ARRIS
ARRIS SURFboard S33
$169.95Cheaper
Best Cable Modems · head-to-head
ARRIS SURFboard S33 vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. ARRIS SURFboard S33 is cheaper at $169.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
NETGEAR
NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000
$299.99
Which is better: the ARRIS SURFboard S33 or NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The ARRIS SURFboard S33 is the cheaper at $169.95.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | ARRIS SURFboard S33 | NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $169.95 | $299.99 |
| Brand | ARRIS | NETGEAR |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — ARRIS SURFboard S33: surfboard.com (verified 2026-07-11). NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000: netgear.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the ARRIS SURFboard S33 and NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (1 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Ethernet ports: ARRIS SURFboard S33 2 vs NETGEAR Nighthawk CM3000 3
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Recommended as the best (Wirecutter) or former top (Tom's Guide) cable modem pick; 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port suited to gigabit and multi-gig plans up to 2.5 Gbps; Future-proof DOCSIS 3.1 expected to stay usable for years.
Flagged: Runs a little hot; overheating remains a concern per owner reports; Among the more expensive cable modems; Mediacom compatibility not officially listed; call to confirm.
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.)
Praised: Future-proof multi-gig download ceiling (up to 2.5 Gbps); Sleek vertical, Wi-Fi 7-ready design with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port; Extra gigabit ports enabling link aggregation.
Flagged: Most expensive modem in the roundup at $299; Only worthwhile with a rare/expensive multi-gig internet plan.