The ARRIS SURFboard G34 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router combo unit. It's equipped with four 1Gbps Ethernet ports and one coaxial cable port. It has a somewhat tall, cylindrical shape. You can configure it via its web interface or through the SURFboard Central app.
Note: We only tested the Wi-Fi capabilities of this unit and didn't evaluate its performance as a DOCSIS 3.1 modem.
Our Verdict
The ARRIS G34 is a good choice for apartments and small homes. It's a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and Wi-Fi router combo, saving space compared to having two dedicated devices. It delivers good Wi-Fi speeds and range suitable for multiple users watching 4k content simultaneously. On the downside, it only has four 1Gbps Ethernet ports, and it doesn't support any sort of native mesh expandability, so there's little flexibility if it doesn't fully cover your living space.
Good close range speeds.
Built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
Good overall range.
Only four 1Gbps Ethernet ports.
Lacks mesh support to expand network coverage.
Wi-Fi 6 doesn't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
The ARRIS G34 is a good choice for multi-level homes. It's a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/Wi-Fi router combo unit, so there's no need to have two separate devices, saving space. It delivers very good close-range speeds and good overall range, so it's suitable for multiple users streaming 4k video or working from home. That said, it only has four 1Gbps Ethernet ports, and it doesn't support any sort of mesh networking, so it could leave you with dead areas if you have a large home or obstacles like masonry walls.
Good close range speeds.
Built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
Good overall range.
Only four 1Gbps Ethernet ports.
Lacks mesh support to expand network coverage.
Wi-Fi 6 doesn't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
The ARRIS G34 delivers good speeds suitable for a ~600Mbps internet connection. It also supports Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), giving you access to more channels, which can be beneficial in noisy wireless environments.
Good close range speeds.
The ARRIS G34 has good range overall. It doesn't support any sort of mesh networking capabilities natively, however.
Good overall range.
Lacks mesh support to expand network coverage.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The ARRIS G34 doesn't have any variants. Here's a photo of our unit's label.
Popular Router Comparisons
The ARRIS G34 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/Wi-Fi 6 router combo unit. Note that we only tested this unit's Wi-Fi capabilities, and not its cable modem functionality. This all-in-one unit occupies the lower mid-range price category alongside much more performant and flexible Wi-Fi 6 routers like the GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000), and even a multi-pack of the eero 6 mesh system, demonstrating the performance sacrifice for the convenience of a two-in-one system. Interestingly, it performs slightly better than the ARRIS SURFboard G36, the G34's pricier upper mid-range sibling. The only physical difference between the two, apart from the colorway, is that the G36 sports an additional 2.5Gbps Ethernet port.
For more recommendations, check out our articles on the best routers for Xfinity, the best long-range routers, and the best routers for Spectrum.
The ARRIS SURFboard G36 and the ARRIS SURFboard G34 are both DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/router combo units. They perform very similarly to each other, but the G36 has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port in addition to four 1Gbps ports, while the G34 only has four 1Gbps Ethernet ports.
The ARRIS SURFboard G54 is the better cable modem/router combo than the ARRIS SURFboard G34. The G54 has a quad band Wi-Fi 7 router that's much faster and longer range than the dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router on the G34.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
This is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/router combo device that can either use the coaxial port for a WAN connection or one of the Ethernet ports. We used a 1Gbps Ethernet port for the WAN connection in our testing.
Check out this product's sibling, the ARRIS SURFboard G36, if you're looking for a router/modem combo unit with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port.
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
