The Best Wi-Fi Routers
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The humble Wi-Fi router has become an essential fixture in every home, but the one your internet service provider sent is likely the reason your Wi-Fi sucks. There are various ways to improve your Wi-Fi, but few are as effective as upgrading your router. Benefits will extend to everything from streaming movies and online gaming to video calls. Most people can get by just fine with a single Wi-Fi router, and I’ve collected recommendations to suit different needs, spaces, and budgets. I have tested all of these in my busy family home, which is full of Netflix-addicted gamers.
There’s a mesh Wi-Fi option here, but check out our Best Mesh Wi-Fi Routers guide for larger homes. If you're confused about terminology, our How to Buy a Router guide can help. Whatever you choose, make sure you secure your router.
Updated October 2024: We added routers from Netgear, TP-Link, and Asus, added specs tables, and updated prices throughout.
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- Photograph: TP-Link
Best Overall
TP-Link Archer AX55This affordable Wi-Fi 6 router is what I think most people should buy. The slick black finish is attractive, and there are four antennas to direct Wi-Fi to every corner. (It's worth tweaking and testing different positions.) Performance was solid throughout my two-floor, 1,600-square-foot home but dropped off slightly in the back garden. Stability was excellent over weeks of testing, hitting the upper mid-end in my speed and range tests. This router also ticks off all the feature boxes you want (MU-MIMO, beamforming, WPA3—we explain many of these terms in our How to Buy a Router guide). It has four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a single gigabit WAN port, and a USB 3.0 port on the back, which is enough for most people.
I’m a fan of TP-Link’s Tether app (Android, iOS), where you can review traffic, split bands, create a guest network, schedule reboots, set automatic updates, and even tell the LED to turn off at night. TP-Link’s basic free tier offers network scanning, QoS (Quality of Service) for device prioritization, and basic parental controls, so you can filter and blacklist websites. If you want more perks, like intrusion detection and real-time web security, you'll need to upgrade to Security+ for $5 a month or $36 a year. Total Security adds antivirus, VPN, and password management for $6 a month or $70 a year. TP-Link has separated its Advanced Parental Controls, so if you want time limits for apps, downtime, SafeSearch and more, it will cost you $3 a month or $18 a year.
Specs Wi-Fi Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x Gigabit WAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.0 Size 12.99 x 9.45 x 2.87 inches, 1.66 pounds - Photograph: Simon Hill
Upgrade Pick
Asus RT-AX86U ProSimple setup, silky performance, and serious speed make this Asus router a good choice for anyone prepared to spend more for smoother Wi-Fi. It sports an eye-catching red and black design with three rotatable antennas. This router had no issues covering my entire home and garden and was one of the top performers in my tests. It delivered consistently fast speeds everywhere and was stable, even with four people streaming and gaming simultaneously. There are some handy customization options for gamers and optimizations that ensure low latency. It also has plenty of ports, including a 2.5-Gbps port configurable as WAN or LAN, four gigabit Ethernet ports, one USB 3.2, and one USB 2.0 port.
The Asus app is packed with options, making it very easy to tweak router settings, should you need to. It covers everything, from comprehensive parental controls to traffic prioritization and network security. That includes AiProtection Pro (powered by Trend Micro), which monitors your network for malicious activity, no subscription required. This router supports AiMesh, which means you can add any other AiMesh Asus router to create a mesh network and expand connectivity in your home. The original RT-AX86U has been discontinued, so we switched to the almost identical RT-AX86U Pro, which has a faster processor inside. It performed slightly better in my tests, but the difference is slight, so buy whichever one is cheaper.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0 Size 9.53 x 3.94 x 12.8 inches, 1.8 pounds
- Photograph: TP-Link
Best Budget Router
TP-Link Archer AX21This impressive Wi-Fi 6 router delivers reliable performance at a relatively low price and succeeds our previous pick (the AX20). Despite the demands of four people video streaming and gaming, I rarely noticed a difference in everyday performance between this and my top pick, the AX55. My tests revealed some limitations on the range, however, and the download speed when installing a new game was noticeably slower than with the rest of our picks. But for most day-to-day tasks over a week of testing, this router delivered sterling service. It matches the AX55 with four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one WAN but only has a USB 2.0.
