Best DSL Modem Routers for Business

Whether you are running a small home-based business or setting up a home office, you need a robust DSL modem router to deliver reliable wired and wireless internet connectivity.

Sharing your WiFi connection across multiple devices, such as laptop, tablet, mobile, can take a toll on the quality of your online experience.  If you are working from home and are sharing your internet connection with family members, the WiFi service can degrade significantly.

Replacing your existing modem, network router, and WiFi router with a single device, such as DSL Router Modem, significantly reduces the number of cables and hardware footprint.

DSL routers come with a phone jack (RJ11) connection, and since these devices are packed with the latest technology, they can vastly enhance your wired and wireless internet capabilities.

What is a DSL Router Modem?

DSL, or to use the entire term, Digital Subscriber Line”, is a set of technologies that allow high-speed data transmission over standard twisted-pair telephone lines. Typically, you would need a modem and a router to connect to your DSL internet service.

A DSL modem router combines these functions and more into one unit.  In addition, a DSL modem router combines four functions into one device:

• DSL Modem – Connection to the Digital Subscriber Line Service (DSL)
• Network Router – Directs network traffic to and from your local network and the internet
• Network Switch – Ethernet ports to allow the distribution of the internet connection service via a wired connection
• WiFi Router – Wireless capability to allow WiFi devices to share the internet connection

All the devices reviewed in this article are combination devices, offering all of the functions listed above.

What is the difference between a DSL modem router and a cable modem router?

From a user/customer perspective, both types of devices perform a similar function to one another. The primary difference between a DSL modem router and a cable modem router is the type of internet connection:

DSL modem routers use an RJ11/phone jack type connection
Cable router modems will have a coaxial (coax) connection

The connections are physically different, and the type of internet connection you have will depend on your internet service.

Do I need a DSL, ADSL, VDSL or a VDSL+ router?

Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL for short, refers to a group of standards for delivering internet services over telephone lines:

• Asymmetric DSL:ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, RADSL, VDSL, and VDSL2/2+
• Symmetric DSL:SDSL, HDSL, SHDSL

In Asymmetric DSL, the bandwidth allotted for upstream, the data transfer from the user to the server (e.g. uploading an image to a website), and downstream, data transfer from the server (e.g. viewing a website) is unequal, with a higher downstream than upstream.

In contrast, in Symmetric DSL, both the upstream and downstream are equal.

Most small business and home internet services are Asymmetric DSL. Some modern DSL router modems are capable of supporting multiple DSL standards.

Why do I need a DSL Router Modem?

In most cases, your internet service provider (ISP) would have provided a DSL router as part of your subscription to a DSL-based internet service.

These devices may be limited in some way, such as the number of ethernet ports, wireless range, number of supported devices, or may not offer wireless capabilities.

Furthermore, the model of your DSL router may no longer be supported by the manufacturer, and therefore it will be challenging to maintain, potentially causing internet connectivity issues.

We have carefully evaluated and presented below the best DSL modem routers currently available on the market from the leading manufacturers.

Replacing or upgrading your DSL modem router with one of the models below will enable you to reduce the footprint of internet hardware, increase the number of wired and wireless devices connecting to the internet, and provide improved WiFi connectivity throughout your premises.

Best DSL Router Modem – The Top 5

What is the best DSL modem router? While the global DSL market is diverse, we found several manufacturers focusing on particular markets.

Consequently, the main manufacturers may not support or sell the same DSL router modem combo in every market.

Nonetheless, we have evaulated the best devices currently available in each of the major markets:

• Australian DSL users should opt for the excellent ASUS DSL-AC68U AC1900 Dual-Band Wireless VDSL/ADSL 2+ Gigabit Modem Router which comes packed with features and ticks every box.
• For DSL customers in the USA and Canada, we recommend the Motorola MD1600 Modem and WiFi router which in our view exceeds other devices currently available.
• For UK DSL broadband subscribers users, the TP-Link AC2800 VDSL/ADSL Modem Router is one of the best currently available on the market.

Here are the top 5 DSL Modem Routers from our evaluation:

What are the Benefits of DSL Router Modems?

There are numerous reasons to use a DSL modem router combo because it offers innumerable benefits.

• Save Money – In some cases, in addition to the monthly charge to use the internet service, ISPs charge a monthly rental for a DSL modem. You can save this monthly rental charge by purchasing a DSL Modem Router.
• Reduced footprint – Since all the devices featured here are combo devices, you not only save on space, but power needs too, eliminating the need for a separate Modem/Router and WiFi Router by purchasing a single DSL Modem Router with WiFi capability.
• Easy Management – A single device is easier to manage, troubleshoot and maintain. You no longer have to manage different modem and Wi-Fi routers. In case of any issues, you deal with one support line, making troubleshooting potential issues easier.
• Versatile connectivity – DSL modem routers support DSL, Fiber/Cable. If equipped with a USB port, it can provide 3G/4G connectivity to serve as backup internet access, ensuring you can always get online.

Best DSL Router Modems – The complete list

Asus DSL-AC68U

Netgear D6220-100AUS

Motorola MD1600

Netgear N600

Cisco RV132W

TP-Link AC2800

What to look for when buying your Router Modem Combo

Choosing the correct DSL modem is essential to help ensure reliable internet connections. Because of the vast array of DSL modem products available in the market, it is critical to consider the features needed.

When buying a DSL modem router, you should consider the following factors:

Type & Compatability

When choosing a DSL modem, the first factor you should consider is whether it is compatible with your type of DSL service. ADSL2+ and VDSL2 are the two primary forms of DSL technologies.

Check with your DSL service provider to see what kind of service they provide, and then ensure that the DSL modem you buy supports that technology.

