Best Routers For CenturyLink In 2022: 5 CenturyLink Compatible Routers Reviews

Straightforward – you’re paying for an outdated router rented from your CenturyLink internet service provider. But why? Do you think you’re using the best router for CenturyLink? The answer —It is next to impossible as CenturyLink never provides any modern router for its customers. 

However, Centurylink is very kind as it allows you to buy your own router. You might not know, but if you buy the best CenturyLink router, you will see the following changes in your home:

1. It will give you faster speeds,
2. stronger, solid, and stable connection,
3. excellent range,
4. more secure and reliable. 
5. capability to handle faster CenturyLink Internet plans.

So without any further ado, let’s jump straight into my list of top five CenturyLink compatible routers for 2022. In this article, you’ll see five routers, a buying guide, and an FAQ section. . A good thing about these routers is that they are compatible with other internet service providers too, such as Verizon fios, charter spectrum, cox, and many others.

Five Best CenturyLink Routers In 2022

1. TP-Link AC4000 (Archer A20) – Best WiFi 6 Router For CenturyLink

Key Features

• Wireless speeds of up to 4 Gbps
• MU-MIMO technology for smooth simultaneous wireless connect
• Powerful 64-Bit CPU with 1.8 GHz speeds and three co-processors
• Range boost for long-range covering

Overview

Archer A20 is the top router for CenturyLink. It’s capable of effectively handling CenturyLink’s faster Internet plans. The router delivers tri-band Wi-Fi speeds of up to 4,000 Mbps, ensuring that your internet always operates at top speeds.

As a result, you can use TP-Link to play your favorite FPS games or watch 4K video content online. You will never experience buffering since the tri-band band Wi-Fi is made with MU-MIMO Technology that can effectively communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.

For efficiency, Archer A20 uses a combination of Beamforming technology and 6 high-performance antennas that help concentrate the wireless signal’s strength towards them. You will go faster and experience airtime fairness.

Note that CenturyLink approves the use of this router due to its even coverage and stable Wi-Fi signal. Its powerful 1.8 GHz, 64-Bit Central Processing Unit, and three co-processors work greatly to cover a wider space. You don’t have to worry about your internet security since Archer A20’s advanced security system will protect your Wi-Fi network and all the connected devices against malicious attacks.

What I like & What I don’t:

Pros

• Smooth 4K video stream and gaming
• Easy to install
• Connects to multiple devices simultaneously without slowing down
• Greater security and parental controls

Con

• Moderate 5 GHz performance

Summary: 

TP-Link Archer A20 is an outstanding tri-band router that’s compatible with CenturyLink. It offers lag-free seamless connectivity and connects simultaneously to multiple devices.

2. ASUS AX6000 (RT-AX-88U) – Best For Gaming

Key Features

• AiProtection by Trend Micro that blocks all threats
• 4 antennas and 8-LAN ports for wider connection
• Ultra-fast speeds of up to 6000 Mbps.
• Beginner-friendly and ideal for Smart Home use

Overview:

ASUS RT-AX88U promises faster Wi-Fi speeds with its dual-band design. The device can effectively deliver up to 6000 Mbps and utilizes the powerful 802.11 ac standard that’s 3-times faster than the previous wireless standard. In addition to that, this dual-band router also supports Beamforming and MU-MIMO, giving CenturyLink users ultra-wide coverage.

Its convenience and internet deliverability are enhanced with the 4 antennas and 8 LAN Ports. So, you can connect multiple devices at the same time. The router’s innovative AiMesh system helps to eliminate dead zones, adding more flexibility and reliability.

When it comes to data protection, it utilizes a commercial-grade AiProtection that protects all the users in the system against internet threats. Besides that, AiProtection blocks internet access to all malicious websites before you can even access them.

What I like & What I don’t:

Pros

• High-security levels with greater parental controls
• Ideal for smart-home use with Alexa support
• Ideal for multi-device households

Con

• Quite expensive

Summary: 

This is a feature-rich router for CenturyLink that comes with advanced network technology. The future-proof device can deliver up to 6000 Mbps with its 4X4 dual-band. However, it’s quite expensive.

3. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 – Overall Best

Key Highlights:

1.  Up to 1.9Gbps WiFi speeds
2. Dynamic Quality of Service
3. Amazon & Alexa supported
4. Remote Management
5. Nighthawk App

Overview:

The first router on the list, approved by CenturyLink, is from Netgear —Netgear Nighthawk R7000. It promises the fastest maximum WiFi speeds of up to 1900Mbps, using both bands (2.4GHz ~ 600Mbps & 5GHz ~ 1300mbps). 

The popular wireless 802.11ac dual-band standard with Beamforming+ technology and three external antennas provides excellent range and coverage with a stable signal to very large homes with multiple devices connected. It handles these heavy tasks with ease because of its powerful 1GHz dual-core processor.  

The R7000 includes five Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports: four 10/100/1000 Mbps & one Gigabit WAN port. Sharing data and connecting external storage devices to the router is also possible as it has one USB 3.0 port and one USB 2.0 port. 

Pros & Cons:

What I like:

1. HD streaming & online Gaming is smooth. 
2. It allows seamless WiFI for up to 30 devices simultaneously. 
3. The Advanced Netgear Armor Threat Protection software. 
4. The Circle Smart Parental Control is impressive for managing the Internet content to kids’ devices. 
5. Super easy to set up and install; it can be done within 5 minutes using its Netgear Nighthawk App. 

I don’t like:

1. No issues so far. 

Summary: 

The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is an ideal option for everyone —whether you’re a gamer or a regular user. Once configured correctly with your existing CenturyLink Modem, you’ll see a massive difference in your internet speed. 

4. Linksys Tri-Band AC2200 – Best tri-band router for CenturyLink

Key Highlights: 

1. Wireless Speeds up to 2.2Gbps
2. Tri-band technology (1x 2.4GHz + 2x5GHz)
3. Wireless 802.11ac standard
4. MU-MIMO & Beamforming
5. DOS Protection & SPI Firewall

Overview:

The second CenturyLink compatible router is Linksys EA8300. It is a Tri-band router offering maximum WiFi speeds of up to 2.2Gbps using its all bands (1×2.4GHz band & 2x5GHz). With its Tri-band technology, it ensures seamless roaming and the strongest WiFI signal throughout your house. 

It is equipped with a 716MHz quad-core processor for handling multiple wireless and wired devices connections simultaneously. The EA8300 includes a wide range of ports, such as four Gigabit Ethernet ports, a WAN Gigabit Ethernet port, and one USB 3.0 for sharing media, adding external hard drives, and other storage devices. 

Additionally, the router offers some advanced features and technologies, such as Link Aggregation (it doubles the data transfer rate by using two of its ethernet ports), Band steering (automatically switched to the most robust WiFi band while gaming and streaming), DFS channel (it finds the clearest WIFi airspace when possible), and others.

Pros & Cons:

What I like:

1. Excellent WiFi coverage up to 2,000 square feet for 15 wireless devices simultaneously.
2. Tri-band (1×2.4GHz band + 2x5GHz band) delivers speeds up to 2.2Gbps. 
3. MU-MIMO, Beamforming, Link aggregation, and band Steering. 
4. SPI firewall and DOS protection for better security. 
5. Its setup is effortless and quick via Linksys App. 

I don’t like:

1. Single USB port. 

Summary:

The Linksys one of the best routers tri-band routers on the market. When you upgrade your existing CenturyLink router to this Linksys Max-Stream, you’ll see the real difference in terms of speeds and network performance. 

5. Asus RT-AC68U AC1900 – Best For Home

Key Highlights:

1. Wireless standard AC1900
2. AiRadar & AiMesh supported
3. 3-step setup
4. AiProtection
5. Asus App

Overview:

The Asus RT-AC68U AC1900 is a dual-band router that promises excellent WiFi speeds of up to 1.9Gbps. It is a wireless 802.11ac standard router that is 3x faster than the wireless 802.11n standard. Besides, it supports MU-MIMO and Beamforming (AiRadar) in order to give you ultrawide coverage and eliminate dead zones. 

Unlike the other two routers, it supports AiMesh technology that allows you to connect other ASUS AiMesh supported routers to it in order to create a more powerful, stronger, more flexible, and more reliable whole-home WiFI network. In other words, a whole-home Mesh WiFi system. 

When it comes to security, it offers commercial-grade security called AiProtection. Unlike others, it doesn’t require any subscription. One of the main features of AiProtection is it allows you to block access to malicious websites. 