The Tether app is straightforward and packed with all the basic options you need, including traffic prioritization, parental controls, and a guest network. There’s no Security+ or HomeShield with this router, but most people don't need those extra services. If you don’t care about online gaming performance or have tons of smart home devices, and your home is 1,600 square feet or smaller, you likely don’t need to spend more than this.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x Gigabit WAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 2.0 Size 10.28 x 5.3 x 1.61 inches, 1.1 pounds - Photograph: Asus
Best Wi-Fi 6E Router
Asus RT-AXE7800While many people will be best served by skipping Wi-Fi 6E to wait for Wi-Fi 7, anyone suffering from congestion problems could benefit from jumping onto the 6-GHz band today. The tri-band Asus RT-AXE7800 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a reliable and relatively affordable way to do so. This hexagonal router has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, a second 1-Gbps WAN/LAN, and a further three gigabit LANs, with link aggregation support. Close range performance was excellent on both the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands, midrange results on the 5-GHz band were good, and long-range performance on the 2.4-GHz band was average.
There are options galore in the mobile app and browser interface, including band-splitting, prioritization for different activities, guest network, VPN support, and lots more. The RT-AXE7800 also comes with parental controls and network security without a subscription, so there are no hidden costs. It covered my 1,600-square-foot home comfortably, but folks with larger properties may prefer a mesh system, though the AiMesh support means the RT-AXE7800 can be combined with other Asus routers to form one.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6E Bands 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.0 Size 9.49 x 8.27 x 2.44 inches, 2.28 pounds
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Wi-Fi 7 Router
Asus RT-BE96UIf you’re an early adopter itching to try Wi-Fi 7, then the Asus RT-BE96U is calling. This enormous, tri-band router is bristling with eight large antennas and is not easy to mount, so you will need a suitable space for it. This router is seriously massive, but performance-wise, this is as good as it gets right now. Testing on the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, only one other router has performed better, and it was the GT-BE98 Pro below, also from Asus. The RT-BE96U offers expansive coverage, easily blanketing my home and garden with stable, speedy Wi-Fi. Whether downloading or moving large files, gaming, or streaming, the RT-BE96U is fast and reliable. It also has two 10-Gbps ports (one WAN/LAN and a LAN), four gigabit LANs, one USB 3.2, and a USB 2.0 port. Being super picky, it might have been nice if those gigabit ports were 2.5 Gbps, as TP-Link offers in the BE800.
I love that Asus continues to avoid the subscription model, offering AiProtection security, VPN functionality, and robust parental controls as part of the purchase price and free for the lifetime of the router. You also get an in-depth set of networking features you can dig into, and there is support for AiMesh, enabling you to link this with other Asus routers to create a mesh. You don’t even have to create an account to use this router (which is a rarity nowadays). The firmware on Asus routers can sometimes be ropey at release, but I’ve been using the RT-BE96U for a couple of weeks without so much as a hiccup. The caveat? You do need devices that support Wi-Fi 7 and a multi-gig connection to put this router through its paces. Most folks do not have to spend this much to get great Wi-Fi, but if you want a router to last you the next few years, this is an excellent choice.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 7 Bands 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 10-Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 10-Gbps LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0 Size 13.8 x 13.8 x 8.57 inches, 4.1 pounds - Photograph: Asus
Best Gaming Router
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000My time with the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 was refreshingly free of issues. It’s a big, loud design with four antennas and RGB lighting that screams gamer. Still, it served up speedy, unbroken Wi-Fi throughout my home and garden and didn’t flinch at four simultaneous online gaming sessions. It’s easy to prioritize gaming devices or activity, and there’s a mobile game mode, simple port forwarding, and a dedicated gaming port. Speaking of which, you get plenty of ports to make the most of an internet connection of up to 2.5 Gbps.
Like the rest of the Asus range, the mobile app is excellent and boasts all the features you need, including guest network support, band splitting, parental controls, and anti-malware. The AiProtection Pro and parental controls are free for the device's lifetime so you don't have to make monthly payments. Asus offers Instant Guard free with this router, enabling it to secure your public Wi-Fi connections when you are out by running a VPN (virtual private network) server on your router at home (which also means you don’t have to share data with a VPN provider).
