Motorola MB8611 Review: After 45 Days of Use

Motorola MB8611 is quite a powerful DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 32 x 8 channels, AQM technology, and a 2.5 Gbps ethernet port, which makes it a feature-packed device for Gig and Multi-Gig internet connections. But does it live up to the specs? Should you invest $189 in it? Let’s find out!

To test its full potential and capabilities, I used this cable modem with TP-Link Deco XE75 (a WiFi 6E mesh system) as my primary setup for 45 days on the Xfinity Gigabit plan. I feel that I am in a better place to talk about its highlights, advantages, and misses.

But before I dig into the detailed review of the Motorola MB8611, let’s quickly go through the specifications it offers. (Skip Specs & Go To The Review)

Motorola MB8611 Specs

Technology	DOCSIS 3.1
Backward Compatibility	Yes
Channel Bonding	32 x 8
Ports	1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
Phone Jack	No
Modem Router Combo	No
Suitable Internet Plan	Up to 2.5 Gbps
Compatible ISPs	Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, Mediacom, Midco, Breezeline, Astound, and WOW! Internet.
IPv6 Support	Yes
Processor	Qualcomm Broadcom
RAM	512MB
NAND Storage	128MB
Dimensions	7.88 x 7.25 x 2.25 inches
Weight	1.15 pounds

Motorola MB8611 Review: After 45 Days of Use

If speed is one of your primary concerns, you simply cannot go wrong with the Motorola MB8611 DOCSIS 3.1 modem. It’s specifically cut out for multi-gig internet plans.

Coming to the overalls, this is one of the few high-speed cable modems in the market that is actually cut out for high throughput, futuristic internet plans, as and when they arrive.

And when I tested it with 1000 Mbps internet, I could see how effective the choice was in terms of traffic prioritization, congestion management, and obviously throughputs.

Also, MB8611 isn’t only about the speed it supports. Instead, there are several physical and intrinsic aspects to look at. In the subsequent sections, I shall unearth almost everything about Motorola’s high-end cable modem by reviewing every attribute and aspect I discovered.

Speeds & Performance

If raw speeds are concerned, MB8611 from Motorola is good enough to peak at 2.5 Gbps. However, I could only muster an Xfinity Gigabit plan to test the modem with and could reach a max download speed of 945 Mbps. Upload speed on the other hand was clocking 40 Mbps. Wired speeds, however, were close to 1000 Mbps, signifying minimal attenuation.

Adding to the Motorola MB8611 speed is the AQM functionality for better traffic prioritization. This feature is expected to come in handy in reducing ping and latency to an extent. And that’s why MB8611 is featured in my list of recommended gaming modems.

Ports & Connectivity

The MB8611 modem isn’t replete with options but with a single high-speed 2.5 G ethernet slot in play, you need not look for anything else.

The lack of additional Gig ethernet ports and Link Aggregation support can be an issue if you are into using two internet plans to ramp up the internet speeds.

Apart from that, there is a dedicated port in the rear for accommodating the coaxial input.

Compatibility with ISPs

While I tested this cable modem for Xfinity by Comcast, it also works with other internet providers. I’ve listed them below along with their ideal service package.

• Cox Internet — Gigablast Plan
• Spectrum Internet — Internet Gig Plan
• Astound Broadband — Gig Internet Plan
• Mediacom Xtream — Internet 1 GIG Plan
• WOW Internet — Internet 1 Gig Plan
• Midco — Gig Internet Plan
• Breezeline — 1000 Mbps Plan

Motorola MB8611 Setup

Adding to the multi ISP compatibility is the refreshingly straightforward setup arrangement, allowing you to get the modem up and running within minutes.

Design & Build

The aesthetics associated with Motorola MB8611 are pretty standard with this cable modem assuming a rectangular, plastic-clad form factor. Also, the weight for the same is set at a manageable 1.15 pounds, which furthers the portability quotient.

Coming to the dimensions, the modem measures 7.88 x 7.25 x 2.25 inches, making it one of the thicker options around. However, the well-ventilated layout more than makes up for the chunkier chassis by keeping it exceptionally cool, even under demanding circumstances.

Furthering the design-specific elements is the LED setup, with Motorola making way for five front-facing status reporting lights for accurately identifying network status. And that’s not it, there are two rear-adhering LEDs in play to report the status of the standalone ethernet port.

Hardware & Associated Technologies

The hardware setup deserves a special mention with Motorola paving the way for a standard power-efficient Broadcom processor and 512MB of RAM to ensure minimal latency. And on top of that, there is 128MB of storage space to keep the firmware insights handy.

The hardware configuration brings in a wide range of possibilities for this cable modem. This includes ARM-powered performance boosts and the availability of the DOCSIS 3.1 standard. Note that DOCSIS 4.0 has been announced yet it will take time to implement the same.

While the DOCSIS 3.1 technology with 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA compatibility is a futuristic asset, the MB8611 is even backward compatible with the 32 x 8 channel bonding support offered by the DOCSIS 3.0 networking standard.

Adding to the overall specs of Motorola MB8611 is the availability of proactive circuitry that can handle power surges with ease. Plus, the modem supports IPv4 and IPv6 standards for better auto-configuration and dynamic QoS.

Motorola MB8611 Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Overall, the Motorola MB8611 is one of the more dependable multi-Gig cable modems around, best known for the future-proof connectivity standard and an enviable processing setup. And to top it all, this is one of the few devices to throw in surge protection support to increase the longevity of the internal circuitry, making it a great buying option.

Recommended Comparison: Motorola MB8611 vs Arris S33