# ARRIS SURFboard S33 vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the ARRIS SURFboard S33 (ARRIS) and NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 (NETGEAR) among cable modems. ARRIS SURFboard S33 is the cheaper of the two at $169.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | ARRIS SURFboard S33 | NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $169.95 | $299.99 |
| Brand | ARRIS | NETGEAR |
| Docsis version | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Max download (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Max upload (Gbps) | — | 1 |
| Channel bonding | 32x8 | — |
| Ofdm channels | 2x2 | — |
| Ethernet ports | 2 | 3 |
| Max ethernet speed (Gbps) | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Link aggregation | — | Yes |
| Mid split support | — | Yes |
| Active queue management | — | — |
| Weight grams | — | 495 |

## Key differences

- Ethernet ports: ARRIS SURFboard S33 2 vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 3

## 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.)

**NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000** — Only one whitelisted tester — Tom's Guide's 2026 cable-modem roundup (updated 17 Feb 2026) — covers the CM3000, as qualitative buying-guide prose with no published benchmarks for this model. It praises the future-proof 2.5 Gbps download ceiling, sleek Wi-Fi 7-ready vertical design, and extra gigabit ports for link aggregation, but flags the $299 price (most expensive in the roundup) and that it only makes sense with a rare, pricey multi-gig internet plan. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- ARRIS SURFboard S33: https://www.surfboard.com/products/cable-modems/s33/ (surfboard.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000: https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/modems/cm3000/ (netgear.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33-vs-netgear-nighthawk-cm3000/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, ARRIS SURFboard S33 ($169.95) vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 ($299.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33-vs-netgear-nighthawk-cm3000/
License: CC BY 4.0.