Best router for CenturyLink in 2024 – Our top picks

If you’re looking for the best router for CenturyLink, we’ve got you covered right here. CenturyLink is a large internet service provider with its own routers and modems. While some may prefer getting the router offered by their ISP to avoid the hassle of hunting for a good and compatible router, it may lack additional features and the option to customize the router according to your liking.

So, to work around that issue and to get the most out of your CenturyLink plan, you should try some of the best routers available on the market – as long as they are compatible and offer decent features.

However, with so many options available on the market from different brands with varying technical specifications, it would be understandable if the process of picking one sounds daunting. To make the search easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best routers for CenturyLink, including a mesh WiFi option, based on features, simple setup, and value for money.

How we selected the best router for CenturyLink

We researched the market with a fine-toothed comb to find the best routers for CenturyLink. These routers have been selected after carefully considering multiple factors such as the number of ports, signal strength, range, speed, and more. We’re always looking for the latest releases and update our guides regularly so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Best router for CenturyLink

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TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro

Specifications

• Standard: WiFi 6
• Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• Max speed: 4.8 Gbps
• LAN ports: 1 x 2.5 Gbps, 4 x 1 Gbps

Reasons to Buy

• Multiple Ethernet ports for various wired connection
• TP-Link HomeShield for increased security
• High-powered antennas offer excellent speed and long-range coverage

Reasons to Avoid

• Some advanced features are behind a pay wall
• Might be overkill for casual users

• Shop on Amazon

If you want the best router for CenturyLink, the TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro is a good fit for gaming, working, or live streaming at top internet speeds. Plus, we think it’s one of the best TP-Link routers money can buy.

To start with, the router has a dual-band AX5400 WiFi 6 with 574 Mbps at 2.4GHz and 4804 Mbps at 5GHz. What that means is, in short, it’s going to be powerful enough to handle 4K or even 8K streaming with ease. That’s great if you want to watch a lot of content online but at a decent resolution.

Ports are important if you’re planning on connecting multiple devices for wired connection speeds, and this router has five, which is one of the most we’ve come across. Why is this important? Well, if you want the very best connectivity speeds, you’ll want to lean towards a wired connection – especially if you’re planning on streaming in high resolution or gaming.

When it comes to coverage, as you can see in the photo, there are 6 high-performance antennas supported by Beamforming technology – which works to detect devices and concentrate signals toward the antennas themselves. What that means is that you’re more likely to get a strong Wi-Fi connection to all areas of your home – making this a solid option for larger homes.

This router also ticks the boxes when it comes to security, providing features such as TP-Link HomeShield that lets you browse the web safely and add another extra layer of protection for children, too. Overall, if you’re looking for one of the best routers for CenturyLink, or to be honest, most other internet service providers, we think you can’t go wrong with this feature-packed device and arguably affordable device.

What users say

Amazon customers were impressed by the router’s value, calling it a worthwhile investment with great features. Setting it up is a breeze thanks to the super easy interface, a welcome change from past experiences. Additionally, coverage is excellent, blanketing their entire space and reaching even far corners like the garage. One happy user even claimed it “made a huge difference in speed and any devices/xbox/anything no longer had an issue with connectivity”.

If you’re on a tight budget and looking for the best router for CenturyLink, you should check out the Tenda WiFi 6 Gaming Router, which combined with the best budget gaming laptop, is a great contender for the best router under $100.

On the inside, the router boasts a quad-core 1.7 GHz CPU with dual-band WiFi 6. This means that you can choose between 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz frequencies that will give you 574 Mbps and 2403 Mbps, respectively. This is great if you’re looking to stream 4K content, play games online lag-free, and browse the internet without disconnections.

Coming to the performance of this router, it combines elements such as 4 high-power antennas and beamforming+ technology to send strong and reliable signals throughout your home. On top of that, the WiFi+ function expands the area coverage making it an excellent option for medium to large offices or living spaces.

When it comes to connectivity options, you have 4 ports that provide maximum wired speeds for your Smart TV, computer, IP camera, and printer simultaneously.

Another helpful perk is the One-Click Intelligent Diagnosis, which uses a web management interface to self-check and solve issues like dropped calls, network freezes, and interruptions. So if you’re looking for the best CenturyLink router within a budget, then this checks all the boxes and delivers an excellent all-rounded performance.