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0 Size 13.3 x 7.72 x 8.7 inches, 2.5 pounds
- Photograph: Netgear
Best Gaming Router With Wi-Fi 6E
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300If you’re ready to turn things up to 11, this is one of the fastest routers I've tested. The curvy spaceship design in matte black is a little more stealthy than your average gaming gear, but those wings contain several antennas for a strong signal throughout your home. The Nighthawk RAXE300 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a tri-band router with Wi-Fi 6E support, covering the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands. It served seamless speedy Wi-Fi during two weeks of testing, with zero issues while handling a revolving mix of four simultaneous gaming and video streaming streams. I downloaded a 30-GB game in less than 10 minutes. A single 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, five gigabit LAN ports, and a USB-C 3.0 port will be enough for most folks.
The Nighthawk app is excellent and offers band splitting, guest network options, and a host of analytical tools. While both the Premium Smart Parental Controls ($8/month or $70/year) and Netgear Armor ($100/year) are comprehensive and slick, the extra expense is hard to swallow when many competitors offer cheaper or free alternatives with similar features. That said, Netgear Armor does include Bitdefender Security for your devices and Bitdefender VPN for use outside the home. Don’t even think about spending more than this unless your internet connection exceeds 1 Gbps, and even then you can expect diminishing returns.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6E Bands 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 5x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.0 Size 13.64 x 8.16 x 6.47 inches - Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router
Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 ProTopping my testing charts, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is a supremely capable, quad-band, Wi-Fi 7 gaming router. For speed, this is the best router I have tested to date. It is very similar to the RT-BE96U above, but Asus has added a second 6-GHz band on top of the existing 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, and an extra 10 Gbps LAN port. This is also easily the biggest router I have ever tested at nearly 14 inches across, with eight huge antennas. It is far from subtle, won’t blend in, and could prove tricky to place. Because it is a gaming router, Asus has included Aura RGB lighting, so you can pick the colored lighting you want and make it a feature.
AiProtection Pro security software and parental controls powered by Trend Micro are bundled into the cost. This comprehensive security combo includes a firewall, intrusion prevention, malicious site blocking, automatic updates, and more. Parental controls include scheduling, website filtering by age, and usage stats. You also get VPN support with the option to connect remotely when you are out and about. Naturally, there are some gaming-focused features, with game acceleration enabling you to prioritize gaming-related traffic through ports and packet analysis. If you have Asus' ROG gear, it can be prioritized with a click, and Asus includes server acceleration to minimize latency through the third-party WTFast service.
Apart from the size and cost, there isn’t much to criticize here, but it is worth considering that the range on the 6-GHz band is limited and struggles to penetrate through walls, so you will need Wi-Fi 7 devices in fairly close proximity to take full advantage of this router. For most folks today, the non-Pro Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 (£700), which has two 5-GHz bands, will likely perform better, but it’s not available in the US.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 7 Bands 2x 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 10-Gbps WAN/LAN, 2x 10-Gbps LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0 Size 13.7 x 8.6 x 13.7 inches, 4.4 pounds
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Mid-Range Wi-Fi 7 Router
Netgear Nighthawk RS300It’s still not cheap, but at around half the price of our best Wi-Fi 7 pick, this Netgear router is a solid option that will likely exceed most folks' needs. The classy tower design is understated, and this is a fanless router that kept its cool during my tests. Setup was a breeze, and the simplified app is designed to be hands-off. The Nighthawk RS300 offers 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands. Speed and stability on the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands were excellent, though the range on the 6-GHz band is limited. Performance on the 2.4-GHz band was slightly below par, but that will likely only be an issue if you have loads of older devices. The RS300 has one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port for your incoming internet, two 2.5 Gbps and two Gigabit LAN ports, and one USB 3.0 port.
