# TLDR Review: ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 Modem

*Published: 2025-02-17 | Updated: 2025-02-17 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/arris-surfboard-sb6190-modem*

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## Product: ARRIS Surfboard SB6190 Modem
**Brand:** ARRIS

## Pros
- Excellent value, offering a budget-friendly alternative to ISP rental modems.
- Compatible with Xfinity/Comcast, even if not on their recommended list.
- Easy setup process; essentially plug-and-play with minimal steps required.
- Ideal for high-demand households, supporting multiple devices and 4K streaming.
- Successfully replaces older modems, with users noting significant speed improvements.
- Enhances online gaming experiences by removing NAT restrictions.
- Encourages cost savings by eliminating rental fees.
- Speed performance exceeds service bandwidth, ensuring efficient usage.
- Effective for streaming services like Disney+ and HBOMax without issues.
- Simple design, ideal for integration with existing mesh router setups.

## Cons
- Frequent daily internet connection drops have been reported within 30 days of use.
- Customer service has been consistently described as poor and unhelpful.
- Initial troubleshooting required due to defective units.
- Modem tends to overheat, raising concerns about reliability.
- Specific issues with speed reduction over time, dropping as low as 3-17 Mbps.
- Known Intel Puma chipset issues not addressed by the manufacturer.
- Limited exchange policy at retailers like BestBuy; poor manufacturer exchange options.
- Technical support tends to blame ISPs for modem-related issues.

## Bottom Line

While the ARRIS Surfboard SB6190-RB offers great value and is an excellent option for reducing rental fees, its track record of reliability and customer service issues should give potential buyers pause. If consistent performance and support are top priorities for you, consider exploring other models that don't have chipset-related issues. Overall, it can be a good choice for advanced users seeking a budget-friendly modem, but be prepared for potential troubleshooting and connectivity challenges.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Excellent value, offering a budget-friendly alternative to ISP rental modems. | Frequent daily internet connection drops have been reported within 30 days of use. |
| Compatible with Xfinity/Comcast, even if not on their recommended list. | Customer service has been consistently described as poor and unhelpful. |
| Easy setup process; essentially plug-and-play with minimal steps required. | Initial troubleshooting required due to defective units. |
| Ideal for high-demand households, supporting multiple devices and 4K streaming. | Modem tends to overheat, raising concerns about reliability. |
| Successfully replaces older modems, with users noting significant speed improvements. | Specific issues with speed reduction over time, dropping as low as 3-17 Mbps. |
| Enhances online gaming experiences by removing NAT restrictions. | Known Intel Puma chipset issues not addressed by the manufacturer. |
| Encourages cost savings by eliminating rental fees. | Limited exchange policy at retailers like BestBuy; poor manufacturer exchange options. |
| Speed performance exceeds service bandwidth, ensuring efficient usage. | Technical support tends to blame ISPs for modem-related issues. |
| Effective for streaming services like Disney+ and HBOMax without issues. |  |
| Simple design, ideal for integration with existing mesh router setups. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Bonanza | $14.03  | Check |
| Amazon | $24.99  | Check |
| dealnews | $25.35  | Check |
| Mercari | $44.00  | Check |
| Zoro Tools Industrial Supplies | $54.99  | Check |
| Back Market | $65.96  | Check |
| The Home Depot | $77.89  | Check |
| Office Depot | $88.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*