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As we all know, a wireless network is an essential part of every digital home. A wireless router is the hub of your home or business network, passing a single Internet connection to other devices on the network through either wired Ethernet or a wireless connection. Getting one of the best wireless routers doesn’t just boost performance, especially if you rent a router from your ISP. It also ensures a stable connection, often over larger rooms.
And when multiple people share the network, at home or work, a good connection is of the utmost importance. The best wireless routers are often equipped with some extra features, such as additional ports or smart home support.
Best Wireless Routers List
Choosing one of the best wireless routers listed below puts the power back in your hands, often at a price that can be recouped within a year simply by lowering your monthly bill.
Netgear Nighthawk AX8
With the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router, top performance and enhanced security go hand in hand, combining throughput that goes through the gigabit per second barrier with malware protection and Disney’s Circle app for blocking inappropriate content and managing family network usage. And with excellent performance through walls and floors, the Nighthawk AX8 works just as well in the real world as it does in the lab.
It may be expensive – most Wi-Fi 6 routers are – but the RAX80 offers easy setup and lets you configure the router precisely the way you want it. It also has a range of 90 feet, but provides better performance at distances of 50 feet, making it more suitable for medium-sized homes. The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is the Wi-Fi-6 router you can get if you don’t want to compromise on speed and security. This is currently the best wireless router that you can buy.
NETGEAR Nighthawk 8-Stream AX8 Wifi 6 Router (RAX80) – AX6000 Wireless Speed (Up to 6 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage
9 used from $125.00
Features
- WIFI 6 – STREAM EVERYTHING AT EPIC SPEED: Simultaneously stream uninterrupted movies, games, video calls or download/transfer files at 6Gbps WiFi speed. Works with existing and new WiFi 6 devices like iPhone 11, Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S10.
- WORKS WITH ALL INTERNET PROVIDERS: Replace your existing WiFi Router (separate modem or gateway required). Compatible with any Internet Service Provider up to 2Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, DSL and more.
- EASY TO SET-UP AND MANAGE: Connects to your existing cable modem and sets up and customizes in minutes with the Nighthawk app – easily manage your WiFi settings at the device and network level, test your Internet speed, view speed history and monitor data usage.
- USB CONNECTIONS: Share a storage drive with any connected device and create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere using the 2 x 3.0 USB ports.
- NETGEAR ARMOR protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
The first game router we tested and equipped with Wi-Fi 6, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, is a pleasure for the gamer, with a speed that improves over a more extended range, low latency, and all the features that gamers expect. Add it all, and most other game routers are now second best. The GT-AX11000 is large, with a huge base, eight rotating antennas, and a huge 10.8 Gbps maximum throughput.
This router has drop-in connectivity, thanks to its tri-band design and four downstream Gigabit LAN ports, a single 2.5G Base T Ethernet connection, and two USB 3.0 ports. The built-in customization and gaming-oriented optimizations provide great control, and you can even pair it with other Asus routers for mesh networks to cover a larger home. At $450, it’s expensive, but this is the best wireless router for gamers who want an edge online.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 AX11000 Tri-Band 10 Gigabit WiFi Router, Aiprotection Lifetime Security by Trend Micro, Aimesh Compatible for Mesh WIFI System, Next-Gen Wifi 6, Wireless 802.11Ax, 4x Giga
$400.71 in stock
27 used from $191.19
Features
- Triple level game acceleration accelerate game traffic With device, game packet and game server prioritization.Power Supply : AC Input : 110V-240V(50-60Hz), DC Output : 19 V with max. 3.42 A current..Antenna : External antenna x 8
- Cutting edge hardware offers the best performance 1.8 GigaHertz Quad Core cpu and 2.5 G gaming port for ultimate performance
- Your own gaming mesh network Compatible with ASUS AiMesh Wi Fi system for seamless whole home coverage.Memory:256 MB Flash,1 GB RAM
- ASUS wrt enables support for open, advanced monitoring and control which includes device bandwidth utilization as well as device or usage prioritization
- ASUS AiProtection security to neutralize internet threats before they hit your network
Google Nest WiFi
There are several mesh Wi-Fi solutions on the market, and while they will all cover your home in wireless signals, our favorite should be the Nest WiFi. Created by Google, the Nest WiFi is small enough to hide out of sight and stylish enough that you don’t have to. But the real attraction for the compact mesh units is more than just excellent performance. Each mesh extension of the Nest WiFi system has a Google Home smart speaker built-in, giving you one of the best voice assistants in the house, along with a powerful wireless signal.
