Best CenturyLink-Compatible Modems 2024

DSL technology varies so vastly from place to place that finding a compatible modem for CenturyLink is tricky business.

But buying your modem can save you money in the long run, since CenturyLink charges $15 per month for you to lease one or $200 to buy it outright. Fortunately, we’ve gathered a bunch of good options whether you need something ASAP or are willing to dip into the secondhand market. Keep on reading to find out the best modems for CenturyLink internet.

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• Best CenturyLink modems
• Other top CenturyLink modems
• What to look for

Best modems for CenturyLink

Amazon.com price as of 9/13/24 12:13 p.m. PT. Read full disclaimer.

Looking for the top CenturyLink-compatible modems? If you decide not to get your modem through CenturyLink, you’ll need to carefully choose a modem that works with the DSL technology in your home. Third-party availability for our modem picks vary, because they’re often available only through refurbished sellers.

But if you don’t shopping secondhand, you can save substantially on your modem compared to going directly through CenturyLink. Let’s take a closer look at the information you need to make your choice.

CenturyLink-provided wireless modem

If you want to save yourself the time and energy it takes to find out your local DSL technology type and unearth a matching DSL modem, get your modem straight from CenturyLink.

CenturyLink’s modem options include a built-in wireless router, and they’re cheaper than most options on the market.

Sure, you’ll be left in the dark about the make and model until the modem lands on your doorstep. But CenturyLink can help with tech support if something goes wrong.

And if you’re not going to be with CenturyLink for long, you might save money by leasing your modem instead of buying it.

So if you like to keep things simple—and save cash—getting a modem straight from CenturyLink is the way to go.

Axon C4000BG

The C4000BG offers maximum DSL performance for households with its VDSL2 support for pair-bonded speeds up to 140 Mbps. You’ll also get Wi-Fi 6 compatibility which’ll ensure the fastest transfer speeds on your home network. But it’s generally higher-priced on the secondhand market compared to other CenturyLink-compatible modems and it also lacks ADSL support—if your home is still on a legacy DSL line, you’ll be out of luck with the C4000BG.

Zyxel C3000Z

If you’re tech-savvy, you might be a good match for the Zyxel C3000Z. This modem is compatible with CBRAS, which helps you set up LAN subnets and static IP addresses.

But even if none of those acronyms strike a chord with you, don’t count out the Zyxel C3000Z yet. It’s one of the more affordable DSL modems for CenturyLink and an excellent choice for high-speed plans. You’ll really get to enjoy all the speed you’re paying for this way.

If your plan comes with download speeds of 80 Mbps or more, it will probably work with this modem—ask your CenturyLink rep to be sure. But it lacks Wi-Fi 6 support, so you’ll be leaving some performance on the table if you have smartphones or laptops that support Wi-Fi 6.

While you’re chatting with them, ask if this is the DSL modem you’d get if you bought one from CenturyLink. The Zyxel C3000Z is one of its models available in some areas, and buying it straight from CenturyLink can save you a few dollars.

Axon C4000LG

The C4000LG makes some tradeoffs compared to the higher-end C4000BG to get to a more value-friendly price point. On the LG, you’ll still get Wi-Fi 6 support alongside ADSL compatibility if your house lacks ADSL2 or VDSL2 support. But the LG doesn’t have pair-bonded compatibility, so you’ll be out of luck if your home is wired for pair-bonded DSL. Consider the C4000LG if you need a newer CenturyLink-compatible modem and have a home that’s only wired for ADSL.

Other top CenturyLink-compatible modems

Looking for something different for a CenturyLink modem? Our runner-up picks are generally older and lack features like Wi-Fi 6 support. But if you simply need something that works, they can offer exceptional value for your household’s CenturyLink setup.

Best for speed: Actiontec C3000A

If you rely on Wi-Fi to get internet throughout your home, the Actiontec C3000A is an excellent choice. Its advanced 802.11ac tech expands the reach of your 5.0 GHz frequency Wi-Fi to 820 feet.

