8 Best Routers for AT&T U-verse in 2023 [Compatibile Models]

If you’re an AT&T U-verse subscriber or planning to be one, you must get rid of their rental equipment. Not only would it be a sweet long-term investment, but there are several perks of using your own router with AT&T Uverse. It will provide you with better security, speeds, more control, and optimal performance.

Before I begin with the list, it’s important to know why you should buy your own router to use with AT&T U-verse, and here we go:

• Choice for Features: Buying your own router gives you the advantage of choosing features you need. You can choose from various routers and select the one that provides you best specifications and fulfils your needs.
• Better Performance: You might have to use ATT Uverse gateway to connect to the internet but that does not mean that you’ll have to settle for below average router speeds and performance. If you buy your own third-party router, you’ll get excellent upload/download speed and performance.
• Improved Wi-Fi Coverage: Another downside of renting a router from ATT Uverse is their poor wireless coverage. This can be inconvenient especially if you live in a 2 story house that has a lot of furniture and other obstacles.
• Better Security and Control: Nowadays, cybercriminals are more advanced than ever before. That’s why you need a router that can resist any security breaches and protect your personal information at all costs.

Best Routers for AT&T U-Verse in 2023

As an AT&T subscriber, one thing you’ll notice quickly is that you have to use their gateway modem for a better service. But that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on your network requirements. You can always use your own router with the gateway by placing it either in the IP Pass-Thru or DMZ Mode.

Now, let’s quickly go through the important things to consider when getting a router:

• Wireless Standards: As you know, the 802.11 a/b/g wireless standards are outdated and most routers today support the latest wireless standards; 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax. Make sure that the  dual-band routers you choose supports a wireless standard 802.11n must deliver a speed of at least 900 Mbps and the ones supporting the 802.11ac standard must deliver a speed of up to 1.3Gbps.
• Ethernet Ports: Take note, the higher the number of ethernet ports, the better your router will be as it will be able to support more wired connections. Also, always prefer gigabit LAN ports over List ports.
• USB Ports: Check if the router you’re choosing has extra ports to connect printers and smartphones. Always go for the routers with USB 3.0 port over USB 2.0 port as the USB 3.0 ports support newer devices and are hence, better.
• Real-Life Wireless Speed: Always check the real speeds of your router. This is the speed that your router actually delivers to all your devices and it should be above 800 Mbps for dual-band routers.

Now that we’ve understood why you should buy your own router and the factors to look at while buying one, let’s take a look at the ATT Uverse wireless routers available in the market today:

1. Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAX78

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX78 delivers unbeatable speeds and reliable performance with its tri-band technology. It’s a premium router with the latest wireless standards (Wi-Fi 6), 160MHz channel support, and robust security features that will make you fall in love with it.

Wi-Fi Speeds

The router delivers a combined theoretical maximum speed of 6.2Gbps. But let’s dive deeper into the individual band speeds. The 2.4GHz band delivers a maximum speed of 460mbps, and the dual 5GHz bands deliver a maximum real-time speed of 960 + 4800mbps, respectively. Doesn’t that sound lightning fast?

The latest MU-MIMO technology supports simultaneous streaming at high speeds, 4K video streaming, and quality wireless speeds for devices with 160MHz. This is a great feature to have especially if you’re a gamer or movies buff. Plus, it also supports DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) which can help in network traffic management.

Hardware & Internals

Quad-core powerful processor clocks with a frequency of 1.5GHz. It sports 512MB RAM that is sufficient to perform all your high-end tasks like online gaming, Twitch streaming, and business operations. In addition to that, it has 256MB of flash memory that can store all the extra applications that you have in mind.

Antennas & Coverage

The six high-power internal antennas would help you avoid any screen lags and prioritize the gaming traffic. It provides great wireless coverage and can cover a maximum range of 2500 sq ft.

Design & Ports

The router has a black body. It measures 13.66 x 8.19 x 6.5 inches and weighs around 2.58 pounds.

As for the port arrangement, the router has four 1 Gig Ethernet ports and one high-speed 1Gig WAN port. It also has one USB 3.0 port for connecting other devices such as laptops, printers, etc.

App Support

You can effortlessly control the settings of this router using the Netgear router app that is available on both Android and iOS devices. The router is also super simple to set up. All you’ve got to do is follow three easy steps, and your router will be ready to use.

Should you consider it?

The Nighthawk RAX78 is best suited for gaming and TV streaming at high speed. It’s also an absolute must-have because of its unbeatable security features, ability to prioritize bandwidth, assured local connection, customizable dashboard, extra-fast ports, and MU-MIMO technology.

