Best Wi-Fi routers 2024

ASUS RT-AX82U review
(Image credit: Samuel Contreras)

The best Wi-Fi routers can be lifesavers. The difference between good Wi-Fi in your house and poor connectivity can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. So whether you need something with a ton of speed and connections or just want to make sure you don't drop your connection when you move around your home, there's a router that's right for you. Here's our reliable guide to some of the best wireless routers you can buy today.

Best overall

Asus RT-AX1800S in space

(Image credit: Source: Asus)

Asus RT-AX1800S

Best router overall

Reasons to buy

+
AiProtection Classic included for the product's lifetime
+
Good coverage for large homes
+
Cheap Wi-Fi 6 speeds
+
Free parental controls included

Reasons to avoid

-
AX1800 speeds aren't a great fit for a large family
-
No AiMesh support
  • Top speeds: 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, 574 Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6, 4x Ethernet ports, AiProtection Classic software

The ASUS RT-AX1800S isn't the fastest Wi-Fi 6 router you can get, but it has plenty of speed for most families. The 5GHz band can support a 1,201Mbps link, while the 2.4GHz band supports up to 574Mbps. Wi-Fi 5 devices won't get the full speeds, but you'll be ready when your family gets more Wi-Fi 6 capable devices. There are four open Ethernet ports on the back of the router for your wired devices as well.

ASUS recommends this as one of the best wireless routers for large homes, and its array of four external antennas should be able to reach most of your home easily. Unfortunately, this router doesn't support Asus' AiMesh mesh expansion like the similar RT-AX55U but at a lower price, this is still a great pick with enough coverage for most homes.

The thing that makes this a solid choice for families is Asus' AiProtection Classic software. AiProtection comes with antivirus software powered by Trend Micro, as well as advanced parental controls. ASUS includes this software free of charge for the lifetime of the product. This is a great inclusion, whether you are looking to block inappropriate web content or simply set up limited internet hours to keep students on task.

Best on a budget

TP-Link Archer AC1750

(Image credit: Android Central)
Best router on a budget

Reasons to buy

+
AC1750 speeds are plenty for most homes
+
OneMesh allows for coverage expansion
+
Four Ethernet ports allow for an easy upgrade

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks MU-MIMO support
-
Not for larger homes
  • Top speeds: 1300Mbps @ 5GHz, 450Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Dual-band, 4 gigabit Ethernet ports, OneMesh

If you're looking for one of the best wireless routers with enough speed for HD streaming and even browsing on a few devices, TP-Link's Archer A7 gets the job done with no frills. The Archer A7's dual-band Wi-Fi 5 connection can deliver up to 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band and 450Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Typically, the 2.4GHz band will have a wider range thanks to better wall penetration. While this router lacks support for MU-MIMO, it should be able to handle several devices at once without issue. If you're looking to connect a lot of smart home devices, consider something with greater capacity.

TP-Link estimates this router should provide a signal for a three-bedroom home thanks to its three external antennas. If you need more coverage down the line, you don't need to replace your router. OneMesh allows you to connect other TP-Link routers with OneMesh in a mesh. Unlike a traditional extender, you only use one Wi-Fi name, and your devices will automatically connect to the best available connection.

Basic QoS and parental controls are included with this router if you want to block specific URLs and prioritize a connection. Luckily, this router can be set up and configured with the Tether app on Android or iOS.

Best value

TP-Link Archer AX21

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)
Best value Wi-Fi 6

Reasons to buy

+
Modern Wi-Fi 6
+
Inexpensive
+
AX1800 delivers plenty of speed for most people
+
Four Ethernet ports and a USB port
+
Supports WPA3 technology

Reasons to avoid

-
Large size for its speeds
-
Missing some software features
  • Top speeds: 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4Gh=Hz
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6, 4 Ethernet ports

With the Archer AX21, which we've reviewed, TP-Link delivers affordable Wi-Fi 6 with a spec list that most people should be pretty happy with. A four-stream dual-band wireless setup pushes 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,201Mbps at 5GHz. WPA3 security is supported, and a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU keeps the modern software features running smoothly.

Around the back, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports for wired devices flanked by four antennas. There's also a USB port though speeds are limited to USB 2.0. This should still be enough for HD video streaming in a pinch. It would have been nice to see a few more software features to round out the experience, but TP-Link packs in all of the most important features at this price.

