Even though cable modems are swell, they fail to work alongside DSL internet plans. Also, there is nothing better than grabbing a high-end modem that doubles down as a functional router. With these requirements in mind, I have decided to review the GreenWave C4000 series, rated as the most capable DSL modems.
Together with a sound design and a wide range of ports, the GreenWave C4000 is a reliable modem router combo to invest in. Also, it comes in three versions (LG, XG, and BG), which are mostly identical, barring the internet plans they are designed to work with.
In the subsequent sections, I shall talk about the GreenWave C4000 at length while simultaneously taking up the capabilities of all three variants.
GreenWave C4000 Review [LG, XG, BG: All Variants]
As a DSL modem, the C4000 is packed with top-of-the-line features. Although the detailed specs sheet is enough to invest in, getting versed with every aspect of this relatable networking device is important to pick relevant internet plans.
1. Wi-Fi Speeds & Range
Just so you know, the C4000, regardless of the model you might be interested in, is a modem-router combo with Wi-Fi 6 support. What makes it tick is the OFDMA technology, ensuring improved upstream and downstream throughput.
As far as cumulative wireless speeds are concerned, this device can assume close to 3 Gbps across near and far bands. Plus, the dual-core processor mentioned before helps with the congestion, and the smart connect support lets you automatically connect to the desirable wireless band, depending on your proximity.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for C4000. This modem-router combo is an excellent routing device, courtesy of the pre-optimized internal antennas. Plus, the Beamforming technology helps with a range close to 3,000 Sq Ft.
As far as performances are concerned, this networking device is great at keeping gaming latency to a minimum. Then there are the app-based guest networking access and auto firmware updates to keep the device in perfect working condition.
However, things change a bit if you have the GPON-powered XG-variant. In that case, you get access to 6Gbps of overall throughput, with 1.2Gbps allocated to the 2.4GHz band and 4.8Gbps apportioned to the near band.
2. Ports & Connectivity
When it comes to ports, every variant comes equipped with four LAN Ethernet ports and one WAN slot. Also, it would be right to mention that each port comes with gig-level data transmission capabilities. The C4000 also throws in one USB port for transferring data across networks.
Despite a similar port arrangement, the modem variants differ with the LG model featuring one DSL port, BG-variant stacking in two DSL ports, and the XG unit sporting an SFP port for pairing a GPON or SFP units for Fios connections.
Regarding connectivity, the C4000 modems, regardless of the model, feature Dynamic Quality of Service for better traffic prioritization. The C4000BG supports ADSL2 and VDSL inputs, whereas the LG variant brings ADSL into the mix to accommodate low-level internet plans. The XG-variant makes room for Fiber or GPON-based connections, with max speeds of over 900Mbps.
3. Compatibility with ISPs
The C4000 from GreenWave is one of the better modems for CenturyLink DSL and Fiber optic connections. And the best part about the ISP compatibility is that you can go as low as a 10Mbps plan with the C4000LG, whereas the C4000BG lets you select mid-range DSL internet plans.
Finally, if you are into high-speed, Gig-level internet plans, the C4000XG seems like a good choice for Fiber optic internet plans from CenturyLink. But then, if you strictly want to go with the DSL modem, this device is certified to work with Frontier, AT&T, and even Kinetic.
4. Design & Build
The C4000 assumes a dome-like structure made of hardened plastic. The white-colored, well-ventilated layout measures 8.30 x 5.64 x 4.68 inches. However, when it comes to the heft, C4000BG, and C4000LG, or rather the xDSL modems, weigh close to 1.54 pounds. The fiber-optic variant or the C4000XG weighs 2.86 pounds, making it a lot heavier than the DSL-only variants.
5. Hardware & Technology
Powering the C4000 modem-router combo is the powerful InterAptiv chipset. And while the clock speed and processing prowess might vary depending on the model you are using, the 512MB RAM seems a reliable ally when scaling beyond network interference and congestion.
GreenWave C4000 Pros and Cons
Now that I have addressed every aspect of the C4000 Modem-router combo, including the more celebrated variants, it might just be appropriate to touch base with the hits and misses:
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- MU-MIMO support for connecting multiple devices at once
- Impactful processor
- Compatible with most DSL ISPs
- Brilliant aesthetics
Cons
- Overkill for small households
- Pricey
Frequently Asked Questions
You should pick the C4000XG if you have a penchant for high-speed internet plans, precisely the fiber optic internet packages. But then, if your ISP only offers DSL services, the C4000LG is a better choice as it can work with low-end and mid-range internet plans, including the standard ADSL internet plans.
Yes, the GreenWave C4000 is a reliable modem-router combo that lets you access Wi-Fi 6 speeds over the local area network. Plus, it allows you to connect multiple devices to the internet, courtesy of the MU-MIMO functionality.
Well, built-in QoS support allows you to prioritize traffic depending on the task at hand. This feature allows you to get the best streaming and gaming speeds by prioritizing throughput over trivial online tasks.
Verdict
Unlike other modems that hardly offer you choices, GreenWave C4000 lets you pick xDSL and Fiber-specific variants, depending on the ISP at work. However, regardless of the variant you choose, you can expect this modem-router combo to offer excellently wired and wireless speeds, consistent throughput, and reliable internet connections.
