Upgrading your router can improve your wireless speed, especially if you stream high-definition videos or play games online. Buying a newer model may also improve wireless coverage, so you can watch and play anywhere in the home or office. Our current favorite is Netgear’s Nighthawk RAX50 AX5400, namely because it packs a ton of great features into a device that remains extremely affordable.
Along with our favorite, we reviewed and compared some of the latest models to select the best wireless routers you can buy right now. Take a look at the recommendations below to get a better idea of which device matches your needs. Whether you’re looking for a Wi-Fi 6 router, a budget-based alternative, or the best router for gaming, we’ve got you covered.
Shopping on a budget? We’ve also rounded up the best wireless router deals available now.
The best wireless routers at a glance
The best wireless router: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300
Why you should buy this: It’s fully featured with Wi-Fi 6E support, priced competitively, and provides great speeds.
Who it’s for: People wanting the best new router for their homes.
Why we chose the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300:
Freshly announced early this year at CES 2022, Netgear is looking to bring the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology into more homes with its Nighthawk RAXE300 router, which sports the same futuristic wing-shaped antenna design as the company’s more premium Nighthawk RAXE500 offering. Designed for robust connectivity, the Nighthawk RAXE300 can handle speeds up to 7.8Gbps and cover homes as large as 2,500 square feet.
Thanks to a new 6GHz band, the router can efficiently handle traffic, reduce congestion, and minimize latency, which will be great for lag-free game streams, buffer-free 4K and 8K video streaming, and uninterrupted sessions of video conferencing.
Netgear boasts that its wing-shaped antenna design helps to cover your home with a reliable Wi-Fi signal while not being as aggressive as competing routers. Those in larger homes can also pick up one of Netgear’s extenders to create a whole-home mesh networking solution. Like other members of the Nighthawk family, the Nighthawk RAXE300 can be controlled via an app, and optional subscription plans bring greater control and security for those who need it. If you’re interested, the RAXE300 ships later this quarter.
The best high-performance router: TP-Link Archer AX6600
Why you should buy this: It offers Wi-Fi 6 connectivity without compromising performance.
Who it’s for: Those ready to invest in the latest Wi-Fi technology.
Why we chose the TP-Link Archer AX6600:
Like our first pick, this model supports Wi-Fi 6 — but offers a performance upgrade for those who want to push their routers to do even more.
The Archer AX6600 is an excellent dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router dishing out speeds of up to 4,804Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 1,148Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It’s compatible with important new technologies like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, and provides a USB-C port for charging and high-speed data transfers. There are also nine Gigabit Ethernet ports for many wired connections if you prefer even more reliability.
The router includes proprietary technology as well, like software that moves devices between bands if one band gets too crowded. There’s Alexa compatibility, too, so you can perform basic network management actions with voice commands.
Many router manufacturers already offer Wi-Fi 6 models, but the TP-Link Archer AX6600 is particularly versatile. It’s a great fit for home offices or small businesses, or for anyone who has a lot of wireless devices and wants them all performing at the top of their game.
The easiest wireless router to use: Google Nest WiFi
Why you should buy this: It creates a powerful mesh network, perfect for larger homes.
Who it’s for: Anyone who needs a large, uniform network.
Why we chose the Nest WiFi:
Google’s Nest WiFi is an excellent example of a mesh network router, where multiple nodes link together to form a wireless network with bigger, better coverage. The router alone covers 2,200 square feet, but you can bundle it with either one or two “points” to cover up to 5,400 square feet. It’s ideal for large spaces or homes that struggle with heavy interference and dead zones.
The real selling point is its ease of use. Unlike many other routers, Nest WiFi makes setting up and managing a home network extremely simple. More than that, each Google Wi-Fi unit also functions as a Google Assistant smart speaker that can play music and control smart home devices.
The $169 router unit includes two Ethernet ports tucked away in a compartment on the bottom — one for the modem and one for other wired devices, like a switch or desktop. The $149 points do not have an Ethernet port, so all wired devices must reside near the router. This also means you can’t wire the router and point together for better throughput.
You can buy a combo pack with the Google Nest WiFi and one point for $269 or the router and two points for $349. You can get the points in white, Mist, and Sand colors.
The best budget wireless router: TP-Link Archer C1200
Why you should buy this: Few routers can compete with the TP-Link Archer C1200 at this price.
