Technological advancement has led to fierce competition in internet networks.
The faster the internet is, the better the performance of your devices will be. This is why people are constantly looking for modern modems that provide the fastest internet connection.
In this race of faster internet connection, VDSL modems are quite ahead.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for VDSL Modems
- OUR TOP PICK: NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S
- ASUS RT-AC88U
- MOTOROLA DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem
- Zyxel C1100Z 802.11n
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ActionTec Model C1000A
Comparison Chart of the Best VDSL Modems
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
What is a VDSL Modem?
VDSL stands for Very High Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line which delivers high-speed internet. The modem uses fiber-optic cables in phone lines to transmit data.
It also uses copper wires which are safer than fiber-optic cables, but less fast. Such units take the data from the cables and then transfers it to your devices.
What is the Difference Between ADSL and VDSL Modem?
VDSL is a more modified form of ADSL which is the Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. Both of them use the basic DSL technology, but VDSL is more efficient than ADSL.
The major difference between these two is the speed. ADSL has a download and upload speed of eight Mbps and one Mbps, respectively. But, VDSL has a download and upload speed of 52 Mbps and 16 Mbps, also respectively. So, VDSL works better with high bandwidth devices compared to ADSL ones.
Why Did These VDSL Modems Make Our List?
VDSL modems are taking over the world of internet connection devices quite rapidly. This is why we like them and have them on our list. Here are some features present in our chosen units for this list.
Higher Speed
VDSL modems are one of the fastest internet providers of this era. They have a high speed for both downloading and uploading, i.e., 52 Megabits per second and 16 Megabits per second. The upstream and downstream speed reaches up to 100 Megabits per second. This is a class apart from the usual ADSL modems which provide a speed of 8-10 Megabits per second.
Customization
VDSL modem connections are diverse and you can customize them according to your needs. If a site needs more data to load, then you can increase traffic for it. This helps you get the right amount speeds that your device and site need.
Frequency
VDSL modems have copper wires, which offer a very high frequency. There are different bands, which provide different frequencies for your data. The twisted copper wire band in a VDSL modem usually provides a frequency of 25 kHz to 12 MHz.
Quick Take - Best VDSL Modems
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best VDSL modems:
Review of the Best VDSL Modems
VDSL modems are fairly new in the market and people do not know much about them. So, here is a complete review of the best ones to help you choose the right one.
Best Overall:
NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have mixed views about this WiFi router. Most of them like its features and recommend it. They also like its area coverage and the formation of separate connections at the same time. They have also found the ethernet connection ports helpful, as they can connect wired devices directly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its amazing signal strength and speed. The speed of AC2600 is remarkable, considering that it connects with VDSL and has a long-range, too. We also like its sleek and modern frame which merges well with both home and office décor.
Who Will Use This Most
This modem comes with a high connectivity capacity, so it is better for office settings. Since you can connect up to 25 devices with it, it is better-suited for offices with small staffs. It can be used for a single portion, as well, since it has a nice range of area coverage.
Bottom Line
The router has some of the most attractive features, which make it well-worth the money you pay for it. Everything from the signal strength to speed and wired connections are spot-on. It has a compact build, too. So, it's the ideal unit for those who haven't used VDSL prior to this.
Runner-up:
ASUS RT-AC88U
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have had a nice experience with this ASUS modem. They like how it has such a good speed over all the bands. They have reported the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands to be highly efficient. The simple user interface has also impressed users so much, that they recommend it wholeheartedly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us due to its multiple connectivity options for both wireless and wired connections. We love the way it maintains up to nine wired connections at the same time. There are not many modems in the market which can offer you that. The combined speed of 3167 Mbps is also a great feature which made us choose this router as the runner-up.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this router does not have a very wide area range, it's more suitable for home usage than official usage. The wired devices get greater signal strength, so it can be good for offices having limited staff. Overall, this unit is the best for people who need fast speed but do not have large homes.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this one is that it is an admirable modem with just the right characteristics. It has stronger connectivity than most other similar units and helps you keep things easy. It is also great for 4K streaming and gaming, so it fulfills the needs of gamers, as well.
Best for the Money:
MOTOROLA DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This modem has had different kinds of reviews, as it does not cater to everyone's needs. Buyers like that it has many features at such a low price. They like its modern design too, which has an attractive display at the front. Buyers have reported an incredible speed and smooth connectivity, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This modem catches our eye because of its pricing and connection efficiency. It is quite inexpensive and has an energy-saving mechanism in place. The full band capture digital tuner makes it consume less power and deliver more. This helps users save a considerable amount of energy annually.
Who Will Use This Most
The modem is best for people who have a DOCSIS 3.0 or DOCSIS 3.1-powered router for internet connection. As it acts as a bridge modem, it improves the connectivity of your devices while going low on your budget. This is best-suited for home usage, as it has great signal strength for large homes, too.
Bottom Line
To sum up, the MOTOROLA modem comes with the approval of many major internet connectivity gurus. This increases its reliability, in addition to the two-year warranty. So, even if you haven't used a MOTOROLA modem before, you can go for this one confidently. Just remember that it is not a router; rather, it is a bridge between your devices and router.
