# ARRIS SURFboard S33: specs and price

**Price (US):** $169.95 (Walmart product listing for the exact ARRIS Surfboard S33 states "Current price is USD $169.95" ("Price when purchased online"; listed out of stock). The official surfboard.com manufacturer page lists no price.), as of 2026-07-11. Among the 6 cable modems we track it is #3 cheapest of 6; category median $190.
**Brand:** ARRIS
**Deskmark:** Silver Deskmark — pay-blind category standing 85/100, #4 of 10 in class (independent, computed from sourced data, never for sale).

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Price (US) | $169.95 |
| Brand | ARRIS |
| Docsis version | 3.1 |
| Max download (Gbps) | 2.5 |
| Max upload (Gbps) | — |
| Channel bonding | 32x8 |
| Ofdm channels | 2x2 |
| Ethernet ports | 2 |
| Max ethernet speed (Gbps) | 2.5 |
| Link aggregation | — |
| Mid split support | — |
| Active queue management | — |
| Weight grams | — |

## Where it stands

At $170, the ARRIS SURFboard S33 is #3 cheapest of the 6 cable modems we track, where the median is $190. On the spec sheet, its max ethernet speed of 2.5 Gbps is the highest of the 10, its docsis version of 3.1 is at the median of the 10, and its max download of 2.5 Gbps is at the median of the 9.

## What reviewers say

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. (Based on 2 reviews, 1 lab-tested, 2026-02-17–2026-06-18.)

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; Compact design that is easy to hide; Two-year warranty.
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.
Disagreement: The two sources frame price oppositely: Wirecutter positions the S33 as less expensive than the competition (versus the pricier Netgear CM3000), while Tom's Guide groups it among 'more expensive cable modems' and has since moved its top pick to the newer S34. Neither published a measured S33 throughput number, so all performance claims rest on spec ratings and hands-on daily use rather than benchmarked speeds.
Sources: Wirecutter (2026-06-18, nytimes.com), Tom's Guide (2026-02-17, tomsguide.com)

## Frequently asked questions

**What do reviewers say about the 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. 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; Compact design that is easy to hide; Two-year warranty. 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. (From 2 tester reviews, 1 lab-tested.)

**How much does the ARRIS SURFboard S33 cost?**

The ARRIS SURFboard S33 has a US price of $169.95 (Walmart product listing for the exact ARRIS Surfboard S33 states "Current price is USD $169.95" ("Price when purchased online"; listed out of stock). The official surfboard.com manufacturer page lists no price.), as of 2026-07-11.

**How does the ARRIS SURFboard S33 compare on price?**

At $170, the ARRIS SURFboard S33 is #3 cheapest of the 6 cable modems we track, where the median is $190.

**What are the ARRIS SURFboard S33's key specs?**

ARRIS SURFboard S33 (ARRIS): docsisVersion 3.1, maxDownloadGbps 2.5, channelBonding 32x8, ofdmChannels 2x2, ethernetPorts 2. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.

Source: https://www.surfboard.com/products/cable-modems/s33/ (surfboard.com, accessed 2026-07-11)
Corroboration: https://www.walmart.com/ip/ARRIS-Surfboard-S33-DOCSIS-3-1-Multi-Gigabit-Cable-Modem-with-2-5-Gbps-Ethernet-Port-Approved-for-Cox-Xfinity-Spectrum-Others/841408164 (accessed 2026-07-11)
Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/product/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, the ARRIS SURFboard S33 price of record was $169.95 as of 2026-07-11 — https://frontdeskreview.com/product/cable-modems/arris-surfboard-s33/
License: CC BY 4.0. Price history: https://frontdeskreview.com/data/price-history.jsonl