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Best CenturyLink Modem in 2022

Banishing Those Troublesome CenturyLink Rental Fees for Good
Last Updated on August 19, 2022
best centrylink modem

CenturyLink is one of the top DSL and fiber providers in the United States, and we love them for it, but what we’re not so enamored by is that they’re currently making a mint by renting out modems to already-paying customers. It may seem easier at first, but trust us, renting networking equipment from your ISP is going to burn a huge hole in your pocket.

Match the cost of a rudimentary DSL connection with this CenturyLink rental fee, and you’re paying more than most do for their ultra-fast fiber optic internet. It’s plain not fair, people!

Not to worry though, friends! We refuse to let you live under your ISP’s thumb, and to help you out of this bind we’ve done a ton of research and found the five best CenturyLink-compatible modems you can buy. Say goodbye to those rental fees.

Best CenturyLink Modem – Reviews

Let’s not waste time waffling because, in this scenario, time is money!

Products at a Glance

Our Recommended

Best CenturyLink Modem in 2022

1
PROS
  • Wifi 6 - Fastest possible DSL connection.
  • WPA2 - Network connection secure from intruders.
  • Easy Installation - Guaranteed no headaches.
  • VDSL2 - Juiced upload/download speeds.
CONS
  • Price - It’s not cheap, but it’ll pay off in the long run.
2
PROS
  • Dual Band - 1.7GBps and 450MBps - Fast enough for any computational activity.
  • Dual Firewalls and WPA2 - Super secure network.
  • TR-069 - Get instant help from your ISP when you need it.
  • VDSL2 - Doubled data transfer speeds.
  • Strong Signal - You’ll pick signal up no matter where you are in your home.
CONS
  • Price - It’s a one-time fee, but it’s a sizable one.
3
PROS
  • Dual-Band - Speedy, secure wireless connection
  • WPA/WPA2/WEP - No one can gain access to your wifi unless you want them to.
  • Dual Antenna - Wide coverage eliminates need for wifi extender.
CONS
  • Reapplying Settings - Resets all settings if disconnected.
4
PROS
  • Price - Check the link for pricing. It’s amazing!
  • Good Coverage - Should saturate your entire home.
  • Eco-Standards - An ethical company is hard to come by.
  • Decongestion Protocol - Helps you optimize your connection.
CONS
  • Single-Band - No 5GHz band here, we’re afraid.
  • Low Speed - 70MBps is enough for everyday computing, but not ideal for things like gaming.
5
PROS
  • Wifi 6 - It can use every bit of juice your fiber optic connection offers up.
  • Easy Installation - The app takes you through the process step-by-step. It couldn’t be easier.
  • WPS - Hook up new devices in seconds.
  • Dual-Band - Super speedy and secure connections all round.
CONS
  • Interface - Single light interface isn’t as informative as other picks.
  • No DLS - This is designed for use with a fiber optic connection.

What is the Best Modem to Use with CenturyLink?

Unfortunately, there’s no one right answer to which is the best modem to use with CenturyLink. It all depends on the contract that’s been agreed upon.

To get the most out of your network deal, you should try to match up your modem’s bandwidth with the bandwidth provided by CenturyLink. This way you’re not overpaying for excess modem capacity.

Having said that, if you’ve got a rapid internet service, we highly recommend the CenturyLink C3000A. It’s lightning-fast, gets great coverage, easy to set up, and has a user-friendly interface.

What is the Newest CenturyLink Modem?

Two of the newest CenturyLink modems are the Greenwave C4000XG and the ZyXEL C3000Z, both of which you can read about earlier in the article in our reviews section.

Can I Buy My Own Modem for CenturyLink?

Yes! You can absolutely buy your own modem for CenturyLink. It may seem costly at first, but if you plan on sticking with CenturyLink for a while, it’s preferable to renting a network device and paying a monthly fee.

What Kind of Modem Does CenturyLink Use?

CenturyLink currently uses a selection of different modems to suit different network connections. The majority of compatible modems are DSL, but as CenturyLink has started providing fiber optic internet in certain areas, you can also find compatible fiber modems.

How Much Does CenturyLink Charge for a Modem?

Renting a modem from CenturyLink will set you back upward of $9.99 a month depending on the modem in question. If you plan on keeping CenturyLink as your ISP, it makes sense to buy your own modem.

How Can I Boost My CenturyLink Wifi Signal?

There are a few things you can try to boost your CenturyLink wifi signal. First, simply try turning your modem off, waiting a few seconds, then turning it on again. This can fix the odd slowdown. If that doesn’t work, you could try a full reboot.

Still no luck? If your sluggish wifi connection is persistent, and there are no problems on CenturyLink’s end, it may be symptomatic of a dying modem. In this scenario, it’s best to buy a replacement.

How Often Should I Replace My Modem?

There isn’t really a set duration after which you absolutely need to replace your modem, but a popular rule of thumb is around every three to four years. People subscribe to this renewal schedule as it coincides on average with how often we upgrade other devices such as phones and computers.

Our Verdict

That’s about it from us, folks. We hope we’ve solved your CenturyLink rental problem or at the very least answered a few of your burning modem-based questions.

We know forking out for your own modem can seem a little scary, but it only takes some simple math to realize how much you’ll benefit in the grand scheme of things.

As long as you use our buyer’s guide to figure out which of the five excellent options on our list suits you and your internet service, it’s smooth sailing surfing from here on out!