Best VDSL Modem for Centurylink:
Zyxel C1100Z 802.11n
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are mostly happy with the purchase, as this modem has improved internet connection for them. They found its WAN port quite helpful as it helped them develop an interface with other networks, too. Thus, it provided an uninterrupted connection, which buyers initially aimed for.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It captures our attention, as it has a very user-friendly interface. The WLAN connection is very impressive and comes highly recommended. We like it also because it is easy to balance and does not cost much. It is a nice addition to your internet network development if you have a Centurylink router.
Who Will Use This Most
All kinds of VDSL users will find it useful, as it helps in connecting your devices with the VDSL outlet. It serves the users of today well, as it has unbelievable speed. In addition, it has a simple operation, making it much more useful.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a great way of improving signal strength from the VDSL cable. The data transmission is faster when you use this, so go for it if you want more speed and less hassle.
Best VDSL Modem Router:
ActionTec Model C1000A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who bought it recently were very happy with it. They love both its range and speed, as it has great connectivity. Moreover, the modem has a simple interface that users like a lot.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list because it connects with VDSL cables perfectly. The LAN and ethernet connectivity have a strong base, too. To top it all, the eight GBs of space makes its hardware trustworthy.
Who Will Use This Most
This modem has a design with very simple functionality. This makes it best for people who love gaming and 4K video streaming. So, it is the most useful for gamers who need a continuous internet connection with absolutely no interruptions.
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this ActionTec modem has everything that anyone would want, considering today's internet needs. The appearance is simple, but its functions are amazing. So, choose this if you want a steady VDSL-powered internet connection.
Advantages and Disadvantages of VDSL Modems
VDSL modems are undoubtedly an advanced generation of modems and have many pros. But there are a few disadvantages to them, too. Let's have a look at both to help you see if they suit your needs and if they do, then to what extent.
Advantages
Below are the main advantages:
Multiple Connections
Usually, phone line connections do not allow multiple connections. When you use your phone, you cannot enjoy an internet connection at the same time. But, this does not happen when you use VDSL modems. With these, you can connect both your phone and the modem without losing the functionality of either of them.
HDTV
One of the many perks of using a VDSL modem is you can enjoy unlimited HDTV with it. Other modems, like ADSL, do not support HDTV and this kind of ruins the fun. So, HDTV and other modern screen support are a huge plus when it comes to VDSL modems.
Speed and Frequency
VDSL has amazing speed and frequency, which helps you get greater traffic. The download and upload speeds are both impressive as they leave other DSL modems far behind. The presence of different frequency bands makes VDSL modems a better option.
Disadvantages
Below are the main disadvantages:
Lesser Range
The only downside to VDSL modem is that it has a restricted range. The maximum area coverage is for 300 meters only. This is because VDSL networks are quite new and they are not very widespread.
Conclusion
To wrap it all up, VDSL modems are future-oriented units that meet the needs of modern users. VDSL networks are not very common but they have amazing speed and frequency. The network customization is a nice feature too, so go for it if you want uninterrupted internet.
People Also Ask
VDSL modems are the future of phone line internet connections and they will spread soon.
As VDSL modems have not been around for long, people have many queries regarding these. Also, they are available only in limited countries, which further increases questions about them.
Considering all this, here are some questions that people frequently have.
Can I Use VDSL Modem for ADSL?
Both VDSL and ADSL originate from the same parent technology, which is Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). But, despite that, they have different features and different media of connection. So, no, you cannot use VDSL modem for ADSL as they operate on different modes of data transfer. Also, their bandwidth support, frequency, and speed do not match, which makes their functioning together even less likely.
Is VDSL the Same as NBN?
No, VDSL is not the same thing as NBN, as both have different networks. VDSL is quite new, while NBN has been around for a long time. VDSL has a lesser range than NBN and you need to be closer to the phone line. However, VDSL offers speeds that are way greater than those offered by NBN.
Does VDSL Need a Different Modem?
VDSL does not work on its own to transfer data, as you need to convert the electronic information in signals. This is something that only a modem or router can do when you attach it with the VDSL cable. So, yes, VDSL needs a different modem made with the specifications of VDSL as the focal point.
How Fast is VDSL?
VDSL is much faster than other broadband networks. The frequency of copper-wired bands is high, so they transmit data more rapidly. The download speed is 52 Mbps, and the upload speed is 16 Mbps at the highest.
Is VDSL Better Than ADSL?
VDSL is surely better than ADSL as it is both faster and more efficient. The frequency, upload speed, download speed, and bandwidth range are greater in VDSL than in ADSL. VDSL also undergoes less data loss, if any, than ADSL. Hence, it is a better choice.
What is VDSL and VDSL2?
VDSL is Very High Bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line while VDSL2 is an upgrade from it. VDSL has an upstream and downstream speed of 100 Mbps while it is 200 Mbps for VDSL2. Similarly, VDSL supports a frequency range of 12 MHz and VDSL2 supports a frequency range of 30 MHz.
Is VDSL a Fiber?
No, VDSL is not a fiber as it uses a direct phone transmission line. The medium of data transmission in VDSL is copper wire, not fiber optic. This makes VDSL cheaper than fiber-operated internet connection media.