The fast Nest WiFi also delivers one of the easiest setup processes we’ve ever used, making it a matter of time to set up extensions around the house. What’s more, it works with all the older Google WiFi units you might own. But the addition of Google Assistant puts it over the top. It provides an elegant way to add voice control throughout your home, and easy integration with many of the best smart home devices and all of the best Google Home compatible devices.
Google Nest WiFi Router 2 Pack (2nd Generation) – 4x4 AC2200 Mesh Wi-Fi Routers with 4400 Sq Ft Coverage
$85.00 in stock
6 used from $52.99
Features
- This product includes 2 router units..Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion
- Nest Wifi is a scalable and flexible Wi-Fi system. These Nest Wifi devices work together to blanket your whole home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi and eliminate buffering in every room – with coverage up to 4400 square feet.[1]
- 1 Wi-Fi router plugs into your internet provider’s modem to create your Wi-Fi network. The other extends the wireless network and keeps your connection fast to devices in every room. For more coverage, add Nest Wifi routers or points to your system.
- Nest Wifi routers are strong enough to handle up to 200 connected devices, and fast enough to stream multiple 4K videos at a time.[2] Compatible with Google Wifi; Ethernet ports included on each router. 15W power adapter.
- Intelligently works behind the scenes to make sure your Wi-Fi remains fast.[3] Walk from room to room on a video call with an uninterrupted signal. Nest Wifi automatically updates itself to get new features and help your network stay safe and sound.
TP-Link Archer C2300
The TP-Link Archer C2300 has a deceptively gentle design, but don’t be fooled – it’s one of the most powerful routers you can buy. It’s the reigning performance champ, pumping almost a gigabit per second of data from our standard performance tests and shooting through walls and ceilings with ease. The Archer C2300 is not only the fastest router we’ve seen, but it’s also small, discreet, and packed with high-quality features.
The Archer C2300 comes with built-in optimization tools such as antivirus, QoS, and parental controls usually found on more expensive competitors. At $120, it’s less than half the cost of comparable performing competitors and is backed by a two-year warranty. The TP-Link Archer C2300 is simply the best wireless router you can buy today.
TP-LINK (Archer C2300) AC2300 (600+1625) Wireless Dual Band GB Cable Router, USB 3.0, MU-MIMO
$69.00 in stock
4 used from $48.99
Features
- Router
Asus RT-AX86U
Asus has always had an excellent line of gaming-centric devices, and the Asus RT-AX86U continues that tradition. Although it’s expensive compared to conventional routers, it’s a competitively-priced Wi-Fi 6 router. And, given that Wi-Fi 6 has the future in connectivity, this router is a victory for Asus and an ace for gamers. It also has some great features for gamers, such as a 2.5 Gigabit Wan, the ability to assign an Ethernet port as a dedicated “gaming” port, and NVIDIA Geforce Nu Cloud Gaming Optimization. Finally, it comes with handy parental controls if you need them.
ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 Dual Band + WiFi 6 Gaming Router, 802.11ax, up to 2500 sq ft & 35+ Devices, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Lifetime Free Internet Security, Mesh WiFi Support, 2.5G Port, Gaming Port
26 used from $149.10
Features
- New-generation WiFi 6 - Enjoy ultrafast speeds up to 5700 Mbps with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and 160MHz channels.Power Supply : 19 V with max. 2.37 A current / 19.5 V with max. 2.31 A current. Antenna : External antenna x 3, Internal PCB antenna x 1.
