I hope you’ll agree with me when I say:
Life is not possible today without a good Wireless Router. Or is it?
Well, there is only ONE problem. Finding a “Good” router isn’t an easy job.
That is why we have created a list of Best Wireless Routers of 2022. After researching online and spending hours in testing these Wi-Fi routers, I have shortlisted the top 10 routers which you can buy right now.
Best Wireless Routers 2022
1. TP-Link Talon AD7200
2. Google WiFi
3. Asus RT-AC88U
4. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000
5. D-Link DIR 890L
6. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10
7. Amped Wirelss RTA2600 Athena
8. Linksys WRT1900 AC
9. TP-Link Archer C7
10. Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station
Several of these routers are not for everyone because some carry a hefty price-tag.
However, these wireless routers are good enough to make it to our list of the top 10 best WiFi Routers 2022.
Quick Summary: Our Top 5 Picks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK  | TOP PICK |
| Check On Amazon | |
 |
| Check On Amazon | ||
The Gamers Choice  | The Gamers Choice |
| Check On Amazon | |
Range covering Wifi System  | Range covering Wifi System |
| Check On Amazon | |
 |
| Check On Amazon |
Contents
- Best Wireless Routers 2022
- 1. TP-Link Talon AD7200 – Latest Technology
- 2. Google WiFi – Best Range covering Wifi System
- 3. Asus RT-AC88U – The Gamers Choice
- 4. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 – AC1900 Dual-Band Router (best inexpensive option)
- 5. D-Link DIR 890L – Best Range Wireless Router
- 6. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 – Expensive yet Powerful
- 7. Amped Wirelss RTA2600 Athena
- 8. Linksys WRT1900 AC – Best DD-WRT WiFi Router
- 9. TP-Link Archer C7 – Best Budget Wireless Router 2022
- 10. Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station – Elegant and Unique in Looks
- Best Wireless Routers: Buyer’s Guide
- Top Rated WiFi Routers
1. TP-Link Talon AD7200 – Latest Technology
The TP-Link Talon AD7200 Wi-Fi Router holds the credential of being the first 802.11ad router in the market.
However, that is not the only trick up its sleeve. The router packs in many cutting-edge features to ensure ultimate performance.
Although it’s not inexpensive, this router offers a few impressive features for the price! In this review, we will go into every aspect of this router and find out whether it’s worth your money.
If you thought the Nighthawk X10 is large, wait till you see this one! The TP-Link Talon AD7200 dwarfs its competitor with dimensions of 9.0 x 9.0 x 1.7 inches. This gargantuan router is one of the biggest home routers available in the market today.
While its size may be imposing, the design is understated. The smart antenna design lets you fold down all nine antennas to provide for a flat top surface. Overall, the design philosophy follows function over form.
Like its direct competitor, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, the Talon AD7200 packs an impressive list of features.
- The Talon AD7200 uses multi-Band technology to run three distinct Wi-Fi bands at once.
- The router supports a combined Wi-Fi speed of 7.2 Gbps (Band 1: 800 Mbps @2.4GHz, Band 2: 1733 Mbps @5GHz, Band 3: 4600 Mbps @60GHz).
- While a traditional router can only stream to one device at a time, the Wireless AC and Multi-User MIMO technologies of the Talon AD7200 facilitates simultaneous streaming.
- The 1.4 GHz dual-core processor is powerful enough to support multiple users at once.
- It has eight state-of-the-art external antennas which help in maximizing range and performance.
- It has 1 WAN and four high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- The two super speed USB 3.0 ports allow you to transfer files to an external HDD or USB drive directly.
- TP-Link provides an easy-to-use one-app solution to setup, manage and update your router.
To enhance the Talon AD7200’s practicality, TP-Link says that it will update the firmware to let you set up all three bands as a single Wi-Fi network. That will be quite a useful feature indeed!
This router offers another simple solution to the installation process. You can download the TP-Link Tether mobile application and follow the instructions to set up your router.
While those scores may not be as impressive as its chief competitor, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, it is not bad. When you factor in the price difference, the Talon AD7200 shines brighter than its competitor.
In the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the Talon AD7200 manages to edge the Nighthawk X10. The router has speeds of around 100 Mbps in the close-proximity test and 80 Mbps at a range of 30 feet.
The performance in the 60 GHz AD frequency band is very similar to the Nighthawk X10. In the close-proximity test, the Talon AD7200 managed to impress us with scores averaging 950 Mbps! However, since the 60 GHz frequency can’t penetrate through walls, don’t expect any network coverage beyond your router’s line-of-sight.
- The performance on all the Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- Installation and management of the router are easy due to the TP-Link Tether mobile application.
- The price is reasonable, when you compare to the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10.
- The AD frequency band is supported by a handful of devices currently and the signal cannot penetrate through walls.
- The router has an enormous footprint.
2. Google WiFi – Best Range covering Wifi System
The Google Wifi is unlike any router you may have seen before. In fact, it would be wrong to call it a router.
It’s a Wi-Fi system and possibly the best one in the market today.
In this comprehensive review, we will cover all the major features of this unique Wi-Fi system and provide an in-depth understanding of how the three Google Wifi units function together to provide superior wireless connectivity.
The white body of the router is divided, by an unobtrusive LED light which lends a touch of elegance to the design. Overall, the design deserves high praise and will be well-suited to modern homes.
- The Google Wifi system has simultaneous dual-band Wifi (2.4GHz / 5GHz) which supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards.
- The 3-pack Google Wifi system is perfect for a large home (3000-4500 square feet).
- You can quickly expand the network by purchasing another Google Wifi unit.
- The 710 MHz quad-core processor coupled with 512 MB RAM, ensures excellent network performance.
- It has an antenna-less elegant design.
- It has two high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- The two ports function as a LAN and WAN port on the primary unit, while on the secondary units both the ports can provide LAN functionality.
- You can control the system using Alexa and Google Home voice commands.
- The app provides detailed statistics for each device.
- Schedule your Google Wifi system to pause the connection automatically.
- Prioritize a device and ensure it operates at the desired bandwidth.
- Control smart lights and even the Nest systems using this app.
Once the scanning process is complete, the app will guide you to configure your network with a name and password. After that, you need to pair the secondary units and label them in the app for reference. Voila! Your setup is complete!
In the 5 GHz frequency band close-proximity (same-room) test, the Wi-Fi system scored higher than 450 Mbps. That’s seriously impressive when you consider the fact that the much larger Talon AD7200 managed a similar rating.
It also performs very well in the long-range test, with speeds of 200 Mbps. Bear in mind that this is a single unit and not the system as a whole. When all the units updates strategically, there will be no range anxieties whatsoever.
The Google Wifi unit performs respectably in the 2.4 GHz frequency band as well. The speeds of 100 Mbps for the close-proximity test and 70 Mbps for the long range test are comparable to high-end routers.
The Google Wifi system provides an experience, unlike any other router. It’s elegant, simplistic and offers lots of versatility. If you have a large home and want superior connectivity in all parts, the Google Wifi system (3-Pack) is the one we recommend.
No router or Wi-Fi system can provide a seamless experience like this one.
- The performance on all the Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- The subtle and compact design fits anywhere in your home.
- Other than managing and setting up the network, the proprietary app provides nifty features like controlling your smart home.
- It’s a lot lower priced than other Wi-Fi systems.
- You need to stay logged into a Google account when using this Wi-Fi system.
3. Asus RT-AC88U – The Gamers Choice
Most of the computer enthusiasts or users know of the company Asus because of their top of the line laptops for gaming. However, Asus is also at the helm for creating several high ends, top of the line routers. The device we are talking about is the RT-AC88U. This router costs under $300, and it happens to be one of the best wireless routers someone can buy right now.
