Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| ARRIS SURFboard S33 Multi Gig | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| ARRIS SURFboard SBG7600AC2 Modem Router | Best for All In One | 4.5/5 |
| ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
I have been an Optimum customer for over a decade, and the rental fee on their leased gateway used to bother me every single month. I finally pulled the trigger on buying my own Arris modem two years ago and the math made me wish I had done it sooner. Since then I have tested five Arris models on my 1 Gig plan in Long Island, swapping each one in for a week of normal household use. Here is what actually worked.
What Matters Most
For Optimum specifically, four things matter. First, the modem must be on the Optimum approved list, otherwise activation is a headache. Second, DOCSIS 3.1 support if you have a plan over 500 Mbps. Third, a clean separation between modem and router so you can pair it with whatever Wi-Fi system you already own. Fourth, decent thermals, because Arris units run hot and a poorly ventilated modem will reboot itself at 2 a.m.
My Top Five Arris Modems for Optimum
The Arris SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem is my overall pick. Officially supported by Optimum, handles gigabit plans, two Ethernet ports for link aggregation if you need it.
The Arris SURFboard S33 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem is my upgrade pick. 2.5 Gig Ethernet port for future-proofing if Optimum raises their cap above 1 Gig.
The Arris SURFboard SBG8300 Modem Router Combo is the all-in-one option. Convenient if you do not want a separate router, weaker if you have a mesh system.
The Arris SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Modem is the budget pick for plans up to 400 Mbps. Great value if you do not need 3.1.
The Arris SURFboard SBG7400AC2 Modem Router is the older combo unit. Still solid for sub-gig plans and small apartments.
My Setup
I run the Arris SB8200 paired with a TP-Link Deco mesh. The modem sits in the basement on a small wire shelf with two inches of clearance on every side for airflow. Activation took one call to Optimum tech support; they read off the MAC address from the sticker and provisioned it in about ten minutes. My 1 Gig plan benchmarks at 940 Mbps down wired, which is normal overhead for gigabit Ethernet.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is buying a DOCSIS 3.0 modem for a gigabit plan to save fifty dollars. It will throttle and you will spend the next year blaming Optimum. Another mistake is stuffing the modem in a closed cabinet; thermals kill these units. The third mistake is forgetting to return the leased Optimum modem after activation; they will keep charging you the rental fee until they physically receive it.
Final Recommendation
For most Optimum customers on 1 Gig I recommend the Arris SB8200. It is on the approved list, fully supports DOCSIS 3.1, and is widely available. If you want to future-proof, spend the extra on the S33 with 2.5 Gig Ethernet. If you have a slower plan and just want to stop paying rental, the SB6190 still works fine.
Frequently asked questions
Will Optimum let me use my own modem?+
Yes. Optimum supports a published list of approved retail modems, and Arris is well represented. You save about ten to fifteen dollars per month.
Do I need DOCSIS 3.1 for Optimum?+
If your plan is 500 Mbps or higher, yes. DOCSIS 3.0 caps out around 600 Mbps in real life. For 1 Gig plans always pick 3.1.