Which is better for a 1 Gbps plan?

The NETGEAR CM1000 handles a 1 Gbps plan fine and has far more owner feedback. The S34 also works there, but its extra speed headroom goes unused.

The S34 has the longer warranty at two years versus one. The CM1000 has a longer field record, so its reliability is better documented.

Is the S34 worth stepping up to?

Yes if your provider sells plans above 1 Gbps or you want the second Ethernet port. If not, the CM1000 covers the same plans for less hardware.

Do either of these have Wi-Fi?

No. Both are modem-only, so you need a separate Wi-Fi router or mesh system.

Will either work with bundled voice service?

No. The CM1000 is not compatible with bundled voice plans, and the S34 is data-only as well.

Which is easier to set up?

They are about the same: connect coax and power, activate with your provider, then connect your router by Ethernet.

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem vs ARRIS SURFboard S34

Buy the ARRIS SURFboard S34 if your cable plan is above 1 Gbps or you expect to move to a multi-gig tier. Its 2.5 Gigabit port and next-gen upstream support keep it useful longer, and it carries a two-year warranty. The NETGEAR CM1000 is the simpler pick for a Gigabit-or-below plan: one Gigabit port, a long track record, and 4.5 stars from over 1,700 ratings. Both are modem-only, so you supply the router.

Choose the NETGEAR CM1000 if your cable plan tops out at 1 Gbps and you want a proven, widely reviewed modem with the simplest setup.
Choose the ARRIS S34 if you have or plan a multi-gig plan, want a second Ethernet port, or want the longer warranty.

Prices

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem: $149.99 at Buyapprovedmodems.com (checked today)
ARRIS SURFboard S34: $35.40 at velmoraly (checked today)
Difference: the ARRIS SURFboard S34 is $114.59 cheaper than the NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem today

NETGEAR Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem CM1000

What separates them

	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem	ARRIS SURFboard S34
Max download speed	1 Gbps	2.5 Gbps
Ethernet ports	One Gigabit port	One 2.5 Gigabit port plus one Gigabit port
Upstream readiness	DOCSIS 3.1 OFDMA, 8 upstream channels	Supports next-generation upstream speed tiers
Warranty	1 year	2 years limited
Track record and reviews	4.5 stars from 1,723 ratings	Newer model with little owner feedback
Setup	Plug in coax, activate online or by phone, connect router	Same process; activate with provider, then connect router
Voice support	Not compatible with bundled voice plans	Modem only; no voice support
Wi-Fi	None; needs a separate router	None; needs a separate router

Specs compared

Spec	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem	ARRIS SURFboard S34
Weight	13.44 ounce	13.36 oz
Warranty	1 Year	two years, limited, which is the norm for this …
Modem type	Cable Modem	Cable Modem
Compatible service provider	Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, & more	Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum
Maximum download speed	1 Gbps	2.5 Gbps
Docsis version	3.1	3.1
Transfer rate	1 Gbps	2.5 Gbps
Number of downstream channels	32	32
Number of upstream channels	8	8
Brand	NETGEAR	Surfboard
Manufacturer	NETGEAR	MOTOROLA
Connection	Ethernet	RJ45

Show all 40 specs

Spec	NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem	ARRIS SURFboard S34
Number of ports	1	2
Model	CM1000-100NAS	S34
Model name	NETGEAR - DOCSIS 3.1 Ultra-High Speed Cable Mod…	S34
Type	Cable	Modem
Interface	Ethernet	Ethernet
Transmission Speed	1 gbps	Gigabit speed, 2 Gbps (Wired), Gigabit+ speed p…
Network / Transport Protocol	Ipv6	IPv6, IPv4
color	Black	—
size	N/A	—
Max download speed

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem vs ARRIS SURFboard S34

Prices

NETGEAR Nighthawk CM1000 Cable Modem vs ARRIS SURFboard S34

Prices