Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
ARRIS SURFboard S33 vs ARRIS SURFboard S34
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best Cable Modems: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The ARRIS SURFboard S33 is the smart-money default: a 2.5 Gbps DOCSIS 3.1 modem that works on nearly every cable ISP and costs less than the newer flagship. Step up to the S34 only if you want the latest hardware or run one of the fastest multi-gig tiers.
ARRIS SURFboard S33
Buy itThe proven, near-universal DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gbps port and the best value for gigabit and multi-gig cable plans.
- DOCSIS 3.1 with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, so it keeps pace with gigabit and faster cable tiers
- Sits on virtually every major cable ISP's approved-device list, which owners report makes activation painless
- Large owner base and a long track record of stable connections and drama-free firmware
- No built-in Wi-Fi, so you still need your own router
- Runs warm and needs open air around it, per owner reports
ARRIS SURFboard S34
Buy itThe newer flagship: same 2.5 Gbps multi-gig capability as the S33 with updated internals and better thermals, at a premium price.
- Latest-generation DOCSIS 3.1 hardware with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and improved cooling
- Strong headroom for top-tier multi-gig cable plans and future speed bumps
- Carries the same well-regarded SURFboard reliability reputation owners cite for the line
- Costs noticeably more than the S33 for gains most current plans can't yet use
- Newer model with a shorter owner-report track record than the S33
Side by side
| ARRIS SURFboard S33 | ARRIS SURFboard S34 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Most people on a gigabit or multi-gig cable plan who want a modem that just works and stops the rental fee. | Buyers on the fastest multi-gig tiers, or anyone who simply wants the newest hardware for maximum longevity. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the ARRIS SURFboard S33 - The proven, near-universal DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gbps port and the best value for gigabit and multi-gig cable plans. Choose the ARRIS SURFboard S34 instead if buyers on the fastest multi-gig tiers, or anyone who simply wants the newest hardware for maximum longevity.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Cable Modems: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).