XB3 Vs XB6 – How To Supercharge Your Internet 2024

In this article, we will touch base on Xfinity Gateways XB3 and XB6 and how you can get an additional internet speed boost today!

It’s inarguable that the internet is an integral part of our lives. With that being said, you need the right gateway and modem for a reliable and uninterrupted Wi-Fi network.

The Xfinity Gigabit Gateways are well-known for their fast speeds, stability, and seamless internet connections.

In fact, Xfinity goes to greater lengths to produce modems with the latest features for exceptional performance.

Since there is always a new device being launched after a short while, you can find yourself torn between Xfinity’s collection of modems and gateways.

But, XB3 and XB6 are the gateways that have often put people in a dilemma. If you have XB3, should you upgrade and get the XB6?

We will try to set the record straight and help you choose the most preferable Xfinity gateway.

What are the Xfinity Advanced gateways?

There is a very good reason why they are referred to as the Advanced Wireless gateways. They basically come with high-speed gigabit wifi or Ethernet.

Furthermore, the wireless gateways are designed to support the entire system that connects Xfinity’s products and services.

To get the most out of these devices, position and location are very important. This should be done correctly.

The Xfinity advanced routers and gateways are meant to boost the stability and speed of your home network.

It could be that you’re already using the XB3 and thinking of upgrading. For most people, the confusion arises from the uncertainty of whether it would a good idea or not.

It’s especially difficult when you don’t know the difference between these two gateways and what they offer. The truth is sometimes you don’t even have to choose.

Any one of these devices is good enough depending on your needs and the features you’re looking for.

XB6 Overview

The XB6 is essentially one of the modems from Xfinity and consists of two-gigabit Ethernet ports. The Ethernet ports are a vital feature because they are often used for wired connections to ensure a stable internet connection with no interferences.

If for some reason you rely on cable connections, this is the right modem for you. Another great thing about it is the existence of the dual-band wifi option.

This means that you can use both the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands accordingly.

The main concern when it comes to using a secure internet. Unfortunately, people are not safe anywhere and this includes online. Lucky for you, the XB6 modem is designed to support a wifi protected setup.

It’s a feature that guarantees a secure network free from intruders and cybercriminals. If you need the fastest speeds possible, this modem provides a maximum data throughput of up to 1Gbps.

This means you can carry out all kinds of online tasks such as gaming and video conferencing without ever having to worry about sluggish connections and interruptions.

It’s really a reliable choice that offers the fastest speeds you can find. To top it off, it has a network management tool that comes in handy whenever you want to optimize the network and improve its performance.

The XB6 supports home hotspots. Therefore, you can easily share the internet among various devices. It’s especially useful for people with smart homes.

In addition, it works with the Xfinity xFi gateways to enable users to optimize high-speed internet connections seamlessly.

The modem features two telephone ports, which makes it perfect for people in need of telephone services. You can’t stay without the internet? No problem!

This particular device is designed with a battery backup capacity. This will ensure you’re never completely cut off from the internet even when there is a blackout. Though, this is restricted to mainly voice.

The XB6 is a new Xfinity modem and since it has so much potential, it has become the default modem for the people who sign up for internet plans of about 300Mbps and higher.

It’s fair to say this modem is meant to top up your internet speeds and boost performance. When compared to XB3, this one is designed with better speed standards.

It has four antennas that support four by four Mu-Mimo connections. All said and done, as long as you have the XB6 modem, you will barely have to worry about things like speedy internet connections.

Pros

1. The modem is easy to use and guarantees a high-speed internet connection.
2. It supports the use of mesh Wi-FI for the optimization of the network.
3. The modem supports the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi bands to suit the needs of various users.
4. It offers extensive wireless range.
5. The modem has a sleek and edgy outlook.
6. You can set it up with the xFi app to access parental controls.
7. The updates are installed on a regular basis to ensure the best performance and blazing fast internet connections.

Cons

1. The lack of status lights on the modem takes away the control users have over the network.
2. Heats up easily
3. The radios operate on bridge mode, which often restricts the performance.

XB3 Overview

The launch of the Xfinity gateway XB3 was stellar news for the users because it meant faster internet speeds.

As such, people would actually get the internet speeds they were paying for. This development was meant for devices that can support gigabit speeds rather than just using the wifi connection.

While this gateway is a great addition, there are still few devices that support such high speeds.

The XB3 has quite a straightforward design that will not cause any hindrances or distractions to your surroundings.

The outlook is more consistent with the new newly launched devices. It demands a coaxial cable connection that runs from outside the house as well as a power cord.

One of the things that separate XB3 from XB6 is the number of ports. While the XB6 has only two ports, the XB3 comes with four LAN ports.

Therefore, it can connect as many as four devices at the same time. It also has two telephone jacks which work well with Comcast’s voiceover IP.

