The Top 5 WiFi Routers
Wireless internet, or WiFi, is how we all connect, download, stream, and play online. An essential piece of the WiFi puzzle is the wireless router. The router is plugged directly into the modem and sends wireless signals throughout your home, which allows your wireless devices to connect to the internet. For gaming and streaming, a good WiFi router is an absolute must. When shopping for a WiFi router, it is important to know how much area you need to provide coverage to. It is also important to consider how many devices might be using the WiFi simultaneously at any given time. The power and speed of the router is another factor to contemplate. While keeping all these factors in mind, choose a WiFi router that has been vetted and well-reviewed. We reviewed a number of WiFi routers to find the best ones out there. Read on for our reviews of the Top 5 WiFi Routers.
TP-Link Archer A7 WiFi Router
Our pick for best WiFi router is this one from TP-Link. You can rely on this router to meet all of your WiFi needs. It won the JD Power award for Customer Satisfaction twice. With three high-gain antennas and strong amplifiers, this router provides 2,500 square feet of exceptional coverage in your home. Its powerful CPU with high-speed processing and bandwidth prioritization allows you to connect over 50 devices and get stable WiFi to all of them. This router delivers three times the speed of the average router, providing you with a smooth gaming experience.
Pros
- 2,500 square feet of coverage
- Connect 50+ devices
- 3x faster than the average
Cons
- Vague instructions
Netgear Nighthawk WiFi Router
This is a top-notch WiFi router from Netgear. It gives you WiFi coverage of up to 1500 square feet and can handle up to 25 devices. 1750 Mbps wireless speed should cover all of your gaming and streaming needs. This is a smart router – it will automatically choose between dual bands to decrease interference and increase speed for all of your wireless devices. If you’re tired of paying for virus protection and other security software for every device, this router is the answer to your prayers. Its included security software – Netgear Armor – provides all of your connected devices with protection against viruses, malware, and data theft.
Pros
- Dual band
- Smart router
- Anti-virus, anti-malware, and data theft protection
Cons
- Not the best customer service
Amazon eero Wifi Router
Amazon makes an amazing WiFi router. The eero is a handy little router that is unobtrusive but powerful. In contrast to the usual bulky routers with antennas sticking out every which way, the eero is a small, white, smooth, and (almost) square device that is more aesthetically pleasing. But don’t be fooled by its diminutive size. This router packs a punch. It provides seamless WiFi to 1,500 square feet with no dead spots and no buffering. This router is very easy to set up. There is an app that guides you through the setup in less than 10 minutes and gives you the ability to manage your network from anywhere.
Pros
- Small, unobtrusive
- No dead spots
- Easy to setup and manage
Cons
- Security costs extra
ASUS RT-AC66U B1 WiFi Router
It's Everywhere
This is a formidable WiFi router from ASUS. It has a one gigahertz CPU that powers its dual core processor, which prevents it from having any performance drops. This router also provides WiFi coverage to an astounding 3,000 square feet. With a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz concurrent bands, you can perform your basic web browsing and such on the 2.4 GHz band, while doing your gaming and streaming on the 5 GHz band. The new ASUS Router App gives you more control than ever, with the ability to set up the router, manage network traffic, diagnose connection issues, and update firmware.
Pros
- 1 GHz CPU with dual core processor
- Covers 3,000 square feet
- Comprehensive app
Cons
- Gets warm to the touch
Linksys AC2200 WiFi Router
For another spectacular WiFi router, check out this one from LinkSys. While dual band is the norm, this router is tri-band and can produce speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps to all of your connected devices. With MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, this router sends a different signal to each connected device, so everyone in your house can game or stream at the same time without any issues. This router has four gigabit Ethernet ports, which provide wired connections with 10 times the speed of standard Ethernet connections.
Pros
- Tri-band
- MU-MIMO technology
- 10x faster wired Ethernet
Cons
- Doesn’t work great through concrete walls
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the router be mounted on the wall?
Yes, most routers can be mounted on the wall by using the mounting notches on the device.
Do I need more than one router?
That depends on how much area you need the router to cover. Measure the square footage of your home and then compare to the coverage abilities of the router you are interested in.
Can the routers with more than one band be set up as separate networks?
Yes, dual band or tri-band routers can be set up as separate networks, each with their own network name and password.
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.