Who it’s for: Anyone wanting to expand their network on a budget.
Why we chose the TP-Link Archer C1200:
Looking for a budget router? This $50 model has everything you need without breaking the bank. It’s a perfect fit for a home that only needs a simple net connection for checking email, browsing, and light media streaming.
TP-Link’s Tether app is one of the better router apps for mobile, meaning setting up and managing the router shouldn’t be a hassle. The router itself features AC1200-class dual-band speeds (300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5GHz), two USB ports, and Gigabit Ethernet ports. While these specifications aren’t earth-shattering, they are the important basics you need for good wireless connectivity.
If you plan to stream 4K content or perform other data-heavy tasks, then you may want to consider a more powerful model, but the TP-Link Archer C1200 (2021) is an excellent choice for saving money while providing Wi-Fi for all basic tasks.
The best gaming router: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000
Why you should buy this: It prioritizes game services and game data for the best results.
Who it’s for: Gamers and anyone who wants the fastest network possible.
Why we chose the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000:
The new Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 replaces its earlier XR500 model on our list as the best router for every gamer. The XR1000 comes equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, which is designed to help reduce latency and improve connection speeds. Netgear boasts that ping could be reduced by as much as 93% and 40% faster speeds with the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000.
The Nighthawk Pro XR1000 comes with a dual-band antenna, beam forming support, geofencing to connect to closer servers, and application QOS support to give bandwidth priority to game streams, VoIP calls, and other types of media streaming. There are plenty of added software features packed into the Nighthawk app, too.
The best mesh router: Eero 6
Why you should buy this: Mesh routers help blanket your home with reliable Wi-Fi coverage, and Eero’s model delivers all this in a simple, easy-to-use solution.
Who it’s for: Businesses, offices, and large homes struggling with coverage issues.
Why we chose the Eero 6:
Mesh router systems include satellite routers designed to work right out of the box with the primary router, allowing them to set up a network with excellent coverage and reliability — in this case, up to 5,000 square feet with the main router and two satellite nodes.
While more advanced users may demand more from their routers, like more Ethernet ports and faster speeds, Eero’s claim to fame has always been about simplicity. The Eero 6 continues the brand’s promise with an easy setup experience, intuitive app interface, and minimalist design that can blend in with most home decor. The Eero app gives you plenty of controls, including adding a guest network, without overwhelming home users not accustomed to setting up their own Wi-Fi router, let alone a whole-home mesh network.
The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router support speeds up to 500Mbps. If you don’t need a full mesh network, parent company Amazon has found a clever way to add a Wi-Fi 6 router into its Ring home security base station. Either way you go, you can always add more satellites to blanket larger living spaces.
Research and buying FAQ
How does a wireless router work?
A wireless router has a wired connection to the modem, the device that connects to the broader internet infrastructure outside your building. The router takes that internet data and turns it into a radio signal (far outside the range of human hearing) that can be broadcast across the surrounding area. Our electronic devices are equipped with receivers that pick up these signals and translate them back into data our devices need to create the content we see, hear, and use on our screens.
What are the various Wi-Fi bands, and what do they represent?
These are radio frequency bands that are specifically set aside to communicate wireless data. The two primary bands are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Dual-band routers can broadcast Wi-Fi signals on both these bands at once, allowing devices to switch between bands depending on where there is the least interference. Some routers use a second section of the 5GHz band for additional possibilities, so these are called tri-band routers.
The two bands can be broken down further into channels, or narrower sections of the radio spectrum, but this usually isn’t necessary unless you’re doing pinpoint analysis of what frequencies are best in a specific area.
What are the various Wi-Fi protocols, and what do they represent?
Wi-Fi is always undergoing improvement in things like how data is efficiently packaged into radio signals, what security it uses, and how it forms connections with electronic devices. That means that the Wi-Fi protocol — the standards and data formats that routers use — occasionally changes so much that a new protocol is developed to incorporate all the technological advances and, well, level up Wi-Fi.
In the past, Wi-Fi protocols were named after codes like 802.11ac. This refers to the specific IEEE (Institute of Electronics and Electronics Engineers) local area network standards, sort of like citing chapter and page for reference. But when the 802.11ax protocol arrived, there was a broad decision to change the naming conventions and simply call it “Wi-Fi 6” to make things easier for the consumer. The next protocol will almost certainly be called Wi-Fi 7, but that’s still years away.