Pros & Cons:

What I like:

1. Five Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, 1xUSB 3.1 port, and 1x USB 2.0 port. 
2. AiRadar and AiMesh supported.
3. Excellent WiFI coverage with multiple devices connections. 
4. Adaptive QoS, Parental controls, AiProtection, and Kid Safe feature.
5. The 3-step super-fast easy setup. It can be set up within a minute. 

I don’t like:

1. Limited options for wired clients. 

Summary:

The Asus RT-AC68U is one of the best long-range routers. It might be expensive for some people, but it is worth the money. It works with all CenturyLink modems without any problem and can be configured within minutes. 

Buying Guide: How to choose the perfect CenturyLink compatible router? 

There are some features and essential factors you should keep in mind while shopping for a new router. However, there are many types of routers and models on the market. Therefore, I’m simplifying the things and teaching you how to research and decide the best one for your needs. 

1. Internet Speed Of your ISP: 

You’ll have to figure out what CenturyLink plan you’re using? Is it ‘All speeds up to 100Mbps’ or ‘Fiber Gigabit plans that claim speeds up to 940Mbs? 

You can check here: https://www.centurylink.com/home/internet/. Call them and ask how much speed they’re providing (or can provide) in your area. Once the internet’s top speed is clear, then pick the router that can handle the same and more. 

2. Wireless Standards:

There are many wireless standards’ routers are available, such as 802.11b (WiFi 1), 802.11a(WiFi 2), 802.11g (WiFi 3), 802.11n (WiFi 4), 802.11ac (WiFi 5), and the latest one 802.11ax (WiFi 6). 

If you want a future-proof router, then go for WiFi 6. However, WiFi 6 routers require WiFi 6 compatible devices; otherwise, you won’t benefit you. Moreover, WiFi 6 routers are three times faster than WiFi 5 routers) and can handle large crowds because of the higher theoretical speed of up to 9.6Gbps. 

On the other hand, I recommend the ‘ac’ wireless standard router because it is the most popular and can easily handle CenturyLink’s fiber plans. Besides, the WiFi 5 routers are cheaper than WiFi 6. Therefore, I included only WiFi 5 or 802.11ac standard routers on my list. 

3. How many devices simultaneously?

If you’re alone, like me, you might connect very few devices at the same time. In my case, I use my gaming console, my laptop, and my TV. In short, I don’t put much stress on my router. 

On the other hand, you’re someone who use tons of devices, make sure you go for a router that offers a multi-core processor, more ports (for multiple wired connections), and also USB ports for adding external drives. 

4. WiFi Coverage:

It is essential to determine how much area you need to cover? If you want all your devices to be served in your large home, you need a good router in order to cover your entire home. 

If you live in a small apartment or home, a budget router can get the job done for you without a doubt. On the other hand, if you live in a giant house or a larger area, you need to buy a high-end router with coverage. 

When it comes to covering thousands of square feet, no router will not work for you. Instead, go for a mesh WiFi system. 

FAQ: Most common questions about CenturyLink routers answered

Q.1 How to Log Into CenturyLink Router?

Ans. It is a straightforward process and takes only two minutes. The first thing is to open any web browser and type https://192.168.0.1 in the address bar, then hit enter. 

After this, you’ll be welcomed with a new page asking for username and password. Or, simply use App. Most modern routers —mentioned above— come with their App. 

Q.2 How to access CenturyLink router’s setting? 

Ans. First, log into your router by typing https://192.168.0.1 in the address bar of your browser. Type your admin Username and admin password there (you can find them on the back of your router). After login, you have to select ‘Advanced Setup’ and access the settings. 

Q.3 Should I go for a multi-core processor router for faster CenturyLink plans?  

Ans. There is no link between a router’s processor and CenturyLink plans. However, the more powerful the hardware your router offers, the better the performance you’ll get. I recommend buying a multi-core processor only when you intend to connect multiple devices at once. If not, then don’t waste your money. All the CenturyLink routers mentioned above allow more than 30 devices at once. You pick one that suits you the most. 

Conclusion: Deciding the perfect CenturyLink routers?

It’s to wrap the article —best CenturyLink routers of 2022— up. It includes five CenturyLink approved routers. I’ve tested and used these routers for a couple of months in order to give you an in-depth and honest review. 

You can read the guide and common questions above to choose the perfect router for your home.