Top Rated Wireless Routers - Insights

Remote work and home offices are becoming common fixtures in our careers. Permanent work-from-home options, as well as hybrid flextime, are available.

Companies may require you to show that you have the necessary equipment at home to work. While a microphone for remote meetings, headphones, and a space to work on your laptop are often necessary, hybrid and fully remote roles alike demand one critical component: connectivity.

Also: Mesh networking vs. traditional Wi-Fi routers: What is best for your home office?

You might already have internet connectivity and a wireless router good enough to support mobile devices, smart home products, and content streaming services like Netflix. However, you may also need to add work-related systems and software to the mix, which could require a high-end network with minimal dead spots.

If this sounds like what you are looking for, consider getting a new router or modem to keep up, as the standard router issued by your ISP might not be up to the job.

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What’s the best Wi-Fi router right now?

To find the best Wi-Fi routers, we researched popular and new options on the market and found the top options for different needs and budgets. We have also leaned upon our extensive experience in hardware, spoken to experts, and researched customer reviews.

The TP-Link AXE16000 is our top choice for the best Wi-Fi router overall, thanks to its rapid speeds, which are excellent for working from home, streaming, or gaming. Check out the rest of our picks for traditional and mesh Wi-Fi routers below.

The best Wi-Fi routers of 2024

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Pros

• Rapid speeds
• NAS compatible
• Highly capable router

Cons

• Expensive
• The design won’t appeal to everyone

TP-Link AXE16000 (Archer AXE300)

Best Wi-Fi router overall, currently on sale

The TP-Link AXE16000 Archer AXE300 could be your best solution if you need high streaming power for gaming or online work systems that require quick and stable connectivity. It is a quad-band router optimized for heavy use, making it optimal for gamers or workers who need high bandwidth. It’s especially useful if you work from home and share your connectivity with other household members.

The TP-Link AXE16000 Archer AXE300 is a gigabit Wi-Fi 6 router. It comes with rapid speeds of up to 15.6 Gbps across the 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz channels, a quad-core CPU, high-speed ports, parental controls, optional HomeShield security, and support for over 200 devices.

Also: 10 ways to speed up your internet connection today

While it’s difficult to estimate the range, TP-Link’s router has eight antennas and is described as suitable for large homes. Customers love this router as an excellent option for handling multiple devices but note that $400 is an expensive investment for a router.

TP-Link AXE16000 Archer AXE300 features : Quad-band | Speeds of up to 15.6 Gbps | 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz channels | 4 Gigabit LAN ports | Guest mode

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Pros

• 8 Ethernet ports, 2 USB 3.0
• A powerful machine
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Bulky design

TP-Link Archer AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 router

Best Wi-Fi 6 router

The $250 TP-Link Archer AX10000 is a high-performance router that stands out as a Wi-Fi 6 model. Choosing a Wi-Fi 6 device now is an investment for future-proofing your home connectivity – at least, while we wait for the new Wi-Fi 7 standard – as this standard provides the capacity for devices to send more data during transmissions, which increases speed.

Also: The best mesh routers that will extend your Wi-Fi further

The TP-Link Archer AX6000 is a valuable option for remote workers, gamers, and those who need stable, fast connectivity. This dual-band device supports 2.4GHz/5.0GHz frequencies and is equipped with a 1.8GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, and a variety of ports. TP-Link OneMesh is supported and there are plenty of LAN ports for wired cabling around your home or connecting smart home hubs.

Customers like how configurable this router is and many consider it excellent value for money.

TP-Link Archer AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 router features : Tri-band | 2.5G WAN | 8 Gigabit LAN Ports | VPN | Speeds of up to 10 Gbps | 5 GHz & 2.4 GHz,1024-QAM and 160 MHz channels | 2 USB 3.0 | 1.8 GHz processor

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Pros

• Blazing fast speeds
• Fantastic coverage

Cons

• Expensive setup for larger spaces

Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763)

Best for large homes

The Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) is a Gigabit Wi-Fi system based on mesh technologies best suited for homes that need a lot of coverage. You can harness the network to provide support for up to 75 devices in around seven rooms, making dead zones a thing of the past.

Furthermore, the router system includes parental app controls and support for 160MHz channels, which boosts the speed of mobile device connectivity. You can purchase packs including routers and additional satellites to increase coverage – starter packs begin at 5,000 square feet.