While Asus routers are great for tinkerers who want to dive into settings, Netgear limits your options to keep things simple. You can still set up a guest network, run speed tests, split bands, meter your traffic, and analyze your Wi-Fi signal in the accessible Nighthawk app. Premium Smart Parental Controls ($8/month or $70/year) and Netgear Armor ($100/year) add tons of features, but they are expensive (you get a 30-day trial of each), and most people don’t need them. The RS300 is one of the best experiences I have had with a Netgear router, with very fast speeds on the 5- and 6-GHz bands, lightning-quick file transfer times, and no issues over two weeks of testing. For folks with mostly newish gadgets, internet connections up to 2.5 Gbps, and no desire to tweak network settings, this is a great first Wi-Fi 7 router.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 7 Bands 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 2x 2.5-Gbps LAN, 2x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.0 Size 9.8 x 5.9 x 4 inches - Photograph: Simon Hill
Best for Large Homes
Asus ZenWiFi XT8 (2-Pack)Consistently delivering a stable high-speed Wi-Fi connection, the Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 mesh system tops our Best Mesh Wi-Fi Routers guide and is ideal for large homes or houses with dead spots. I like the classy, unobtrusive design in black or white. This system performed well in tests, offering great coverage and close to maximum speeds at close-, mid-, and long-range. I encountered a slight issue during setup that was resolved with a factory reset and firmware update. Over the months since, I have continued using this system hassle-free. Each versatile unit is a full router with three gigabit LAN ports, a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, and a USB 3.1.
Part of the appeal of Asus routers is the excellent app, packed with features for tinkerers but easy enough for anyone to navigate. All the options you need are here, from band splitting to guest networks to prioritization for specific activities like gaming or video streaming. You also get comprehensive parental controls and anti-malware protection free for the lifetime of the router. The XT8 two-pack can cover a home up to 5,500 square feet, and it supports AiMesh, meaning it's easy to add more AiMesh routers to expand your network.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.1 Size 6.3 x 2.95 x 6.36 inches (each)
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best for NAS
Synology RT6600axThe Synology RT6600ax boasts solid performance and familiar hardware design, but the software makes this tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router interesting. Speeds were consistently high in my tests on both 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, with solid coverage throughout my house, marking this as a high mid-table performer. There’s a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, one gigabit WAN/LAN, three gigabit LAN ports, and a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port. But Synology’s expertise is in NAS (network attached storage), so this router can double as a fully-fledged NAS server for backups or file sharing.
The DS Router mobile app is easy to use and allows you to configure your network, parental controls, and set up a VPN service, though it occasionally crashed on me. It also provides Wi-Fi analysis and network security at no extra cost, but there’s no QoS. If you want to dig deeper, the Linux-based Synology Router Manager operating system is comprehensive, with enough options to satisfy advanced folks and loads of potentially useful packages you can add (including Download Station, Media Server, and VPN Plus Server).
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3x Gigabit LAN, 1x USB 3.2 Size 14.25 x 10 x 4 inches, 4.1 pounds - Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Travel Router
Asus RT-AX57 GoIf you’re out on the road a lot, a travel router could come in very handy, and the Asus RT-AX57 Go is our current pick (though I have only tested a few travel routers). This 5-inch, white, plastic square comes with a wee stand. It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with gigabit WAN and LAN Ethernet ports that you can plug into a modem, the port in your hotel, or any other internet source. It can even connect to public Wi-Fi, or you can plug your phone into the USB 3.2 port and use the RT-AX57 Go as a hotspot to magnify your cell connection (it doesn’t have a SIM slot of its own).
Connect your devices at home and the Asus RT-AX57 Go provides convenience on vacation. We took it on a weekend trip and it was nice to simply hook it up to a source to have prepaired Wi-Fi on everyone’s devices without being asked for the login again and again (as usually happens). Despite the small size, it does a decent job, delivering speedy Wi-Fi and almost covering my whole home. It will easily fill a vacation apartment or hotel room. Asus includes its usual security software, parental controls, and VPN support. It even has AiMesh support, so you could also use the RT-AX57 Go as a mesh node. Overall, this is a versatile, compact gadget at a reasonable price.
Specs Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports 1x Gigabit WAN/LAN, 1x USB 3.2 Size 4.7 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches, 7.36 ounces
Photograph: Simon HillHonorable Mentions
Other RoutersWe have tested some other routers we like and have several more in the queue. These aren't as great as the picks above but are worth considering.