The wireless router offers a stylish, sleek look. If someone has used an Asus product in the past, they will find this design familiar. The router is aesthetically pleasing with its complete black construction with red accents along the antennas; it looks straight out of a gaming lineup by Asus and could easily complement your other gaming peripherals.
The RT-AC88U is an AC3100 router which comes with a total of 8 Gigabit LAN ports. Do keep in mind though that these ports are capable of delivering high-speed internet without suffering from any performance issues. Also, don’t forget that it is a dual-band router that can act as a NAS as well. With that said, Asus has paid a significant amount of attention to detail even when designing the web interface as it happens to be super intuitive and easy to use. The WiFi performance of the router on both 2.4 gigahertz and the five gigahertz bands stayed faster than ever without any performance decreases.
Installation, Configuration, and Performance
The installation process of RT-AC88U is a piece of cake, thanks to the fantastic web interface. When you connect it to the PC and the internet for the first time, the Asus Web Interface will automatically launch and give you two options to configure the router after you power up the PC. You can then continue with the wizard or set it manually.
The Quick Internet Setup wizard will check your internet connection and configure your router as a Dynamic IP, Static IP or PPPoE, depending on your connection type selection. After that, it allows you to set a name for each SSID, and then create a network encryption key for each band. With that complete, it’s setup.
When it comes to performance, the Asus RT-AC88U provides multi-client MU-MIMO data streaming, works extremely fast on both bands (2.4 Gigahertz and 5 Gigahertz) plus file reading/writing and transfers were great.
- The router comes with 8 Gigabit LAN ports that can easily handle the fastest possible internet
- The Wi-Fi performance happens to be one of the best we have used in a long, long time.
- Asus’ has given us one of the best web interfaces we have used on a wireless router. It’s simple, easy to use and highly intuitive.
- The placing of the USB 3.0 isn’t the best we have seen.
- Once coupled with an external hard drive and used as a NAS, the router manages to give the only mediocre performance for the price you are paying for it.
4. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 – AC1900 Dual-Band Router (best inexpensive option)
The next up is another dual-band router. Although, the offer is from none other than the famous Netgear. For those who don’t know, the company is known for creating a plethora of top of the line wireless routers that have become increasingly famous over time. Netgear is a company that has dedicated itself towards providing top of the line, unparalleled networking hardware, including their brilliant wireless routers.
The product that we are bringing you today is called the Netgear Nighthawk R7000. As the name suggests, the router looks nothing less of a stealth fighter jet. The Nighthawk R7000 is AC1900, with 1,300 Mbps speed in the five gigahertz band and 600 Mbps speed on the 2.4 gigahertz band.
I like R7000 more than R8000 because it’s affordable and much easier to install.
During our testing, it became apparent that the R7000 may be the best Netgear wireless router we have used till date. Curious yet? Let’s find out.
However, we found that issue to be subjective as it happens that you will only need to make space for the router once, and won’t be moving it a lot afterward.
The WiFi router also manages to perform well on different ranges. The bands manage to give you performance that is better than the performance provided by your standard Ethernet connection.
The router also comes with the support for OpenVPN and thanks to the OpenDNS; there is a complete parental control package built into the router.
The router even comes with QoS (Quality of Service) for those who don’t know. A feature that can let you manage the upstream and downstream of your internet connection. Cool, we’d say. If you want more, the router can also act as a NAS and a pretty good one.
- The Nighthawk gives an incredible, unparalleled performance on the five gigahertz band.
- It has a slew of features that you usually won’t expect from an affordable router.
- The router looks and feels amazing. It also has a great build quality.
- The amazing build quality comes at a cost of added bulkiness that might not allure everyone.
- Although the performance is good, the 2.4 gigahertz band suffers to deliver as good as the competition.
- The software features are a nice addition, though they need proper finishing.
5. D-Link DIR 890L – Best Range Wireless Router
The next up on our list is one of the top tier wireless routers from D-Link. For those who don’t know, the company has a long history of providing some of the best networking products and the AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi DIR-890 isn’t here to tell a different story. It’s perhaps one of the most stylish looking wireless routers we have encountered. Where the Nighthawk resembled a stealth jet, the DIR-890 looks like race car enthusiasts built it. But looks aren’t everything, right? Let’s find out how this router fairs in things that matter.
The DIR-890 is a fantastic router regarding speed and functionality.
Testing revealed that the router is fast, easy to setup and use. It also has a good speed/range when using this device for Wi-Fi. Another great thing about this router is that it comes with the ability to be doubled up as a NAS by adding an external hard drive.
During the testing, the range seemed promising enough.
- Incredibly fast and problem free Wi-Fi with decent range.
- Stellar build quality and amazing aesthetics.
- The router is easy to setup and use.
- The antennas can’t be detached.
- The price might be an issue for some.
6. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 – Expensive yet Powerful
The NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart Wi-Fi Router is for those looking to have the best VR gaming and 4K video streaming experience. It doesn’t come cheap though. This behemoth of a router will make your pockets lighter by over $400!
In all fairness, this router does offer an awful lot for the price! In addition to supporting three Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, and 60 GHz), it has 7 Gigabit Ethernet ports (6 LAN, 1 WAN) along with a 10 Gigabit SPF+ LAN port. On top of that, it features Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming, and 160 MHz Wi-Fi technology which doubles the Wi-Fi speeds to mobile devices.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore all these stellar features and find out whether the Nighthawk X10’s high price is justified.
Regarding design, the Nighthawk X10 doesn’t try to be gaudy or in-your-face. The four external antennas feature an interesting stitched pattern of blue LEDs along the side. We feel that it ups the cool factor, although your mileage may vary.
- It features 802.11ac Quad-Stream Wave2 Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO, which helps in delivering high-speed Wi-Fi to multiple devices simultaneously.
- The router supports a combined Wi-Fi speed of 7.2 Gbps (Band 1: 800 Mbps @2.4GHz, Band 2: 1733 Mbps @5GHz, Band 3: 4600 Mbps @60GHz).
- The 1.7 GHz quad-core processor aids gaming and 4K streaming performance.
- It has four dual-band antennas with high-powered amplifiers to maximize range and throughput.
- The 10 Gigabit LAN SFP+ port allows for quick Network-attached Storage (NAS) access.
- Two of the Gigabit Ethernet ports can be combined to provide speeds up to 2 Gbps.
- The 160 MHz Wi-Fi can deliver up to twice the speed to mobile devices.
- It has two super speed USB 3.0 ports.
- The NETGEAR genie app comes with a plethora of features to manage, control and repair your home network.
- It features Amazon drive backup and supports Amazon Alexa commands.
NETGEAR also offers another solution to the installation process – The NETGEAR Up app. With the help of this mobile application, you can quickly setup, update, and configure your router.
The Nighthawk X10 scored nearly 400 Mbps in the 5 GHz band when tested at a distance of 30 feet. Its performance in the 2.4 GHz band was nothing short of excellent. It managed scores of 100 Mbps in the close-proximity test and experienced a drop of 25% at a distance of 30 feet.
The performance in the 60 GHz AD frequency band is what sets this device apart from high-end AC routers. The Nighthawk X10 blazed through the proximity test with scores of 950-960 Mbps! However, the long-range test failed miserably as the 60 GHz frequency can’t penetrate through walls.
Simply put, the Nighthawk X10 is one of the best home routers you can splurge on right now. However, this router has many features that are yet to be supported by devices. Most devices don’t support the 160 MHz Wi-Fi, and very few PCs are available with 802.11 AD network cards.
To sum it up, the Nighthawk X10 is like an electric car. It’s the future, but in today’s limited infrastructure, it will not perform to the highest potential.
- The performance on all the Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- The 10 Gbps LAN SFP+ port is fantastic if you use high-end NAS servers.
- The installation and management of this router are extremely easy due to the proprietary applications provided by NETGEAR.
- As of now, the AD frequency band is supported by only a handful of devices and the signal cannot penetrate through walls.