TP-Link keeps the styling traditional, with a relatively large main housing coming in at 10.2 inches wide and 5.3 inches deep. A recent redesign adds some much-needed design flair to this router, but it's still a fairly standard design. Still, it's nice to have a router that manages to look modern without going over the top.

Best for 5GHz devices

ASUS-RT-AX82U review

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras)
Best for 5GHz devices

Reasons to buy

+
Superfast AX5400 speeds
+
160MHz channel support
+
Works with AiMesh and AiProtection
+
Gaming optimizations in software

Reasons to avoid

-
Slower 2.4GHz speeds for legacy devices
-
No multi-gig Ethernet
  • Top speeds: 4804Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: 4x Ethernet ports, USB 3.0 port, 160MHz channel, AiProtection, AiMesh support

The ASUS RT-AX82U is a fast Wi-Fi router with a dual-band AX5400 connection. This connection can deliver up to 4804Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz. In our review of the RT-AX82U we found that this router delivers more than enough speed for most families and while 2.4GHz performance isn't quite as quick as an AX6000 router like the ROG Rapture GT-AX6000, it's plenty for most people since most devices will use 5GHz.

On the back, you get four gigabit ports for wired devices and a USB port. Asus managed to make this router look great with a matte black housing and a more subtle RGB approach than some ROG designs. Of course, RGB can be totally disabled in software. Speaking of software, ASUS included its AiProtection software for advanced parental controls and improved network security. ASUS also supports AiMesh on this router so you can pair it with other ASUS routers to build a custom mesh network.

Best gaming router

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 front the front with four antennas

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)
Best gaming router

Reasons to buy

+
Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 speeds
+
Two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports
+
Four gigabit Ethernet ports
+
Game prioritization in software
+
Easy setup with the ASUS Router app

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive for an AX6000 router
  • Top speeds: 4804Mbps @ 5GHz, 1148Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6, Multi-gig Ethernet, 160MHz band support, Gaming QoS in software

Despite only sporting an AX6000 dual-band connection, this Wi-Fi 6 router outperforms expectations with fast speeds that are a great fit for a gigabit internet connection. 

This router is optimized to keep gaming traffic flowing even when loaded down with dozens of devices thanks to QoS software that can recognize when a game is being played. This means that data from games can be delivered as quickly as possible, rather than waiting in line behind less time-sensitive data like an email inbox refresh.

Thanks to the overall power of this router, ASUS manages to keep streaming speeds high despite this traffic prioritization, so if your router is making you choose between 1080p60 streams and actually being able to compete online, this may be the upgrade you've been looking for. As we saw in our GT-AX6000 review, this router manages to keep performance high on multiple devices at once.

Software management is handled either through the ASUS router app, or in a web browser. While the app doesn't have as much freedom as the web browser, it has more features than most of its competitors, and even comes with free parental controls and security via AiProtection if you want it. 

Finally, ASUS makes VPN connections easy with VPN fusion allowing you to keep your devices private while allowing certain devices, like a game console, to pass by unimpeded.

Best for speed

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 Wi-Fi 6E quad-band router

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras)

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000

Best wireless speeds

Reasons to buy

+
Blazing-fast AX16000 speeds
+
Quad-band design doesn't give up any 5GHz speed
+
Dual 10Gb Ethernet ports
+
Excellent security and QoS software
+
Works with Asus' AiMesh expansion

Reasons to avoid

-
Very larger
-
Very Expensive for a home router
  • Top speeds: 2x 4804Mbps @ 5GHz, 4804Mbps @ 6GHz, 1148Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Quad-band, 2x 10Gbps WAN port, 4x Ethernet ports, 2x USB ports, AiProtection software

A quad-band AXE16000 router is every bit as fast as it sounds, with two full-speed 5GHz bands, a fast 6GHz band, and a 2.4GHz band. Unlike some of the earlier Wi-Fi 6E routers that gave up a second 5GHz band for 6GHz, the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 keeps all of the speed of an AX11000 router with more capacity on top, thanks to the 6GHz band.