TP-Link Archer GE800 for $600: This stunning tri-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router came very close to a place above. The angled design with customizable RGB lighting screams Vader’s castle but also provides room for antennas to ensure extremely fast performance across the board. You also get a 10-Gbps port for your incoming internet connection, a further two 10-Gbps and four 2.5-Gbps Ethernet LAN ports, and a USB 3.0 port. The Tether app is solid, with some gaming-specific options, but separate subscriptions are required for extra security and parental controls. Despite the blazing fast results, the GE800 couldn’t quite match our top Wi-Fi 7 gaming pick above on the 6-GHz band, and it produced quite a lot of heat and audible fan noise, though it is significantly cheaper.
Asus RT-BE88U for $350: This dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router is an odd prospect because it does not offer the 6-GHz band at all, just 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz. But you can still combine those bands with MLO and enjoy features like 4K QAM, and this router will be fast enough for the average home. It has ports galore (two 10 Gbps, four 2.5 Gbps, four Gigabit, and one USB 3.0). It outperformed several more expensive routers on the 5-GHz band, and that’s likely what most of your devices are using most of the time right now. Asus also offers free security software and parental controls with its routers, so there’s no need for subscriptions. But when I consider that you can snag the Netgear Nighthawk RS300 listed above for less, I find it tough to recommend this router to folks in the US. If the 6-GHz band is unavailable or nerfed in your country, the RT-BE88U is for you.
TP-Link Travel Router AX1500 for $60: If you don’t want to spend much on a travel router, this is a good alternative to our pick above and less than half the price. The catch is that you can expect around half the performance. If you just need to cover a hotel room, it’s fine, but the USB 2.0 port limits the effectiveness of using your phone’s cellular connection, and the 2.4-GHz band is only Wi-Fi 4. It does have two Gigabit ports, some handy modes, and VPN support. I also love that it is powered via USB-C, as it affords some versatility (you could even use a fast portable charger).
Netgear Nighthawk RS700 for $700: Although I had setup issues that required a factory reset, there’s no hiding the top-notch performance of this router. It’s a Wi-Fi 7 tri-band router with two 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, four gigabit ports, and a USB 3.2. The tower design is new for the Nighthawk line, and it looks great. This router will blend in far better than our bulky Wi-Fi 7 pick above from Asus, and it was slightly faster on the 6-GHz band, though not the 5-GHz or 2.4-GHz bands. It mainly misses out on a recommendation because it is more expensive. We’re already seeing discounts on the RT-BE96U, and Asus offers free security software and parental controls. If you get the Nighthawk RS700S, the “S” at the end denotes a free year of Netgear Armor, which costs $100 a year thereafter. If you need parental controls, that’s another $70 a year.
TP-Link Archer GX90 AX6600 for $250: Picks above too expensive? The slightly more affordable TP-Link Archer GX90 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) might tempt you. It looks like a Sith spider, but this gaming-focused behemoth is feature-packed. It's easy to set up and configure, and boasts a game accelerator feature and prioritization, making it easy to reserve bandwidth for gaming. I had no issues with multiple simultaneous gaming sessions. It has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, a gigabit WAN/LAN port, three gigabit LAN ports, and two USB ports (3.0 and 2.0). Sadly, full parental controls and enhanced security require subscriptions.
Aircove ExpressVPN Router for $190: This router has a built-in VPN service, allowing you to shield your network traffic from prying eyes. You do have to buy a subscription to ExpressVPN separately (it’s $13 per month, or just over $8 if you pay annually). But setup is simple, and having a VPN at the router level is much easier than having to install it on each device (though several of our picks above can do this, too). It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN doesn’t make our Best VPNs guide because it was sold to a parent company with a less-than-sterling reputation; that might matter to you if you’re the kind of person who wants a VPN. We also ran into a few issues with websites and streaming services that aren’t keen on VPNs.