Minus the jargon, that means the Actiontec 3000AC gives you steadier, faster Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home than most DSL modem/routers. That will give your smart TVs, computers, and gaming consoles a chance to shine.

This option isn’t a great budget choice, though. It’ll take over two years for your purchase to equal what leasing a CenturyLink modem will cost you.

But it’s unlikely DSL modem tech will jump by leaps and bounds in the next couple of years. So if you’re taking advantage of CenturyLink’s price-for-life deal, the Actiontec C3000A could be a keeper as one of the best DSL modems for CenturyLink.

Runner-up for flexibility: Actiontec C1900A

Do you love the flexibility of the Actiontec 3000A but not the big price tag? No worries. This model works with most of CenturyLink’s DSL technologies too, which will give you a lot of flexibility if you move around but want to stick with CenturyLink internet.

And like the Actiontec and Zyxel models above, the Actiontec C1900A supports fast Wi-Fi speeds. It runs a little slower on ADSL than the Actiontec 3000A, but it’s unlikely you’ll run into a plan where that matters.

So if you want to save a bit, check out this scaled-down (and cheaper) Actiontec model.

Runner-up for static IPs: Technicolor C1100T

The Technicolor C1100T doesn’t have the advanced Wi-Fi technology that the Zyxel C3000Z does. But it does work with many of the slower speeds that Zyxel isn’t built for, so it’s one of the best modems for CenturyLink DSL if you have a low-speed internet plan but still need a CBRAS connection.

That said, if you’re not familiar with CBRAS, don’t worry—it’s not necessary for everyday browsing.

If you do choose this option, you’ll want to check that this modem works with your internet plan. The Technicolor C1100T isn’t equipped to work with bonded internet, which uses two or more internet connections together to provide faster internet speeds.

What to look for in modems compatible with CenturyLink

Modem specs are riddled with jargon. Let us be your tech Rosetta Stone.

DSL technology

There are different generations of DSL technology. Each one offers faster speeds than its predecessors, but not all areas of the US support the latest technology.

Consequently, your local DSL tech might not support the fastest speeds on the market. And buying a DSL modem for CenturyLink is tricky because not all modems work with every type of DSL technology.

Ask a CenturyLink representative which DSL technology your home and plan uses. You can guess what technology your plan uses based on the speeds listed below, but this is something you’re better off being sure about if you want to find the best DSL modem for CenturyLink services:

• ADSL—Up to 7 Mbps
• ADSL2+—Up to 20 Mbps
• Bonded ADSL2+—Up to 25 Mbps
• VDSL2—Up to 80 Mbps
• Bonded VDSL2—100 Mbps

Wireless protocol

You’ll need a router to get Wi-Fi in your home. Luckily, most DSL modems come with one equipped.

All of the wireless modems in this article come with dual-band routers, which broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies.

The 2.4 GHz frequency is better at moving through walls and other obstacles in your home than 5.0 GHz. But 5.0 GHz supports faster Wi-Fi speeds.

If your router uses 802.11n tech, the Wi-Fi 5 5.0 GHz frequency will travel only up to 460 feet. With the more advanced 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 tech, 5.0 GHz will go as far as 820 feet.

So go for a wireless modem 802.11ac if you have a large home. Otherwise, a wireless modem with 802.11n will work just fine.

Final take

It’s a lot easier to buy a modem from CenturyLink than buying one online. Your CenturyLink modem will be guaranteed to work with whatever DSL technology your home uses, which is essential since there are so many generations of DSL tech out there.

But if you’re willing to spend more to get the best modem for CenturyLink and beyond, we recommend the Actiontec 3000A. It’s an excellent model that works with most CenturyLink plans.

Methodology

Our experts combed through CenturyLink’s list of 28 compatible third-party modems, then researched and selected the best modems that work for your local CenturyLink DSL network based on price, specs, supported speeds, and customer reviews.

For more information about our methodologies, head over to our How We Rank page.

CenturyLink-compatible modem FAQ

Disclaimer

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