1. Asus RT-AX86U AX5700 WiFi 6 Router
The Asus RT-AX86U is a jump in price over our pick as the best WiFi router, the TP-Link Archer AX50, but it also represents a significant step up in performance. This router is equipped to handle anything and everything from gaming to 4K streaming, but its real killer feature is that it can accept two separate gigabit connections from your ISP and aggregate them into a single 2 Gbps connection to be used by devices on your network. With an AX5700 rating this router has enough bandwidth to support a total of 4.8 Gbps over the 5 Ghz frequency, and 861 Mbps over the 2.4 GHz frequency which will be more wireless bandwidth than you’re likely to need for years (if not decades). It also comes with a multi-gigabit LAN port that can transfer at speeds of 2.5 Gbps.
2. Netgear WAX204 AX1500 Router
If you’re currently running a small business out of your home, or you need a router for a smaller office space, the Netgear WAX204 is a business-oriented AX1500 WiFi 6 router that provides some unique security features. What this router will let you do is set up three distinct networks under different SSIDs so that you can sensitive information protected. Whether that’s separating your personal and professional networks at home, or separating the employee network from the public guest WiFi at a place of business, this router gives you the flexibility and security you need.
3. TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 802.11ac Router
Speedy performance at a budget price is what you get with the TP-Link Archer A7 as it’s a solid, no-nonsense router that will absolutely handle the average computing demands of a small household. Setting up the router only takes a couple of minutes and delivers a theoretical max throughput of 1.3 Gbps across the 5 Ghz band. In the real world, according to PC Mag speed testing of the near-identical Archer C7, that means you can expect WiFi speeds around 500 Gbps if you have a gigabit connection and the right modem. While it won’t cover a large house with a strong signal on its own, withstand the simultaneous needs of dozens of smart home devices, offer the lowest ping times for gamers or thrive as six devices are streaming 4K content at once, it is just fine for everything else. So, if you’re needing a faster signal as you transition from the office to working from home, this is a solid performing router that won’t break the bank.
4. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Tri-Band Router
Work from home warriors or elite gamers demand speed from their WiFi routers, and the Asus ROG Rapture delivers just that. Sure, it might look like a techno-tarantula from a science-fiction fever dream, but gamers will appreciate Game Boost, a feature where the network prioritizes signal strength to Sony, Nintendo and Xbox gaming devices while keeping latency to an absolute minimum. On top of that, there are 10 Gbps of max throughput here, so you can dedicate an entire 5Ghz band to gaming and nothing else. The design may be aggressive, but the speed is top-notch and the setup is surprisingly easy to manage. Plus it can link up with other compatible devices that are part of Asus’ Aimesh system. The only downside: it’s crazy expensive.
5. Google WiFi
Small, discreet and just plain cool-looking, the Google Wifi router is a great solution for city-based apartment-dwellers that need something powerful in a small space. If you do want to cover a large area, the router is part of a mesh system, so buy however many you may need in order to ensure the appropriate coverage. Additionally, Google’s Network Assist works to make sure that your devices always have the fastest lane possible for optimal speeds on all of your devices. So even though it doesn’t provide as much coverage in terms of real estate, it’s still one of the best wireless routers for sale today.
6. TP-Link Archer AX50 WiFi 6 Router
So, you need a router that won’t be obsolete in a couple of years, but aren’t necessarily running 15 4K streams at once, right? The TP-Link AX50 is the best WiFi router you can pick thanks to its combination of speed, range, affordability and WiFi 6 capabilities. The 2×2 MiMo antenna array is set up to handle many devices operating at the same time and has a total theoretical throughput of 3 Gbps across its two bands, with 2.4 Gbps of dedicated to the 5Ghz band. This is hardware that is well-suited for a variety of scenarios, including gaming. If you don’t have a gigabit Ethernet connection and a newer smartphone, laptop or tablet that takes advantage of WiFi 6, you won’t experience the full potential of this router. But even still, there’s a good chance that it will offer up faster speeds than whatever you were using before, and you will be set up for the future when you have faster internet and more advanced devices.
