Best DSL Modem in 2021
Finding Your First-Class Ticket to Cyberspace
- Last Updated Jun 21, 2021
Your DSL modem is the bridge between your device and the wonderful world of the internet. Without one, there’s simply no way to get online, so say goodbye to your Insta feed, get your Twitter account in order, shut down that FB page…you’re off the grid.
The annoying thing is that when you’re ready to get back into cyberspace, no two DSL modems are the same. Some are amazing, while some are, well…not so amazing, and if your major was anything other than computer science, differentiating between the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, can seem like an impossible task.
But don’t lament that Philosophy degree, friend. You worked hard for that. Besides, we’ve done the legwork for you and found five of the best DSL modems you can buy.
You’ve been starved of internet for long enough, you poor thing, so let’s not beat around the bush. We’re going to jump straight into our reviews. Let’s get you connected!
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
As the one thing between you and your beloved internet, we know you’ll want to be confident that you’re choosing a product that’s not going to let you or your Wi-Fi connection down.
That’s why we take such effort with researching and selecting products for our reviews, because we only want to recommend things our readers will really love. Firstly, we wanted to include products with a range of prices so that there’s something suitable for every budget.
We also considered factors such as internet speed and bandwidth, whether or not it offers dual or single-band Wi-Fi, durability, and cyber security, because internet safety is of paramount importance if you’re spending a lot of time online.
So, now that you know how we picked the following products, let’s get into the juicy stuff. It’s time for the reviews.
Best DSL Modem in 2021
This TP-Link masterpiece is the product of ADSL2+ technology, meaning you can enjoy a maximum download speed of 24MBps, which is enough to download and update a large game in under a day.
It’s an asymmetrical unit which means upload speeds aren’t quite as juiced, but as it’s Annex M enabled, you can effectively double upstream data speeds when necessary.
With not one, not two, but three firewalls in place, there’s no need to worry about cyber intruders and internet attacks. Your connections and personal details are safe and sound.
Despite this modem’s power, it’s a total breeze to install. Just follow the step-by-step instructions provided by the included Setup Wizard, and you’ll be surfing the data wave in no time at all.
A 2-in1 creation, this modem has an integrated router, so you can forget about making separate purchases. All you need is a DSL connection and this slick machine!
Featuring Netgear’s proprietary Beamforming +, the D6200 is one of the best DSL modems you can buy to max out wifi connections across a number of devices. If you’ve got a kid that enjoys gaming in their bedroom, a partner that likes surfing the web in bed, and you enjoy a solid doom scrolling session in the living room, this is the device for you.
Furthermore, the dual-band simultaneous signals ensure those superfast wifi connections remain stable no matter how data-heavy your applications get. Speaking of speed, as the D6200 is loaded with 802.11ac technology, you can expect wifi data transfer rates as high as 867MBps. That’s roughly 9 times faster than you’d need for a seamless game of Modern Warfare.
It’s an ADSL2+ device, which is the fastest asymmetrical DSL connection currently available, and thanks to the gigabit WAN connectivity, it’s future proofed for when you wish to upgrade to fiber broadband.
The D6200 also has immaculate security protocols including WPA and WPA2 encryption, so no unwelcome guests can access your data or connections – let’s all breathe one collective sigh of relief.
Here we have another dual-band dynamo primed and ready to improve your online life. Let’s talk about speed first because it’s so impressive, it’s hard to think about anything else. Across the 2.6 and 5GHz bands, this modem is capable of supporting a maximum data transfer rate of 1900MBps, which is fast enough for literally any online activity be it gaming, content creation, streaming, or all of the above.
It’s a lightweight and low profile design, a rarity in high-powered modems, so we really appreciate that. Performance information is all clearly displayed via the light array on the panel, and the neutral yet modern aesthetic fits right into any environment.
Unbeknownst to the uninitiated, the C7000 has three internal antennas that ensure you get decent saturation out of the wifi signal, so feel free to spread your wings. Stream a show in bed, play a strategy game in the kitchen; it’s so powerful, you may even get a signal in your yard.
We only have two small hangups with this modem. Firstly, we struggled to hit the maximum advertised wired data rates (although it still had some major zip), and secondly, we’d like to have seen MU-MIMO connectivity at this price point.
The PK5001z may not be overflowing with extra features, but its fundamentals are on par with much pricier units. Supporting both VDSL2 and ADSL2+ connections, you don’t have to worry so much about compatibility with this device; it should work fine with any CenturyLink service.
Featuring an integrated N-300 wireless router, the PK is your one-stop internet solution – no separate router necessary. You can expect wireless connection speeds as high as 300MBps, which is fairly decent for a budget 2-in-1 unit, but coverage could be better.
Stylistically speaking, it’s nothing to sing about. Neither drawing attention, nor completely fading into the background, it looks like a bog-standard modem, but it’s wonderfully simple to install, which is a trade we’d make any day of the week.
Power users will inevitably be a little underwhelmed by the lack of network options you can tinker with, but realistically, those kinds of users will be heading further up-market for their modems anyway.
The user-friendly interface, Gigabit Ethernet, dual firewalls, and WPA/WPA2/WEP encryption will be more than enough to put a smile on the average consumer’s face.
Not too long ago, the N600 was one of the fastest modems you could buy, and it’s a testament to the quality of this device that it’s still landed a spot on our list today.
With a theoretical throughput of 300MBps and a real-life throughput of just under half that figure, it’s powerful enough to support online gaming, most creative workflows, and general usage.
It also features Gigabit Ethernet, so if the wireless speeds don’t cut the mustard for you, simply plug in and enjoy a superfast and stable connection.
Installation was fine for us, but we can imagine it being a somewhat baffling process for those that aren’t so tech-savvy.
In terms of pure cosmetics, we have to admit, this thing looks pretty slick. The gloss black enclosure and blue display panel are very pleasing to the eye, and it arrives with a stand enabling you to choose between horizontal and vertical orientations.
Things To Consider
FAQs
Our Verdict
That’s all from us, folks. Was there a modem on our list that caught your eye? We’re certain there’s something for everyone here, from the power users to the online shoppers, from the hardcore gamers to the content creators.
As long as you heed the advice in our buyer’s guide and always keep the deal you’ve made with your ISP in mind, picking out the right one for you should be a doddle. All that’s left to do is give you a big, warm PC Guide welcome back to the internet!