Ports

The type and number of ports on a DSL modem are essential since they determine which devices can link directly to the modem.

DSL router modems will have at least one Ethernet or LAN port (RJ45) to allow a wired network connection and one RJ11 (phone jack type) port.

While you won’t need more than one RJ11 port, the more LAN ports you have, the better, since wired connections are more reliable and quicker than wireless connections. In addition, having spare Ethernet ports will allow you to connect IPTV, Wi-Fi boosters, or a gaming device directly either now or in the future.

Having a USB port is also useful. These can be used for sharing files across other devices using your network.  Some devices are capable of supporting 3G/4G as well – typically via a USB 3G/4G dongle.

Ideal for businesses, having this capability allows you to continue sharing a 3G/4G connection with all connected devices, offering some resiliency if your broadband connection were to fail.

Wireless Network Standards

All the devices reviewed in this article include a modem and router and provide WiFi. Most routers these days are dual-band, offering both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wi-fi networking.

Broadly, the lower-frequency 2.4GHz offers a longer reach, and the more modern and higher frequency 5GHz can move more data around faster.

While most modern DSL modem routers are dual-band, it is always a good idea to double-check to ensure that your existing wireless devices are compatible.

In addition, the wireless network speeds provided by the modem are often dictated by the types of wireless standards supported.

Extras

Finally, the extras that come with the modem can be valuable to many users. For example, many DSL modems with built-in routers have extra features such as built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network) functionality and QoS (Quality of Service) and firewall support to increase the protection of your Internet connection.

If any of these features are significant to you, you should make sure that the DSL modem you choose has them.

How to set up your DSL Modem Router

Physically setting up your DSL modem routers is straightforward. All you have to do is:

1. Connect the hardware:

The device depicted below is only for illustrative purposes. Refer to your device’s User Guide for detailed instructions.

2. Launch a web browser and type in the local IP addres:

In most cases, this will be 192.168.1.1 or 192.169.0.0. Refer to your device’s User Guide for detailed instructions. You will then be presented with a GUI (graphical user interface), through which you can complete the setup by following the on-screen instructions or referring to the User Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the modem affect your internet speed?

Yes.  However, your modem cannot increase your internet speed beyond what your service provides. Consequently, even if your modem is capable of higher speeds than your ISP’s broadband speed, the full speed you can attain will never exceed that provided by your broadband.

For example, let us assume you have a 250 Mbps internet connection. If your modem supports 350 Mbps speeds, you will likely achieve 250 Mbps, but you will not see any higher speed. However, if your modem only supports a maximum speed of 150 Mbps, you will only ever attain a maximum speed of 150 Mbps, not 250 Mbps.

What is a modem and router combo?

A modem acts as a connector and translation device, converting one transmission medium to another.

Your internet service could be provided via phone lines (DSL), optical fiber (FTTP), or coaxial (cable), each providing a different transmission medium conforming to different standards. A modem would convert the transmission medium from your ISP to an ethernet standard.

The type of modem you require will depend on the service you subscribe to from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The router is responsible for directing data traffic to and from specific internet-connected wired and wireless devices. For example, the router will direct traffic from your laptop to your email server or web address (URL).

A modem and router combo is simply a device that combines both the modem and router functions in one unit.

All the devices reviewed in this article include a DSL modem, a network router, and a WiFi router.

What is a Wi-Fi Router?

A Wi-Fi router directs traffic to and from wireless-enabled devices.  A wireless router also referred to as a WLAN (wireless local area network) device, or sometimes a Wi-Fi hub, routes and manages the inbound and outbound data from the wireless devices to the internet.

You might send and receive emails, download files, or stream online video during a typical day. These activities require different amounts of data transmission, which the wireless router manages.

All the devices reviewed in this article include a DSL modem, a network router, and a WiFi router.

What is dual-band Wi-Fi?

Dual-band Wi-Fi is a feature where wireless routers transmit the signal over two separate radio frequencies simultaneously, in this case, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Using dual-band Wi-Fi improves wireless network speed by dividing the available bandwidth through two frequencies instead of one.

What does Mbps mean?

Megabits per second (Mbps) means ‘one million bits per second.’ The bandwidth unit is the primary unit for measuring internet speed, which indicates how much data travels through the link in a second.

One Megabyte (MB), the unit for file sizes, is equivalent to 8 megabits (Mb). So, if you want to download a 10 MB file in one second, you will need an 80 Mbps link.

What is the difference between Cable and DSL internet?

The majority of people who have high-speed Internet use one of two forms – Cable or DSL:

DSL is an abbreviation for digital subscriber line, which provides access to the internet using telephone cable.

DSL is the most widely used internet connection globally, accounting for more than 60% of all broadband connections.

DSL bandwidth, unlike cable bandwidth, is not shared. However, the distance between you and your ISP affects DSL internet speeds. As a result, the farther you are, the more likely you are to experience the slower speeds.

DSL links are classified into two types: asymmetric and symmetric. Asymmetric provides faster download speeds than upload speeds, while symmetric provides equivalent download and upload speeds.

Cable internet sends data over a coaxial cable.  In the U.S., this is the same type of cable used to provide to the cable television network.

Cable is usually faster than DSL. However, its main drawback is that you must share bandwidth with neighbors who share the same cable line. As a result, your speeds would be significantly slowed during peak hours when many people are online. On the other hand, unlike DSL, the distance between you and your ISP has no impact on cable internet speeds.

Cable Internet, in most regions, has more bandwidth. As a result, although cable is a shared medium, many consumers report better performance. As a result, cable companies charge more.

DSL technologies are more prevalent in UK and Europe, and Asia.  In the U.S., while there are some DLS providers, cable internet is more common.

If you have a good DSL option (speeds/price) available in your area,  it may be worth considering.