Vodafone Pro II from £37 a month: Folks in the UK looking for a new internet service provider (ISP) should check out Vodafone’s Pro II (8/10, WIRED Review). While ISPs have traditionally provided shoddy routers to their customers, that seems to be changing. The Vodafone Pro II is a tri-band router that supports Wi-Fi 6E, and it delivered lightning-fast speeds in my tests on a par with many of my picks above. The range is limited, especially on the 6-GHz band, but this service comes with a range extender that appears as part of the same network. You can also get a 4G backup that connects to Vodafone’s mobile network to keep you online should your regular internet connection fail. It’s only available with a two-year Vodafone service contract, starting from £37 a month.
Firewalla Gold SE for $449: This quirky portable device is perfect for people who worry about security and privacy. It offers comprehensive tools for monitoring all traffic in and out of your house, robust and detailed parental controls, ad-blocking, and enhanced security with a built-in firewall and VPN option. It serves as a router, but you will want to pair another router in access point mode for Wi-Fi in your home. It’s expensive and may prove intimidating for inexperienced folks, but it offers deep insight into your network and an impressive depth of security features without an additional subscription. The Gold SE has two 2.5 Gbps ports and two gigabit ports and is suitable for folks with up to 2-gigabit connections. If your internet is only one gigabit, try the more affordable, but slightly less capable, Firewalla Purple ($359) (8/10, WIRED recommends).
TP-Link Archer BE800 for $524: With a fresh design that’s more desktop PC than router, the BE800 (8/10, WIRED Review) tri-band beast came out on top or close to it in my tests on the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, proving impressively swift for file transfers and downloads. It also boasts speedy ports galore, a cool but kind of pointless customizable dot-matrix LED screen, and the Tether app offers a guest network, IoT network, VPN server or client, EasyMesh, QoS for device prioritization, and remote management. This was our Wi-Fi 7 pick, but the Asus RT-BE96U beat it in my tests and does not require a subscription. TP-Link’s Security+ ($5/month, $36/year) and Advanced Parental Controls ($3/month, $18/year) bring full-featured parental controls and network security.
Reyee RG-E6 for $150: This affordable gaming router from Reyee is a decent budget gaming pick that recorded some impressive test results. It is only a dual-band router, but with support for 160-MHz channels, the speeds on the 5-GHz band were very good. It has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN and three gigabit LANs but no USB ports. Reyee’s app offers prioritization for devices, ports, and gaming traffic, separate guest and IoT networks, and basic parental controls. What it lacks is any security, and the app is poorly translated. But if that doesn’t bother you, this is likely the best gaming router you can get for the money.
TP-Link Archer AXE75 for $160: While this tri-band router makes Wi-Fi 6E affordable, its performance was mixed. The 6-GHz band offers fast speeds at close range but drops off sharply with distance. I found the 5-GHz band somewhat inconsistent, recording zippy performance in most of my tests but relatively slow results on a few occasions. You also need subscriptions if you want full-featured parental controls and network security, and all four Ethernet ports are limited to 1 Gbps.
Synology WRX560 for $220: If you already have the Synology RT6600ax listed above, the WRX560 is a decent additional device for setting up a mesh network. I had some issues with setup that required a factory reset, but once up and running, the WRX560 offers a strong and stable signal on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. However, a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is a tough sell at this price, so if you just need one, it’s worth spending the extra $80 for the RT6600ax.
TP-Link Archer AX5400 Pro for $200: This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is almost identical to the Archer AX73, except for the 2.5 Gbps WAN port. It delivers relatively fast speeds on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands and boasts a 160-MHz channel width on 5 GHz. The range is good, easily covering my home and garden, but the performance was inconsistent. It was also relatively slow at moving files locally. There’s support for TP-Link OneMesh, VPN, and QoS, but you only get basic parental controls and network security unless you subscribe.