2. Best Runner Up: Netgear Nighthawk RAX50

If there’s one company that delivers a dream router for every tech enthusiast, then it is undoubtedly Netgear. The Nighthawk RAX50 is another gem of a router from them that live up to its hype.

Wi-Fi Speeds

This model delivers a maximum speed of 5.4Gbps. Individually, the 2.4GHz band delivers a maximum speed of 600mbps, and the 5GHz band delivers a maximum speed of 4800mbps. The router supports the latest quad-stream MU-MIMO technology as well.

Hardware & Internals

The router is powered by a triple-core processor that clocks in at a frequency of 1.8GHz. It has 512MB RAM space that can support mild gaming and business operations. It can also support your other everyday tasks. Other than this, the device has an additional 256MB of flash memory that can be used to download extra applications and security features.

Antennas & Coverage

The router has four high-speed external antennas that perform beamforming to deliver a stronger signal and better performance. It can cover a maximum range of 2500 sq ft which is sufficient for small to medium-sized offices and living spaces. 

Design & Ports

The router is available in a gorgeous black plastic body and measures 14.8 x 10.24 x 4.69 inches. It weighs just 1.25 pounds and is super portable.

The router has one WAN port and four LAN ports that deliver a maximum speed of 1Gbps. In addition to the ethernet ports, you also get one USB 3.0 port to connect additional devices on the network.

App Support

To control your router’s settings and find out more information about it, you can use the Netgear app that is available on both iOS and Android devices. Using this app, you can even set up your router at home in just five minutes! Talk about convenience!

Should you consider it?

I tested this model with multiple internet plans from ATT and found that it performs best with the highest internet plan. It is a must-have due to its power-efficient hardware, Netgear Armor security, app support, QoS features, and more.

3. Best Value for Money: TP-Link Archer AX50

The TP-Link Archer AX50 is a miniature version of its high-end forerunner router Archer AX6000. While the hardware is a stepdown, TP-link keeps the best features like OFDMA, Wi-Fi 6, and the support to 160MHz channel to offer a balance between utility and price.

Wi-Fi Speeds

The routing device features an aggregated speed of 3Gbps with individual top speeds of 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5GHz. Wi-Fi 6 support further complements the setup with higher download/upload speeds, provided you’ve compatible devices. The router also uses MU-MIMO technology to boost performance on multiple devices.

Hardware & Internals

The Archer AX50 houses an 800MHz dual-core processor, an operating memory of 256MB, and flash storage of 128MB, which becomes the engine powering the data-intensive activities. This hardware readily handles multiple devices including gaming consoles, smart TVs, Apple devices, and IoT devices.

Antennas & Coverage

With 4 external antennas equipped with beamforming support, the router can cover an entire 2000 sq ft house with consistent throughput.

Design & Ports

At 1.2 pounds, the Archer AX-50 sports a flat, thin, shiny black chassis measuring 10.2 x 5.3 x 1.5- inches in dimensions.

The routers come with one Gig WAN port, four Ethernet ports, and a USB 3.0 port that leaves adequate room for wired high-speed connections and storage devices. The router combined with a DOCSIS 3.1 modem future proofs your internet for the forthcoming future.

App Support

TP-link router brings a sophisticated yet simple interface that takes care of the initial setup and management. Smart parental controls, access controls, homecare internet protection, VPN, Guest Network offer the requisite network protection.

Should you consider it?

Archer AX-50 and the internet bundle of a 1000Mbps connection from AT&T Uverse complement each other. Archer finds the right balance between the advanced features like OFDMA, DFS, and the price.

4. Best for Office Use: Linksys E8450

Linksys routers are famous in the tech world for their excellent performance and exquisite features that will leave you stunned. The Linksys E8450 is no exception to that. It packs amazing features at below the $150 price range.

Wi-Fi Speeds

The router can deliver a maximum theoretical speed of 3.2Gbps. When it comes to individual band speeds, the 2.4GHz band can deliver a speed of up to 800mbps, while the 5GHz band can deliver a speed of up to 2400mbps. The router can support MU-MIMO technology with 4×4 streams.

Hardware & Internals

This device is fueled by a Mediatek MT7622BV CPU that clocks in at a frequency of 1.4GHz. The 512MB RAM supports high-end gaming, business operations, and 4K video streaming without any screen lags or freezing. It also has an additional flash memory of the size 128MB.

Antennas & Coverage

The eight adjustable antennas amplify bandwidth prioritization and deliver a stronger signal. It can cover a maximum area of 2500 sq ft and is hence, perfect for medium-sized households, small businesses, or offices.

