ARRIS Surfboard S34 DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gigabit Cable Modem | Approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum and More | Maximum Internet Speed of 2.5Gbps | Next Generation Load Speed

I ditched my ISP’s rented modem the day I upgraded to a 1.2 Gbps plan and never looked back. The SURFboard S34 is a clean, no-nonsense DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port plus a bonus 1 Gbps port for link aggregation if your router supports it. Setup took under 10 minutes (activate on Xfinity/Spectrum/Cox app or phone call), and it’s been rock-solid ever since—no random reboots, no overheating, just consistent multi-gig speeds. Pros: • Real multi-gig capability — Hits 1.4–1.8 Gbps actual download on gigabit+ plans (tested with my own speed tests) • 2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps ports — Future-proof and perfect for bonding or separate devices • 32×8 channel bonding — Locks on strong even in crowded node areas • Cool and quiet — Stays barely warm, vents well, no loud fans • Own-your-modem savings — Paid for itself in under a year vs $14/month rental fees • Easy activation on major ISPs (Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Mediacom) Cons: • No built-in router/WiFi — Pure modem, so you still need your own router (most people do anyway) • Pricey upfront — Not cheap, but cheaper than renting long-term • Link aggregation needs compatible router — Not everyone can use both ports at once If you’re on a gigabit or faster plan and tired of rental fees or sluggish ISP gear, the S34 delivers exactly what it promises: fast, stable, multi-gig internet with zero drama. One of the best modem upgrades I’ve ever made—5 stars, no hesitation.

Easy setup with Comcast and works with 2.5GB downstream and 300MB upstream package. Paired with the top end Netgear Orbi mesh system. Reliable and very fast.

This Arris cable modem, is awesome it works flawlessly with my new Xfinity fiber internet. Would highly recommend.

Compact. Ease in setting up. Worked seamlessly with internet provider

Solid and very compact DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. Note this is a cable modem/cable-ethernet bridge only and does not include wireless connectivity and is not a router. You will need other devices that have a compatible twisted pair copper ethernet port to make use of it, such as a "wifi router" or other layer 3 device. Works perfectly with Cox Business cable plans, including the gigabit and higher options available as of March 2025. The ethernet port is mGig capable so you can actually utilize the higher speeds if the CPE you attach to it is also mGig capable. Three minor pain points lost a star for me (really 1.5 but we can't do half stars and it's not a 3): 1. Most importantly, there is only the one status light on it, which you can see on the front in the product image. It is multi-colored, so it indicates its status via the color and whether or not it is blinking in whatever color it is at the time. What are the colors? What do they mean? Apparently Arris doesnt thonk its important enough to make permanently obvious on the unit. What the various states that light can be in are not indicated anywhere on the unit and they're not exactly intuitively obvious, so you have to look it up in the manual just to know what it's telling you. Since that is kiiiiind of an important part of the setup process, it makes the first use experience a bit annoying. And that is especially true since you'll be on the phome.with your ISP when they need to know what state it's in, but they don't know the meaning due to what I'm about to say on point 2, and you probably already threw the box outside for tomorrow's pick-up, didn't you? Go get that manual or find it online (which isn't easy, so go get the paper one) before you call them. You're welcome. And then what happens the next time there's a problem and you call tech support? Yeah. If you do nothing else with the manual, tear out that page and tape it to the bottom of the unit or on your router or something. 2. This is inexcusable for a product that is on the shelves and should have been done before then: Cox and Arris need to do whatever they do to "certify" this model and list it on their internal and public support knowledge bases as a supported model. It's been out more than long enough for that and the process to get an unlisted but still perfectly compatible unit (like this one) is anything but smooth, and will take a hot minute or 20. 3. WHY can't anyone include the MAC address(es) and serial number on a sticker you can place somewhere convenient like in the manual or on the front of the device? If it's not in a convenient spot (and let's face it - your cable modem is crammed in a dark and barely reachable nook isn't it?), you'll want to be sure to take a picture of the label on the back of the unit before you call to activate it with your ISP, since they're going to want those. And every ISP does, because thats how they know what account it's for. So this should seriously just be standard by now. 😆 Overall, a great little unit. Just the paper cut issues above make it less plug-and-play than it could have easily been.