An Arris SB6141 vs. SB6183 comparison is reminiscent of the top options and high-end devices in the market, and deciding between either of these devices is no easy job.
Since using the internet via any means is an experience all by itself, many users would want something that will help them enhance that experience, and these routers offer some unique features that will come in handy in that regard.
Our review team has prepared this article to help you determine what model best fits your style without going through the stress. Now, let’s give you the load down on both models.
Contents
Key Components at a Glance
For starters, we can say both routers rank among the best budget-friendly devices that focus on delivering decent speed and palpable range that one would expect from a device within their price range. But that doesn’t mean they function and perform exactly the same where it matters most.
Let’s look at their key components:
| Product | Key Specifications |
| ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem |
|
| ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 8×4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem |
|
How Does the Arris SB6141 and Arris SB6183 Stack Up?
If you’ve used a lot of money in your bid to get the best connection from ISPs, you’re not alone. The thing is, there are tons of modems to choose from. It makes it more challenging to find one that matches all your needs. We’ve seen this need and picked these two on review to help you out.
In addition to that, many routers have identical features, so it can be challenging to break down the technical terms. Also, some modems come with limited compatibility, which means you’d still lose out if your devices can’t connect.
Others have hidden problems you only discover after a little while. You’d only learn about some of them when you use the product for a bit. That said, factors like range, speed test, connected devices, and much more, determine how useful your network is.
All these factors are worth checking out and have led to us comparing the SB6141 and the SB6183 modems. Each of these two modems is unique. Like we said up there, some routers are identical, and these appear so at first. However, they’re for different groups of users.
To that end, we present you with two solid options to choose from, but first, let’s figure out which one is better than the other.
1. ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem
Pros
- High Mbps download speed
- Easy access through a web browser
- It will be helpful for a long time
- May work with some un-advertised ISPs
Cons
- LED indicator lights are too bright
- Can overheat after extended use
While this modem comes first in our review, we have to state that it is a much faster version of the SB6141.
Also, the SB6183 allows download speeds up to 686 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 131 Mbps. Those figures also mean that it can be twice as fast as the SB6141.
Further, with the SB6183, you’ll get fast speeds using a new firmware and hardware package. The new firmware is an improvement on the previous model. However, the new hardware isn’t without some issues.
– Form Factor: Nice Build and Design
The SB6183 specs show a white form factor with plastic grating on the sides and top of the device. The power draw of the SB6183 modem tends to make the package heat up. That’s why we think that it needs those heat vents far more than its predecessor did.
Moreover, it would be best if you didn’t keep clothes over it to avoid overheating, which also affects its reliability and performance over time.
At the front panel, you get LEDs that are very bright – much brighter than its predecessor. If you’re not bothered by the lights, that’s fine because they could get on your nerves.
– Speed: Fast and Reliable Over a Stretch
While the heat issues are well documented, the modem remains very fast and won’t get deprecated for a few more years. What’s more, the modem still uses the DOCSIS 3.0 standard, so don’t worry about it not being current. That’s because many ISPs have it in their list of approved modems.
With the SB6183’s channels, it can take as long as fifteen minutes to bond to your ISP’s signal. While that’s a bit longer than the SB6141, it’s still not an appreciable amount of time. Besides that, this modem provides more than enough speed for online gaming or movie streaming with multiple different users.
However, we noticed that it’s still a struggle to supply enough bandwidth for upwards of four users on these applications, but it’s more than enough for small households.
– Compatibility and Connectivity: Works Well With Other Devices
Since this modem is newer, it’s only normal it operates better in conjunction with newer routers.
Older routers may do well with it, but don’t expect to get the best speed levels the modem can provide. That only points to the fact that if you want to get the SB6183, you need to ensure that your router can handle the speed with the new modem. Sometimes you need to buy a new router to get the best out of this modem.
For example, this modem works very well with the Netgear AC1750 because it can handle the modem’s speeds while bringing many traffic-management features to the table. These features help the modem excel in many tasks such as online gaming, streaming, and other traffic-intensive activities.
Just like the speed factor, if you decide to get another router to use with your SB6183, check that it’s compatible with the modem. Even your ISP will have some advisories on the routers that work best with the modems on their service.
If you want another router that works well with the SB6183, be sure to check for compatibility with the modem. Similarly, your ISP will most likely have a few advisories on the routers that support modems approved for use with their service.
– Overview
Who needs this modem?
Those who do a lot of heavy downloads, online games, and streaming. The device’s dual thread processor and 64-Mbit 3.0 V SPI flash memory will make for an enjoyable experience for any user.
2. ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 8×4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem
Pros
- The power cycles quickly
- Affordable and gives good value
- Reliable over a long time
- Seamless sync and lock onto ISP signal automatically
Cons
- May become deprecated by ISPs relatively soon
- Not enough Mbps download speed
The Arris 6141 cable modem offers eight download channels and four upload channels. That is quite an exciting arrangement since the upload channels are 50% of the total channels compared to the normal 25% on other devices. The modem has a higher upload speed than others with the same overall speed cap with that portion of channels.
Further, the SB6141 is DOCSIS 3.0 compatible much like its counterpart, the SB6183. However, it runs on the older and a little slower standard than the newer DOCSIS 3.1 modems.
Your ISP can provide an upgrade to your connection speed, but this modem may become the bottleneck on your connection. If that happens, the only way to boost your data rates will be to get another modem.