While speeds were high in our ROG GT-AXE11000 router review, the fact that you lost some 5GHz performance over a Wi-Fi 6 version was constantly in the back of my mind. The ROG GT-AXE16000 addresses this by keeping all of the capacity of a Wi-Fi 6 AX11000 router with the added performance of a 6GHz band on top. That's not the only hardware upgrade either, with dual 10Gb Ethernet ports for a lighting-fast NAS with an editing PC like a Mac Studio. And with up to 4804Mbps possible with a 4x4 Wi-Fi 6E card, you could comfortably edit in 4K or higher on Wi-Fi.

If you work from home with large amounts of data, this router should be able to keep up with just about anything.

On the software side, you get the usual ASUS ROG package with gaming optimization, a QoS, and advanced parental controls as part of AiProtection. You can even expand your coverage as a mesh with AiMesh. With a quad-band router, you could even dedicate an entire fast band to the mesh link like the quad-band mesh router, the Orbi RBKE963.

Best mesh router

eero

(Image credit: Hayato Huseman / Android Central)

Amazon eero mesh WiFi system

Best mesh Wi-Fi router

Reasons to buy

+
Works with all eero models
+
Easy setup with an app
+
Compact nodes are easy to place

Reasons to avoid

-
Wi-Fi is slow for the price
  • Top speeds: 866.7Mbps @ 5GHz, 400Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: 2x auto-sensing Ethernet ports per unit, Easy setup, Works with all other eeros

If you're looking to cover your home with a mesh network, the third generation eero is one of the easiest systems to get up and running. While eero doesn't disclose the exact speeds of its routers, we typically see speeds max out around 400Mbps. This is not your best option if you have gigabit internet since much of your speed won't be utilized. Still, for most people, eero is fast enough.

If you're a fan of the eero platform but need a bit more speed, the eero 6 and eero Pro 6 will provide enough speed for internet connections of up to 500Mbps and 1Gbps, respectively. Even without a Wi-Fi 6 device, the increased mesh performance can improve your connection.

Each compact unit measures 3.86 inches wide and 2.36 inches tall and has two Ethernet ports on the back. The Ethernet ports can be used to strengthen the mesh connection or to connect wired devices. The node will be able to switch between modes automatically. If you need more coverage than you get with the included node, you can add any eero router to your mesh for more coverage, including older units.

Best mesh router upgrade

TP-Link Deco XE75 review

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Cenral)
Best mesh Wi-Fi router upgrade

Reasons to buy

+
Solid AXE5400 connection speed
+
Tri-band Wi-Fi with a 6GHz backhaul
+
Great coverage area at 5,500 square feet
+
Easy to set up in the app

Reasons to avoid

-
No multi-gig Ethernet ports
-
Only two Ethernet points per node
  • Top speeds: 2402Mbps @ 6GHz, 2402Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6E, 2x LAN Ethernet ports per node, Netgear Armor, 6GHz as a backhaul or for devices

The TP-Link Deco XE75 was a bit of a surprise in the world of Wi-Fi 6E routers, with a low price and impressively solid speeds. The secret sauce is Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which adds a 6GHz band to link the mesh routers. 

This means that the Deco XE75 won't encounter many of the interference issues that Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems do thanks to limited 160MHz-capable bands at 5GHz. While these advantages will be more noticeable in a dense area with lots of neighboring connections, the XE75 still has another trick up its sleeve.

While the 6GHz connection ships as a default dedicated backhaul for the mesh, it can be unlocked to support devices as well. If you've upgraded to a Wi-Fi 6E device, you can get the benefits of this new connection on that phone. While this could mean a weaker mesh link, our Deco XE75 review didn't see any real degradation using either mode.

The nodes are compact as well so you don't need to clear a bunch of space to place them optimally. With an understated matte white housing, you shouldn't need to argue too much with your home's self-appointed interior decorator. All that being said, this mesh system performs as well as a much more expensive mesh, and with Wi-Fi 6E onboard, should hold up even in congested areas.