7. TP-Link Archer AX21 AX1800 Router
For those who just want to get a taste of the potential benefits of WiFi 6, but don’t necessarily want to splurge on a high-end router, the TP-Link Archer AX21 is an affordable router that promises solid performance for a smaller home or an average internet user. The quad-core CPU on this router will ensure that it can efficiently deal with a large number of devices on the network at the same time, while the 1.2 Gbps throughput on the 5 GHz band ensures that you can simultaneously stream 4K video while FaceTiming your parents and downloading the latest game for your PS5. While it doesn’t have the built-in security and antivirus features of the TP-Link Archer AX50, you still receive many of the same benefits that our top pick provides.
8. Netgear Nighthawk R6700 AC1750 802.11ac Router
The key word to know with this Nighthawk router from Netgear is smart. Capable of detecting which devices are taxing the network the heaviest and adjusting bandwidth accordingly, users won’t notice a drop-off in performance when everyone is using a different device (it has support for up to 35 WiFi-enabled gadgets). And with the corresponding mobile application (which allows users to set time limits and website filters), setup is a breeze, eliminating a lot of hassle that comes with installing a new router. It’s everything a modern router needs to be, at a price point that’s more than justifiable.
9. Google Nest Wifi Mesh Router
Google’s Nest Wifi mesh router is a great way to get full, fast internet coverage throughout your home with some added benefits along the way. Not only does this AC2200 system blanket your home with speedy WiFi, but you can eliminate pesky dead spots by additional mesh nodes. It’s also dead simple to set up. Even better, each node doubles as a Google Assistant smart speaker. Hey Google, is this a smart purchase? Yes.
10. Netgear Orbi AC3000 802.11ac Mesh WiFi System
This two-pack whole mesh WiFi system helps cover your entire home with a reliable wireless signal providing 5,000 square feet of speedy coverage while handling upwards of 60 connected devices simultaneously before feeling the strain. This tri-band router will deliver a strong signal through the most problematic of walls and obstacles, and if you have a gigabit connection, you can expect to see WiFi speeds up to 580 Mbps across the 5 Ghz spectrum. Like the more expensive WiFi 6 Orbi, this 802.11ac Orbi has the same great software and security features, so managing this device is painless. An added benefit of the Orbi system is it doesn’t look like a router. It’s not an eyesore, so need to worry about hiding it instead, let it shine out in the open. Not only will it look great, but your WiFi coverage will be great, too.
11. Eero 802.11ac Mesh WiFi System
For reliable and scalable internet connection all wrapped up in one simple package, check out the eero Home WiFi system from Amazon. The system starts with a really stylish, sleek base unit that’s augmented by a series of beacon systems (the entry-level unit comes with one beacon, but there are options to upgrade accordingly) that plug into your standard electrical outlet. Fast and easy, with units that eliminate garish antennae, this is an elegant solution for homeowners looking to never lose a step with their coverage. Buy as many eero units as you need to cover your entire home and never worry about buffering again.
12. Netgear Orbi AX6000 Mesh WiFi 6 System
Throwing down on a WiFi 6 mesh router system is no casual play, but if you’re in need of more signal coverage than a single router can provide, have the equipment that is WiFi 6 compatible and have some money to burn, The Orbi RBK852 WiFi 6 mesh system has all the specs you could want. There are two bands offering a combined theoretical throughput of 6 Gbps, and a dedicated 160 Mhz band to allow both the main router and the satellite to more efficiently communicate and transfer data. The 2.4 Gbps WAN port ensures that as your ISP offers faster speeds, this router will unlock them with ease. What this all means is that your WiFi speeds will absolutely scream as you stream, download and control multiple smart home devices. On the software side, the Orbi web interface and the Netgear Genie apps make managing your network a joy. You can easily set up a guest network, manage your devices and security settings, set up port forwarding and manage parental controls, such as turning off WiFi during dinner or blocking certain websites. And for the security-minded out there, you can also add a layer of security with the optional Netgear Armor subscription service, which will help protect you from various cyberthreats. Again, none of this comes cheap, but if you want one of the most advanced home networking solutions money can buy, the Orbi WiFi 6 System AX6000 is the best WiFi router you can buy.