Also: The best Wi-Fi extenders

A year of Netgear Armor is included for free. Prices begin at $250 for a two-pack and you can also buy individual satellites to expand your range separately. While complicated to install – an issue we also found during testing – once setup, customers like the speed and connectivity this router provides.

Netgear Orbi AX5400 features : Wi-Fi 6, 2.4GHz, 5GHz bands, MU-MIMO capable,160MHz channels | Up to 5.4 Gbps+ | WAN, LAN, Ethernet ports | 1GHz dual-core CPU | Up to 12,500 square feet range

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Pros

• VPN option, VPN plus, acts as a VPN server or client
• Upgradeable with mesh options
• Up to 3,000 square feet of coverage

Cons

• Mesh upgrades for larger homes can be expensive

Synology RT2600ac

Best VPN Wi-Fi router

If your employer requires a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while you work remotely, the $150 Synology RT2600ac Wi-Fi router may be a suitable option.

A VPN makes internet connections more secure by encrypting communication between browser sessions and servers. It can also be used to mask your original IP address. Therefore, if workers are asked to connect to corporate resources, a VPN can keep access secure.

Also: The best VPN routers

The Synology RT2600ac is a dual-band, MU-MIMO router already equipped with a VPN option, VPN Plus, to act as a VPN server or client. Support is also available for Synology SSL VPN, PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec. To facilitate the use of VPN servers and clients, the router is powered by a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, as well as 4x4 802.11ac wave 2 radios.

The router is capable of speeds of up to 2.53 Gbps. Additionally, this product has a useful feature for streaming, as it can connect to storage cards or USB 3.0 drives to stream content to TVs and other devices. Granted, it’s an older model, but considering the price point, it’s still a great upgrade on your ISP-issued router – and customers appreciate how affordable this option is.

Synology RT2600ac features : 4x4 dual band | VPN | 1.7GHz processor | Up to 2.53 Gbps | Traffic monitoring | Parental controls

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Pros

• An excellent option for advanced home setups
• Excellent signal

Cons

• Expensive
• A far-from-discreet design

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000

Best Wi-Fi router for gaming

The $500 Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is a quad-band Wi-Fi 6E gaming router. Customers continually report great coverage and speed (up to 16000 Mbps). Four frequency bands – including one at 6 GHz – provide greater capacity and low latency – making it a perfect option for hardcore gamers.

Also: How to set up a VPN on your router

This market has influenced Asus in regard to features, which include gaming acceleration. As a bonus, the router has two 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports. This isn’t a router for basic Wi-Fi; instead, you should consider this option as an investment piece that will support your work, online activities, and gaming for years to come. Customers report that this router is powerful, with solid connectivity and excellent Wi-Fi speeds.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 features: Quad-band | Dual 10G ports | 6 GHz | speeds up to 16000 Mbps | Asus AiMesh support | Instant Guard

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What is the best Wi-Fi router?

Based on extensive research, the TP-Link AXE16000 (Archer AXE300) is the best Wi-Fi router, combining scalability, speed, and coverage. While it might be too much of an investment for some, you should consider this router if you want a future-proof heavyweight device capable of handling multiple connections without sacrificing speed or stability.

Which is the right Wi-Fi router for you?

When you decide to upgrade your existing router setup or replace the basic device your ISP gave you – which often doesn’t allow consumers to enjoy the full potential of the speed they are paying for – you first need to decide your Wi-Fi priorities.

If you’re home with multiple occupants and many devices, a mesh network is probably the best way to go, especially if you are on a large property. However, if it is more important to you to have speed and reliability over coverage potential, then a traditional router might be the best option.

How did we choose these Wi-Fi routers?

We examined popular and new options on the market, selecting products with various budgets and intended uses in mind. With hybrid and remote working practices now becoming a permanent feature of many people’s day-to-day activities, dedicated and solid routers are necessary for both business and home life.

It was important to include both traditional and mesh products . Despite the recent changes in work environments, we can’t forget that family and friends also need stable connections for entertainment, education, and gaming.