- It’s priced a little on the higher side.
7. Amped Wirelss RTA2600 Athena
Next on the list is the Amped Wireless RTA2600 Athena router. As long as you don’t confuse it with the Greek goddess Athena, the router will not disappoint you. Although not expensive, the router is for network enthusiasts. It might not have the bling of the other routers that we have reviewed, but it comes with plenty of features that should be enough for both the average consumer and people who are looking to have some more.
The router managed to fare pretty well in almost all the testing we did. Although, the router doesn’t have an awful lot of features like some of the other ones. However, the ones it has are properly polished and don’t require you to spend countless hours trying to figure out what is what. The router control panel is incredibly responsive, and very easy when it comes to setting up.
The router also comes with powerful hardware that should keep it afloat without giving any performance issues. One thing we love about this router is how nicely everything fits into a compact design. Yes, unlike some other routers, this isn’t an absolute behemoth. With that said, the performance on all fronts was respectable enough, and there were no disconnections during our test run. You can even connect multiple devices via Wi-Fi, and the performance will remain stellar. Perhaps, that is one of the major selling points of the RTA2600 Athena.
Conclusion
- The wireless router surprisingly gives a terrific performance.
- The performance over Wi-Fi is even better regardless of the number of devices connected to it.
- Setting up the router is a breeze and can be done with anyone who has a little knowledge about networking.
- Lacks some of the features that are available in competitors.
- Price may not allure everyone.
8. Linksys WRT1900 AC – Best DD-WRT WiFi Router
The next up on our list is a dual-band wireless router from Linksys. This router comes with the support for the AC1900 standard support. That means the five gigahertz band has a speed of 1,300 megahertz and the 2.5 gigahertz band has a speed of 600 megahertz. But is this router capable enough of holding against most of the top tier routers that we have already listed? Let’s find out.
As soon as you set your eyes on this router, you will remember the classic design and color scheme that has been gracing the routers from Linksys for quite some time. If you are thinking about putting this router on a work desk, you may have to clear some space as this is probably one of the largest routers we have seen in a while.
The router has four antennas and the firmware it ships with can be replaced by a completely custom firmware from a user. As soon as you take the router out of the box, you will experience that the router happens to be one of the fastest routers available in the market. It’s easy to set up and loaded with features. Linksys was also kind enough to add a full capability of doubling up this router as a NAS. However, that’s not the greatest thing about this device. The best thing about this router is that the NAS performance is unsurpassed when compared to all the other wireless routers we have been testing. Not to mention that it also supports UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and DLNA. Last, the performance on both bands is incredible. This router performs without any hiccups.
Even the Experts are in love with this wireless router. You can read the article by Samara Lynn on PCMag. It’s rated as excellent and got a 4.5 rating.
Conclusion
- The router comes with incredibly powerful hardware.
- Wi-Fi range is fantastic and delivers excellent speed.
- The NAS performance is probably the best we have seen.
- The design is retro and will please those who do it for the aesthetics.
- Price might be a bother for some.
- The default software is confusing for the newcomers, and lacking for the enthusiasts.
9. TP-Link Archer C7 – Best Budget Wireless Router 2022
TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 is the best budget wifi router out there (you can easily get those for less than $100).
The router is perfect for people who want to enjoy internet gaming and streaming because it has a combined speed of 1.75 Gbps.
The router is stylish and performs incredibly at every task thrown at it. For those who are looking at the perfect price and performance ratio, this router is a fabulous choice.
Moving on to the thing that matters, keep in mind that it happens to be a dual-band router. The router has a total of 6 antennas, and 3 of them are external while the remaining ones are internal. The increased number of antennas are perfect for giving you a respectable amount of Wi-Fi range, and the speed happens to be acceptable enough. The router also comes with average NAS capability.
- Excellent price to performance ratio
- Respectable performance on both the bands
- Good performance with streaming and online gaming
- NAS capability is a good addition
- Average build quality (All Plastic)
10. Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station – Elegant and Unique in Looks
The last in our list is all the way from Apple.
For those who are wondering if this router made it here by accident, it didn’t. Apple has a wireless router, and it’s decent. The router is unconventionally named AirPort Extreme Base Station. So, how does this router fair against other routers in the list? Well, let’s find out.
Let’s start off by how this router looks. Why? Because this is something coming out of Apple’s very own helm, and you should know that the router looks exactly like something made by Apple. Looks apart, the router is very capable and performs well. Do keep in mind that it’s a dual band router and supports the latest Wi-Fi standards as well. The router performed incredibly fast with all the tests thrown at it. Another great thing about this router is the amount of Wi-Fi stability and speed it provides. To be honest, Apple truly outdid themselves with this router as it has everything in the right spot.
As for the downsides of this router, there are none that will make you reconsider your decision of buying this router. The only complaint we have is that the router could have been a decent upgrade over its predecessors. Although it’s fast and fantastic, the upgrades seem subjective.
Final Verdict
- The router is a definitive looker.
- The performance it offers is speedy and impeccable.
- Very easy to set up and even easier to use.
- All the upgrades over the predecessor happen to be subjective.
Best Wireless Routers: Buyer’s Guide
For those who don’t know, wireless routers come with several things you need to consider before you spend hard earned money. They have different available speeds as well as different WiFi standards and support for multiple bands.
What is the technology behind a wireless Router?
A wireless router is a device that allows you connect to your modem and the gadgets you have at the home, office, or outdoors through wireless connections to the Internet at the same time.
A wireless router serves you more benefits than just connecting your many gadgets to the web all at once. You need up-to-date information about wireless router just before getting one because there are additional features you need to consider.
Below is complete information about the standard features of your wireless router and how they are of advantage to you.
To make things easier for you, below is the list of “Factors” you will encounter in the market along with their brief descriptions.
In wireless connections to printers, this is used a lot. Of course, you may not need a router with this USB functionality, but it’s always a wise choice to get one.
You may never know when the need will arise.
Routers without wired ports are a lot similar to access points. An access point will provide just the wireless connection without actually supplying internet connection itself. Access points connect internet service from a router to any connecting device. An access point is only useful if you already have a router at home or nearby. It will help transmit the signal from the router.
So be watchful when buying a wireless router without a wired point. Make sure you are getting a router, not just an access point.
Generally speaking though, the internal antenna appeals more to the eye. However, recognized is the external antenna being able to deliver more with its wider range of a signal. You will choose between beauty and performance. For me, it’s performance over beauty. If you are also about performance, I suggest you take a look at the NETGEAR Nighthawk R8000 Tri-Band router.
What to do now?
Now you have all the facts. Here is a quick review of what to look out for before getting that router.
- Make sure your router has a comprehensive coverage. A minimum range of 4572cm (150ft) for indoor use is good enough.
- Ensure your router has a dual band (broadband).
- Your router should be able to broadcast 802.11n as well as older versions.
- The router should be WAP2 secure.
- Should have a USB functionality as well as wired port.
- A suitable antenna type is a requirement. Preferably, an external antenna.
- Must support IPv6.
Of course, having a nice router means nothing if you don’t use the right provider, which best suits your needs. Provider packages can vary in speed, contract length, data limits, and setup costs, above all else. Take the time to compare broadband deals, in order to make the best out of your new router.
Jay from Tactical Being wrote this buyer’s guide.
If you’re looking for tips, guides, tricks, and reviews all in the name of camping, Tactical Being is the place to be as they offer reviews and recommendations on just about every gear you need when you go hiking or camping.
Final Words – Wrapping it up
Considerably, the market of wireless routers has a lot of saturation, and finding the perfect wireless router is not easy. That’s when lists like these come into play. This top 10 list of routers kept in mind things such as the needs of a customer and how much they are willing to spend on a wireless router.
We hope the list helps you pick the best wireless router according to your budget. Keep in mind, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” component, which is why each router is built for the needs of different consumers. Within the list, there are routers for budget oriented consumers and for networking elites.
