6 Best Centurylink Modems in 2024

By Robin Owens 20 days ago, Modems

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The best Centurylink modems on the market.

best centurylink modems

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Top 6 Best Centurylink Modems

  1. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500 - Our Choice
  2. Arris SURFboard SB8200 - High quality
  3. NETGEAR C6250 - Powerful
  4. Arris SURFboard Docsis 3.0 - Modern
  5. Motorola MG7700 - Compact
  6. NETGEAR Nighthawk - Cheap

In fact, the best CenturyLink modem for everyone doesn’t exist since all users have different cable providers, Internet service packages and the amount of money they are willing to spend on a modem. Still, I managed to collect the 6 best modems for various budgets and purposes on this list. To make the choice easier for you, I broke down important modem characteristics so that you know what exactly to pay attention to.

1. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500

Our Choice
best centurylink modem netgear cable modem cm500

Speed: 300 mbps | Connectivity: Wired | Features: Works with any wifi router | Item Weight: 1.46 lbs

  • ✚ Flexible compatibility
  • ✚ Meant for high speeds
  • ✚ Takes no more than 5 minutes to set up
  • High price
Rating

This modem is compatible with Century Link and offers support for cable Internet plans with speeds up to 300Mbps. It pleases users with a speedy and stable Internet connection for HD streaming and so on. The CM500 will effectively replace the cable modem, so you can save up to $168 per year on renting equipment.

To get started, you only need to connect the router to the modem’s Ethernet port and enjoy the support for any wireless device. The model boasts broad compatibility with all sorts of Wi-Fi routers.

2. Arris SURFboard SB8200

High quality
best centurylink modem arris surfboard sb8200

Speed: 2000 mbps | Connectivity: Cable | Features: Two 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports | Item Weight: 1.87 lbs

  • ✚ The fastest and most up-to-date technology
  • ✚ Two 1-Gigabit Ethernet Ports
  • ✚ Hassle-free setup
  • Heavy
Rating

Surfboard SB8200 is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem featuring the most up-to-date technology among cable providers. Its speeds are incredibly fast in comparison with those offered by other cable Internet service providers. The SB8200 is the best CenturyLink modem for 4K Ultra-HD video streaming and virtual reality gaming.

Two Gigabit Ethernet ports is another advantage of this model. It boasts compatibility with widely used US cable providers, such as Cox and XFINITY. With this modem, you will forget about renting equipment for a fee and will get the speediest and the most stable Internet connection ever!

3. NETGEAR C6250

Powerful
best centurylink modem netgear c6250

Speed: 300 mbps | Connectivity: Wired | Features: Engineered with 16x4 channel bonding | Item Weight: 3.53 lbs

  • ✚ Remarkable Wi-Fi for up to 25 devices
  • ✚ Meant for professional streaming
  • ✚ Takes no more than 5 minutes to set up
  • Heavy
Rating

Compared with DOCSIS 2.0, this CenturyLink modem wins over with its 16x faster download speeds, up to 680 Mbps. Using C6250 2-in-1 AC1600 Wi-Fi router and DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, you will be able to seamlessly stream HD videos, download stuff from the web and play online without delays. NETGEAR C6250 is compatible with such cable Internet providers as XFINITY from Comcast, Spectrum, COX, Cablevision, etc.

But before you purchase this modem, check whether it is supported by your cable network. Besides, visit the website of the cable Internet service provider and look for info on data speed tier compatibility.

4. Arris SURFboard Docsis 3.0

Modern
best centurylink modem arris surfboard docsis 3.0

Speed: 400 mbps | Connectivity: Wired | Features: 16 downstream | Item Weight: 2.64 lbs

  • ✚ Compatibility with well-known U.S. cable internet providers
  • ✚ Hassle-free setup
  • ✚ Four 1-Gigabit Ethernet Ports
  • Not compact
Rating

SBG6950AC2 is a combination of a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem with an 802.11ac Wi-Fi router. It features 4 one-gigabit Ethernet ports for incredibly fast wired networking. This CenturyLink Internet modem doesn’t cost much and won’t occupy plenty of space.

It boasts compatibility with well-known U.S. cable internet providers like Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity and more. SBG6950AC2 is an ideal option for Internet speed plans up to 400 Mbps, as well as for connecting smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc.

5. Motorola MG7700

Compact
best centurylink modem motorola mg7700

Speed: 1000 mbps | Connectivity: Wired | Features: Built-in high-speed | Item Weight: 1.5 lbs

  • ✚ Beamforming
  • ✚ Straightforward
  • ✚ Handles a great number of devices
  • Design is poor
Rating

Motorola MG7700 is notable for an integrated AC1900 3x3 wireless gigabit router, the provided range and wireless speeds. It is exactly what you need for watching multimedia, videos on the web and seamless networking in the office or at home. Thanks to the Power Boost technology, the wireless signal is increased to the legal limit in the USA.