Ultimately, we based our choices on the following features:

• Internet connectivity: Naturally, this has to be one of the top considerations. With so many of us working from home and reliant on the internet- not to mention using online services to control home devices and entertainment- we ensured that the products selected would provide the level of connectivity we now all need.
• Speed & bandwidth: As old copper cabling transforms to fiber in our cities, we need routers that can handle improved speeds. As a result, we considered the channels, WAN ports, processing power, and acceleration options available.
• Additional features: A Wi-Fi router doesn’t have to be just an access point to the Internet. Many manufacturers now implement additional controls and service support to entice consumers, including parental controls, gaming channels, and NAS compatibility.
• VPNs: We have included routers able to support Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs are an excellent tool for improving your online privacy and security.
• Budget: Not every home needs a blazingly fast, future-proof Wi-Fi router, and sometimes, affordability is key. We have included a selection of devices suitable for different budgets.

What is the difference between a traditional router and mesh Wi-Fi?

Traditional Wi-Fi routers provide a single access point for your broadband/fiber connections. However, if there are too many connections made at the same time, this can cause bottlenecks and may impact the reliability of a connection.

It is often the case that standard routers offer improved power and speed when the number of connections is manageable in comparison to mesh, but mesh offers extended, blanket coverage with more access points. As a result, wired and traditional routers are often better for gaming and streaming, whereas mesh is a solid option when you have multiple people and connections in a home.

Is it worth upgrading from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)?

Yes, if you are willing to front the expense for a better connection. With our world now dominated by smartphones, IoT devices, and streaming services, an upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 gives you access to more streams and potentially faster services.

Does it matter which router I buy?

Yes. As the central hub and entryway for your broadband, it’s imperative you have a router suitable for your needs. If you have a busy household and numerous devices sending traffic simultaneously, you should consider investing in a modern router to handle heavy traffic loads. If you need to position your router in an awkward spot or have a large property, a mesh router will help you avoid spotty coverage and give you a better range.

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What needs to be plugged into a router?

You will need to plug in your power cable and, at the least, an ethernet cable to link your router to a power source and modem. Many routers will offer additional ethernet ports, so you may want to plug in other devices, such as a smart hub for your lighting setup or further cabling for a wired internet connection in another room.

How long do Wi-Fi routers last?

We all know someone who still uses the same ISP-issued router from a decade ago, but relying on old equipment can cause problems with your connection stability and speed. Typically, you should replace your router every five years, but if you are working from home and the router is under constant, heavy use, you may even want to replace it sooner.

Where should I place my Wi-Fi router?

To get the best range and coverage from your Wi-Fi router, you’ll want to choose a somewhat central location in your home. Along with ensuring better coverage, a central location reduces the number of walls and obstacles it has to send the Wi-Fi signal through.

You’ll also want to avoid placing it next to other electronics, as their signals can interfere with one another; so avoid putting your router in the kitchen or your home theater.

What does bottleneck mean?

The more connections there are, the greater the risk of connectivity drops and congestion on your home network.

A bottleneck occurs when there is too much demand for bandwidth from too many devices and this impacts data transmission and requests. Delays in servicing requests can happen when there is too much load on available computing resources.

Basic routers supplied by your ISP and older models may not be enough now that you spend more time at home and connect even more devices, as they were not designed to deal with too many endpoints. While modern routers are now often able to handle more requests, mesh networking systems are an alternative to reducing the risk of delays and bottlenecks.

Are there alternative Wi-Fi routers worth considering?

There are lots of options out there if you’re shopping for a new Wi-Fi router. Here are other recommendations you might want to explore if none of the above appeals to you and you’d like to take advantage of a bargain.

Best Wi-Fi 6 alternative Netgear Nighthawk AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 router The $198 Netgear Nighthawk AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 router is dual-band and provides speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps over 2,500 square feet. View at Amazon Best router alternative for gaming Asus RT-AX82U (AX5400) The $200 Asus AX5400 is a dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 router delivering speeds of up to 5400 Mbps. View at Best Buy Best alternative for VPN usage Synology RT6600ax The $300 Synology RT6600ax is a VPN-ready router with integrated VPN support. View at Amazon Best mid-range alternative Linksys Hydra Pro AXE6600 The $224 Linksys Hydra Pro AXE6600 is a great mid-range router for gaming and modern applications. View at Best Buy Best alternative for speed TP-Link Archer (AXE7800) The $300 TP-Link Archer is a 6GHz band Wi-Fi router with speeds of up to 7.8 Gbps. View at Best Buy

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