If you have an internet connection from CenturyLink and haven’t purchased a Zyxel C1100Z or similar product, then chances are that you’re using their rental modem/router 2-in-1 unit and paying a monthly rental fee. Though this is not something most people pay attention to while getting an internet connection from their service provider, it is never too late to take charge of the situation.
If you simply do the math, you’ll see that it’s actually much cheaper to buy your own wireless gateway or 2-in-1 modem-router than it is to pay the monthly rental fees for even a single year. This is because typical monthly rental charges for modems are about $10 and you can get quality modems for about $100 or less. Btw, if you’re still looking for a great, affordable router then check out our review of the Fios G1100 router.
So, you can actually recover your investment in less than a year and say goodbye to monthly rental fees forever. The only thing that you need to look for is making sure that your wireless gateway is supported by CenturyLink.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to find a CenturyLink-compatible wireless gateway. We’ve gone ahead and made your life a lot simpler by handpicking one of the best CenturyLink DSL wireless gateways on the market. You can find the review of this product below and decide for yourself if it’s the right one for you.
Other recommendations: We love these modems too!
- Compatible with all major cable internet providers with internet speed up to 1Gbps. Currently certified with Spectrum and Cox (up to 1Gbps), Xfinity (up to 800Mbps). Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and any bundled voice service.
- Save monthly rental fees: Model CM1000 replaces your cable modem saving you up to dollar 168/year in equipment rental fees.
- Works with any Wi-Fi router: Connect any Wi-Fi router to this modem's Ethernet port to support all your wireless devices.
- Ethernet connections: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port connects to your computer or separate Wi-Fi router.
- Combines a AC1900 Wi Fi Router with DOCSIS 3.0 24x8 modem into a 2 in 1 space saving, high performance device
- Eliminate monthly rental fees
- Experience high speed Wi Fi speeds from your existing ISP plans up to 300 Mbps. Ample bandwidth for HD video streaming, online gaming, and other Wi Fi data heavy activities
- Simple plug and play setup: Get started right out of the box with no CD setup
- Compatible with Comcast, Spectrum and Xfinity
- Modem Technology: DOCSIS 3.0 is a reliable, broadly available, and affordable technology that delivers high speed internet to your home devices.
- Simple and Secure Set-up: Plug-in the device, download the SURFboard Central App, and follow the instructions to activate the modem. Connect to a Wi-Fi router for networking.
- Compatibility: The SURFboard SB6190 is compatible with major U.S. cable internet providers including Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity and others. It's approved for cable internet speed plans up to 800 Mbps. Check your Internet Service Provider (ISP) website to confirm compatibility.
- cable modem 3.0 compatible internet computer networking modems approved docsis docis3.0 1 gig best for high speed with fiber optic gaming gigabit wifi 6 voice 800 mbps speeds sb 6190 32 x 8 1gbps port
- DOCSIS 3.0 Modem Only
Zyxel C1100Z Review: Specs and Features
- Super-fast speeds of up to 300 Mbps
- 11n wireless network standard for a fast connection
- CenturyLink compatible with automatic network configuration
- IPv6 ready, the latest in internet communications protocol
- Customer-friendly TR-069 remote management feature
- Backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Is The Zyxel C1100Z a Good Wireless Gateway For The Money?
The Zyxel C1100Z is a great mid-range modem that has a number of features generally found a tier above its price point, making it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious consumer who doesn’t want to sacrifice quality. It also comes from a brand that’s been making network-related products for 17 years, so you should expect that expertise in this niche to translate into better functionality and performance.
Instead of using the sub-par wireless gateway provided by your internet service provider, you can buy a quality wireless gateway that gives you super-fast speeds and saves you money in the process. From super-fast speeds to reliable connections, from good Wi-Fi range to remote management capability, the C1100Z is chock full of features despite being a mid-range and cost-effective wireless gateway.
Below, we look into the features of the C1100Z in great detail to give you a clear idea of its capabilities.
Speed
The Zyxel c1100z modem uses VDSL2 which is the latest in DSL technologies and allows for super-fast speeds. Not only do you get to enjoy a fast connection, VDSL2 also ensures that your connection is stable and is completely reliable at all times.
You can stream videos, stream music, play online video games and do all kinds of high bandwidth tasks even at the same time and you will not experience any dip in performance. The C1100Z ensures that your connection is fast and smooth at the same time. It helps you get the most out of your high-speed internet connection.
Design
The Zyxel C1100Z has a full black body and has a matte finish. The matte finish keeps the device free from scratches and does not attract any annoying fingerprint marks. The side panels are textured to give it a touch of understated elegance.
Controls and Ports
The front panel has a number of status icons backlit by LED lights. These include lights for the power status, internet connection, DSL, WAN/LAN, 4 Ethernet ports, USB, and Wi-Fi.In addition to these indicators is the WPS button which can be pressed to initiate a Wi-Fi protected set-up. Press this button for 5 seconds to connect WPS devices to the C1100Z.
