NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30S vs ARRIS SURFboard G36

Both are DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem routers with Wi-Fi 6 and 32x8 channel bonding, so they suit the same job. The Nighthawk CAX30S is the stronger pick for heavy home networks: it has a faster dual-core CPU, a rated 2.7 Gbps of Wi-Fi across six streams, and four Gigabit LAN ports. The SURFboard G36 is the simpler, more conservative choice, and owners tend to like its straightforward setup. Neither is a mesh system, and neither has a multi-Gig LAN port, so very fast plans are limited by the Ethernet side.

• Choose the Nighthawk CAX30S if you want more Wi-Fi throughput and streams for a busy household with many devices.
• Choose the SURFboard G36 if you want a plain, well-known cable gateway and don't need the extra wireless headroom.