A router (and receiving devices) needs to be compatible with protocol to use it: Protocols contain a lot of backward compatibility for older devices, but an older router won’t be able to use a new protocol, which is why it’s always important to see what protocol a router has before buying. These days, look for routers branded Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E to enjoy the latest advances. However, if your home broadband plan comes with speeds less than a gigabit, you can save some money by going with a slightly older Wi-Fi 5 router at this time.
What should I look for in a wireless router?
We already mentioned how important Wi-Fi 6 is for our current crop of routers and devices. Other important features to watch for include:
- Dual-band or tri-band capabilities to help manage multiple devices more easily
- Beamforming or similar technologies that can help target devices and prevent dead zones
- WP3 encryption
- Automatic optimization to prioritize certain kinds of traffic, devices, or activities like gaming
- Technologies like MU-MIMO (supported by Wi-Fi 6) that allow for more direct Wi-Fi connections to specific devices
- Security features to help detect unwanted devices, add guest networks, or add parental controls as needed
- Gigabit Ethernet ports for additional high-speed cable connections, if necessary
- A smartphone app that can be used for installation and monitoring
- Mesh network capabilities if you want to cover a particularly broad area
How long does a wireless router last?
Compared to many electronic devices, routers are a long-lived bunch. They can often last for five years or longer without developing any problems that would require a replacement. However, replacing a router every few years is a good way to ensure you are keeping up with the latest technology and security, not to mention Wi-Fi speeds. If you start to see more and more devices supporting a new standard like Wi-Fi 6, that’s an excellent reason to look for a new router. More advanced routers, like home mesh systems, are also smarter than traditional routers. These systems benefit from regular software updates and security patches that are applied at night during downtime, which requires no action on your part. And if you choose, you can check for available software updates through the companion smartphone app. Wi-Fi 7 is currently in development, and routers supporting this standard are not expected to hit the market until 2024.
What is a mesh router?
Routers have long had the ability to expand their signals via repeaters, or devices that take the router signal and replicate it in a different area, reaching more space and fixing problems like dead zones and dropped connections. A mesh router is simply a more advanced, user-friendly version of this idea in one package, allowing homeowners to blanket their property with good Wi-Fi coverage and reduce dead zones. Routers like Eero 6 and Nest WiFi have a primary router to serve as a hub, and satellite routers that made to connect to it. These mesh systems are strong solutions for businesses, venues, and other large areas.
While mesh routers have been a pricey investment in the past, that’s not always true today — Vilo’s latest mesh system starts at $20 for a single router and $60 for a three-pack to extend Wi-Fi signal to remote corners of your home. But you don’t have to buy a dedicated mesh system to get the benefits of this type of network — some manufacturers even allow you to convert traditional routers into a mesh system by purchasing additional main units or satellite nodes and connecting them together to create a mesh network through a smartphone app. One example of this is the ASUS ROG GT-AX11000, which can be used as a stand-alone gaming router or be added to a mesh system.
Can a better router increase your internet speed?
Your internet speed is primarily decided by your provider and local infrastructure. However, a better router can offer many features that remove roadblocks to potential higher speeds or make the speed you experience seem faster. If your current ISP (internet service provider) plan promises speeds that you never see on your Wi-Fi network, try a direct cable connection and run speed tests again. If your speed noticeably improves via a wired connection, that means a better router is more likely to increase your speeds, too.
Even if your broadband speeds never get even close to what’s promised by a Wi-Fi 6 router, there are still several advantages to upgrading. The technology delivers more bandwidth to each device that’s connected, helping to ensure that local transfers aren’t interrupted, and lag is less of a problem. Latency is also reduced, which is a benefit for responsive gaming and augmented reality and virtual reality applications. You can also connect more devices to your network, which will help owners expand their collection of smart home gadgets.
Why would I want a gaming router?
Gaming routers include software that can identify and prioritize gaming connections so they get the bandwidth they need to avoid lag or graphics issues. Some also work to connect to closer servers so that server issues are less likely to occur. These features are not necessary for a satisfactory wireless gaming experience, but if that’s what you use Wi-Fi for, then they are certainly worth looking into. Our Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 pick is a great place to start, but there are other gaming routers at a variety of price levels.
Editors’ Recommendations