New models often have more download channels, but an ISP might not provide a large enough free upgrade to bottleneck them.
– Speed: Connect and Surf
Depending on the user and application, the SB6141 download speed might not take flight but is still great. However, if you have many people in your household doing online gaming, online video streaming, or downloading, this modem will get congested and unresponsive.
When this modem gets crowded, it can stop all traffic or crash, depending on how many separate channels are maxed out.
The Arris surfboard sb6141 from Motorola also enhances your personal media experience at lightning-fast broadband speed with the power of DOCSIS 3.0 technology.
– Setting Up the Device: Simple and Straightforward
We observed that setting up the modem, just like the SB6183, is very easy and as simple as connecting the cables to the internet line, connecting the AC adapter, and turning on the modem.
Perhaps your ISP supports the modem. That means the channels will automatically bond, and you’ll be able to start browsing within minutes.
As for the modem’s firmware, the SB6141 has the power of reliability. That’s where it’s better than some of the newer modems and has a history of being refined. To that end, you won’t have frequent issues like constant modem power cycling or even connection loss.
However, with the hardware of the SB6141 being sufficient for most home uses, you can have a good time with few connected users.
– Compatibility and Connectivity: Link With Compatible Devices
While the hardware of this modem is efficient, it comes with only one Ethernet port. As a result, you can only provide direct access to one router.
However, there is another version of the SB6141 that is also a wireless router. But we feel it’s better to buy a separate router to add to this default SB6141.
The SB6141 is compatible with several extant and old operating systems, including:
- Windows Vista
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Windows 7
- Most Linux distributions
– Overview
The SB6141 is an affordable modem for users that want a pocket-friendly device. However, it’s excellent if your connection isn’t too fast for the modem to handle.
SB6141 vs. SB6183: Head to Head Comparison
The main difference between SB6141 and SB6183 is, the SB6183 modem has better performance and is ideal for heavy Internet users SB6141 is better suited for people with slower Internet connections.
When we compare the SB6141 and SB6183 modems, there aren’t many marked differences, but they’re different, alright.
Getting the SB6141 is not a future-proof decision because ISPs can stop supporting it at any point. On the flip side, the SB6183 is more future-proof even if your ISP makes you replace it with a recent model after some years. That means moving to the DOCSIS 3.1 standard, which is an added advantage for those looking to get a device that will last for a long time.
Channel Bonding
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Winner: SB6183
The SB6183 modem comes with a channel bonding of 16 x 4. That means sixteen channels are available for downstream and four upstream channels are available for its data.
In the same manner, you get the 8 X 4 channels on the SB6141 modem. As such, it has eight downstream channels and four upstream channels.
Channel bonding is a DOCSIS 3.0 protocol feature you can use on your modems to utilize multiple streams/channels through which data is transmitted at the same time. The figures up there indicate the number of upstream and downstream channels data transmits through in each modem.
In addition to that, channels reduce data congestion which leads to increased performance by the modem. As a result, the more channels, the better the modem’s performance.
In line with that, the SB6141 is prone to experiencing internet congestion during downloads compared to the SB6183. With the extra eight downstream channels, the SB6183 is the better modem.
Build and Design
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Winner: SB6183
At the back of the SB6183, you get different color nuances. Combining them with the LED lights at the front gives this modem a very joyous appearance.
Also, the SB6183 has many vent holes around the case to help with airflow, reducing overheating. The modem can either be positioned on a platform or wall-mounted. If you have a tight space, it’s better to mount it on a wall.
On the flip side, the SB6141 also comes with five LED lights at the front to indicate connection status and the upstream/downstream speed ranges. The modem also has vent holes on the sides, but not like the SB6183. It’s also a bit bulky and requires more storage space.
The SB6183 also takes the lead because of its beauty, smaller size, and heavier weight when it comes to design. What’s more, you can mount it on the wall where desk space is a challenge.
Speeds and Performance
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Winner: SB6183
The two modems are backed by high Gigabit speed potential thanks to the DOCSIS 3.0 protocol. But the difference lies in the number of bonded channels.
For example, the SB6141 supports download speeds of 343Mbps, which are decent and high for people who don’t have internet-intense activities. To that end, the modem is suited to internet plans of 100Mbps. Also, it’s perfect for sharing/downloading content and audio/video streaming.
For the SB6183, things are better because of its sixteen downstream channels, which give it a download speed of 686 Mbps, so it’s the ideal companion for Internet plans of 300 Mbps.
That’s a very high speed and will set up a group of users well within a home. For activities, it will support browsing, audio and video streaming, and light online games by more than two devices.
With its 16 downstream channels, SB6183 has download speeds of 686Mbps and is perfect for internet plans of 300Mbps. These are incredibly high speeds that can serve an average American family well.
It supports browsing, audio and video streaming, and light gaming by multiple devices. That makes it better than the SB6141.
Final Thoughts
On the whole, we think the SB6141 is better suited for people with slower Internet connections who want a reliable modem. That also applies to those in smaller households or spaces. In such homes, the SB6141 will have a reliable network and connection.
If you’re a heavy Internet user and perform tasks like streaming movies in a larger home and gaming, the SB6183 should be your modem. It will serve you with much faster speeds and enhanced efficiency while using the internet. The modem also works better with multiple devices connected to the internet.