In case you think we missed a good router, let us know.
Top Rated WiFi Routers
Enjoyed this? Then be sure to check out our other guides on 3D doodler pens and smartwatches worth the money.
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What about the Latest Nighthawk R8500? It is the latest from Netgear and why it is not here?
Hey Simon,
Yes, we know about that and we have tested it out. However, that model doesn’t qualify for out Top 10 Lists due to some reasons listed below.
1. That is an AC5300 model and yet the only router which has this feature. But unfortunately there are no PCs, Laptops or mobile which can support this feature so, we can say that it’s a completely useless feature for now. We might have PCs, Laptops or Mobile which have this feature by the end of 2k16 or the start of 2k17.
2. That router is extremely expensive for the features which are useless for now.
3. Extremely hard to setup.
4. The mobile application of R8500 is buggy.
I hope all of these points clears that it’s not worth a mention in our Top 10 list of 2016. But it can be our Top best Router of List 2017.
Thanks
Wonderful post with clear outlines.These are the best wireless routers under 100.But You should include TP-Link Archer C8 in this list which also best and affordable wireless router.I have listed some of the best Routers in my post which will provide your audience more choices.
I wish the results for the speed and range tests were published in graph form with numbers.
Thanks for your feedback.
I will surely add graphs soon!
Excellent review & analysis!
However, would prefer to see stats on performance data (signal strength, max range, & throughput). I myself don’t care about the weight of the router.
Also, thanks for explaining why the next-gen AC routers were not included in this comparison guide! No need to waste money!
[Most comparisons won’t admit the fact that the newer generation of routers can’t even be utilized yet … just like buying a 5k, 6k, or 8k TV today – you’re just wasting your money, as most human eyes can’t distinguish the difference!]
Agreed I am still using standard 2k tv 1080p
Hello, I am looking to purchase a new router for a large home. I’m not a gamer. Just looking for a really good router that has good range. Thanks
Hi,
If you have a large home and want superior connectivity in all parts, the Google Wifi system (3-Pack) is the one we recommend. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6XQML433RY Check the full review of budget ac router!!!
Should I get the asus rt-ac3100 or the netgear r7800?
As a gaming guy and professional network engineer, I recommend you to go for Netgear.
Hello,
I’m looking for a good gaming router also, you listed Asus RT-AC88U as the best on this list however you told him to get the Netgear R7800 as it is better. I’m confused, what is better for gaming also streaming and everything else as we have so many devices to use, is MU-MIMO necessary now or beneficial?
Thanks and would appreciate your reply.
Hi Amr,
This list is based on the online research, product testing, and final voting of the whole 10beasts team.
That’s why Asus AC3100 is on the top.
Although my personal favorite is R7800. This router was built for gaming, so, you can be sure of what you are getting.
In the comments section, I am allowed to provide my personal recommendations to others. So, definitely, I am gonna recommend what I use.
Cheers
Ed, I am looking for a wireless router that has good range in multiroom house. I have a fire stick and can only use in room where router is. Not looking to brake the bank. Thanks Dean
Hey Dean,
Well if you have a limited budget then I suggest you to go for “TP-Link Archer C7” and buy at least 1 Range Extender.
You will be good to go under $140.
Hope it helps.
Cheers
Very good job for me ,thanks.
ok, thanks, how about the hack, hope is super secured fro vpn hacks
Great info but was wondering about routers handling multiple consoles at the same time. For example, too many routers don’t give open NATs to everyone trying to use their own xbox one at the same time, or in my case, everyone has an Open NAT yet voices still aren’t fully working.
So any recommendations for a router that won’t flinch at multiple xbox one consoles fighting to use the same ports at the same time AND is ridiculously easy to set up?
Hey Jake,
I recommend you to go for Netgear Nighthawk R8000.
It supports multiple Xbox One on the same network at the same time with Open NAT using “Only” UPnP, which means not port forwarding.
Other than that it is extremely easy to setup. You can have a look at my review above to get an idea of what you are going to get. Let me know if you have any further questions.
First off, thank you for the great info and awesome website. Best router for a two story townhouse around 1200 sq ft. PC, multiple gaming systems (wired) , multiple phones, tablets, laptops, and Nintendo 3ds… But most of all reliable and stable?? Please help, looking at netgear x6 or asus rt- ac88u.
Thank you!!
Your situation is very similar to mine.
8 phones, 2 iPads, 3 DVR’s, 3 Sound systems, 3 TV’s, 3 Gaming Consoles, 2 PC’s and 3 Laptops.
Other than that, a couple of LED Lights and sometimes even guest phones.
I’m currently using R7000. But I was thinking to upgrade it to R8000 (X6). (I am a Netgear Fan).
So, I recommend you the same 🙂
Although to cover your second story, you might require a range extender…
Thank you for your concise review. So many choices… 31 flavors!!!
Question: We live in an old 3 story brick/plaster walls house. (Not dissimilar to an old castle). But of course with ubiquitous modern tech–tablets/desktops; wi-fi security cameras; Apple TV; phones; NAS; wireless printers; lights; thermostats; etc. (My wife is eyeing that refrigerator that needs an IP address).
I need range and girth. Actually, speed can be secondary since we don’t game and only on occasion use the Apple TV. Recommendations?
Thanks again.
Hey Eric,
You can either go with Asus Ac3200 or Netgear R8000. Although, you will be required to buy range extenders.
Hope it helps.
Cheers
Hi, I do work on eBay and other sites uploading photos, etc. while my kids play on xbox, stream netflix and do other things on the internet. Ours is a Wi-Fi set up that is approx. 1/2 mile away to the tower. Currently we have issues with it dropping. I need the best that I can get, money is not an object as long as it is under $300, what is my best bet?
I was looking at getting the d890 or the linksy wrt1900 I have 4 game systems stream a lot.
Any thoughts on the Dlink DIR-885 (AC3150- dualband)?
Numbers are through the roof: 2.4ghz=1000 5ghz=2150
But have not been able to find actual reviews including range and throughput.
I am wanting a router that will perform well from my basement (new build- i.e. flimsy walls/not brick) and reach second floor)
Any feedback would be appreciated:)
Thx
Hey Tom,
I am extremely sorry, but I didn’t try DIR 885.
Although, I believe it will be good after reading the reviews on Amazon.
Well, if you ar going to install the router in the basement and you want the signals to reach the second floor then you will definitely require range extenders.
Cheers
Any recommendations for someone who lives in a U-shaped house and needs to get WiFi from one point of the U to the other? I either need a router that can punch a signal through two external cinder block walls or a better extension solution than stringing three AirPort Expresses together (one to originate, one at the base of the U, and one at the other point).
The distance from point to point, in a straight line, probably around 20 ft.
I am moving to an apartment and will be buying my first router.
I am not knowledgeable in this area but I would like a router that provides me great streaming and gaming on my PlayStation 4. I will be using apps on the PlayStation 4 to watch movies, shows, etc. and obviously be playing online games as well. I don’t want to buy a cheap router and regret it but I also don’t want to overpay for something that I don’t need. Any suggestions from the ones listed above or ones not listed?
Im open to other router suggestions too. Was avoiding Netgear because I’ve read the 2.4ghz on their routers isn’t nearly as good as the others, unless you think high gain antennas would solve that issue.
The graphs are awesome. Mind sharing what you’re using to put them together?
Also, I have had the Asus AC1900 Nighthawk for about 2 years and it’s been phenomenal. I have 1gbps fibre and I consistently hit ~850-900 through walls about 40 feet away.
Dear Mike,
We get the data through experiments and 10beasts developer team converts that data into graphs.
Cheers
How many walls & what type?
