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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. You should set up your router only to use a WPA2 connection, which is more secure and can improve your speeds. Log into your router's settings and look around for a phrase like "mode," "wireless mode," or "802.11 mode." For example, if you use your internet primarily to stream HD video content, you can use the QoS settings that prioritize streaming services. However, you may notice that you download files slower or have a less reliable connection while playing online games if you're also streaming video.
Most neighborhoods don’t have the free bandwidth for channels this wide, though the AX50 does let you use DFS channels to try and escape competing Wi-Fi networks on 5GHz. Add in the fact that is doesn’t support automatic firmware updates or TP-Link’s OneMesh, we think you should opt for the AX21. We found on test that this router provides impressive speed, along with multiple high-speed Ethernet ports for wired connections. And, its six optimally positioned antennas and uses three frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 50GHz, and 60GHz – allow it deliver a top speed of 7.8Gbps that should be fast enough to stream 8K video within its 2,500-square-foot area of coverage. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports expert Nicholas De Leon explains to show host Jack Rico how mesh networks provide faster speeds and better coverage.
What is the difference between a modem and a router?
It also has plenty of ports, including a 2.5-Gbps port configurable as WAN or LAN and two USB 3.2 ports. It offers better connectivity, faster network speed, and support for multiple devices to connect and work simultaneously on one network. You might think of laptops and computers when you think of Asus, but they actually make some of the best wireless routers on the market. From budget routers to their high performance Republic of Gamers line, Asus has a wireless router to fit just about any situation.
"Great for homes with alot of devices!...I highly recommend this product! The app is easy to use and navigate through....Great Router...It is easy to set up and use and the security it uses is excellent." If both routers are wireless and support a subnetwork, set the first router to channel 1 or 6 and the second to channel 11. Alternatively, set up the new router as a switch or access point by connecting the routers and updating the IP configuration. Compared to 2.4 GHz, a 5 GHz connection is faster but works better in short ranges. A 2.4 GHz band connection travels further but may experience interference or congestion.
NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
It’s still a good choice if you have lots of devices, as they can take advantage of its tri-band radio. 5G is a sometimes-confusing term, because “5G” is used for two different and separate wireless technologies. What you shouldn’t do is blindly buy either the cheapest router or the most expensive router you can find.
The last is a Linux-based firmware upgrade that replaces the manufacturer’s firmware and provides enhanced settings that allow you to customize the router for maximum performance. The TP-Link Archer AX50 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that offers a solid mix of features and performance at a reasonable price. It turned in relatively high scores on our throughput tests, and showed excellent range on our signal strength tests. The router comes with four LAN ports, and supports link aggregation for high-speed connectivity. The resulting network congestion that such homes experience has made us a lot pickier about what routers we accept as the best for the most people, as well as a lot more interested in features such as Wi-Fi 6 support and mesh compatibility.
Shop the best routers for gamers, streamers, large houses, apartments, and more
Some routers use a second section of the 5GHz band for additional possibilities, so these are called tri-band routers. Netgear boasts that its wing-shaped antenna design helps to cover your home with a reliable Wi-Fi signal while not being as aggressive as competing routers. Those in larger homes can also pick up one of Netgear's extenders to create a whole-home mesh networking solution.
Use the shortest Ethernet cable that will work in your application, and stick with CAT 6 or CAT 7. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006. He tested the Google Nest Wi-Fi on our list and appreciated its smooth integration with the rest of the Google Home ecosystem. However, if you do have a newer router that just doesn’t have the reach you need, you can save a little and invest in a wireless extender instead of getting a more expensive mesh Wi-Fi router. There may be a few things you might not like about the fast and versatile TP-Link Archer GX90.
You may notice that we still have a handful of WiFi 5 wireless routers in those ratings, including prominent models made by companies like Google and Netgear. While those are generally a few years old, they still perform quite well—and are often cheaper than their WiFi 6 counterparts. They’re just less equipped to deal with the heavy traffic of a home or apartment building filled with internet-connected devices. With remote work now the norm for many, it’s never been more important to ensure that your home network is up to speed. The most important part of this setup is your Wi-Fi router, which sends information from the internet to all of your devices.
Yes, it offers relatively modest Wi-Fi speeds, but it’s more than enough for what most people need. We also appreciate that it’s got two Ethernet ports per device for an even more solid and faster connection, and it’s easy to set up and install. Best for small- to medium-sized homes, this router will upgrade your network to Wi-Fi 6 and has remarkably fast wireless AC performance, offering top speeds of 1,200Mbps on 5GHz band and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz band. It’s also supported by Alexa and is a snap to set up, even for non-experts, the brand says.
Here's what you need to build the best home Wi-Fi network, along with reviews of our top-rated routers for a range of needs and budgets. The TP-Link Archer A7 was our budget pick in a previous version of this guide and has been serving strong networks in the homes of several Wirecutter staffers. Our new budget pick, the Archer A8, offers better performance overall for about the same price, and it adds features such as WPA3 and MU-MIMO, which the A7 lacks. The Synology RT2600ac was our runner-up in the previous guide, and it also proved itself competitive this time. However, our new picks outpaced the Synology on price and in our performance tests overall. We still recommend the RT2600ac for folks who love to fiddle with their network settings or those who suspect that they will need to expand their network with a mesh node in the future.
Access to 160 MHz channel unleashes the true power of Wi-Fi 6 technology with incredibly fast connectivity. Intelligent Mesh technology offers whole home mesh Wi-Fi coverage that’s easily expandable by adding additional nodes. With easy setup, advanced security and parental controls, Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is an essential upgrade to any home.
The Motorola Q11 mesh system is a good fit for homes of up to 5,000 square feet. It’s easy to install and uses low-profile nodes that support wired or wireless backhaul. It’s a solid performer, but you’ll get better performance from our Editors’ Choice winner, the Eero 6 Plus. That said, you’ll have to pay a little extra for parental control and network security software with the Eero system, while both utilities are free with the Motorola Q11 system. Game-enhancing settings, a slick user interface, and multi-gig connectivity are all good reasons to consider the Archer GX-90 for your home networking needs. This router is easy to install, and comes with TP-Link’s Home Care parental control and network security software.
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