The rising costs of internet service mean that cutting added fees from your bill makes all the difference. A recent CNET survey found that roughly 63% of adults are paying $195 more on average for internet than they paid last year. If you’re looking to trim down monthly expenses, there’s one bill on your router that’s easier to get rid of than others: The costs of renting your router.
Granted, buying a router upfront is also an easy way to remove that fee from your bill. CNET’s router expert, Joe Supan, spent $185 on a modem and router — a cost that paid for itself in a little over a year and improved the overall reliability and speeds of his network.
But if you’re not ready to invest in a router yourself yet, renting a router for free from a reliable ISP is a sure way to save money and a headache. Plus, a recent study from Opensignal found that people using a rented router from their ISP reported higher reliability and consistency than those who bought a router. The main reason for that is network diagnostics and good customer care: A good ISP will regularly keep your router updated and offer services for diagnosing your Wi-Fi.
I rent my router from AT&T for free. Though eventually I’d like to invest in my own high-performing router (CNET and Supan-approved, of course) the Nokia gateway device provided by AT&T has proven pretty reliable since I started service. Plus, I appreciate having my ISP service and upgrade the gateway regularly at no extra cost to me.
If you’re lucky enough to have more than one good ISP option at your address, consider switching to an ISP that either offers a rental for free or lets you use your own router. Here’s a list of the top ISPs to offer free equipment rental, so you can keep your monthly internet bill low, without sacrificing speeds.
Top ISPs that offer free equipment
Astound: Astound has more extra fees than some ISPs, and the bills tend to vary by market, so make sure you’re reading yours carefully. Wi-Fi equipment is included with most Astound internet plans, though you may have to pay $10 for a modem and router in some areas. You can also upgrade to enhanced Whole-Home Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. Note that in some markets, Astound charges a monthly network access and maintenance fee of $17, so be sure to add that to your total.
AT&T Fiber: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all AT&T Fiber plans. If the single router doesn’t offer enough coverage throughout your home, AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service, which includes up to five Wi-Fi extenders, is available for an additional $10 a month.
AT&T Internet Air: AT&T Internet Air service also includes a gateway router. AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage (which comes with just one extender) is recommended for homes over 2,000 square feet and is available for $10 a month.
Cox Communications:In select areas, Cox includes its Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway device at no extra cost, a $15 monthly value that also comes with equipment upgrades and network protection. For extended coverage, you can buy the Panoramic Wi-Fi Pods for $130. Since you can’t rent those Wi-Fi extenders, I’d recommend just buying your own.
Frontier Fiber: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all Frontier Fiber plans, and it comes with the latest Wi-Fi technology. The provider’s 200Mbps plan comes with an Amazon Eero Pro 6E router, and the 500Mbps plan, 1-gig and 2-gig plans come with the Eero Pro 7. The fastest plans, 5-gig and a 7-gig plan, come with an Eero Max 7 device. Whole-Home Wi-Fi is available with any plan or device for $10 a month and includes up to two mesh Wi-Fi pods.
Google Fiber: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all Google Fiber plans. Single gig service, the provider’s “slowest” plan, includes a Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro device with one mesh extender for up to 4,000 sq ft coverage. All of the faster plans come with a GFiber Wi-Fi 6E Router plus up to two mesh extenders for 5,000-plus sq ft coverage. Google Fiber is one of the only major ISPs to include mesh extenders at no extra cost.
Metronet: All Metronet plans include a Wi-Fi 6E Eero router at no additional cost. Upgrading to the Premium Whole-Home Wi-Fi, a Wi-Fi 7 Eero router, will add $15 to your monthly bill. There is also an unavoidable monthly “Tech-Assure” fee of $13 with all plans.
Optimum: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all Optimum internet plans, and you’ll likely get a Wi-Fi 6E gateway. For $10 extra a month, you can add Whole Home Wi-Fi, which includes up to three extenders and 24/7 tech support.
Quantum Fiber: Your Wi-Fi equipment rental is free for an “initial period,” according to Quantum Fiber. How long, exactly, that period lasts and what your equipment fees will be once it expires is unclear and I couldn’t find anything in the fine print about it. Enjoy it while it’s free — the setup includes up to four mesh Wi-Fi pods, which typically work much more efficiently for whole home connectivity than Wi-Fi extenders.
Spectrum: A free modem is included only with the Spectrum Gig internet plan. Otherwise, you can expect to pay $10 a month for other plans. Up to five Wi-Fi extenders are available to rent for an extra $3 per device. Spectrum does offer some Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E routers, but don’t be surprised if you end up with a Wi-Fi 6 or even a Wi-Fi 5 router.
Starry Internet: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all Starry Internet plans. For better coverage and enhanced Wi-Fi performance, customers can upgrade to the Starry Gravity Wi-Fi 6 device for $14 a month.
T-Mobile’s Home Internet gateway serves as modem and router, though you can also plug in an existing router or mesh network.
