Best wireless routers
Wireless access, or Wi-Fi, is practically everywhere these days. You’d be hard-pressed to walk inside any building or house and not find a wireless connection with your mobile device.
If you’re looking to create a reliable wireless network in your home or want a faster internet connection, a high-quality router is a must.
It can be a bit confusing to understand how wireless networks work, especially if you don’t consider yourself a tech-savvy person. But we’ll walk through the basics and take a look at the best wireless routers available in 2021.
What is a wireless router?
A wireless router is a device that connects to your cable modem, which transmits a wireless internet signal throughout a nearby area. Traditional wireless routers have varying levels of reach, but it’s best to situate your router somewhere centralized to ensure the signal covers most of your home.
However, mesh Wi-Fi systems use a centralized hub and utilize a network of nodes placed throughout your home. These devices are generally more expensive than traditional routers but make for a more stable network.
What technology do wireless routers use?
There’s a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo related to each model of wireless router that describes its Wi-Fi technology protocols.
Most wireless routers nowadays use the 802.11ac (now known as Wi-Fi 5) protocol. Older versions of Wi-Fi technology are 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4).
There’s also a protocol known as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), which is cutting-edge technology but not many people use this device just yet. This newer technology generally covers more space with a faster, more reliable connection.
What are Wi-Fi broadcast bands?
All you really need to know about broadcast bands is that your typical wireless router broadcasts at two frequencies, 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.
The main difference between the two is the 5.0 GHz frequency is less crowded, which creates a faster connection for devices that are compatible with it. Many devices are only compatible with 2.4 GHz, but some can connect to both frequencies.
The top wireless routers in 2021
Best Linksys routers
Linksys AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Router: available at Amazon
This router boasts combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 867GB per second on the 5.0 GHz frequency and up to 400MB per second on the 2.4 GHz frequency. You can boost your Wi-Fi throughout your home when you add a Velop Wi-Fi mesh node.
Linksys AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router: available at Amazon
If you’re working with a budget, this is an excellent option. It’s easy to set up and still packs dual-band performance with WPA2 encryption to keep your network safe.
Best TP-Link routers
TP-Link Archer A6 AC1200 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router: available at Amazon
Some routers have issues with dead-zones and don’t create a reliable signal in some parts of your home. This simple router includes powerful antennas that give you a more stable connection, especially for hard-to-reach areas of your home.
TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router: available at Amazon
TP-Link offers a gigabit router optimized for gaming and 4K video streaming. It’s also compatible with Alexa.
TP-Link AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Archer: available at Amazon
This router looks like something out of Star Wars with its eight antennas. But don’t let that deter you. It’s optimized to eliminate interference and offers parental controls as well as device auto-detection for simple connectivity.
Best Netgear routers
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Router: available at Amazon
This reliable wireless router covers 1,800 square feet, so it’s best suited for small to mid-size homes. Netgear tends to be user-friendly, so you’ll be able to configure settings quickly with the Circle smartphone app.
Netgear 4-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router: available at Amazon
This is an easy-to-set-up router offering remarkably fast connection speeds. It’s a Wi-Fi 6 router, so it’s compatible with devices like iPhone 11, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy S10.
Netgear Orbi AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System: available at Amazon
While the Netgear Orbi is expensive, it offers a flawless Wi-Fi Smart home experience. It provides a whopping 5,000 square foot coverage output and enough bandwidth for all of your devices, even when streaming 4K and 8K content.
Best Asus routers
Asus AC2900 Wi-Fi Gaming Router: available at Amazon
If you want to avoid lagging for your online videos and games, you can’t go wrong with this Asus router that offers transfer speeds of up to 2900MB per second.
Asus ZenWi-Fi AX Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System: available at Amazon
This mesh Wi-Fi system is ideal for creating a reliable connection throughout your entire home. MU-MIMO technology allows multiple devices to connect without slowing down the whole network.
Asus AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router: available at Amazon
It’s pricey for a dual-band router, but if you want something reliable with customizable settings, it might be worth checking out. This router is ideal for gamers who handle high bandwidth.
Other top routers
Gryphon Guardian Advanced Parental Control System & Mesh Wi-Fi: available at Amazon
The coverage for this router is up to 1,800 square feet and has intuitive parental lock controls as well as a smartphone app to control privacy.
Google Nest Wi-Fi Router: available at Amazon
The Google Nest is a mesh router system that allows you to connect at various points, creating a reliable wireless network throughout your home. Coverage for this router is 2,200 square feet and 1,800 square feet for each connecting point.
Kevin Luna is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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