ARRIS - SURFboard AC2350 Router with 24 x 8 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem

PROs: - Simply outstanding wireless AC performance--wireless speed-test results finally match wired! - Auto-config app actually made it easy to start surfing when replacing an existing wireless router with this all-in-one - Built-in McAfee protection provides some measure of security and assurance online--webpage intercepts tell user what's going on and gives option to override - Wireless coverage seemed stronger in more distant areas of the house compared to AC1900 router this unit replaced - Front-panel WPS button makes password-free connection of new wireless clients simple and quick - Some relatively useful configuration options in the router menus and informative displays in the ARRIS app for network scanning/awareness…for a beginner with little interest in serious network configuration effort or someone simply looking for a [mostly] plug-and-play experience, this unit is a winner! CONs: - Built-in security is a bit of a bait-and-switch…you can’t control a number of truly advanced security options without downloading a second app and there’s no option to configure them in the in-router menu at all. - USB port is on the front of the unit??? There’s no way to neatly share a USB-attached device unless you hide the router itself behind furniture or under a desk - No power or LED on/off switches – a minor inconvenience to be sure, but an inconvenience nonetheless--reboot and LED on/off (they are BRIGHT!) controls are accessible from within the admin interface inside the router itself - Some cryptic and unexplained options in the router menu—some additional documentation in the box would be welcome I replaced a sold performing but aging Arris cable modem and the venerable ASUS RT-AC68U wireless router with this all-in-one unit…average Speed Test results (18 trials total) between the two indicated an almost 100 Mbps speed increase to the client using the new Arris modem/AC router with wireless speeds matching those on the laptop I wired directly to the modem (approx. 250 Mbps, the top level of performance possible on my current ISP contract). The initial modem setup app was actually quite useful at getting the wireless modem set up to mirror an existing wireless router. **NOTE** this may not be case for everyone, but for me, it took more than the automated “active a new modem” feature from my cable company to get this unit online; I actually had to call my ISP company and give them the modem’s MAC address—from there, it was smooth sailing with newly upgraded AC speeds that definitely made things feel a little zippier when downloading Steam games or buffering 4K Netflix & Amazon movies. Now then…McAfee Home Security may be built in (and the web filtering does start working without intervention), but you can only access/configure it from a smartphone or tablet (not on the Windows store at all!) using a SECOND app that must be downloaded and installed. At least, that’s what the instructions said I needed to do…similar to other reviews in the App Store (can’t speak to Google Play), I can’t log into the app despite having a functional McAfee account that I can verify right on the McAfee site itself. Without this second app, there’s simply no way to configure some advanced security features and parental controls. If you don’t care about such things, this really isn’t a big deal; but the de-coupling of the McAfee features from the router interface itself does cripple some of the more advanced security options until/unless you’re able to get the Total Home Security function working on your phone or tablet. If you can get past this issue (which may be minor or major, depending on your situation), this is definitely a solid modem/wireless router that really does deliver some satisfyingly fast AC wireless speeds.

I got an unexpected pleasant surprise from this cable modem/gigabit router combo. Stay tuned. When I got the opportunity to test this Arris SURFboard SBG7400AC2, my first question was whether it would work on my provider, Mediacom. It did not show up on their list of approved modems. But it's a brand new model, and Mediacom is usually slow to evaluate and add equipment to the list. My fears were totally unfounded. I hooked up the RG-6 cable from the Mediacom drop, attached an ethernet cable between the network switch that serves my gear and one of the four gigabit ports on the Arris, and I was up and running. I had no internet at first, but after a few minutes I got to Mediacom's wallgarden website for self-installers. I entered my account number and password, allowed the modem to configure, and was instructed to re-boot. All was well. I am getting download speeds of up to 80mbps. This performance is well-above the promised 60mbps download for my plan, so I have no complaints. With 24 download and 8 upload channels, the Arris can get download speeds of up to a gigabit if your plan offers it. I'm too cheap for that experience right now, but its nice to have it as a possible option for the future. Now for the pleasant surprise. With my previous modem/router combo, I usually got D's and F's on the DSLreports.com speedtest which also measures bufferbloat. With the Arris, I consitently get A's and only an occasional B. Why should you care? Bufferbloat is high latency (or lag) that occurs when there's other traffic on your network. It can adversely affect streaming performance. Geeks have spent years developing router firmwares to combat it. I adjusted nothing and tweaked no settings to get these results. This benefit is not touted in any of the specs, but the test results speak for themselves. I have attached a graphic. Subjective streaming performance has been great from my over the top service, YouTubeTV, as well as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. I also streamed locally and over the web from my NAS set up, with perceptibly better performance. I can't promise this will happen with your provider and set-up, but I have experienced it with mine. Bufferbloat is a complex issue. Read up on it. Your head will explode. This Arris may be your relief. AC2300 2.4/5.0 GHz Dual-band Concurrent Wi-Fi performs well with solid coverage throughout my two-story house. I use an extender from another manufacturer to help. Getting it mated with the Arris was a chore, but that problem was not unique to the Arris. One performance issue was the slow-loading menus when accessing the Arris through a browser. The client list of attached devices can take a while. Be prepared for the browser connection to time out on occasion. A smartphone app is available for control as well, but it is a slimmed-down version of the configuration options assessable from a web browser. Any downside? Well, if a voltage surge makes it though my UPS, it could kill both my internet and my home network by bricking this device. With a separate modem and router, there's a better chance one device could survive. But that issue is not bothering me now. The Arris is preforming too well. The old modem and router combo are on vacation in the closet, and I don't predict their return.

