What Modem Works With at&t U Verse
For AT&T U-verse subscribers, finding the best router for ATT Uverse was quite a challenge.
Even though there are many routers that are compatible with the ISP, the rentals that were provided , according to our readers, were outdated gateways that were not updated as the speed tiers were increased.
Let's face it, unless all you have is one desktop and you don't mind sitting in that one room with your router to do basic online activities, you would really want to upgrade your router . AT&T U-verse is not known for their state-of-the-art gateways or their amazing interface.
You can surely do better, which is why BlueGadgetTooth researched and reviewed a whole bunch of AT&T compatible routers so you can finally sit back and relax, with access to all the benefits of having the best router for AT&T U-verse, if you pick any one of the routers in this guide.
Also, heads up. The modem they supply you with has an inbuilt router. However, it is rather lame – only working on the 802.11N wireless standard on the 2.4GHz band. If you are asking yourself on why you are paying for higher speeds while using an outdated router for AT&T U-verse, read on.
Benefits of Getting The Best Router For AT&T U-verse
Higher Internet Speed
Our gadgets have evolved quickly, and now you can do most online activities while on your mobile devices. With most individuals and families having multiple devices for each person, the load has increased.
Online activities from multi-devices can slow down your network. Getting the best router for ATT Uverse will allow you to access higher internet speeds – with routers reaching theoretical speeds of up to 1Gbps. Newer routers will also allow device prioritization on your network.
Better Wireless Coverage
Obstacles and household gadgets provide constant interference with the network. There are many devices that operate on the 2.4Hz frequency, which can affect the signal strength in your home. Updated wireless routers can easily cover dead spots and extend the range within your living space.
More Control
Security is a major concern, especially for those who have confidential data online, have kids who can access the internet and financial transactions that should be kept private.
Getting your own wireless router for AT&T U-verse will give you access to advanced settings and offer more control over your router, which a rental will not allow.
10 Best Routers For AT&T U-verse (2021)
Device | Speeds | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Netgear R7000 Editor's Choice | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | Check Price |
2. Linksys EA9300 High Performance | 4000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | Check Price |
3. Motorola MR2600 Budget Friendly | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | Check Price |
4. TP-Link Archer A7 | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% | Check Price |
5. Google Nest Extended Coverage | 2200 Mbps | 2 Ports | 98% | Check Price |
6. Netgear XR700 For Gaming | 7200 Mbps | 6 Ports | 95% | Check Price |
7. Gryphon AC3000 Extra Security | 3000 Mbps | 2 Ports | 96% | Check Price |
8. TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh System | 1200 Mbps | 2 Ports | 97% | Check Price |
9. Asus RT-AX3000 | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | Check Price |
10. TP-Link AX50 | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 93% | Check Price |
How To Use Your Own Router With AT&T U-verse
In order to use your own router with AT&T U-verse, you first need to make sure that the router is compatible with the AT&T modem. AT&T requires you to use their DSL modem with WiFi.
Step 1 :You need to start by plugging in your new router to the power source, and the DSL line.
Step 2: Connect the router to the device via an Ethernet cable and ensure that it is Dynamic IP, not Static. (If you are confused about this, you can refer to the manual that comes with the router.) Run your Ethernet cable from the Broadband port on the new router, which could be a WAN or internet port to one of the LAN ports on the back of your router.
Step 3: On your computer, open a browser and enter 192.168.1.254 to access the modem's settings. Go to the Home Network link, look at Status at a Glance, and then click the disable button. You will need to confirm that you do want to disable the built-in wireless router.
Step 4: Go to Local Devices and locate the new router. Click on the Edit firewall settings. Select your router from a drop down menu that appears under the 'Select a computer' tab. Next, click on the setting that allows all applications, which will switch you into DMZplus mode.
Step 5: Return to the home screen, shut the browser you were on and remove the Ethernet cable from your device. Power on your router and check if you can see the wireless signal.
Once you have done this, you should be able to access this router from a wireless device and adjust the settings to meet your needs.
1. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 WiFi Router
Best Router For AT&T U-Verse Overall (Editor's Choice)
The Editor's Choice for the best router for AT&T Gigapower is the Netgear R7000 Nighthawk because of its stability, performance while having all the features you would need for a damn good router.
Design
The sleek black design of the R7000 Nighthawk is almost standard of Netgear's routers, with a three antennae set up. The antennae help improve the direction the signal travels throughout your home. It comes with 4 Ethernet ports and both a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 port, so you will have no issue hardwiring any devices in.
Performance
The Netgear R7000 can reach speeds up to 1900 Mbps, which means your speed will get a real boost throughout your house.
