The Best Wi-Fi Routers of 2023: In-depth Buying Guide
David Gibson Mar 22, 2023 5:22 AM
Because of the epidemic, so many of us have been compelled to work and learn remotely over the last year, the value of having a strong Wi-Fi connection has been crystal evident. But what makes a good Wi-Fi router, and how can you determine which one is best for you? Our buying guide today will help you find out the best Wi-Fi routers of 2023.
Overview
Internet service providers (ISPs) link your home to the internet and often give you a modem and router. The modem connects your house to the internet; the router connects to the modem, and you will connect all of your devices wired or wirelessly to the router to have access to that connectivity. With the best Wi-Fi router, you can make the most of your Wi-Fi in your home rather than depending on a standard setup designed to operate in every home.
Here's everything you need to know before buying a router and top picks of our high-rated routers for a variety of needs and budgets.
Top Picks
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Best Overall: Amazon eero mesh WiFi router
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Best purchased product: TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
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Best premium choice: Linksys WRT3200ACM: AC3200 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router
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Best affordable: NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6230) - AC1200 Dual Band Wireless Speed
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Best stability: ASUS AC1900 WiFi Router
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Best 6 dual-band: Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router
1. Type of router
For most individuals, the easiest method is to use a single router or a router and modem combo. Keep in mind that this device will need to connect to your current socket or modem via Ethernet wire, which limits where it may be placed. If you reside in a tiny house with a restricted number of devices to connect, go with a single band router. In the event of larger homes with several devices to connect, dual-band routers are recommended. Dual-band routers operate at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. As a result, it is better suited for multi-device connections and larger residences. You can also check for this Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router for faster wifi with support for 75+ devices simultaneously.
2. WiFi Standards
As of early 2022, the IT sector is beginning to shift away from the WiFi 5 standard and toward WiFi 6, which is quicker and supports more devices connected at the same time. You may still use previous WiFi 5-certified devices, such as smartphones and laptops, with WiFi 6 routers, but you won't get all of the benefits of WiFi 6. Purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 router will simply provide future-proofing for your home Wi-Fi network. Why don’t you have a look at TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router? It can perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices.
3. Ports
LAN (local area network) ports link a computer to a router through an Ethernet connection. If you want more LAN ports than the router provides, you can increase the number accessible by connecting an Ethernet switch. Ethernet provides speedier access for devices that require more bandwidth, such as gaming consoles and smart TVs, while USB ports are useful for connecting a printer or storage to your network.
4. Speed
When deciding how fast your router should be, there are several factors to consider. Your ISP will determine the maximum speed of your internet. Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) (megabits per second). Run a speed test in your browser to see what download and upload speeds you are experiencing. A connection speed of roughly 200 megabits per second should be sufficient to perform these types of duties for a household. And NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router is also worth considering because it can speed up to 1750 Mbps
5. Security
Check to see whether the router has a built-in firewall or antivirus. Even low-cost routers include a built-in firewall to protect users from malware assaults. For increased security, some of them include a built-in antivirus application. You should protect your router using a password and the most recent encryption standard available, which is most likely WPA2 or WPA3, depending on the age of your router. Normally, you'll only need to input the password once into each wireless device; the gadget will remember it after that.
6. Device Prioritization
Quality of service (QoS) is an undervalued quality worth investigating, especially if your family members are all internet users. QoS allows you to prioritize devices and, in some cases, services or activities. You may make your work PC the main device, ensuring it has the maximum bandwidth to lessen the possibility of stuttering calls. Some routers allow you to prioritize activities such as gaming in order to reduce latency and offer the best possible experience.
ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, 2.5G Port, Gaming & Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security
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- BrandAsus
TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)- Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, High-Speed ax Router for Streaming, Long Range Coverage
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
TP-Link WiFi 6 Router AX1800 Smart WiFi Router (Archer AX21) – Dual Band Gigabit Router, Works with Alexa - A Certified for Humans Device
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
ARRIS SURFboard SBG7400AC2 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem & AC2350 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router, Approved for Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others (black), Max Download Speed: 1000 Mbps
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- BrandARRIS
- Prime
Linksys Mesh Wifi 6 Router, Dual-Band, 1,700 Sq. ft Coverage, 25+ Devices, Speeds up to (AX1800) 1.8Gbps - MR7350
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- BrandLinksys
- Prime
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A7) -Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router for Home, Works with Alexa, VPN Server, Parental Control, QoS
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
- SCORE8.8PF Score
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- BrandTP-Link
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700 - AC1750 Wireless Speed Up to 1750 Mbps | Up to 1500 Sq Ft Coverage & 25 Devices | 4 x 1G Ethernet and 1 x 3.0 USB Ports | Armor Security
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- BrandNETGEAR
- Prime
Gryphon Guardian Parental Control Router & Mesh WiFi System 1,800Sq Ft per Mesh WiFi Router w/Malware Secure Router Home Protection Security AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Router WiFi Extender Smart Home
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- BrandGryphon
- Prime
Speedefy WiFi 6 Router, AX1800 Smart WiFi Router, 4-Stream Dual Band Wireless Router for Home Internet & Gaming, 1.5GHz Quad-Core CPU, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Parental Control, VPN, IPv6 (Model KX450)
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- BrandSpeedefy
- Prime
Linksys E8450 AX3200 WiFi 6 Router: Dual-Band Wireless Home Network, 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, Parental Controls, 3.2 Gbps, 2,500 sq ft, 25 Devices
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- BrandLinksys
- Prime
Linksys AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router Home Networking, Dual Band Wireless AX Gigabit WiFi Router, Speeds up to 1.8 Gbps and coverage up to 1,500 sq ft, Parental Controls, maximum 20 devices (E7350)
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- BrandLinksys
- Prime
- SCORE9.2PF Score
PF Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How We Rank.