The ARRIS SURFboard AC wi-fi router provides gigabit bandwidth speeds from your ISP while protecting your home network from malicious content with the integrated McAfee inspection software. Internet speed: I was excited to get the ARRIS SBG74000 cable modem so that I can take advantage of the gigabit speed from my ISP. I am extremely satisfied with the network performance of the ARRIS Surfboard router. I get consistent throughput with average bandwidth being just over half a gigabit/second (approx. 600 Mbps). I have reached peaks of 900 Mbps depending on my proximity to the router while using 802.11ac on a 5GHz wireless connection. I can achieve these speeds even with 20 other devices on my network performing internet related tasks such as streaming HD video content, gaming, and general web surfing. Home network: The ARRIS Surfboard router does an amazing job of providing high speed connections between my devices across the wireless network. I can transfer large files at rates of up to 1.4Gbps. This is perfect for transferring 4K video files, and streaming them from my server to the TV or laptop. Wireless Signal Strength: The ARRIS Surfboard router has incredible signal strength. I have encountered any dead zone areas in my home while connected to ARRIS router. At the farthest distance in my home away from the router, I am able to get speeds of 430 Mbps to the internet, and near gigabit speeds between devices on the network. This is an amazing cable modem, and best of all, you don't have to pay the ISP monthly.

Most of us struggled with bad Wi-Fi, dead spots at home. It is really hard to find a router even if it is expensive and powerful one, that can cover every room in your house with fast and more importantly reliable wireless. ARRIS SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 CABLE MODEM and Wi-Fi Router has lot of great features and will address most of the pain points related to internet. The setup is very simple. I was able to register with COX and running in less than 5 mins. This router is dual band, MU-MIMO router capable of delivering throughput of up to 2350Mbps. It has four-port Gigabit Ethernet switch onboard. It is perfect system for 4K ultra HD video streaming and High performance online gaming. It has one USB port and comes with ARRIS Secure home internet by McAfee. Antenna configuration featured with 3x3 on 2.4 Ghz and 4x4 on 5.0Ghz. The quick connect via SURFboard manager app is working really good and it is super helpful to replace existing wireless router. I have done the speed test before and after installing this unit. I was impressed with increased download / upload speeds and better clarity on UHD movies in Netflix. Wi-Fi signal is great throughout my 2800 square foot two story home. Other default features are Wi-Fi pairing Button (WPS), Preset Wi-Fi security and Wireless Guest Access. ARRIS always make excellent modems in the market and they have proved that they can make Modem & router combo with excellent feature. Overall, the router performs exceptionally well.

My current Xfinity COMCAST internet speed package is 150mb. Due to recent and unexpected monthly expenses, I have been cutting corners wherever I can. Purchasing this wireless router will shave the monthly rental fee and I am not "giving away" my money for the next 18 months. In addition, there are some features that allow more control over the user(s) as well as assigning broadband speed. As previously mentioned, my plan is 150mb but I am now reaching 176mb. A little extra goes an extra mile . If I decide to up my plan's speed to 1gb, this model will allow it. The set-up with Xfinity was a breeze; have ready the model and MAC address on hand to make the activation run smoothly. Price is descent and will recover the investment throughout the period of my contract.

Very easy to set up and I'm getting great speeds from all my devices, wired and wireless. The only potential downside of this modem is that it is pretty physically large.

I purchased it to replace Comcast modem for internet speed 150. It is giving me almost same performance as the Comcast one that I had. I am happy with this product.

I recently moved into a new apartment and found myself with the ARRIS SURFboard AC Dual-band Wi-Fi Router. After about a week of use, I haven’t had a single issue with it yet. I can detail my journey with the SBG7400AC2: Unboxing - The modem/router came with an ethernet cable, the plug for the wall, a user manual, and maybe an extra cord I lost between then and now. Nothing crazy, very intuitive set-up of the physical components. Installation - After plugging the power cord into the wall and screwing the internet cord (I have no idea the actual name) into the back of the Arris, the lights immediately came on. When I called Spectrum to have them turn on my internet they just had to reset the modem to approve it and record the MAC address that was right on the side. Configuring Settings - Next is the part I normally dread, which is configuring ipv4/6/etherbandwidthmamajig, coming up with passwords, and having Windows troubleshoot for like two hours. But to my surprise, there was none of that! The preset passwords were right on the side of the modem, and they were strong enough that I didn’t feel the need to change them. Now, when guests come and ask “what’s the WiFi password”, I can just point them at the Arris and there’s no problem! If you majored in Wi-Fiology at Internet University you can change all the advanced settings you could ever dream of. But if you’re like me and you’d rather pay somebody else to figure all of that out so you can just plug it in and not worry, then this is the PERFECT modem/router dual frequency combo product for you. Troubleshooting - I can’t say much here because I haven’t had a single issue yet. Every once in awhile the little yellow caution triangle pops up on my Wi-Fi signal bars, and I die a little inside. But lo and behold, it resolves itself within seconds, no “Configure Internet Windows” necessary. McAfee - I think most bloatware is worse than treason. When I pay for something, I don’t want to be attacked by some program I can’t install and constantly harassed into buying a subscription. But to be honest, I didn’t even know this modem/router had McAfee until I came to post this review. That’s how unintrusive it is. Closing Comments: If you want an in-depth review analysis of the function of the ethernet ports and the two dozen download channels and whatnot, check out some of the other reviews. But if you’re looking for an endorsement from somebody who is terrible with electronics and considers tech support a swear word, then I’ve got what you need. If you’re with me on that, the Arris is exactly what you need. It’s so amazingly stress-free to not have to worry about configuration or any issues with the internet. I highly recommend this for you.