MSi RadiX AXE6600 for $158: This Wi-Fi 6E tri-band gaming router has that familiar red and black Sith spider look, though you can customize the lighting. It proved very fast in most of my tests, coming close to the top of the table at short range on the 6-GHz band and offering average performance on the 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz bands. But the mobile app had limited options, a confusing layout, and was buggy (it crashed on me more than once). The web interface was better, with more options, including open VPN, simple parental controls, guest network, and QoS optimization for gaming. Unfortunately, performance was inconsistent, and I suffered random drops twice in a week of testing.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E for $196: One of the first Wi-Fi 6E tri-band routers (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) to hit the market, the price has dropped significantly since release. It proved easy to set up, and has a very straightforward app, though it was often slow to load. It has a 5-Gbps WAN port and four gigabit LAN ports. The performance proved reliable, and it’s possible to get lightning-fast speeds at close range if you have a device that supports Wi-Fi 6E. Coverage and speeds at mid and long range were average. There are free basic parental controls that enable you to block sites and schedule downtime, but only on a per-device basis (no profile creation or age restrictions filters). You can split bands if you want to, and prioritize three devices. There’s also a guest network option and easy Wi-Fi sharing. Another positive is that this router works with any other Linksys Intelligent Mesh router (including the Velop mesh range).
Linksys Hydra 6 for $100: Specs-wise, this compact router is similar to our top pick (TP-Link Archer AX55). It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a gigabit WAN and four gigabit LAN ports. The setup was easy, and it uses the same Linksys app as the Pro 6E above, so you get free parental controls, guest network, prioritization, and band splitting. It proved speedy at close range and not bad at mid-range, but if your home is larger than 1,600 square feet, it may struggle. However, as an Intelligent Mesh router, it can mix and match with other Linksys routers or its Velop mesh system. Linksys suggests a limit of 25 connected devices. Although it managed more than 40 without issues in my testing, busy households will likely want something more powerful.
Reyee RG-E5 for $90: Based purely on performance, this dual-band, Wi-Fi 6 router impressed me. It offered great coverage, very fast speeds on the 5-GHz band, and solid stability. It can also form a mesh with other Reyee routers, and the app boasts free parental controls. On the downside, security is lacking (no WPA3, no 2FA, no anti-malware), you have to create a Ruijie Cloud account (Ruijie is the Chinese parent company), and the poorly translated app is slightly confusing.
Photograph: 10'000 Hours/Getty ImagesWhat to Look for
Shopping for RoutersOur How to Buy a Router guide answers a lot of questions on the terminology you'll come across when shopping for a router. Still, here are a few other considerations.
- Make sure the router supports Wi-Fi 6. All of our picks above support it, and it’s the minimum we recommend.
- Support for Wi-Fi 6E is widespread, and we are starting to see more affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers and devices. We have tested several Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers that offer extra bandwidth and speed on the newly opened 6-GHz band, but devices like phones and laptops must support Wi-Fi 6E or 7 for you to take advantage. The 6-GHz band is also short-range compared to the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands.
- Your maximum internet speed is set by your ISP and will likely fluctuate depending on the time of day. While your router can’t provide an internet connection that exceeds that speed, it can potentially go faster when you stream from a server in your home or move files from one device on your local network to another.
- It’s worth checking a prospective router’s coverage and speed, but understand that your mileage may vary. Construction materials in your home, your neighbors’ activity and Wi-Fi networks, your devices, and the position of your router are just a few of the factors that will impact your Wi-Fi performance.
- Ethernet ports offer stable connections and are essential for some smart home setups that require a hub for lights or security cameras. Some network-attached storage for backups or media will plug into your main router via USB. Ensure that the router you are considering has all the ports you need.
- Running an Ethernet cable from your router to a device will provide a faster and more secure connection than Wi-Fi. Read our Ethernet guide to learn more.
- Many router manufacturers allow you to create a mesh network by adding more routers or devices like range extenders but check what is supported before you buy. For example, Asus AiMesh enables you to link multiple routers, while TP-Link’s OneMesh only allows you to add powerline adapters or range extenders. EasyMesh is a new standard certification by the Wi-Fi Alliance that hopes to allow the mixing and matching of devices from different manufacturers to form a mesh.
Photograph: Getty ImagesHow We Test
Router TestingTo test these routers, I used each one for at least a week (usually longer) in a busy family home of four with lots of video streaming, gaming, and video calls. I ran speed tests (downloads and uploads). I transferred files on the network on multiple devices from different spots around my home. I used NetSpot to survey signal strength throughout the house and create heat maps for comparison. I ran the TamoSoft Throughput Test. I turned the power and modem off and on to find out how each system recovered. I also tested the mobile apps and web interfaces to see how easy it was to change settings, set up parental controls, and access security features.
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