My hardest route is through
5 gyp.bd wood stud walls
one of which is mineral wool insulation + foil faced insulation board w/wood siding
Trying to make a cheap EA6200 work with LTERIVER satellites, doing somewhat an “end run” down a hallway to bypass some walls
10 Beasts awesome, great article with clear guidelines and perfectly written. I was very very confused about routers, Finally, I made a decision and ordered Tp-link archer c7. Now I am very happy with the overall performance of this router, great range, and speed.
Need a recommendation… From what I’ve been reading I’ve tried to narrow my choices to Asus AC88U and Linksys WRT1900ACS, but I don’t want to pay too much for something i don’t need. For the moment mostly concerned with 2.4ghz since a ps4 is upstairs from router, 3 smart tvs, 2 2.4ghz phones and 2 laptops. SlingTV/Netflix running at same time as ps4 most of the time. Number of devices is sure to grow in future and will convert ps4 to 5ghz at some point.
What is the fastest router I can buy right now regardless of price or devices that support next gen speed?
Thanks!
Netgear R8500
Hi – Very Nice article. Can you please help me to fine the best buy. I choose to buy WRT1900ACS but Now I am thinking. I don’t play games, but I have two work computer runs on 2.4. Have couple of TVs and few iPads and many iPhones. There are some home appliances too which runs on wi-fi. Current D-Link has connectivity issue and they say band needs to be adjusted which I am doing since a year now. I need a router with strong signals and *best connectivity*. I kept router on ground floor( 1st floor) and I have device in basement and 2nd floor. So could you please suggest me something for 3 story building and best connectivity. I currently get 120 mbps through provider.
With a plethora of options, it sure is difficult to arrive at a conclusion. Firstly a nice comparison and writeup.
However I have a very specific need. I am looking for a router within a small office environment (4 rooms to be precise, spread over 1650sft). Due to certain limitations, we are only on wireless network. Our current setup includes an Apple Airport Extreme with two Netgear AC1200 (EX6120) WiFi Extenders serving the network bandwidth to 6 desktops, 4 laptops, TV, 4-5 phones/tablets. So far the setup was manageable till we tried sharing larger files over One Drive, which led to a serious bottle neck.
So we decided to switch to a NAS (Synology 1515+) to cater to all local needs without choking the Internet. The current Airport Extreme is a bit underwhelming to the requirement or is what we think. Now the choice was the upgrade the router that fits the need closely and am unable to nail one.
Can you please suggest, which router would ideally fit our need. Link Aggregation is a preferable option to consider. However Synology NAS supports Adaptive Load Balancing, so we hope that would speed up for our need.
And what do you think on the Synology AC1900 router?
Thanks in Advance
Like RustyU suggests, run some cat6 or cat6a so you can eliminate the wireless range extenders. It is the best way to eliminate your bottleneck.
Assuming your LAN is using a single gateway and single segment address space, Load Balancing and Link Aggregation offers no performance increase. Just having the NAS serving files locally is already a big performance increase over WAN Cloud sharing. Using a caching proxy like Squid could save on gateway bandwidth usage and improve response times for local clients accessing the WAN.
The Synology AC1900 is fine but your going to get the best performance by using a wired router for gateway management and then using smart switches for distribution to dedicated Wifi Access Points. The price difference will be marginal compared to the performance and ease of management.
Which has best long range in 2.4 Ghz, especially out of line of sight thru walls?
Would prefer not to use extenders and don’t have an ac devices.
Thanks.
Hi George,
The D-Link DIR 890L has been the Best Range Wireless Router in our review. It is a bit expensive but worth the money. However if you are looking some lower end option Linksys WRT1900 AC which has adjustable, high-performance antennas designed to enhance the 2.4GHz (600Mbps). You can read the detailed reviews in our guide.
Cheers!
Are all the routers you reviewed compatible with Time Machine that’s built into the MacOS?
Hi Ken,
All the routers reviewed by us are compatible with Time machine so you can pick and choose without any worries 🙂
Cheers!
Hello-Great Article! Just a question for you. I recently bought a house (it’s older) and my roommate and I are avid gamers. (We both have Xbones and PS4 as well as PC gaming rigs). My question is which router would you recommend between the NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – AC2600 and the ASUS RT-AC3200 they are both at the top of my price range but I want a good router that can support multiple gaming devices at the same time with minimal lag on either end. Range is also semi important we have a completely finished attic that we are planning on turning into a guest bedroom/extra gaming area so the internet would hopefully reach up there. Thanks for your help
Hi Colton,
I will prefer NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – AC2600 as it is super fast with a long range and have more stable signals than ASUS RT-AC3200
Cheers!
Hi Ed:
I’m looking for a good Cable Modem/Router to replace the one I use for Comcast which I have to pay $10. every month. What would you recommend?
Thank you.
Hi Ken,
NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 will defintely be a good option for you! 🙂 .You can look at some other options on this article http://bit.ly/2kNVpDz
Cheers!
Any recommendations for a 2 story house approx 2400SF. Mostly for streaming and a intermittent gaming, (2 game consoles, 3 tvs, 3 phones, 4 computers. 1 TiVo, 2 Apple TVs plus guests) I’m currently using an Airport Extreme which has beena workhorse (All my computers are Mac) but it’s been having issues lately with it and with apple announcing discontinuing the airport lines it’s time to move on.
Hi Brian,
In my opinion Netgear Nighthawk R8000 X6 will be best suitable for your needs. It is a bit expensive but it comes with a whole lot of powerful features which will best suit your gaming and online streaming needs. Kindly read the detailed review in our guide for further information. Hope it helps.
Cheers!
Hey Edward, I have a question concerning the Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 router (R8000). If I attached a NAS to this router, would transmission data speeds on USB 3.0 far exceed speeds on one of the available ethernet ports?
Hi, is the iPhone 7 and the new MacBook Pro 2016 support the AC5300 model type such as the Nighthawk X10 and ASUS RT 5300 Triband?
Nop, they don’t.
It’s a Fantastic guide for those who want to buy a Wireless Router for their internet service. I must say that you’ve compiled a great list.
Thanks.
Hi Edward,You write an excellent article on this subject. I would very much appreciate your advice on my situation.
1700 sq foot one level home,(no brick) 4 roommates at any given time who are streaming netflix or using firestick, 4 phones, 3 laptops and 2 tablets, a desktop and the occasional gaming. Don’t laugh, I was using a 9 year old netgear router single network and everyone was complaining how bad things were…so I’d like everyone to be covered..can u suggest two? My provider package includes 50 speed and with all the lags and problems connecting with fire stick, I was told it was probably due to my old router. I have very little knowledge about this stuff, so I plan to hire someone to get the router up and running. Thank u in advance for your help. Don’t want to go over 160.00 -170.00, cheaper if I can, without getting a cheap box.
Hi Bonnie,
If you can just ignore the looks of it I would recommend you TP-Link Archer C7 as it will be excellent for your needs with high speed internet and seamless performance. And you can just get it under $100. You can read the detailed specs and our review about this handsome buy in our guide.
Cheers!
Hey, I’m currently using a netgear n600, was a good buy when it was released I’m told but basically Im wondering if you think it’s time and necessary to upgrade to one of these listed routers. I have 2 to 3 laptops for social media mostly and I have an Xbox one in another room from the router location. Then I also have a few phones that get in the WiFi. Mainly what I need is the router relay the fast Internet speed I pay for and decent range. Please give me your input.
Hi Quentin,
No doubt you got a sweetdeal out of Netgear N6oo but maybe its time to upgrade to a better internet speed with an incredibly budget friendly option. I will recommend you to buy TP-Link Archer C7 which is the best budget friendly wifi router available under $100 and comes with a stellar performance. You can read the detailed review of TP-Link Archer C7 in our guide.
Cheers!
Hi,
I am looking for a modem router combo? Is their one that you would recommend?
Right now I have the Arris Surfboard SBG67882-AC and the distance on the wifi is not that good. What modem / router combo would you suggest?
