Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Netgear Nighthawk C7000 | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Motorola MD1600 | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Netgear Orbi RBK853 | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| Asus DSL-AC68U | Best for Range | 4.5/5 |
| TP-Link Archer VR2100 | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
I have been a CenturyLink customer for six years across two homes and spent way too long figuring out which modems and routers actually work with their service. Their rented gateway is overpriced and underwhelming, so swapping to a customer-owned setup pays back fast. Here are the five I trust on CenturyLink connections today.
Motorola MD1600 Modem Router Combo
This is the modem I bought when I dropped CenturyLink’s rental. VDSL2 support, gigabit Ethernet ports, and built-in AC1600 Wi-Fi. CenturyLink officially approves it. Pairs with their DSL service up to higher tiers without issue. Replaced my rental and the bill dropped immediately.
ZyXEL C3000Z Modem
The ZyXEL C3000Z is one of the modems CenturyLink themselves rent out. Buying it secondhand or new and provisioning it directly saves the rental fee. VDSL2 bonding for higher-tier DSL plans. Pairs well with a third-party Wi-Fi 6 router for the actual wireless coverage.
ASUS RT-AX88U Pro Router
If you go the modem-plus-separate-router route, the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro is what I run today. Wi-Fi 6, eight gigabit Ethernet ports, and the firmware quality ASUS is known for. Covers a 2,500 square foot house easily and handles dozens of devices without slowing down.
TP-Link Archer AX55 Router
For budget-conscious CenturyLink customers needing a separate router, the TP-Link Archer AX55 delivers Wi-Fi 6 at a great price. Easy setup through the Tether app, mesh-compatible if you want to expand later. I have set this up for multiple friends who moved off rentals.
Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro for Fiber
For CenturyLink fiber customers, the modem step is replaced by an ONT, but the router downstream is yours to choose. The Nighthawk M6 Pro delivers Wi-Fi 6E performance with multi-gig WAN, which matches CenturyLink’s higher fiber tiers without bottlenecking your connection.
What Matters Most
For DSL customers, the modem must be CenturyLink-approved or work with VDSL2. that rules out cable modems entirely. Confirm your service tier with CenturyLink, then match modem capability to it. For fiber customers, the modem step does not apply; focus on a strong Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router downstream of the ONT.
My Setup
I run a Motorola MD1600 in bridge mode feeding an ASUS RT-AX88U Pro that handles all my Wi-Fi and routing. This combination outperforms the CenturyLink rental in every meaningful way and saves mecurrent pricing a year. The setup took about an hour including activating the new modem with CenturyLink support.
Common Mistakes
Buying a cable modem expecting it to work with DSL is the biggest mistake. They are not compatible technologies. Always confirm DSL or fiber service before shopping. Mistake two is forgetting to activate the new modem with CenturyLink support. Call them with the MAC address and they will provision it in five minutes.
Final Recommendation
For most CenturyLink DSL customers, the Motorola MD1600 is the best modem and router because it is officially approved, combines both functions, and pays back the rental fee in under a year. For fiber customers or anyone wanting maximum Wi-Fi quality, pair the ZyXEL C3000Z modem with the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro router. Either path beats the rental hands down.
Frequently asked questions
Will CenturyLink let me use my own modem?+
Yes, CenturyLink allows customer-owned modems. You save thecurrent pricing tocurrent pricing monthly rental fee, which pays back the modem in under a year. Confirm your service type (DSL or fiber) before buying.
Do I need a separate router or can I use a combo unit?+
Combo modem-routers simplify setup but combine two devices into one point of failure. I prefer separate units for better Wi-Fi performance and the ability to upgrade either piece independently.