- BrandGoogle
- Prime
TP-Link AX6600 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (Archer GX90)- Tri Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, High-Speed ax Router, Smart VPN Router for a Large Home
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System (Deco S4) – Up to 5,500 Sq.ft. Coverage, Replaces WiFi Router and Extender, Gigabit Ports, Works with Alexa, 3-pack
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX55) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router, Speed & Value, Gaming & Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, Parental Control, MU-MIMO, OFDMA
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- BrandASUS
- Prime
TP-Link AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A8) -High Speed MU-MIMO Wireless Router, Dual Band Router for Wireless Internet, Gigabit, Supports Guest WiFi
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
ASUS WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX3000) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, Gaming & Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, Parental Control, MU-MIMO, OFDMA
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- BrandASUS
- Prime
TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 Smart WiFi Router – 802.11ax Wireless Router, Gigabit Internet Router, Dual Band, OFDMA, MU-MIMO, OneMesh Compatible (Archer AX55)
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
- SCORE9.0PF Score
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- Brandeero
- Prime
ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6 Gaming Router (GT-AX11000) - Tri-Band 10 Gigabit Wireless Router, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU, WTFast, 2.5G Port, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, AURA RGB
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- BrandASUS
- Prime
ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX1800S) – Dual Band Gigabit AX Wireless Internet Router, 4 GB Ports, Easy App Setup, Subscription-Free Internet Security Powered by Trend Micro, Parental Controls, WPS
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- BrandASUS
- Prime
NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) - AX5400 Dual Band Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage
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- BrandNETGEAR
- Prime
ARRIS SURFboard SBG10 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem & AC1600 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router, Approved for Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others (black)
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- BrandARRIS
- Prime
Motorola MG8702 | DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem + Wi-Fi Router (High Speed Combo) with Intelligent Power Boost | AC3200 Wi-Fi Speed | Approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Charter Spectrum
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- BrandMotorola
- Prime
TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 Smart WiFi Router (Archer AX50) – 802.11ax Router, Gigabit Router, Dual Band, OFDMA, MU-MIMO, Parental Controls, Built-in HomeCare,Works with Alexa
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
Meshforce Mesh WiFi System M3s Suite - Up to 6,000 sq. ft. Whole Home Coverage - Gigabit WiFi Router Replacement - Mesh Router for Wireless Internet (3-Pack)
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- BrandMeshforce
- Prime
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54) - Dual Band Wireless Internet Router, 4 x 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Ports, Supports Guest WiFi, Access Point Mode, IPv6 and Parental Controls
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- BrandTP-Link
- Prime
Linksys MX12600 Velop Intelligent Mesh WiFi 6 System: AX4200, Tri-Band Wireless Network for Full-Speed Home Coverage, 8,100 sq ft (White, 3-Pack)
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- BrandLinksys
- Prime
Linksys Atlas WiFi 6E Router Home WiFi Mesh System, Tri-Band, 6,000 Sq. ft Coverage, 130+ Devices, Speeds up to (AX8400) 8.4Gbps - MX8502-AMZ
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- BrandLinksys
- Prime
NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Dual-Band Gigabit Router (WAX202) – AX1800 Wireless Speed (Up to 1.8 Gbps) | Coverage up to 1,200 sq. ft, 40 Devices
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- BrandNETGEAR
- Prime
Reyee WiFi 6 Router AX3200 Smart Wi-Fi Mesh Router, High Speed Wireless Router with 8 Omnidirectional Antennas, Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Computer Router for Homes up to 3000 Sq. ft. - E5
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- BrandReyee
- Prime
Introducing Amazon eero Pro 6E tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6E router, with built-in Zigbee smart home hub
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- Brandeero
- Prime
Cudy WiFi 6 Mesh WiFi, AX1800 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System - Covers up to 5000 Sq. Ft, 5G Gigabit WiFi 6 VPN Router and Extender, Parental Control, Open VPN, 2-Pack
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- BrandCudy
- Prime
Motorola MH7022 | WiFi Mesh System (2-Pack) | Replaces Router + Extender | Easy Setup, Network Protection, Parental Controls | AC2200 WiFi Speed | up to 3500 sq ft
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- BrandMotorola
- Prime
Last update on 2023-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Will older devices continue to function with a Wi-Fi 6 router?
Yes, Wi-Fi 6 is fully backward compatible, meaning earlier-generation Wi-Fi devices will still be able to connect to it and connect to the internet. They simply won't be able to take use of the new Wi-Fi 6 capabilities that improve performance for current-generation devices.
2. Is Wi-Fi 6 the same as Wi-Fi 6E?
No, Wi-Fi 6 is the most recent version of Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fi 6E is a special designation for Wi-Fi 6 devices that can send signals in the ultrawide 6GHz band, something routers couldn't do until recently, when the FCC opted to release that 6GHz spectrum for unlicensed usage.
3. Is it true that more costly Wi-Fi routers are better?
In a test setting, costlier routers provide greater maximum bit rates. They don't, however, add much to a realistic household setting. Any brand name router with gigabit Ethernet ports in the $60 range would suffice.
Picking the best Wi-Fi routers doesn't have to be difficult thanks to all our listed budget-friendly products and detailed buying guides above. If you’re still undecided though, we can recommend our top favorite wifi router: TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router due to its durability, attractive design, and adequate capacity.