Hi Jose,
We will recommend you the NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 as it is designed for high speed connectivity with easy installation and use. You can find a detailed review of this product and some other best modem/router combo available at the given link http://bit.ly/2kNVpDz
Cheers!
We have a bi-level home. My desktop is on the lower level and our router is on the upper level, opposite end of the house from my computer. I am having difficulty getting the full mbps provided by our internet company. Which router would be best for signal strength? I need something that will reach down that far.
Hi Misty,
Considering your needs we will recommend you to buy D-Link DIR 890L as it has proved to be the best performer in longer ranges.
Cheers!
What about the netgear Nighthawk X8, AC5000 router currently being sold at Costco for 299.99
How would that match up? Have 4 iPads, 3 cell phones, iPod touch, Xbox one, Wii U, and a laptop and desktop are struggling on a Motorola modem/router combo and it is struggling.
thanks for helping an old guy out. ?
Cheers
Hi there,
Well, if you are getting Nighthawk x8 at $300 then go for it. Seriously, that’s the best offer you can get out there with the seriously amazing router.
The only reason I didn’t add that router in my top 10 list was the “Overpriced” issue. And if you are getting it for that much cheap, then just go for it.
It will cover all of your needs for sure.
Cheers
What do you recommend for someone getting the basic internet only access from their local provider? My setup is simple. I will only attach an Xbox One S (only to download stupid updates – no online game play whatsoever) and attach a MacBook Pro for online classes next semester. Some youtube viewing, but nothing like Netflix or any kind of TV watching. As I understand it I need to get my own modem, (refuse to rent from them), and a router. I say the router because, again, as I understand it, will provide a firewall for protection??? I don’t need wireless per say, as I live in an apartment and wires from the wall to the TV and/or to the couch aren’t a big deal to me. I just want to play offline and do my classwork. HELP!
Hi,
We will recommend TP-Link Archer C7 as it is the best budget router available with a complete solution for your needs. You can view the detailed review in our wireless router guide.
Cheers!
Great work, well researched unbiased review with insightful content. You might have put lot of work to make this huge post for wireless router lover. Congrats. Wish more reviews from your pen in the future.
Satellite is my only internet option. What’s the best wireless router for controlling data use and download speeds for specific devices. I want my family to have internet access to check email and browse, but I gotta stop the video downloads! Please help!
Why isn’t Google WIFI included in your list?
Because we haven’t tested it yet.
That’s a very complete and well written wireless routers buyers guide. However you have not included any wifi system with multiple access points. For instance eero wifi will always provide best range than any of these single access point routers. Your take on it?
Hi Ed, thank you so much for putting up an extensive review on these many routers! I’m just having some question in regards to a new router, as I am moving into a new house.
The house is a 4 storey (Includes a basement), steel construction, mostly covered with concrete slabs and external sand stone walls, about 550 square metres/5900 square feet.
My family have about 6 phones, 2 iPads, 4 laptops, a desktop, an Apple TV and a TV box that also runs on Wifi. Not many devices would be connected through cable. Can I please have your suggestion on which router I should get? Im planning to get some other mesh network devices (do you also have some suggestions about them? Im thinking about eero or Luma), so the internet speed and the stability of the connection would be my top concern.
Your help is much appreciated 🙂
Hi Steven,
Thank you for your kind appreciation as it means a lot. Keeping in view about your wifi requirements we would suggest you D-Link DIR 890L as it is the best range wifi available according to our review. However we will recommend to couple it with a wifi extender. Considering your 4 story building house and connection of multiple devices this combination will work best. We will be soon comping up with an extensive review about the best Mesh networks, in the meanwhile you can use the advice from this article http://bit.ly/2kHNIih . Cheers!
Would love to know what range extenders you recommend to go with the Nighthawk series! Thanks!
Hi Christy,
We will recommend Nighthawk AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Range Extender for the best performance. It will enable you to extend your WiFi signals from your 802.11a/b/g/n/ac network by up to 10,000 sq. ft. with speeds up to 1900 Mbps. I hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
cool article… I am a paramedic of 35 years and know very little about this stuff. Please lead me in a direction. I have a cinder block house, basement first floor. I have a cinder block garage 25 ft away with 3 ip cameras connected to a range extender. I am on xfinity network. i want to return their equip and get my own modem and router. In total I have in main house 2 laptops, 2 wireless ip cams, wifi printer a slingbox player, and a zwave system. In the garage a range extender for the three ip cameras and another zwave transmitter. I found that my garage equip could not reach house wifi until I bought ext. everything is very slow now. I am looking for great range and best speed. I dont game. House router will have three lans used and garage will need 4 lan ports. the zwave units must be plugged into the router or extender…. not worried about price as much as range/ data speed thanks everyone
Hi Charles,
Considering your needs we would recommend D-Link DIR 890L as it works best with connecting multiple devices and have performed best in range test. You can view the detailed review of this model in our wireless router guide.:)
Cheers!
what is the best gaming router(best latency) i can get? i have the brand new ps4. can you help me out please. thank you
Hi,
You if you are looking for premium model for a gaming router we will recommend you buying the Netgear Nighthawk R8000 X6 a budget friendly model for your needs would be NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 which is just below the $200 price tag. You can check our detailed reviews about these two models in our wireless router guide.
Cheers!
This gets me on a pause mode to review which one is going to suit me in my gaming and cyber cafe shop, Appreciated.
I’m looking for a router with maximum range. I don’t think I need the tri-band that the D-Link DIR 890L has so would you recommend going with the D-Link DIR-880L they offer the same range don’t they? Or would the NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 or, Linksys WRT1900 AC?
Hi Scott,
It looks like you have done your research and have lined up an impressive range for your usage. Among these routers that you have mentioned and considering your needs I would suggest you to got with Linksys WRT1900 AC . Experts are in love with this wireless router, the Wi-Fi range is amazing and delivers excellent speed. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!!
this was a great article for me i just had a few more questions….. I am looking for a router that can give me the best gaming and streaming with multiple devices along with the best distance of signal i can possibly find would you have any suggestions ?…..i was also wondering what the difference is between 2.4 ghz and the 5 ghz i know 5 would be best but what are the requirements for that and can anybody use both ?…My last question is i was looking at both the night hawk x4s along with the night hawk ac3200 and was wondering which one would be best out of the two or do you have a better recommendation then that?
thank you its much appreciated
Hi David,
Thank you so much for your question. We really appreciate it. Let’s come to the routers. I think in my opinion 2.4ghz will work fine but if you want that pro gamer stance then go for 5ghz. Night Hawk ac3200 is awesome for gamers. Go for it ?
Cheers!
Raheel Ahmed one follow up question you suggested the night hawk ac3200 is that the best I could get for distance of signal ? Along with best streaming and multiple devices ?
Hi David,
The Netgear Night hawk ac3200 is excellent for connecting multiple devices with optimal performance on a single network and also provides a stellar streaming experience. Hope it helps.
Cheers!
I am ready to get internet which is 100mbps and there are multiple people in the house a two story house not as big but not small we have 2 Xbox one,1 PS4,1 PS3,3TV,two IPad,about 8phones, and two laptops and sometimes we always experienced slow internet I want to have a fun game experience and I was looking at the net gear which says it’s for video games and streaming which we all do what can you recommend me
Hi Joshua,
Nighthawk R8000 X6 is the best gaming router we have come across in our wireless router reviews. It is a perfect combo for online gaming, streaming and much more. The router efficiently handles multiple devices on a single network and also offers impressive range. You might have to couple it with a wifi range extender considering your two story house. Hope it helps.
Cheers!
Just wondering if there any router compatiable with At&t U-verse??? Is it true people telling me about get a better router then At&t because the speed will show difference?? Which router have more then 700 to 1000 and I need to prepare to buy before purchase limited pairs on bot… Thanks
Att calls pretty much all their internet offerings U-verse from crap dsl to their gigafiber.
