| Ofdm channels | 2x2 | 2x2 |
| Ethernet ports | 2 | 1 |
| Max ethernet speed (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Link aggregation | — | No |
| Mid split support | — | Yes |
| Active queue management | — | Yes |
| Weight grams | — | — |

## Key differences

- Ethernet ports: ARRIS SURFboard S33 2 vs Motorola B12 1

## What reviewers say

**ARRIS SURFboard S33** — Two whitelisted outlets cover the S33. Wirecutter (research-based, not bench-tested) names it their top cable modem pick as of June 2026, while Tom's Guide (hands-on) calls it an excellent former top pick now succeeded by the newer S34. Both praise its 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, DOCSIS 3.1 future-proofing, and compact design. Neither published S33-specific benchmark numbers. The two split on price, and Wirecutter alone flags heat. (2 sourced reviews.)

**Motorola B12** — Only one whitelisted tester, Tom's Guide, covers the Motorola B12, and only as a design-first roundup pick (Best for simplicity), not a benchmarked review; no lab speed numbers were published for this model. It is praised for a uniquely compact, decor-friendly build, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, the MotoSync app and a two-year warranty, but flagged for a single status LED and ISP setup friction. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- ARRIS SURFboard S33: https://www.surfboard.com/products/cable-modems/s33/ (surfboard.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- Motorola B12: https://en-us.support.motorola.com/ci/fattach/get/83435407/1708540593/redirect/1/filename/Motorola+B12+Data+Sheet.pdf (en-us.support.motorola.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33-vs-motorola-b12/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, ARRIS SURFboard S33 ($169.95) vs Motorola B12 ($130.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33-vs-motorola-b12/
License: CC BY 4.0.