T-Mobile Home Internet: A gateway router is included with all of T-Mobile’s home internet plans at no extra cost. T-Mobile offers a few different gateway routers for its 5G home internet plans, including new equipment with faster speed capabilities.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: A Verizon dual-band gateway router is included with both Verizon 5G Home Internet plans at no extra cost. Upgrading to the Home Plus plan will get you a better setup: Enhanced Whole-Home Wi-Fi that includes one Wi-Fi extender.
Verizon Fios: Wi-Fi equipment is included with all Verizon Fios plans. The 300 and 500Mbps plans come with free Wi-Fi 6E router rental. Upgrading to Whole-Home Wi-Fi will cost $10 monthly for one extender and $15 monthly for three extenders. The provider’s gig and 2-gig plans include Whole-Home Wi-Fi and one Wi-Fi extender. Additional extenders, up to three total, will add $5 to your monthly bill.
WideOpenWest: All WOW cable internet plans include a gateway device. Whole-home Wi-Fi is available starting at $10 monthly and it comes with an Eero mesh Wi-Fi access point.
Xfinity: The Xfinity xFi Gateway device is included at no extra cost, but this will depend on your area. For a cable provider, the tri-band Wi-Fi 6E gateway is nice. It may only be available for an introductory period of 12 months, though. After that, regular rental rates apply (currently $15). For an additional $10 ($25 after 12 months), customers can upgrade to xFi Complete, which includes unlimited data, a free equipment upgrade after three years and one mesh extender pod, if necessary.
More perks to renting your router from your ISP
I save money by renting a router for free, but that rental comes with other perks, too. Here’s what you can potentially look forward to when relying on your ISP for Wi-Fi equipment:
- Convenience: Renting saves you the trouble of shopping for a router and navigating the often confusing world of Wi-Fi technology (but if you’re in the market for one, check out our router buying guide). You can also rest assured that the router provided by your ISP is the right one for your connection type and speed tier.
- Free upgrades: This will vary by provider, but most ISPs regularly update your internet equipment and will even switch out your router if it becomes outdated or stops functioning.
- Technical support: Using your own router will limit technical support’s ability to troubleshoot internet issues. Your router manufacturer should have a technical support number you can call, but that will add an extra step to the troubleshooting process. Most ISPs offer 24/7 technical support and an app to easily manage your router settings to stay on top of network issues.
Things to consider when renting your router
Renting your router is convenient and cost-effective when it’s included with the monthly cost, but it’s not totally hassle-free. Here’s what to keep in mind if you rent your router.
First, you’ll have to take care of it since you’ll eventually be returning it. Damaging your router outside of normal wear and tear could result in a replacement fee, including a service fee if a technician is needed to install the new one.
When you switch providers, you will be required to return any rented equipment within a certain time frame. Most ISPs make that process easy, and they’ll send you a shipping label and steps for returning the equipment. But you could get a hefty fee if you don’t return everything on time.
Secondly, you’re going to have to settle for what you get. Yes, your rented router should be suitable for your internet connection, but is it equipped to handle your needs or space? Keep in mind that router placement in the home is also key to optimizing your internet connection. Perhaps you would prefer a router designed specifically for gaming, or the router from your ISP does a poor job of covering every corner of your home. The only solution is to invest in your own equipment.
Lastly, but importantly, renting a router from your ISP does come with some privacy risks. ISPs can track your browsing data with a rented router, though some ISPs collect more data than others. If you buy your own router, your privacy is much more secure.
Like with all aspects of home internet service, you should evaluate your router options carefully before committing to a specific internet provider and plan. In my case, using a free router rental saves me money and time — but I know that eventually, I’ll invest in a router of my own.
Router rental FAQs
Will my ISP give me a cheap router?
Providers such as Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber and Quantum Fiber offer high-performance routers, but other ISPs may provide a router that is nothing special. Additionally, there’s a chance your router is a used, refurbished device. Your ISP will provide a router that’s appropriate for your service, and you can always reach out to technical support if you have any issues with your equipment.
What’s the difference between a modem and a router?
Your modem handles data transmission and reception, encoding and decoding. It creates your connection to the internet. A similar device called an Optical Network Terminal performs the same duty for fiber internet service. Your router broadcasts that connection wirelessly to establish a Wi-Fi network. For more details, check out CNET’s modem vs. router guide.
Can I ask my ISP for a better router?
Certainly. Some providers, such as Xfinity, offer complimentary equipment upgrades after a certain time. Others may provide an upgrade upon request, although the upgrade may come with added fees. If you are interested in a better router, call your ISP to see if an equipment upgrade is available. Here’s how to tell if it’s time to upgrade your router.
How do I return my equipment after canceling service?
Your ISP should provide specific details regarding how to return your equipment. In most cases, your provider will send you a shipping label (if necessary) and instructions to return your equipment for free via USPS, UPS or FedEx. If your ISP has a brick-and-mortar store location, you may be able to return the equipment there as well.