All the ports for connectivity are placed on the rear panel of the C1100Z. These are 4 Ethernet LAN ports, a single Ethernet WAN port, one DSL port, one phone port one USB port.In addition to the above, the rear panel also sports a DC power input port and a reset button.
Zyxel C1100Z – Size Matters
This is a very slim modem that has a very small footprint making it easy to place on your computer desk or any nearby shelf. Its dimensions are 27 x 26 x 6.6 cm. It is not only compact but is also very light weighing a mere 0.789 lbs.
Despite being so light and compact, you can easily place it on any flat surface and the modem will stay put. This is because it has been designed in such a way that the base is slightly broader than the top for balance. Slim modems, especially the ones that stand-up can become wobbly when all the cables are connected to it. But the C1100Z will stay stable, thanks to its broad base.
Wireless Network Standard
The C1100Z uses the 802.11n wireless network standard which gives you super-fast speed and a connection that is reliable and stable. Even though this is the not the latest 802.11ac standard, it still is a good deal considering the speed that it delivers.
Data Transfer Rate of the Zyxel C1100Z Modem-Router
Even if you have a high-speed internet connection, it will be of no use if your modem does not allow for quick transfer of data. But you will not face this issue with the C1100Z as it comes with a high data transfer rate of up to 300 Mbps.
Powerful Antennas
Sometimes you may lose Wi-Fi signal even when you are just a feet away with some modems. This is not only annoying but does not give you the freedom to move around your home with your devices.
The C1100Z overcomes such issues with 2T x 2R antennas that are very powerful. They ensure that you enjoy fast speeds without a drop in Wi-Fi signals. As these antennas are very powerful, they give you a wide Wi-Fi coverage. You can take your devices anywhere in your home and never worry about dropped signals or decreased speed.
Secure
When you use the C1100Z to connect your devices to the internet you can be assured that all your data are safe and secure. It comes with improved security features that ensure that all data from the WAN to LAN are secure.
This modem also protects your devices from malware and harmful applications as it employs dual Ethernet firewalls namely the SPI and the NAT. In addition to the above security features, the C1100Z also support WPA2/APA/WEP encryption.
There is a WPS button on the modem which will help you quickly and easily set up your network connection with a password. So even your wireless network is protected from unauthorized use.
Zyxel C1100Z Remote Management
When something goes wrong with your router you will have to call customer support and get help with troubleshooting. Though this seems simple and straightforward most often than not online support is not very useful, especially if you are not familiar with modem set-ups.
But the Zycel C1100Z makes your life easier as it comes with the TR-079 remote management feature. So CenturyLink will be able to remotely monitor and manage the modem thereby improving the time taken for problem resolution.
IPV-6 Ready
Even though many devices still use the IPV-4 internet protocol, network devices are slowly transitioning to the latest IPV-6 version. The C1100Z is future-ready as it already uses the IPV-6 internet protocol.
Installation
The C1100Z has been designed to be placed on a table and can sit in really tight spaces too. However, if you do not have the necessary space on your desk or want a de-cluttered look for your desk, then you can wall mount the modem by following the instruction on the instructions manual.
Zyxel C1100Z Safety
The Zyxel is safe to use and comes with the necessary safety standard certification such FCC as RoHS for the absence of hazardous materials.
Easy Set-Up
Don’t worry about an elaborate and time-consuming set-up that is common with some other gateways. The C1100Z is super easy to set-up and you don’t have to wait a very long time before you can start using your express gateway and enjoy its super-fast and smooth performance.
As the C1100Z is supported by CenturyLink, you don’t have to manually do any network settings. Once you connect all the hardware the device automatically configures all network settings making set-up super easy.
Zyxel C1100Z: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Pros
- Impressive top speed of 300 Mbps
- Stable and reliable connectivity
- Automatic network configuration settings
- Easy to set-up and use
Cons
- Does not use the latest IEEE 802.11 ac wireless network standard
[You might also like our articles on CB3 Hush reviews, Onkyo TX-NR656 review and Panasonic HC-V770]
Conclusion
It can be quite tempting to buy a cheap wireless gateway due to the apparent cost savings. But while these products may look good in the packaging, they’re usually made of poor quality materials and will probably frustrate you with their poor performance. Some of them even stop working altogether after just a few uses, essentially wasting your money instead of saving it.
The Zyxel C1100Z is an affordable and high-quality wireless gateway that will free you from monthly modem/router rental fees. It also comes with some great features thrown in that are comparable to those found on top models. So it’s no wonder that it has positive customer reviews and is one of the best-selling wireless gateways for CenturyLink internet connections. If you want super-fast, reliable and smooth internet connectivity without breaking the bank, you really can’t do much better than the Zyxel C1100Z.
Resources
- http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/pdf/modems/datasheet-c1100Z.pdf
- http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/modem-c1100z.html
- https://www.speedguide.net/forums/showthread.php?287182-Great-results-with-my-new-ZyXEL-C1100Z-for-my-CenturyLink-ADSL-connection!
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/utilities/buy-rent-cable-modem/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6