Best Wi-Fi 6E router

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE1000 review

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)
Best Wi-Fi 6E router

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible AXE11000 tri-band Wi-Fi 6E speeds
+
Support for 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz devices
+
2.5Gbps Ethernet for gaming
+
ASUS AiProtection and AIMesh supported

Reasons to avoid

-
Very large
-
Gamer design with RGB isn't for everyone
  • Top speeds: 4804Mbps @ 6GHz, 4804Mbps @ 5GHz, 1148Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6E, 4x gigabit LAN, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN, 2x USB 3.2 ports, AiProtection, AiMesh

ASUS has been carving out a lead for itself in Wi-Fi 6E tech and one of the first routers from the company to take advantage of the new tech was the ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 gaming router. This router has three Wi-Fi bands with 1148Mbps at 2.4GHz, 4804Mbps at 5GHz, and 4804Mbps at 6GHz. Wi-Fi 6E is much the same as Wi-Fi 6 when it comes to raw speed capacity but with access to 6GHz spectrum, it can take better advantage of it. In our review, we found this router is blazing fast for both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E devices.

Around the back, there are six total Ethernet ports with a gigabit port for WAN, a 2.5Gbps port for LAN, plus four more gigabit LAN ports. Eight antennas sprout from all sides of the router contributing to its overall massive size. ASUS has also included two USB 3.2 Type-A ports for network storage.

Being an ASUS product, you get ASUS' excellent AiProtection software for free as well as support for AIMesh. AiProtection includes a robust set of parental controls for free as well as providing an extra layer of network security. AiMesh allows users to combine this router with another compatible ASUS router to create a mesh network for greater expansion. You could even use a Wi-Fi 6E ZenWiFi system for whole-home Wi-Fi 6E coverage.

Best router with a modem

Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S

(Image credit: Netgear)

Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S

Best Wi-Fi router with a modem

Reasons to buy

+
DOCSIS 3.1 support for gigabit connections
+
AX2700 dual-band WI-Fi 6 speeds
+
Four Ethernet ports with link aggregation
+
Netgear Armor supported
+
Works with most cable ISPs

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive
-
No mesh expansion
  • Top speeds: 1.8Gbps @ 5GHz, 0.9Gbps @ 2.4GHz, DOCSIS 3.1 32x8, internet speeds over 1Gbps supported
  • Top features: Wi-Fi 6, 4x Ethernet ports, USB 3.0 port, Works with most ISPs

The Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S is a cable modem and router combo that works a lot like the gateway you would rent from your ISP providing internet and Wi-Fi with one device. This router supports Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to AX2700 with its dual-band connection and 3x3 connections. While you only get 80MHz channels, 1024QAM is included so your speeds stay consistent even in congested areas.

Notably, the 2.4GHz performance is quite high for this tier of product with up to 0.9Gbps which is great for a home with a lot of smart home devices. The 5GHz speeds are also solid at 1.8Gbps though the vast majority of Wi-Fi 6 devices will only connect at 1.2Gbps. On the back, you get a USB 3.0 port and four ethernet ports for wired devices. Two of the ethernet ports can be used with link aggregation.

ISP support is good with the biggest companies supported including Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. It's worth noting that voice services are not supported so if you're still on an old bundle with home phone service, this isn't the best fit. Even so, this modem is good for up to 800Mbps on Xfinity with 1Gbps service supported by both Cox and Spectrum thanks to the modern DOCSIS 3.1compatiblity and 32 downstream plus 8 upstream channels.

The Nighthawk CAX30S comes with 90 days of Netgear Armor internet security included. This paid subscription service offers parental controls as well as protection for the devices connected to your network without the need to install a bunch of new software.

Best for portability

Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro 5G mobile hotspots with a PC

(Image credit: Netgear)

Netgear Nighthawk M6

A fast and portable 5G router

Reasons to buy

+
Solid AX3600 dual-band speeds
+
Sub-6 5G and LTE Cat 19 support
+
Ethernet connectivity
+
Antennas ports included
+
Compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
No mmWave support
  • Top speeds: 2900Mbps @ 5GHz, 700Mbps @ 2.4GHz
  • Top features: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, 1x Ethernet ports, TS-9 Antenna expansion, 32 connected devices

Whether they're working from home or simply retired, quite a few people are spending extended periods of time away from their brick-and-mortar homes. A router like the Netgear Nighthawk M6 can come with you and provide plenty of speed and coverage (2,000 square feet) for a boat or RV. This router has an AX3600 Wi-Fi 6 connection with a single gigabit Ethernet port that can be used with an existing router or mesh system.

Even if you like to get off the beaten path, you can still get a solid 5G signal thanks to the included TS-9 antenna adapter. The battery pack can last up to 13 hours on a single charge so you don't need to worry about plugging it in if you can't get to power or are running low on solar for the night.