- Mobile Game Mode - Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app
- True 2 Gbps wired and wireless speeds - Aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections, wired 2.5 Gbps port and WiFi 6
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click sharable secure VPN.
- Easy Extendable Network – Enjoy seamless roaming with rich, advanced features by adding any AiMesh-compatible router.
TP-Link Archer AX6000
Wi-Fi 6 routers are not cheap, but the value is the name of the game for the TP-Link Archer AX6000 router, our favorite budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router. It may lag in performance and range, but it offers Wi-Fi 6 speeds, for $100 less than competing Wi-Fi 6 models. Think of the Archer AX6000 as the affordable router for first-generation Wi-Fi 6 devices.
With eight wired network ports and the ability to pair two together to create a 2Gbps data stream, the Archer AX6000 router from TP-Link leads the way for Wi-Fi 6 routers that are as good with wired devices as they are with Wi-Fi. By adding router-based security, the Archer AX6000 stands alone as one of the best wireless routers you can get at a price that’s hard to beat.
TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router, 8-Stream Smart WiFi Router - Next-Gen 802.11ax Router, 2.5G WAN Port, 8 Gigabit LAN Ports, MU-MIMO, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU, USB 3.0, Free HomeCare(Archer AX6000)
9 used from $160.00
Features
- High Speed WiFi 6 Interent Router: AX6000 Dual Band Wi-Fi speed boosted by 1024QAM deliver wireless speed up to 5952 Mbps: 4804 Mbps (5GHz) and 1148 Mbps (2.4GHz)
- Highly efficient: OFDMA increases average throughput by 4x in high density scenarios, compared with an 802.11ac standard wireless internet router; More devices can use Wi-Fi at the same time
- Long Range WiFi Coverage: 8 high-gain external antennas deliver a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. BSS colour technology ensures smooth and stable connections by eliminate signal interference probably from your neighbours, while Beamforming and Range Boost deliver stronger and far-reaching network
- Powerful Processing: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU and 2 co-processors eradicate latency and deliver stable Performance
- Ultra-Connectivity: 1 × 2.5Gbps WAN port, 8 × Gigabit LAN ports, and 2 × USB 3.0 in Type A and Type C
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300
Although priced as a high-performance or gaming router, the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) delivers in a different (and perhaps more critical) area: Cybersecurity. The RS400 may provide stable performance and enough range to cover most homes. Still, the real value is protection, with a fistful of security features from Netgear and Bitdefender, including three years of protection from Bitdefender Total Security software.
The RS400 is built to protect your entire connected home, from your laptops and phones to a whole range of smart devices, from TVs to ovens, thermostats, and doorbell cameras. With so many devices on today’s home network, you need to be more vigilant, because one poorly secured gadget can open you up to hackers and malware. The RS400 keeps your entire home safe and easy to install and manage, making it our favorite cybersecurity router.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 WiFi Router with 4 Ethernet Ports and Wireless speeds up to 2.6 Gbps, AC2600, Optimized for Low ping
17 used from $99.99
Features
- Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired connectivity and 1.7 GHz dual core processor network efficiency.Beamforming : Implicit & Explicit Beamforming. LEDs : On/off LED lights option.
- Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2600 dual band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps
- Put your gaming traffic in a designated express lane with advanced quality of service, bypassing network congestion and reducing lag spikes, jumps and jitters
- Make every millisecond count by using Geo filtering to connect to the closest servers and players so you can respond and dominate
- Monitor your network and game ping in real time so you can see who’s hogging the bandwidth by device and application
TP-Link Archer A7
The TP-Link Archer A7 is the best wireless router for people on a budget, delivering excellent 802.11ac performance and a surprising number of features for less than most competitive routers. The Archer A7 has excellent performance for the price – pushing through more data than most of the relatively priced routers we’ve tested – and features four Gigabit LAN ports and a USB 2.0 port for connecting devices.