Design & Ports

The device has a gorgeous black plastic body that will complement any living space. It measures 6.14 x 3.03 x 8.66 inches and weighs 1.41 pounds.

The E8450 features four LAN ports and one WAN port, which deliver a maximum speed of 1Gbps to wired connections. It also has one USB 2.0 port that can connect to external devices such as printers, smartphones, etc.

App Support

Unfortunately, you can’t control the settings of the Linksys E8450 on your fingertip as the router doesn’t offer app support. You gotta log in to the web-based interface to get real-time information about devices on your home network. This web interface can even be used to set up your router at home.

Should you consider it?

The router is best for the Internet 1000 plan on ATT service provider. It is a must-have because of its excellent speed, coverage, latest security features, app support, robust parental controls, and powerful CPU and RAM space.

5. Best Under $100: Motorola MR2600

If you’re looking for a sub $100 budget router for your living space that has excellent performance and reliability, then you’ve got to check out the Motorola MR2600.

Wi-Fi Speeds

This router delivers a combined maximum speed of 2.6Gbps which leads to an unmatched user experience. Individually speaking, the router delivers a speed of 800mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1733mbps on the 5GHz band.

The router also supports the latest quad stream 4×4 MU-MIMO technology on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. This makes sure that you have the ultimate experience with HD streaming via Firestick.

Hardware & Internals

This Motorola device is fueled by a dual-core CPU processor that clocks in at a frequency of 1.2GHz. It has 512MB RAM, which can support both high-end gaming and other business operations. It also has an additional flash memory of 128MB to install other security features and applications.

Antennas & Coverage

The dual-band router has four external high-performance antennas, which lead to better performance and beamforming. It can cover a maximum range of up to 2000 sq ft and is hence, sufficient for medium-sized homes.

Design & Ports

It has a gorgeous black plastic body and measures 7.06 x 12 x 7.13 inches. The router weighs just 1.1 pounds and can fit anywhere in your home.

This model has four LAN ports that can deliver a speed of 1Gbps for wired connections such as laptops, computers, gaming consoles, etc. It also has a USB 3.0 port that can be used to connect to smartphones and printers.

App Support

This router does not offer any app support, but you can control the settings and install it using the Motorola web-based interface. The web GUI offers more than enough controls to set up VPN, guest access, and a basic level of parental controls too.

Should you consider it?

This router is ATT Uverse compatible and is a good choice if you’re searching for a budget router with features like beamforming features, QoS, MU-MIMO technology, enough speed, and coverage.

6. Best Mesh Router for AT&T: TP-Link Deco X20

Mesh routers deliver consistent performance and have an aesthetically pleasing design that fits anywhere in the house. The TP-Link Deco X20 is one such Wi-Fi 6 based mesh system, which is pretty great in terms of speed and coverage. Read on to know more amazing things about it.

Wi-Fi Speeds

The maximum theoretical speed delivered by this two-pack mesh setup is 1.8Gbps. Coming to the individual band speeds, it fetches up to 574mbps on the 2.4GHz band while the 5GHz band de1ivers up to 1201mbps. This speed is enough to support anything you have in mind, such as 4K streaming, gaming, business operations, etc.

Hardware & Internals

This TP-Link mesh router is powered by a 1GHz quad-core processor. The 512MB RAM supports every task that you desire while delivering a consistent performance. It also has an additional 128GB of flash memory to install extra apps and security features. The AX1800 router also supports MU-MIMO technology, ensuring that you do not experience any lags.

Antennas & Coverage

Each access unit of this mesh setup has four internal antennas, which help it deliver high-speed performance and excellent beamforming features. It has unbelievable coverage of 4000 sq ft. This is enough to cover large homes and office spaces.

Design & Ports

The design of this mesh setup outshines most routers compatible with ATT Uverse. It’s pretty appealing in the white color. Each router unit measures 4.4 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, weighing less than 2 pounds. It is portable enough and can be set up anywhere at your home.

Each mesh unit has two high-speed ethernet ports that can deliver a speed of 1Gbps.

App Support

You can easily control the router and check its settings using the Deco app. This app will even help you set up the router at your home within minutes. It also lets you manage it with voice commands, thanks to the Alexa support. Moreover, the app comes with excellent parental controls to manage internet access for your kids.

Should you consider it?

The Deco X20 is a great pick for large homes, apartments, and office spaces that require a mesh setup for consistent speed and coverage. It has excellent design, Wi-Fi 6 standards, super long range, beamforming features, QoS, and app support. Considering everything it offers, I can say it’s the best mesh router that works with ATT Uverse.