People like this gateway because all of its antennas are internal. It’s a nice feature that guarantees a sleek and uncluttered appearance, which is what we really like the most.

The internal antennas are eight in number and work to transmit and receive signals. The high-end device will be your solution to slow internet connections. Instead, it will bring a burst of new energy to your network resulting in remarkably faster internet speeds.

The XB3 gateway modem is available for customers who have a 300Mbps package and higher. That being said, it delivers maximum speeds of around 700Mbps.

If the space is huge, whether it’s a home or office, Comcast has a solution. The company offers wifi extender ports with the gateway. This will work to make the internet connection more robust.

XB3 has dual-band wifi features. It ensures the users get the connectivity in the maximum power throughput. The gateway combines the 802.11ac wifi router with the DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.

Such a connection offers super-fast download speeds. The work of the modem is to increase range and performance. Therefore, if your internet speed is 250Mbps, it will deliver a maximum of 300Mbps.

Setting up most internet devices can be daunting and really difficult. That’s why many people prefer getting a professional to help.

This gateway has everything simplified to ensure a smooth setup and installation. You only have to download the xFi app and the setup would be streamlined.

You can use the app to create profiles, set connections with new devices, use parental controls, and prevent unauthorized access to your internet.

Furthermore, you can limit the number of devices being connected to the internet and limit consumption. The app is available for both Android and Apple users.

Pros

1. Capable of providing fast internet speeds of up to 700Mbps
2. It has quite fast downloading speeds
3. Can connect up to four devices all at the same time
4. It has more LAN ports compared to the XB6
5. It features both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi for better coverage.
6. Dual-band wifi means people can opt for connectivity in the optimal power throughput
7. Home networking is better facilitated because all devices can be connected safely to the gateway.

Cons

1. There is less online privacy because Comcast receives most of the data and information the gateway generates about the network.
2. The process of changing wifi settings is complicated.

XB3 vs. XB6: Which of the devices is better?

The XB3 and XB6 are both great devices. However, XB6 tends to be the more advanced gateway modem. As a matter of fact, it has nearly all the features of the XB3 and much more.

If your main concern is high-quality wifi performance, you are better off with the Xfinity gateway XB6. It’s the better option and we will explain why.

For starters, the XB6 gateway features 8×8:8 dual-band internet with the functionality of 5GHz 802.11 AC Wave2 radios. This means it delivers faster speeds than the XB3.

People find XB6 easier to use compared to the XB3 gateway modem. This definitely is because it comes with more features that users can take advantage of and enjoy a smooth experience.

Furthermore, with the XB6 you have the opportunity to actually use a mesh wifi system. It’s not set on default but it’s easy to enable the feature and get stronger wifi signals throughout your home.

The wireless range of the XB6 is out of this world. It’s simply outstanding and way better than the XB3. It’s really what makes people consider upgrading from XB3 to XB6.

With that in mind, it’s okay to stick with your XB3 gateway modem especially if it’s swift enough. There is no need to force an upgrade when the XB3 serves its purpose.

Moreover, it spots four Ethernet ports, unlike its counterpart. This is ideal for people who require more wired connections for their devices.

The good thing about using an Ethernet cable to create a connection is that the speeds are higher and more stable.

But this is the only leverage Xfinity XB3 gateway modem has over XB6. Other than that, there aren’t any noticeable differences.

Generally, the Xfinity XB6 gateway is the right choice if you want high speeds. It’s capable of supporting maximum speeds of up to 1Gbps. On the other hand, the XB3 maxes out at 700Mbps.

Conclusion

Xfinity has a reputation for producing some of the best internet devices. The XB3 and XB6 are among the popular gateway modems.

The choice of switching to XB6 from XB3 is entirely up to you and depends on your needs and preferences. That being said, XB6 has more features, it’s easier to use, and delivers the fastest speeds.

FAQs

Is Xfinity XB6 good?

Xfinity XB6 is a great gateway modem designed to offer higher speeds and top-notch performance. With a maximum data throughput of 1Gps, this is one of the most reliable gateway modems you’ll ever find.

Moreover, it comes with a Wi-Fi-protected setup to keep your network secure and prevent intruders from accessing it.

Should I buy my own modem for Comcast?

There is no doubt Xfinity/Comcast has the best devices for their internet, which are of high quality and last longer. But there is nothing wrong with buying your own modem if you feel it’s the right decision.

You can buy your own modem and router to give your internet the boost it needs and save money in the long run.

While there are many alternative devices in the market, not all of them are compatible with the Xfinity internet service. So, make sure you get a compatible device that will work well with the service.

Is it better to rent or buy an Xfinity modem?

Buying your own modem is usually the better choice because it saves you money. In fact, within a period of time, the purchase would have paid itself when compared to rental fees. However, if you won’t be using the service for long, renting would be the better option.