In addition to reliable performance and features, the Archer A7 also has a straightforward setup process and convenient parental control, with an app that allows you to monitor and control network usage from anywhere. It may not be loaded with customization tools, but it offers parental control and Quality of Service (QoS) software that provides above-average performance. It is the most valuable wireless router we have tested.
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router for Home, Works with Alexa, VPN Server, Parental Control&QoS (Archer A7)
$73.30 in stock
23 used from $25.50
Features
- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders.Processor : Qualcomm CPU.
- Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
- Dual band router upgrades to 1750 Mbps high speed internet(450mbps for 2.4GHz, 1300Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K streaming
- 3 external antennas for long range Wi-Fi. System Requirements-Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 12.0, Chrome 20.0, Safari 4.0, or other JavaScript-enabled browser. Cable or DSL Modem (if needed)
- Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, fast access to multiple connected wired devices, Ideal as a gaming router
TP-Link Archer C5400X
The TP-Link Archer C5400X is the gaming router to beat, with some of the best performance you’ll see in a single home network device. It offers best-in-class tri-band performance and delivers 1 Gbps over the 2.4 GHz band and 2.167 Gbps over each of the two 5 GHz channels. It also has impressive coverage, with more than 100-feet of an excellent range that will cover most homes is robust and clear Wi-Fi signals.
The arachnid 8 antenna design and red-on-black color scheme will certainly make heads turn. Still, the real selling point is the set of optimization and security features that will satisfy every power user. With excellent bandwidth-allocation controls to let you use the massive throughput the way you want, this router puts incredible performance in the user’s hands, for gaming or anything else. Overall, this is one of the best wireless routers on the market.
TP-Link AC5400 Tri Band Gaming Router – MU-MIMO, 1.8GHz Quad-Core 64-bit CPU, Game First Priority, Link Aggregation, 16GB Storage, Airtime Fairness, Secured Wifi, Works with Alexa (Archer C5400X)
Features
- JD Power Award- Highest in customer satisfaction for wireless routers 2017 and 2019
- Wi-Fi Router Made for Gamers: Leading edge 1.8 GHz 64 bit Quad-core CPU and 1G RAM accelerates loading
- 8 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port, with Link Aggregation, you can team two ports to double connection speed
- AC5400 Tri-band Wi-Fi over one 2.4 GHz (1000Mbps) and two 5 GHz bands (2167Mbps), dedicate one band to gaming traffic.
- MU-MIMO and AirTime Fairness maximize total throughput and response rates.
Asus RT-AX56U
Wi-Fi 6 is the new advanced technology in networking. And while it offers higher speeds, better connections, and a more fantastic range, it comes with a price tag. With the Asus RT-AX56U, the company has been able to offer Wi-Fi 6 performance at a much more reasonable price. And while it might not carry some additional features or ports that have some more robust options, it offers some important ones such as MU-MIMO and Parental Controls. So if you’re looking for a no-frills way to surf the web quickly, the Asus RT-AX56U might be the best wireless router for you.
ASUS RT-AX56U AX1800 WiFi 6 Dual-Band WiFi Router, Lifetime Internet Security with AiProtection, Whole-home WiFi with AiMesh, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, VPN Setting
Features
- Maximum Range : 3000 Sq Ft
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Standard - Supporting the latest Wi-Fi standard 802 11AX (Wi-Fi 6) and 80MHz bandwidth for better capacity and efficiency
- Ultrafast WiFi Speed - RT-AX56U supports 80MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections With a total networking speed of about 1800Mbps — 574 Mbps on the 2 4GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5GHz band
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency - Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- Commercial-grade Security - lifetime free AiProtection powered by Trend Micro blocks internet security threats for all your connected smart devices