7. Best for Large Homes: ASUS RT-ACRH12

ASUS is known in the tech world for its consistent performance and technologically advanced devices. The ASUS RT-ARCH12 is no different. It delivers reliable high-speed performance with minimum lags, wireless dead zones, and screen freezes.

Wi-Fi Speeds

As for the theoretical speed, RT-ARCH12 delivers a combined maximum speed of 1.2Gbps. As for individual band speeds, the 2.4GHz band delivers a speed of 300mbps, and the 5GHz band delivers a speed of 867mbps. It has the latest quad-stream MU-MIMO technology and supports 2×2 streams.

Hardware & Internals

This model is fueled by the powerful Qualcomm Atheros IPQ4028 chipset that clocks in at a frequency of 628MHz. It has a 128MB RAM space that can only power mild gaming and support other daily operations. An additional flash memory of 128MB helps you download applications.

Antennas & Coverage

The device has four external high-performance adjustable antennas that can deliver a strong signal and aid in beamforming features. It can cover areas of 3000 sq ft.

Design & Ports

The device has a gorgeous black plastic body and measures 4.92 x 7.56 x 1.18 inches. It weighs just 1.7 pounds.

The router sports four LAN ports that can deliver a maximum speed of 1Gbps on all wired connections such as gaming consoles, computers, laptops, etc. It also has an additional USB 2.0 port that can be used to support other devices such as printers and smartphones.

App Support

The ASUS mobile app can be used to control the settings of this router and can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices. You can also set up this router at your office or living space using the ASUS app.

Should you consider it?

You should go for this model if you plan to use the ATT 100mbps plan for your internet needs. It has excellent range, speed, HD streaming, kids security features, QoS, and beamforming features.

8. Cheapest Option: D-Link DIR-1260

D-Link routers are perfect for first-time router buyers. The D-Link DIR-1260 is one of the cheapest routers that support ATT Uverse. So, if you’re a student or someone who has basic internet usage and don’t want to invest a hefty amount, this is just the perfect option for you.

Wi-Fi Speeds

The D-Link DIR-1260 delivers consistent speed and performance that leaves you impressed. The router delivers a combined maximum speed of 1.2Gbps. Individually, the 2.4GHz band delivers a maximum speed of 300mbps, and the 5GHz band delivers a maximum speed of 867mbps.

Hardware & Internals

The device is fueled by a dual-core CPU that clocks in at a frequency of 880MHz. It has 128MB RAM that can support daily operations and mild to moderate gaming. It also has an additional flash memory of 128MB to install extra security features and other applications. The router also features MU-MIMO and can handle tasks like Wi-Fi calling, HD streaming on Firestick, etc.

Antennas & Coverage

This dual-band router has four external antennas that deliver a strong signal up to a maximum range of 1500 sq ft. It also sports beamforming and QoS. Although the range is not so impressive, this model is compatible with D-Link mesh extenders. So, if you want to extend the coverage, you may opt for it.

Design & Ports

The D-Link AC1200 has a premium-looking plastic body and measures 9.37 x 6.14 x 1.22 inches. It is sleek and super light at just 0.72 pounds.

One WAN port and four high-speed LAN ports achieve a speed of 1Gbps on all the wired connections. However, it lacks a USB port, so you can’t add additional devices like a hard drive, printer, scanner, etc.

App Support

You can easily control your router’s settings according to your network requirements using the D-Link app support. You can even set up the router at your home using the instructions given in the app or on the web support page.

Should you consider it?

This is a good option to consider if you’re looking for a budget-friendly solution. You can use it for work from home, web browsing, and operating smart home appliances. It fits anywhere in your home and delivers a strong Wi-Fi signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

As a subscriber, finding the perfect router for ATT Uverse can be quite a challenge. The rentals provided by the company are quite outdated and do not fulfill all your network expectations.

So, to enjoy an excellent user experience, you’ve got to buy your own ATT Uverse compatible router that will deliver consistent high-speed performance without any lags or dead zones. Here are my top picks:

• If you’re looking for an all-in-one router to meet your gaming and streaming needs, go for Netgear Nighthawk RAX78 without a second thought. It’s a tri-band router with latest wireless standards and robust security features to protect your home network.
• In case you’re looking for a good Wi-Fi mesh router for a large living space or a big office, consider TP-Link Deco X20. It’s pretty appealing and powerful enough to meet your internet requirements.
• If you’re working from home, or a college student who needs to ateend online lectures, the more affordable Linksys E8450 is a commendable solution. It offers great specifications and performace at a reasonable price.
• Lastly, if you’re on a tight budget and need a router to handle basic internet browsing, video streaming, and operting smart appliances, you can go for ASUS RT-ARCH12 to aid your regular usage.