15 Best Wi-Fi Router {Updated April 2024}
Do you want to buy a router?
Wi-Fi Routers are very important devices in any home nowadays — since they allow you to connect via the internet through a wireless connection.
The good part is different devices can be connected at the same time.
This makes your family’s life much easier!
The use of smart devices would not be the same if you do not have a quality internet connection. In this sense, the speed with which the web pages load, videos, music, etc. will depend on the quality of the said connection.
It is for this reason that it is necessary to have a quality router, capable of resisting a lot of connected devices at the same time without any problem.
A router cannot improve the signal coming from your internet provider — but can ensure that each space in your home has a stable and fast internet connection, with which all people will be happy.
Then before making the purchase of any device, you must conduct an investigation to find out which ones are best for you.
The current routers have certain characteristics that stand out over those sold in previous years, so the routers of this year 2021 are a very good option to consider.
These devices offer users all the features that must be searched to ensure a stable Wifi signal at all times.
In this guide, we will show you the most popular Routers in the market and some of their characteristics, so that you can choose the one you like the most and the one that best suits your needs.
But first, how do you identify a quality Router?
What Should a Quality Wi-Fi Router Have?
There are certain characteristics that you should know before comparing the best routers of 2021. These characteristics will allow you to determine which is the best option for you and which one is worth buying.
So, what you should consider before buying a Router is the following:
a). Dual-band: There are two ways to transmit the Wi-Fi signal and each has its own characteristics. The frequencies of the Wi-Fi signal can be 2.4GHz or 5.0GHZ, while in the first case the signal is wider but slower and in the second signal is shorter but faster. A quality router must have both modalities.
b). 802.11ac: A new technology appears every so often to improve the speed of Wi-Fi at home. A router with this feature offers the latest wireless speed standard, which works perfectly for new and old devices.
c). MU-MIMO: This is a feature of routers that allows you to transmit internet signals simultaneously to all devices that are connected at a certain time.
d). Quality of service: This is a Router function that allows a person to configure and establish which are the most important devices in a space, that is to say, your computer, your phone, etc.
e). Ethernet ports: Sometimes, it’s necessary to use cables and for these routers also have ports of this type so that you can make a connection with your computer if necessary.
These are the most important features that you should look for in any Router that you are going to buy. The Router models mentioned below have these characteristics and some others, so they can be considered as quality devices and highly recommended.
That being said, here are the best Wi-Fi Routers for the money:
1. Netgear R7000P Nighthawk
If you want to get a reliable router, this is a good option to consider. This router model offers great Wifi signal speed throughout your home, so you do not have to worry about having slow internet in the most remote areas of the house.
Another important thing about this router is that it has a special technology that allows you to distribute the signal properly to all the devices that are connected, so that none of them receive more attention than others unless this option is configured for a specific device.
Like any good router, this model offers Dual-band, that is to say, it transmits the signal in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, so that the closer you are to the device, the faster the Wifi signal and the Internet will be.
It can be said that for the price that this device has, it offers a quality signal and it is worth considering it.
2. TP-Link Archer C5400X
This router is designed almost exclusively for use in video game consoles — but still works for the rest of the devices in a house.
This model not only offers a signal in two bands (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz) but has a third band that guarantees that the distribution of the signal to nearby objects is as fast as possible.
Its design is a bit extravagant compared to normal routers since they have eight antennas to ensure that the signal is distributed in all spaces. This design also gives it a larger size than everyday routers.
Its Wi-Fi technology is 802.11ac, that is to say, the latest technology that guarantees that the signal is as fast as possible. It also has several ports to connect cables to consoles and other devices as needed.
3. AmpliFi HD Home
This is a small router but you should not underestimate its capabilities.
This model is one of the fastest routers that exist in the current market, offering a speed of 5.25 Gbps, this being more than triple the speed offered by mid-range routers of the most popular companies.
It has an LED screen that allows you to control the broadband flow in the devices that are connected, as well as to know what is the speed of the internet, among many other things. Its configuration can take a little more than desired but it is nothing that cannot be done in a few minutes.
Its main function is to function as a mesh, that is to say, as a network of devices that ensure that all rooms in your home have adequate Wi-Fi signal and that no device works with slow internet connection.
4. Linksys EA8300 Max Stream
For a router, with the cost of this model, you can obtain characteristics that cannot be compared with mid-range models.
The truth is that the EA8300 model gives users the ability to have a very good speed and an adequate distribution of the signal.
The reduced range of this router is compensated with the use of three-band technologies and an 802.11ac Wi-Fi system, which guarantees the quality of the signal in each space of your home. The problem appears when you are going to configure the device.
This model of router is used by people who have enough knowledge about this type of electronic devices because it allows a series of specialized adjustments that greatly improve its operation.
Even so, people with less knowledge about the subject can use the device without problems with the default settings.
5. D-Link AC3200 Ultra Tri-Band
This router is a little different from the ones already mentioned, but not in its quality. The first thing you will notice in this model is its shape; it has an unusual design with a larger size than conventional routers.
But all this size is arranged to support all the operating characteristics of this model. To begin with, it has a three-band system, that is to say, one that operates at 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, and two 5.0 GHz bands offer speeds of 1300 Mbps, guaranteeing incredible speeds.
It has six antennas that ensure that the entire signal is properly distributed in your home, also having different technologies that allow you to configure and improve the performance of the signal, as well as check connected devices and their overall performance. The only counter for this product may be the price.
6. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
Another model specially designed for players who want to ensure that their online game stays stable regardless of the number of devices connected to the router.
This is the first router to test the Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11AX system, a new way to guarantee the speed of the signal and the efficiency of it.