The high-powered amplifiers, external antennas, and the Beamforming technology all work together to give you more coverage by up to 100%. In fact, the BlueGadgetTooth team noticed a significant bump in speeds as well as coverage in areas which previously has inadequate signal coverage.
The R7000 also has a Dynamic QoS to prioritize streaming and gaming, preventing buffering and making sure you do not get put on the bottom of priorities if another devices logs in for streaming.
This clearly came into play when seven of our team members tried to take on the challenge of going up against the R7000, with streaming HD videos, playing HD online MMORPG games and transferring heavy files.
The result? The router won hands down.
One of the best features of the R7000 is the open source compatibility. The customization that you will get from open source software lets you completely customize the settings on your router, giving you better performance and security.
Speaking of security, the OpenVPN not only supplies you with a VPN, but it has an app, so you can access this router remotely. This is a great feature if you are out of town, or if you are out of the house, but someone else is there.
Don't worry though, not just anyone will be able to connect to your network. There is an access control feature with this router that ensures any device and user has been permitted to connect to the WiFi. Even if someone has the password for your router, they will not be granted access to your WiFi unless you manually go in and allow the device.
- Beamforming technology for improved range and performance
- High powered amplifiers to extend your coverage
- OpenVPN Connect App to access your router remotely
- 1GHz dual core processor
- AC1900 WiFi
- Netgear's customer service is not reliable in helping you work out issues
2. Linksys Max-Stream EA9300 WiFi Router
High Performance
For a higher performing router, you can't go wrong with the Linksys Max-Stream EA9300.
This impressive Tri-Band home system is a great choice for households that have multiple streaming devices that will be used at the same time.
Design
With the 6 antennae, this router is a bit harder to conceal than other routers, but the performance value is worth it. Its design is slim and chic, so it will not be an eye sore even when visible.
To us, the design almost looks like a landing pad for Queen Amidala to land her ship on. It comes with 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0, giving you plenty of options for connectivity.
Performance
If you're looking for performance, this router will give you what you are looking for. The Linksys Max-Stream EA9300 is packed full of everything you need for a household that streams multiple devices. With Next-gen MU-MIMO, your gaming will not be interrupted or buffered, keeping you going as long as you need to.
The BlueGadgetTooth team went on a gaming frenzy. Imagine a group of people, all playing World of Warships. None of us faced any lagging, buffering of any kind – so we never had any excuse when we failed in battle.
The 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports will give you wired speeds that are 10 times faster than standard Ethernet ports. They are ideal for gaming, HD TVs, and any other new technology that needs to have as much power and performance as possible.
The setup is simple and quick, taking less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Make sure that you are using the appropriate cables in the appropriate ports or you might find yourself annoyed at the results.
The range that you will get from this router is excellent. You should have no problems getting a signal from anywhere in or even outside of your house. The Linksys Smart WiFi allows the connection to be strong, which is also helped by the 6 antennae that send the signal every direction you want, preventing any dead spots throughout the house.
- 1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU
- Next-gen MU-MIMO
- 6 Active high gain antennae
- Advanced Beamforming with 9 amplifiers
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- No automatic firmware updates
3. Motorola MR2600 Smart Wireless Router
Budget Friendly
Even if you are working with a budget, you should be able to get a high quality router for AT&T U-verse. On a budget, you should consider the Motorola MR2600. This is a Smart Router that combines high speeds with high tech.
Design
With its four antennae, sleek design, the Motorola MR2600 is a flat router that should blend into its surroundings fairly easily.
Even though it is featured as our budget friendly option, it is not made out of cheap plastic nor does it use the shiny plastic that is nearly impossible to keep clean. The bottom of the router has plenty of clearance as well, so the router will remain cool.
It comes with 4 Gigabit LAN ports that can connect to all of your HDTVs, smartphones, game systems and more. You will also find both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports with this router. The USB 3.0 port has a DLNA media sharing support as well.
Performance
For a budget friendly router, the Motorola MR2600 really delivers. The four antennae provide you with concurrent 4X4 performance for both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. The speed is excellent and has a broad range to reach anywhere you need it to.
The Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology allows you to stream from multiple devices at the same time without lag, making this a great choice for households with gaming and video streaming. You will improve your streaming capabilities with this router.
If you live in an area which faces heavy interference or WiFi noise from your neighbours, the MR2600 will be the perfect fit for you.
The 5GHz band is strong all throughout our testing grounds, while the 2.4GHz frequency was accessible even in the far reaches of our back yard. But the price tag does come with a few limitations. The router does not offer much in the way of settings and customizations.
- Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology
- Beamforming technology
- USB 3.0 port with DLNA media sharing
- Four external adjustable antennae for 4X4 performance
- Boosts signal range
- Limited settings and configurations
4. TP-Link Archer A7 WiFi Router
Another budget friendly router that works well with the AT&T U-verse is the TP-Link AC1750 Smart Router. This is proof that quality routers do not need to cost an arm and a leg.
Design
The design of the Archer A7 includes three external and three internal high-gain antennae, increasing your Wi-Fi signal to reach every corner of your home.
It has a plethora of features like the dual USB ports, Powerful CPU, 2 x Guest networks on both frequencies and simple set up process via the Tether app.
Performance
Performance-wise, you will not be disappointed with the Archer A7. It will help out in households especially that have been competing over the bandwidth.
The dual band speeds can reach up to 1750 Mbps, providing 3X faster Wi-Fi than other traditional routers do. For heavy-streaming households, the Archer A7 should be able to stream in 4K without any issue.
The Archer A7 is designed to boost signal throughout homes up to 2500 square feet, which should work for most of us out there. (It did work for the BlueGadgetTooth team). In some cases, you might still find that you have a signal even when you are outside. Hooray!
An added perk, there is a TP-Link app that will allow you to access the Archer A7 even when you are not at home. This allows you to adjust any settings or security concerns that you might have remotely.
When you get the Archer A7, you will not be disappointed by how easy it is to install and setup. It comes with instructions and a setup wizard to guide you effortlessly through the process.
- Wireless USB access
- Stream in 4K
- TP-Link Tether app easily lets you access the router remotely
- Works with wireless devices of all ages, including older ones
- Easy installation
- Router might need to be rebooted regularly to prevent interrupted connections
5.Google Nest Mesh WiFi Router
Extended Coverage
If you are looking for more of a modern mesh system for an additional router with AT&T U-verse, check out the Google WiFi system. This is a different setup than most routers, but you will not be disappointed.
Design
The gleaming white three WiFi points almost look like they should have some sort of cakes hidden inside. What we love about the design is that it deviates from the standard alien shapes that most other router manufacturers tend to stick to.
The Google WiFi System comes with three WiFi points to be placed in dead spots around your household. You also have the option to purchase more points if these 3 pack Wifi points are not adequate to meet your needs.
The sleek and easily concealable appearance makes it easy for you to place it unobtrusively anywhere in your home. These have no visible antennae that you might try to otherwise hide, making them attractive and functional.
Performance
With a single WiFi point, the WiFi system covers up to 1,500 square feet, so with the three combined, you will get coverage up to 4,500 square feet. The more WiFi points that you have, the better range you will get. If you have a larger space, you can always get more points to extend the coverage even further.
The Google WiFi system has a simple setup using their app. The app also works to control who and what is connected to your network, including pausing children's devices. The settings allow for prioritized coverage, so the devices that need the most signal will continue to receive it as needed.
The devices act as LAN ports as well as WiFi points, so you will have 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports per point. What this means is that wherever you place the point, you can wire in a device if you need to. This is essential for spaces where you have more than one device that needs to be wired in to function.
Perhaps what we loved about the Google WiFi system (apart from the design), is the sheer coverage it delivered. In addition to that, the Network Assist feature ensured that all connected devices were assigned to the best band possible for accessing better speeds.
- Multiple WiFi points eliminates dead spots
- You can add additional WiFi points when needed
- The 3 WiFi points give coverage up to 4,500 square feet
- Network assist technology keeps the signal strong
- Can hardwire a smart device to any of the WiFi points
- Having too many smart devices hardwired in can confuse the system and drop connections.
6. Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700 WiFi Router
For Gaming
If you are looking for a great gaming router for the ATT Uverse, check out the Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700. This router was made for gamers specifically, so it should deliver on everything that you might need.
Design
Let's look at its design. The XR700 comes with four high-gain antennas, to help extend the reach of your router. This design is on the bulky-side and it will need to be placed in a location with good ventilation. But for something with this level of performance, you need a big router.
Remember, this router was designed especially for gamers. The XR700 router comes with everything that you need to game at your best level without internet issues. The router also has with six LAN ports and one WAN port, so you should be able to wire-in any device that needs it, whether it is a gaming console or an HDTV.
Performance
This is a high performance router. With speeds up to 7.2 Gbps, the XR700 router also has one of the lowest pings on the market as well as Anti-Buffer Bloat (ABB), which prioritizes traffic to keep you from missing out on anything.