AnyBeam implicit beamforming at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz concentrates the wireless signal in the direction of the wireless clients. Both of these technologies contribute to the extended range. They make MG7700 the best CenturyLink modem with the fastest and most powerful connections in the widest available range for almost all kinds of clients.

6. NETGEAR Nighthawk

Cheap
best centurylink modem netgear nighthawk

Speed: 400 mbps | Connectivity: Wired | Features: COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MAJOR CABLE | Item Weight: 4.39 lbs

  • ✚ Takes no more than 5 minutes to set up
  • ✚ Extremely capable
  • ✚ Outstanding speed
  • Heavy
Rating

NETGEAR Nighthawk is a bright representative of Wi-Fi 6 routers generation with the integrated DOCSIS 3.1. It boasts impressively speedy multi-Gigabit Internet, link aggregation, 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, as well as the ability to handle a great number of Wi-Fi devices.

This CenturyLink approved modem supports cable Internet plans with speeds up to 2Gbps, so you can expect speedy and steady Internet connection for HD streaming and other tasks with zero limits.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
best centurylink modem netgear cable modem cm500
NETGEAR Cable Modem CM500
Our Choice
  • Speed: 300 mbps
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Features: Works with any wifi router
  • Item Weight: 1.46 lbs
CHECK PRICE
best centurylink modem arris surfboard sb8200
Arris SURFboard SB8200
High quality
  • Speed: 2000 Mbps
  • Connectivity: Cable
  • Features: Two 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • Item Weight: 1.87 pounds
CHECK PRICE
best centurylink modem netgear c6250
NETGEAR C6250
Powerful
  • Speed: 300 Mbps
  • Connectivity: Cable
  • Features: Engineered with 16x4 channel bonding
  • Item Weight: 3.53 ounces
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Centurylink Modem?

compatible with century link

Upload and Download Speeds

The most significant characteristics of the best CenturyLink modem are its upload and download speeds. Still, these values tend to be found somewhere at the end of the modems’ descriptions on the websites of manufacturers and retailers. Don’t blindly trust such a bold statement as “up to 600 Mbps”. These things usually imply a download speed and not an upload one. Thus, in case a modem promises a speed of 1 gigabit, it is capable of drawing out up to 1,000 Mbps from the ISP. Typical upload speeds aren’t as fast – you can expect values of nearly one-quarter the download speed.

High speeds will undoubtedly catch your eye. However, mind that it is impossible to pull up a greater amount of data than it is paid for from your ISP. In case the modem draws out 1.4 gigabits, and, according to your plan, the speed limit is 25 Mbps, you won’t achieve more than 25 Mbps. A purchase of an incredibly speedy CenturyLink modem is more about investing in the future than making your ISP work to the full extent, unless, of course, you feel like paying a large sum for a monthly plan.

What about Security?

Routers provide specific settings that can be adjusted for added security. But modems don’t have plenty of security settings and they are vulnerable in terms of software. For instance, it is the case of the modems with Broadcom’s systems-on-a-chip, which make it possible for a hacker to gain control over the modem and open dangerous websites. According to Broadcom, this issue is fixed, so don’t forget to regularly check the ISP whether the modem is protected. The ISP is responsible for releasing the firmware updates, and they aren’t as frequent as desired. Antivirus software is another solution to the problem, but not the most effective one since the provided protection isn’t full.

Bottom Line

best centurylink modem

Before you opt for a particular CenturyLink Internet modem, take into account such characteristics as design, DOCSIS, channels, speed and compatibility. Also, decide on the sum of money you are ready to spend, as well as a brand. Then go on searching for a modem that fully meets all these requirements – you are bound to find at least several suitable models.

FAQ

  • • Does it matter what modem I use?

The choice of a modem depends on your ISP – these are supposed to be compatible. Besides, pay attention to the features of the modem that may not be offered by a rental from your ISP. For instance, certain modems function as routers and transfer a wireless signal. 

  • • Is it better to buy your own modem?

The purchase of both a modem and router will cost you a bundle. But in this way, you will end up paying less for the Internet on a monthly basis. The majority of experts recommend users to buy individual devices. But for a true hassle-free experience, a combo unit is required. No matter which option you choose, you will save money eventually.

  • • Do I need both a modem and a router?

A router is connecting the devices to each other and, in hard-wired setups, to the modem. The router is being connected to the modem and then to the user’s devices (laptops, smart TVs, printers, etc.) But a router isn’t required to be connected to a modem to be able to function. You have an option to create a LAN without Internet access.

  • • What is the difference between a modem and a router?

A modem is a box connecting the home network to the wider Internet. A router is a box allowing all the wired and wireless devices to use that Internet connection simultaneously. In addition, it lets them interact with each other without using the Internet.

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