The ARRIS SURFboard G36 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router combo unit. It's equipped with four 1Gbps and one 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, along with a coaxial cable port. It has a businesslike, black-and-gray, two-tone colorway and a somewhat tall, cylindrical design. 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 G36 is a good choice for apartments and condos. It delivers very good top speeds and decent range, suitable for multiple users streaming 4k video and downloading files simultaneously. It also has great wired connectivity with four 1Gbps and one 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports. It has a built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, eliminating the need for a separate, standalone cable modem if it's compatible with your internet service provider. On the downside, it lacks any sort of mesh capability, so if you live in a larger apartment or condo, or there are obstacles like concrete walls, you can't expand your network's coverage natively.
Very good close-range speeds.
Decent range.
Built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
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 G36 is a decent choice for multi-level homes. It's a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/Wi-Fi router combo unit, so you don't need to have a separate modem if it's compatible with your ISP. It delivers very good close-range speeds and decent range, so it's well-suited for facilitating a family of users streaming 4k video or working from home. It also has great wired connectivity with four 1Gbps and one 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports. Unfortunately, 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.
Very good close-range speeds.
Decent range.
Built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
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 G36 delivers very good speeds suitable for an internet connection up to ~750Mbps. It also supports Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) for access to more channels in noisy wireless environments.
Very good close-range speeds.
The ARRIS G36 has decent range. It doesn't support any sort of mesh networking capabilities natively, however.
Decent range.
Lacks mesh support to expand network coverage.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The ARRIS SURFboard G36 doesn't have any variants. Here's a photo of our unit's label.
Popular Router Comparisons
The ARRIS G36 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. It delivers performance that's similar to budget Wi-Fi 6 routers like the TP-Link Archer AX10 and the TP-Link Archer AX20, but occupies an upper mid-range price category alongside much more performant Wi-Fi 7 routers like the ASUS TUF Gaming BE9400. Of course, none of those routers have a built-in cable modem, making the ARRIS a decent option if you're looking for an all-in-one solution, potentially saving on modem rental fees or buying a dedicated modem.
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 G54 performs significantly better than the ARRIS SURFboard G36, featuring a quad-band design, Wi-Fi 7 technology, and a 10Gbps WAN port for faster speeds on compatible devices. While both offer similar range performance, the G54 is best suited to households with newer devices that can utilize 6GHz frequencies, while the G36 remains viable as a dual-band option for Wi-Fi 6 or older clients.
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.
While the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a standalone, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router, the ARRIS SURFboard G36 is a 2-in-1 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem/Wi-Fi 6 router combo. The TP-Link has better Wi-Fi performance overall, with faster close-range speeds and better range. While the ARRIS isn't as performant, the built-in cable modem adds convenience.
The eero 6 and the ARRIS SURFboard G36 are routers with different design intentions. The ARRIS is a 2-in-1 cable modem/Wi-Fi 6 router combo unit, while the eero is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system. The two deliver similar close-range speeds, but the eero delivers better range in a setup with two access points. The ARRIS, on the other hand, has more Ethernet ports, making it a better choice if you have several wired devices.
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 the 2.5Gbps Ethernet port as a WAN port in our testing.
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