Which router greatly depends on which service you are getting. Even after that att has a lot of their systems rigged so you can not replace their router. Not 100% sure why but in some cases it is related to their cable tv boxes being dependent on their router.
You will have to investigate which plans and what options you have. In general the routers provided by ISP will run at the speeds they have committed to in their contracts so a different router will not be faster. Some have poor wireless coverage but most are similar in performance to any other router you will buy. Mostly you would want to replace the router for some feature like VPN or NAS or something else the router does not have.
You can check out our top of the list Asus RT-AC88U a dual-band router that can act as a NAS as well. The router is priced under $300 and it happens to be one of the best wireless routers one can buy right now. You can check the detailed review in our guide. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
Im looking for a router to use for my gaming console(PS4). My biggest preference is to find a router that best optimizes the use of a LAN cable, but I don’t have much knowledge or experience when it comes to networking, I want to find a router that would give me the best speeds and stability for the PS4. Do you have any routers or a small list of routers you would suggest?
Hi Mathew,
If you are going for high end gaming experience you can check out our best gaming router Netgear Nighthawk R8000 X6 for a perfect gaming experience and much more, another best choice can be Asus RT-AC88U. However if you are on a budget constraint and you are looking to get the best out of it NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 and Linksys WRT1900 AC can be among the excellent choices. You can check out the detailed specs and review in our guide. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
Cheers
Wow! Such a comprehensive post. Never seen such a level of detail in any tech product blog post. I was looking for a wireless router for my 2 storied office. I think I will go with NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 (go with my budget and looks good). Thanks for sharing all the pro-cons and comparison. Made easy for me to select the best one.
Which Router do you think has the best range among the table? How abt Netgear?
Hi Dipen,
You can check out D-Link DIR 890L in our list as its the best range wireless router we have come across. For the detailed specs and performance variables kindly read our review 🙂
Cheers!
I’m using Asus RT-AC3200, It has very good range
The above Linksys WRT1900 AC says you can put DD-WRT on the router and this is true, but if you do it during the warranty period, it will void the warranty per Linksys tech. Also, I was told the warranty starts by date of manufacture and NOT the date of purchase (WTF, Right?) I have the WRT1200AC and it worked great for 5 months and now it crawls at very slow speed. I have gone through two levels of techs trying to fix it. There are blogs that say these Linksys routers do this a lot for everyone. You have to reboot them and re-flash firmware a lot to keep them working, like mine does. Also 2.4Ghz throughput is always way too slow.
Hi Edward Eugen, Just great stuff! it’s really full and final review for buying a wireless router. Anybody don’t need to check another review for buying it. Thanks for sharing with us.
Cheers,
Wilson
Hi, an Awesome guide for buying a wireless router.
After reading the above review, I bought Asus RT-AC88U and I am happy to make this choice
I have a 3,300 sq ft house with a couple of walls between where my router is located and our main area of the house where we use most of our wireless devices. Which device (s) would you recommend? Do we need range extenders?
A good router centrally located should cover the house but every situation is different. Traditional range extenders can work but you lose a lot of speed hoping from a wireless access point to the router.
You can try the D-Link DIR 890L – as it has been the Best Range Wireless Router according to our product review.
Hi i have linksys 1900acs which works well but just going crazy to buy asus RTac88u as it has mu mimo and as mention everywhere to be best router
Hi Pardeep,
Asus RT-AC88U is definitely an excellent choice and according to our reviews this beast is top of the list, you won’t be disappointed 🙂
Cheers!
Hi Edward
I live in Spain and have to rely on the Internet to watch any English tv, netflix and the like, we get a lot of buffering on a TP LINK Router we inherited, in total we must have about 10 items using the wifi, not all at the same time mind you, so I am looking to get a new router, can you recommend a good one.
Thanks in advanced
Brian
Hi Edward
Carrying on with my previous post do American purchased routers work in spain.
Thanks
Brian
Hello. I need a great Xfinity approved modem with phone capabilities. Also we have an astronomical amount of devices in our home. I can’t even tell you how many. My son is an extreme gamer and is always complaining about game lagging, and constant disconnecting. Our current Xfinity modem/router is downstairs but we and his Xbox One are always upstairs. We have the extreme 150 internet package right now but are looking to upgrade to the 300 or 1 gig if/when available. I prefer a separate modem and router so if something goes wrong with either one, we can just replace it and not a modem/router combo. Please recommend the best modem with voice, Xfinity approved and router for an astronomical amount of devices and extreme gaming that will fix lagging and constant disconnections. Also an open NAT capability is important. Thanks!
Hi,
I dont think there are good eMTA devices for 300 Mbps service. there are just 2 Combo devices out there today in market.
SVG2482 or NETGEAR C7100V.
SVG has puma6 in in it, so I would suggest to get C7100V and put it in BRIDGE mode and attach a nice router.
or you can buy older 8×4 eMTA but you wont get 300 Mbps out of it.
OR you can ask comcast to just put voice on their modem and buy your own CM600 or SB6183 for 300 Mbps service. Comcast will not charge eMTA fees I believe for that.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Cheers!
HI, Ive been looking around for the best router to fit my needs and to be honest I really cant decide. At first I had my mind set on the D-Link DIR-890L AC3200 or LINKSYS WRT3200ACM AC3200 but now that I came across your review im having second thoughts, so I figured id give asking in the comments whats the best choice for my situation. I live in a 2-story 6-bedroom house with the modem-Asus AB6190 (in need of a router obviously, living off of my providers router-modem they provided me) and the location of the modem and router are gonna be located somewhat in the front of the house on the second floor, diagonal from where I have the modem and router its about 40-50ft from the farthest room that i need wifi connection or im gonna have a problem with a very angry 6 year old sister haha. We have about 7 phones, 4 tablets, 4 PCs (1-2 of them are gonna be wired),2 laptops, one smart tv, 2 chromecast, 5 consoles(1-2 wired and almost 3 of them always on at the same time), and guest that come over everyday (5-8 guest) all in different floors and rooms running at the sametime all the time for the most part. So you can see why Im having such a hard time pulling the trigger on a router, which my cost limit is 200-300 and could be a little more custionier. PLEASE help me out it would mean the world to me.
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your question and we would love to help you with your struggle. Keeping in consideration the budget constraints, the 2 story house and multiple devices we would like to recommend D-Link DIR 890L. It is one of the top tier wireless routers. It has an excellent range and works great with a lot of Wi-Fi devices that consistently need to be connected to the internet. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
Excellent format and reviews. I am the least technical of your readers, so would like a simple opinion (if possible) about getting rid of my Netgear NDR4500 for one of the newer models.
I have three level home, my Comcast cable modem & Netflix router are in the basement with my main windows pc. I have excellent iPad, smartphone and laptop coverage on second level and decent coverage on level 3. I’m sure a newer router would give me better speed (125 Mbps at PC source level, varies on mobile devices) but really want stronger levels at outermost ranges. Is my current Netgear sufficient and will not benefit from newer (Asus or Nighthawk)?
PS: I do DLNA using ethernet in basement with Roku, smart tv & blu-ray…ethernet ports are enough.
Thank you!
PS: I meant “Netgear” router…NOT “Netflix” router…my bad. 🙂
Hi Mark,
You can safely go for the best budget friendly option for your current needs i.e TP-Link Archer C7 (Best budget under $100). However if you can afford a little bit much we can advise for a worthy investment in NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 (Best under $200). You can check the detailed reviews here in our guide. In case you want to look at the prices please visit the following links: TP-Link Archer C7
NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000
Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
Hello,
I currently own a Netgear N750 WNDR4300. I think it may be a dinosaur and need replacement. My internet package is 75 mbps and when I run speed tests im only getting like 25 mbps or less. When i hook directly to my computer I get in the 70’s mbps (cant remember exact number.) Figured its the router being old.