For even more gaming help, the XR700 has geo-filtering, which will help your router connect to the closest servers and players, giving you a quick response time and while allowing you to dominate on the battlefield.
It also lets you monitor your network and game ping in real-time, so you can see exactly what is going on. The router also has a powerful 1.7GHz quad-core processor. The XR700 has an advanced QoS feature that will also help to prevent other people in your network from hogging the bandwidth when you need it most.
- Low ping rate
- Real-time ping monitoring
- Speeds up to 7.2 Gbps
- Advanced QoS
- Geo-filtering technology
- Big router; might overheat
7. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
Extra Security
If you are looking for a router that has extra security to go with ATT Uverse, we suggest the Gryphon AC3000.
This is one of the most unique routers on the market, because it is not just a single router, but it can also expand into a mesh system if you want to have a bigger range of coverage.
Design
Starting with its design, the Gryphon is different than other routers, since it has a white casing and is a tower. Tower designs typically stay cooler, increasing the longevity of the router. The antennas with this router are all internal, so the router itself is easy to conceal, though you will not have any control over the direction of the antennas.
The security features of this router include 24/7 protection. There are daily security updates to prevent any recent threats from new malware. There is also ad blocking software for all connected devices. If you have any IoT devices, it will scan them regularly as well, preventing breeches.
Performance
The Gryphon is a high performance tri-band router. It comes with a 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. Traffic should be able to flow steadily throughout your network, without interruptions with just a range of bandwidth. It also has 4x4 MU-MIMO technology, making it easier for more than one user to stream simultaneously.
With just one Gryphon router, you can get up to 3,000 square feet in coverage.If you need more than 3,000 square feet in coverage, you can just add on more Gryphons and extend the reach, because this router also acts like a mesh system and can extend as far as you need it to.
- Easy to setup
- Smart Mesh Expandable
- Covers up to 3,000 square feet
- Impressive security features
- 4x4 MU-MIMO
- We didn't find any!
8. TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh WiFi Router
Mesh System
Mesh systems are becoming more and more accessible and prevalent for home networks.
We have found that the best mesh system for AT&T Uverse is the TP-Link Deco Mesh S4. This is an impressive system that will be able to cover your entire home network without suffering any unexpected drops.
Design
Starting with the design of the S4 mesh system, you will see that they are cylindrical points.
They have white casings with vents along the top to allow for points to not overheat. Their shape also means that you can place them in a lot of different locations without becoming an eyesore.
The system also has robust parental controls, including a time limit of online activity and the ability to block inappropriate websites according to the unique profiles that you create for every user in your network. It is a great way to keep your children safe online.
Performance
There are a lot of impressive performance features with this router. The first is that it is considered self-healing.
That means that it will reroute the traffic while you are streaming to ensure that you do not lose power, even if one of the points goes down. The second is the adaptive path selection feature that automatically finds the best path for the signal to travel and follows it effortlessly.
This system is really made to allow you to roam and stream at the same time without experiencing any kind of slowdown or loss in coverage. Between the three points that come with this set, you will get up to 5,500 square feet in coverage and can have up to 100 devices connected at the same time.
- Up to 5,500 square feet in coverage
- Can connect up to 100 devices
- Easy setup
- Robust parental controls
- Adaptive path selection
- We didn't find any
9. ASUS RT-AX3000 WiFi Router
Another great router choice for AT&T Uverse is the ASUS RT-AX3000. This is a WiFi 6 router, so it is incredibly powerful and should have all of the features that you would want in your home network.
Design
Starting with its design, the ASUS RT-AX3000 is a standard horizontal router with a black casing. It comes with four high-gain antennas that can be moved to point in different directions, allowing you to control which areas get the best signal.
The router comes with 4 1-Gigabit LAN Ethernet ports that will allow you to connect whichever devices that you want, to make sure get a reliable connection.
The router also has a USB 3.1 port, which is great for quickly sharing files or content to all of the devices in the network.
Performance
The performance of the RT-AX3000 is excellent. The router can reach speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, which is likely faster than you are getting with your speed package with Uverse.
The router is a WiFi 6 standard, which means it has the latest wireless technology that you can get. It should cover up to 3,000 square feet as well, depending on the layout of your home.
The router is easy to setup and even easier to manage. It uses a mobile app for settings and updates, making it all the easier.
The router will also allow you to manage your settings through Alexa if you have one. The router is part of the AiMesh system as well, which means you can add on additional points to longer range.
- Mobile app support
- Commercial-grade network security
- Speeds up to 3,000 Mbps
- WiFi 6 router
- USB 3.1 port
- Needs to be rebooted once in a while to get all of the features to work
10. TP-Link Archer AX50 WiFi Router
The TP-Link Archer AX50 is another great option for a router for AT&T Uverse.
