I’ve been using the Arris G54 and the Netgear RBE973S to test WIFI 7 and just wanted to provide some feedback on how the Arris performs so far. Its not a fair comparison as the Netgear has a few extra features/performance specs.
Overall, its performance has been excellent. I have a 3200sq ft home and with it centrally located, it covers the whole home. I’m running around 60+ devices overall (40+ wireless) and I’ve had no issues or bandwidth concerns. I do have all but 1 of my 4k tv’s hardwired in because I prefer that for streaming. I do have the 10g port connected through a 2.5gig tp-link switch and it doesn’t have any issues saturating it. While the Netgear is faster on the peripheral (because of the satellites), the Arris keeps up in closer range and even will beat it on some tests. I’ve been able to saturate my multi-gig speeds over wireless. So if you have a mid-sided home, this should cover it great if you centrally locate it.
What I like:
- I like having the extra features in the GUI browser for navigation. Can be a little intimidating at times
- Has no issues hitting my full 1.4gig speeds over Xfinity for downloads. And it should support the higher upload speeds.
- Its quad band and so has 2x 5ghz bands. This is nice as most devices are still 2.4/5ghz.
- One of the 5ghz bands designed for older WIFI 5 devices. Nice option for those that struggle with newer AX/BE specs. Really great features IMO
- options of guest network for any of the bands
- all-in-one design. This isn’t always a benefit as some prefer them separate
- Great coverage for a single access point solution. I’d have no problem recommending this for single router solutions in mid sized homes.
- Can saturate over wireless my 1.2gig speeds. On both 6ghz/5ghz
- Once Xfinity recognized it in their system, provisioning was super fast. Was automatic through the app. It took a few attempts as it wasn’t in their system being pre-production and that confuses their reps.
Dislikes:
- The Captcha needs to be removed. I’ve already logged into the device. I shouldn’t have to do a captcha every time I change a setting. Really frustrating
- The upload through xfnity hasn’t been bumped up to high-split speeds so I don’t get the 200mbps potential I do with my other modems. ***this is a pre-production model and the production model shouldn’t have issues I’m informed.*****
- I’d have rather seen the one BE 5ghz band have 160hz capabilities. Both are only 80hz wide. It’d give the BE 5ghz band double the speed capabilities.
- Still locked into firmware the ISP supplies. Some other manufacturer’s are implementing a provisioning so you can upgrade the router side firmware and the ISP controls the modem side. This should be standard on all new modem/router combo devices since the ISP’s rarely update firmware .
- There was some issues with changing the ssid password but with the newer firmware, its been resolved. You can use whatever ssid password you need now. *Not a dislike but a disclaimer for a fixed issue.*
- With the internal modem only capable of 2.5g speeds, having a 10g port without any other 2.5/5g ports was a bit overkill. I’d have rather removed the 10g port and had the other ports all 2.5g. Or just have a couple 2.5g ports. A bit more multi-gig options would have been nicer than just the single 10g port and the rest gigabit. Yes you can connect a 10g switch to it but there prices are quite high compared to 2.5g switches.
WIFI 7 (BE) is still in its infancy and I couldn’t really test the full WIFI 7 capabilities because the phone with WIFI 7 I have doesn’t connect properly (phones issue, not the routers. Avoid Motorola phones if you want your WIFI 7 to work currently). We really won’t see a whole lot of benefit to upgrade yet until we see more devices released. But with its quad band operations, it should future proof you for quite a while and let your older devices still function without issues. A great option and I wasn’t expecting to appreciate the 5ghz band for older devices.
Overall, this is a rock solid modem/router. I’m never trusting of ISP’s to upgrade firmware since it costs them $ to certify so I’d have really liked the separate provisioning of firmware. But it isn’t a deal breaker. Most who are buying combo devices, don’t manage their devices a whole lot. Having the ISP force updates might be a better option for them. Those that do want control, buy the modem separate. If you’re in need of a modem/router combo device, I’d for sure look at this as its the first WIFI 7 modem/router combo device released and performs excellent.
If anything changes, I’ll try and leave a comment (if it stays open for comments)
Disclaimer "User received a commercially available or Pre-Production unit as part of testing and feedback process"