For this router to work its very best, it needs a sub-6 5G signal from AT&T or T-mobile, and thankfully, it supports all of the appropriate bands. Interestingly, it's also compatible with Google Fi so if you have an Unlimited Plus plan, you can use your second SIM with it. If 5G isn't available, LTE cat 19 with up to 5x carrier aggregation can still deliver strong speeds. It even supports 2x uplink carrier aggregation which is great for content creators on the move.

How to pick the best Wi-Fi router

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The fastest routers will work great for anyone, but there's no need for most people to buy something with AX11000 speeds. For most people, internet speeds max out at 1Gbps, and every router on this list will be able to deliver those speeds to a compatible device, except Eero. The real benefits of a more powerful router become apparent when you start adding users. If you know you'll have many people on your connection, a router with greater capacity will ensure each device is given as much speed as possible without dropping the other connections.

1. Do you need Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is steadily becoming more common, and as the prices continue to come down, these routers are quickly becoming some of the best values around. Wi-Fi 6 gets more done with the same amount of spectrum, allowing even phones to connect to Wi-Fi at speeds faster than 1Gbps.

Of course, these routers are fully backward compatible with Wi-Fi 5 and earlier. Moving up to a Wi-Fi 6 router may be worth it if you want to be ready for the next generation of wireless LANs or want a more consistent connection.

2. Who needs a mesh system?

If you're looking for more consistency and better coverage with little concern for wired connectivity or top speeds, a mesh solution might be the best bet for you. Mesh systems use multiple routers or standalone satellites to add coverage to your network. This is similar to a Wi-Fi extender, except you don't need to connect to multiple Wi-Fi points.

Mesh systems tend to be more expensive than a router alone, but the ability to expand your coverage at any combined with the low-profile and stylish designs will make it worth it to many people. Mesh nodes also need to communicate with each other, meaning a mesh system will need faster hardware to match a standalone router's performance.

3. Does software matter for a router?

Many people would assert that they just want their router to be a box that makes excellent Wi-Fi that they can forget about. However, managing a router's settings and connection in an app has been one of the nicest developments to reach most routers you can get today. Not only that, many routers can automatically update to get the latest security features and fix bugs that may come up with new devices.

Beyond that, managing parental controls easily can go a long way to keeping your family secure. Managing devices can get complex with a whole family connected, so having nicely designed parental controls go a long way. Similarly, a good QoS solution can keep your network running smoothly even with many users, so you can be sure your Teams meetings aren't interrupted by poor signal even with multiple devices streaming on your router.

4. Do you still need Ethernet?

Ethernet ports can seem a bit old-fashioned in a wireless world, but a copper wire connection will be more stable than wireless even with the best technology. So if you are a competitive gamer or need your connection speed to be as fast as possible at all times, an Ethernet cable is a cheap and reliable way to make sure you stay connected. Ethernet is also much more resistant to interference than Wi-Fi, even at lengths over 50 feet.

When it comes to choosing the right router, there are a ton of options available. Your best bet will be to get a little more speed than you need now, so you'll have room to grow. People are using their home internet more than ever thanks to working from home and increased streaming, making a fast network more important than ever. Even if you're not ready to move up to Wi-Fi 6 routers, there are still a ton of great options to improve your experience, including mesh solutions.

What are the best Wi-Fi routers?

An increasing number of routers are asking for a subscription fee for advanced software features like improved network security and parental control but in routers like the RT-AX1800S, Asus has kept its AiProtection software free making it one of the best routers you can get overall. This router is also reasonably inexpensive for an AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 router and since there is no need to sign up for recurring fees, the cost over time is also much lower than other routers offering similar features.

The best value option is the TP-Link Archer A7. While cheaper routers are available, the AC1750 speeds should keep up with HD media streaming and browsing without slowing you down. It also has steady support for Wi-Fi 5 devices with up to 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band.

The TP-Link Archer AX21 is the best value router with Wi-Fi 6 thanks to its AX1800 wireless connection being fast enough for most people at a low price. It also has an easy setup procedure thanks to the TP-Link Tether app for smartphones. So if you're looking for something to keep up with most households without going overboard, the AX21 is a great fit.

Samuel Contreras

When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

With contributions from