Im looking for something affordable. I live in a single story home and we stream to firesticks on 2 tvs and play online on Xbox One and have a couple of phones and tablets that get used.
do you think the TP-Link Archer C7 would suffice for me?
Hi Robert,
Though TP-Link Archer C7 is an entry level router, the performance, however, surpasses its price and average build quality. If you have no issue with how it looks like you can get along with this router pretty well. You can read the detailed review in this guide under the “Best Advanced & Budget Friendly Wifi Router (Under $100)” in our guide. Hope it helps 🙂
Cheers!
Can I hear your feedback on the tp link router made by google that has 13 antennas ? Thoughts ?
Hi , Great Article only wish I understood it. I live in small town USA , grannies of 71 years and need advice. I have ATT wifi( which I hate)
My home is one level but the wifi will not reach to the back of my house. I am not to computer savvy, but managed to set up an old Netgear extender years ago. It stopped working, looking for a new one. No gaming , but streaming. Price not an issue, just performance and distance and easy to install .????
Suggestions?
I need a WiFi modem and router for COX connection, I do gaming and watch movies, etc.I need something Nice Strong signal and can output powerful speed.
Whats my best option? Can I buy a router with a built-in modem that will provide the speed and requirements? or is it better to get modem separate and router separately?
Hello,
I have the ASUS RT-AC66U Gigabit wireless dual-band router offers users Broadcom’s 5th generation Wi-Fi (5G WiFi). Its 2.4GHz/5GHz bands drive data rates of 1.75Gbps, or three times 802.11n speeds. I have 3 phones, 1 TV, 1 Xbox, 1 laptop, and 4 tablets in a single story 3,000 sq ft cynderblock home with second story bonus room were the Xbox is located. Xfinity provides up to 75 Mbps, but never verified speed. Use the TV to view Amazon prime video’s and Netfix constantly in conjunction with Xbox and a few tablets and phones is typical daily. The TV and Xbox will lag and log us out almost every time. Router is located in the middle of the house. Our phones never have an issue. The tablets are mainly use for online gaming and experience lagging and log offs of online servers. Is my current router the issue? If so, what router would you suggest?
May i ask for suggestion staying at a 5000 sq feet place… currently using TPLINK AC1750… half of the place couldnt get any wifi.
Would like to ask does wifi extender affect the speed? Would prefer to have full speed as i would like to stream HD videos. Thank you. Also there will be at least 8 users as well.
I’m a big gamer and really like the Asus AC5300, it’s a beast of a gaming router. Of course a negative is that it is really expensive. You get what you pay for though overall. You get a quad core processor, along with a subscription to WTFast.com on one device which really helps with packet loss (amongst many other things).
I have a 5000 sq ft one level home and my modem and router are located in my attic, roughly in the center of my home. I currently have a Netgear R6300, which is about 4-5 years old. I live in a rural area and only have access to 10mbps of download speed. I currently have 8 people that live in this home and we all share the bandwidth. The reason for my question is my kids just purchased a nintendo switch and due to some setting in the Netgear, they are unable to play due to some NAT/port forwarding issue. I am not very internet/router savvy and I attempted to fix their problem by searching the internet for solutions, but was unsuccessful. The questions I have are will a newer, better router be beneficial for my situation? If so, which router would best fit my needs? Is buying a new, more advance, router not beneficial due to my internet download speed?
May i ask for suggestion staying at a 5000 sq feet place… currently using TP LINK AC1750… half of the place couldn’t get any wifii.
What importance has the Weight of the router???
TP-Link routers are the best among most of the wireless router brands. They’re trusted & has good will in the market.
Which router is best for heavy usage? i.e. running all day 24/7 continuously. Thanks in advance.
Now I can buy a good one for me. Thanks lad.
Thanks for this informative list, I really feel Google Wifi would worth the mention!
Been using my default router for the past couple of years now. I wonder how much difference one of these will make.
No review sights seem to want to talk about NAT Throughput. 1200MBPS, 2400MBPS, 2.3MBPS all worthless to me because I’m not concerned about file transfers among devices. I need ratings on the WAN internet port. We have 300 MBPS internet available, and some areas 500 and 1GB Internet speeds. Many of the routers we have tried are dismal at best and only pass through 100 – 200 MBPS in internet speed tests. What’s up with that and how do I find one that can handle 300 MBPS NAT internet, VPN and firewall rules?
Thanks for your article!
I found a NetGear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Gigabit Router on eBay for $89.99 (I thought the price was to pass up ) so I thought I would give that one a go. If you have anything to share about that one I would appreciate it. Thanks!!
Hi great article!
I’m a gamer and I wonder if someone else experience great gaming experience when you just rebooted a router and after 1 day its not good as it was after reboot?
I have tried ASUS RT-AC66U and Netgear R7800 and don’t understand if it’s a routers normal behaviour or my Cable/broadband???
And for review, I Think ASUS RT-AC66U gives you a better gaming experience the first hours after reboot, but after drop alot. Netgear R7800 is more stable, drops a little after one day, but not much, playable.
Hello – this is a helpful article/review (thank you) – I have a follow up question. We are not gamers and aren’t streaming 4K video – but we need really good reliable wifi around our place accessed by a couple of laptops and mobile devices. Our place is all one floor, with several rooms and walls, and it’s about 2,800 square feet. What router would you recommend for the best wifi reception in this size place? FYI we are running off of a cable modem via ethernet cable(s). Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!
Hello – posted this question earlier but it didn’t seem to show up. We don’t play games or stream 4K video – but need strong reliable wifi signal for 3-4 laptops/computers and mobile devices around our place – approx 3,000 square feet with walls. All one floor. Any advice for best routers for this purpose? We are using mostly macs and apple-devices and signal coming in via cable modem with ethernet connection to router.
Are you still looking for a router? If so, then I would recommend to go with ASUS AC5300. I am using it since 2 years for our office (4200 sq.). For a smooth surfing I would recommend install 2 of these routers. Since the day I bought, I faced absolutely zero issue! We have video calls to live streaming to mass file sharing. It works perfect!!
AirPort extreme is great for 2 years it is well known that the technology is 6 years old and overheats, requiring holes to be drilled into it. It is a two year product then it basically fails. Well known piece of garbage by apple that fails just outside of its warranty and support time frame.
Hi,
I hope you can help me…. I know nothing about WIFI Routers or anything else lol…. But I need help! I live in a 2 story 5 Bedroom house and the area we live in has terrible service Internet and Cell phone…. and a lot of people on different devices computers, laptops, printers, gaming systems and Iphones….. the issue is that in certain parts of the house things are terrible so I was told to get a wifi router to boost the signal…. would you please recommend something for me and explain what all I need…please 🙂
Thank you,
Marla
A WiFi Modem/Router test that lacks testing of sync speeds? LOL
I am looking for a router that will reach more than one tiny home within a half acre to an acre of land. Is there anything out there strong enough for that
Hello! We have a log cabin in a rural area that does not have the ability to hook up to cable/internet. We are set back about 1/4 mile off the main road. Right not we are using a hot spot through our cell phone provider. It’s Ok, but not great. We have a security system as well as the ring system attached to it that drops often. We just need something that can handle the security system, Ring, 1 tv (for YouTube tv), Alexa, an iPad, and 3-4 phones. I read your extensive reviews (thank you), just not quite sure the best fit. Would I also need an exterior extender On the outside of the cabin? Would the Netgear Nighthawk X10 be overkill, or would this be something we would need? Would i just use the SIM card that we currently use for our hotspot? The cabin is probably 2100 sq ft. And the ring is attached to a barn about 200 feet from home. Thank you kindly for your advice.
Comcast is one of the most prominent and longest running ISPs in America. When people sign up for Internet Service Providers such as Comcast, they usually stick to the equipment that comes with the package.