This is a router that offers next-generation speeds, is easy to use, and has a lot of wonderful features that will make using the internet easier than ever.
Design
When we look at its design, the first thing that we need to note is the size of the device.
The AX50 is quite large, so you know that it is going to take up a lot of room. It will also need to be kept in a location that is well-ventilated to be sure that the router does not overheat on you.
It does rest flat against the shelf or space that you have it, but it is quite long. The router also comes with four high-gain antennas to help boost your signal. Regardless of its size, the router weighs less than 3 pounds.
The AX50 comes with a USB 3.0 port, which will allow you to easily share content to all of the connected devices within your network.
Performance
Moving onto its performance, the AX50 will give you about 2,402 Mbps when you use the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, Combined, you are reaching nearly 3,000 Mbps on this router. The actual speeds depend on what your speed package with AT&T is, however.
The router provides 4K streaming, which is perfect if you are going to do any online gaming or if you like to stream movies often.
It has minimal lag and ultra-smooth entertainment, showing that this router means it when it says that it is ready to supply next-gen speeds. Even though this is a WiFi 6 standard, it will work with all of the previous standards as well.
- Easy setup
- Excellent security
- 4K streaming
- Next-gen speeds
- Little lag
- Really big in size
The Difference Between AT&T Fiber vs AT&T Uverse Explained
When you are looking at routers for AT&T, you might be coming across AT&T Fiber and AT&T Uverse and not know what the difference is.
They are two different types of internet. Uverse is a DSL internet that works off of existing phone lines. It is decent internet and depending on your location and plan, you can get a variety of speeds from it.
Meanwhile, AT&T Fiber relies on fiber optic cables to carry the data from the lines into your home computer.
Fiber runs off of very fine strands of fiberglass and it can increase your home network speeds at unheard of levels. Fiber also does not use a modem, but will have an ONT box. It is the ONT box that you will plug your router into.
Fiber is faster, but because the fiber lines have to be laid to bring internet to your house, it is not widely available yet.
Things To Consider When Choosing A New AT&T Router
Number Of Connected Devices
One of the first things that you should consider when you are choosing a new AT&T router is how many devices that you have connected.
A router will tell you how many devices that it can support and you will need to compare that number to the amount of devices you have or plan to have in the future.
Do not forget to count any smaller internet of things objects that are connected to your network. They all could since they all use the same network and can act as a drain on your bandwidth.
Your Activity Online
Another factor that you will need to consider is what your online activity is. That means, do you simply browse social media online or are you doing some heavy online gaming instead?
If you are only causally using the internet, you will not need a huge expensive setup. Meanwhile, if you are doing heavy streaming and gaming, your router needs to be able to handle the burdens that you are putting on it.
You should also think about the activity of everyone within your network, because all of it will drain your bandwidth and affect what you really need.
Wireless Standard (WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, WiFi 5)
The term WiFi 6 gets thrown around a lot, but it is not as straightforward as it used to be. Instead, there is now WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, and WiFi 5.
The E in 6E refers to "extended," which means that there is a new usable band with these routers: the 6 GHz band. WiFi 5 is what is most commonly used, but more and more people are switching to get faster internet.
You should be able to get by with a WiFi 5 for a long time, but eventually you will need to upgrade to a WiFi 6 router.
Dual-Band vs. Tri-Band
Dual-band and tri-band are terms often through around without explanation. Dual-band routers are the modern standard.
This means that the router can send data along the 2.4 GHz band, which is much slower, but gets better reach and you get a 5 GHz band that is more powerful, less congested, and easier to use.
Tri-band routers have an extra 5 GHz band to give you double coverage on that band. Tri-bands are popping up more an more as time goes on, but you can still be happy with a dual-band router. It will still get the job done well.
Final Words
You do not have to settle for the built-in router that you get from the AT&T modem. Instead, you can improve your range and signal by getting a separate AT&T compatible router. This means that you have an opportunity to buy the best router for AT&T U-verse.
Our Editor's choice is the Netgear R7000 Nighthawk . Netgear is well-known for its reliability as well as its open source capability.
If you have many smart devices in your home, you might not get from you need from Nighthawk, but there are many other power boosting options out there, like the Google WiFi system which can make poor coverage a thing of the past.
Make sure that your router is AT&T U-verse compatible and that it will work with what your household needs are
What Modem Works With at&t U Verse
Source: https://bluegadgettooth.com/best-router-att-uverse/