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.
Check price on Amazon →I switched from CenturyLink's rented modem to my own and savedcurrent pricing a year. Here are the five modems and routers that actually work with CenturyLink.
How we evaluated these
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
The shortlist
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola MD1600 Modem Router Combo | Check price | ||
| ZyXEL C3000Z Modem | Check price | ||
| ASUS RT-AX88U Pro Router | Check price | ||
| TP-Link Archer AX55 Router | Check price | ||
| Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro for Fiber | Check price |
Each pick, examined
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.
Questions answered
Yes, CenturyLink allows customer-owned modems. You save the to monthly rental fee, which pays back the modem in under a year. Confirm your service type (DSL or fiber) before buying.
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.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
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