If you want the best mesh WiFi system for CenturyLink, the Amazon Eero 6 is a solid choice. Plus, it comes as a 3-pack, including one router and two extenders, providing fast WiFi connectivity to every corner of your home.

For starters, it’s powered by a 1.2 GHz CPU with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB flash storage. Combined with the dual-band WiFi 6 functionality, it supports speeds of up to 500 Mbps and can offer sufficient bandwidth for 75+ connected devices.

As far as the coverage is concerned, you get a 3-pack mesh WiFi system that covers 4500 sq. ft., making it ideal for large homes or offices. Plus, you can extend your network coverage by pairing the router with other cross-compatible devices, such as a WiFi extender.

This router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports and a single USB-C power port. So if you want to keep the router close by for a wired connection while covering the rest of the space with powerful signals, this is a solid option.

Lastly, it offers excellent ease of accessibility via the Eero app, which should guide you through the entire configuration process and allow you to manage your network from anywhere. Plus, the built-in Zigbee smart home hub lets you control your router and other compatible devices using voice commands by integrating it with Alexa. If you’re interested in exploring more options, then we’d recommend checking out our best mesh routers guide for top-notch picks.

What users say

According to Amazon customer reviews, many praise the product’s effortless setup, highlighting the intuitive and user-friendly app. They’re impressed with the extensive coverage, reaching even the garage and halfway across the yard. Performance also seems to please customers, with one customer stating “I would recommend eero for anyone that is streaming your TV viewing and for households with a lot of electronics connected to the Internet”.

If you’re looking for a router with a bit more functionality that doubles as a modem, the C4000BG CenturyLink modem-router combination from the ISP brand itself is worth considering.

First, you get a Wi-Fi 6 xDSL router with dual-band connectivity. This gives you the option of selecting between 600 Mbps and 2400 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively. This should be sufficient bandwidth for 4K streaming, gaming, and a better video conferencing experience.

This dynamic duo boasts 4 high-power antennas, beamforming technology, and 160 MHz channel support. This means that you get enough speed and range to cover every room in your house without compromising the latency.

Another perk worth mentioning is that you can control everything using the My CenturyLink app, which is compatible with Android and iOS users. Plus, you can set one WiFi SSID for the entire home right from the app – which makes managing your network security a walk in the park.

What users say

Amazon users loved how easy it is to set up this router and raved about its performance. Beginners can even follow the included step-by-step guide. One happy user even noted “all in all my only regret is that we didn’t buy this sooner. Highly recommended!” With that being said, some reviewers mention that the signal strength isn’t consistent for everyone.

Considerations for the best router for CenturyLink

Here are some factors that you should consider before selecting a router to go with your CenturyLink plan.

Compatibility

The first thing to look out for is compatibility. Plenty of options may seem like a good fit for your requirements, but it’s a waste if they aren’t compatible with CenturyLink. Check the manufacturer’s website to confirm whether they are compatible with CenturyLink; you might even find a better alternative.

Coverage

A crucial element is the coverage that the router provides. If you have a small office or living space, then a router with 2,500 sqft coverage might be fine. However, if you have a medium to large space, going for a router with higher coverage, such as 3000 – 5000 sqft, might prove a better fit.

Price

Higher prices don’t necessarily mean getting the best products or services. So take your time to explore multiple options and even other brands instead of splurging on the first high-end option you come across. You might find an excellent option that meets all your requirements without burning a hole in your pocket.

Ports

To make full use of your high-speed internet plan, it’s preferred that you go for an option with at least one 2.5 multi-gig Ethernet port. Having multiple ports will also be beneficial if you want to connect multiple devices via an Ethernet cable.

Wifi standard

Newer WiFi standards, such as WiFi 7 or 6E, have a higher throughput of 9.6 Gbps than WiFi 5, which falls substantially short at only 3.5 Gbps. So, ensure that you select the router that supports the latest standard to enjoy what your internet plan has to offer.

Can I use a mesh router with CenturyLink?

Yes, as long as the mesh router complies with the IEEE 802.11ac standards, you can use it with CenturyLink.

Is Nighthawk router compatible with CenturyLink?

There are multiple variations of the Nighthawk router. Options such as the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 router modem are certified with CenturyLink and work well with it.