Thanks to this technology mentioned above, this Router has the unique feature that the signal does not decay while you move away from the device, but rather it remains constant in each room of the home.
All this, together with a large number of connections offered by this router, makes the device ideal for players and anyone in the home.
7. Synology RT2600ac
Regarding the great capabilities offered by the routers mentioned above, this may be the one that stands out the least. However, for this reason, you should not discard this router.
The reason why it is on this list is that even though it is considered a mid-range router, it can compete with the big brands of these devices and offer a quality service in any home.
The system of this router is very easy to configure and offers a high speed compared to routers with the same prices. All this leads you to consider this device as a good option for a small house.
What does the choice of a router depend on?
Surely you wonder why these devices have so many specifications if all of them are responsible for the same task: create a wireless signal for the internet.
The truth is that this signal needs to meet certain standards so that it can be received by the current devices.
A router must have certain characteristics depending on where it will be placed and the number of devices that will be used.
So, if you have a large house, maybe you should look for a router that has a very wide range or that has the mesh function, without having to pay so much attention to the speed of the signal.
On the other hand, if you have many devices in a smaller house, what should matter to you is the speed of the signal and not the range of it.
All these factors are added so that each person has to choose carefully which is the best router for his home so that it can satisfy all its needs.
8. TP-Link Archer C9
This is a Router with all the features that are needed to have a stable and fast connection at home.
Its design with three antennas allows people to obtain a well-distributed signal in all spaces of the home or in an office, even having a technology called ‘beamforming’ that allows focusing the signal in a specific place if necessary.
The Router has an 802.11ac standard, which as mentioned above, allows the Wi-Fi signal to be as fast as possible, also having the ability to simultaneously transmit a 2.4 GHz connection at 600 Mbps and a connection of 5 GHz at 1300 Mbps.
Finally, the 1 GHz dual-core processor allows the Router to have the ability to withstand a large number of connected devices without decreasing signal strength.
9. Asus RT AC68U
This is a professional router that is recommended for use in offices and homes where the use of the Internet is very high.
This can be said thanks to the fact that this model has the capacity to transmit a signal of 1900 megabytes per second, a higher speed than that achieved with a cable connection.
This intensity is very important in houses that have a very large space. Because it allows the signal to reach the most remote areas of the home.
But if this is not possible do not worry, since this router model allows you to create a Wi-Fi mesh.
This means that you can buy another router of the same model or not and have both connected so that the signal reaches all spaces efficiently.
10. NETGEAR Orbi
If you need a router whose signal reaches all the spaces in your home, then this is a good option to buy. To achieve Wi-Fi reach all areas of the home having a mesh is the best option and this model is designed specifically for that.
NETGEAR Orbi offers several size options, so you can create a Wi-Fi mesh by placing the main device in the area of interest and placing some smaller devices in other areas you want.
When you buy the device you receive the main router and one extended, which help you get a signal that covers 5 thousand square feet with a speed of 3000 Mbps.
11. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10
This router is for people looking for signal speed instead of a wider distribution of that signal. By this, we mean that this model offers a Wi-Fi speed of 7200 Mbps, a value that cannot be achieved in another device of this type.
The range of scope is also not very small, having a maximum distribution of 3000 square feet, being this less than in the models presented above.
It is also important to highlight the fact that among the mentioned routers this is the most expensive of all of them.
12. Asus RT-AC88U
Do not confuse this model with the Asus router mentioned above. This is a router created for gamers, that is to say, people who spend their time in internet gaming competitions.
These people need very specific features in their internet connection and this Router is designed for them.
Its main feature is the presence of NitroQAM technology that offers a high connection speed of more than 3100 Mbps, which guarantees that no online game is interrupted, even when other devices are connected at that moment.
On the other hand, this router offers the option of quality of service, that is to say, the control of the signal to prioritize some devices, which in this case will be the game consoles.
13. Google Wi-Fi
Are you looking for a mesh router for your home that is easy to configure?
This may be the option you are looking for. Many people do not understand how to configure a router, so they waste a lot of time and end up missing the features that make these devices special.
Google Wi-Fi is an economic and very discreet router, which you can place anywhere in your house without anyone noticing, creating a mesh that ensures that the signal is homogeneous throughout your home.
The signal offered by the device is 1200 Mbps.
14. TP-Link Archer C5
This is a router of the same brand as the one mentioned at the beginning of the article, but with slightly different characteristics.
In essence, this is considered a mid-range router, which is not as expensive as the first and lacks some of its features.
However, this does not prevent this device from fulfilling its functions properly. In essence, it is designed for smaller homes — but still offers a quality Wi-Fi signal speed.
It should be noted that its configuration can be done from the company’s main application.
15. Asus RT-N12
This router is very similar to the previous one in terms of its characteristics and is on this list because although it does not have speed as high as the previous models, it still represents one of the best routers of 2021 compared to many competing brands.
It is easy to configure, use and does not occupy much space, in addition to allowing access control, a feature that the routers of this price do not have.
Conclusion
Have you decided on the right Wi-Fi Router to buy?
Everything will depend on the factors mentioned above. People who want to buy these devices should be clear about their most important needs, the space of your home, the number of devices to use, among other things.
We cannot tell you which of these routers are the best of 2021, since every day new technologies appear that make these devices much more efficient.
However, the mentioned routers are those that have a better reception from the users who have purchased these products so far this year.
If you want to know more about the subject you just have to look for information about each model and see for yourself which has the characteristics that you are looking for.
Remember also the cost of the device and how many you are willing to spend.
Some of the mentioned routers have a smaller range of functions, but at the same time a more accessible price range without neglecting the quality. All this can help you make the best decision before buying the Router for your home.
Originally posted 2021-01-19 14:02:54.