Wi-Fi has become the center of our connected lives, whether we have just a few devices or a house stuffed with smart home tech. While competition and necessity have pushed internet service providers to increase their internet speeds, many people will need a newer router and modem to take advantage of this increase. ISP-provided gateways can be plenty fast, yet they remain a one-size-fits-all Wi-Fi solution, and have a more limited feature set than a router from another company could offer.
If you’re looking to get the best speeds possible in a suburban home, or make the most of your network in a congested apartment building, upgrading your home network with the right router has never been easier. Ranging from expensive to affordable, here are the best ones available.
These are the best Wi-Fi routers to buy in 2024
Asus RT-AX5400
Best overall
Excellent speeds for the price
For most families, the Asus RT-AX5400 has plenty of power to keep up with a gigabit internet speed with plenty of capacity for multiple 4K streams, gaming, and working from home.
- Plenty of speed for even large families
- Easy Mesh expansion with AiMesh
- Free parental controls with AiProtection
- No multi-gig WAN support
- Must agree to share data with Trend Micro for AiProtection features
Asus routers can get a little out of hand, with high-end models overdoing it with RGB and features that most people simply don’t need. The Asus RT-AX5400, on the other hand, is a middle-of-the-road dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router, with no frills, which makes it a great pick for a lot of people. The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connection on this router has 574Mbps available at 2.4GHz, and 4802Mbps at 5GHz. Wireless speeds are kept high with 160MHz support, 1024-QAM, and OFDMA.
The RT-AX5400 is designed for gigabit internet speeds with gigabit Ethernet for WAN, and four gigabit Ethernet ports of LAN. There’s also a USB-A 3.2 port for network storage or even WAN from an LTE or 5G device. If you need more coverage, AiMesh expansion is supported so you can build a mesh network using another Asus router as a node. Want to connect to your home network with a VPN while away? The Asus Instant Guard app makes setup easy as well.
One thing that sets Asus apart is its software. It not only allows access to the router’s settings using an app or web browser but also comes with free parental control software thanks to AiProtection powered by Trend Micro. You can set up profiles for each member of the family with specific blocks in place including ad-blocking. Overall, this router is a strong pick for most families looking for speed support up to 1Gbps.
TP-Link Archer AX55
Best value
Plenty of speed for most without going overboard
The Archer AX55 is an affordable AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router with 160MHz support and four gigabit Ethernet ports. This router has enough power to keep up with a gigabit internet connection with multiple devices at once.
- Plenty of speed for gigabit connections
- Mesh support with EasyMesh
- Easy setup with the TP-Link Tether app
- Full security and parental controls cost extra
- Coverage could be better
Most people shopping for a router aren’t interested in multi-gig speeds with advanced gaming features, and really, just want enough speed for the family to stream, game, and browse without any issues. The TP-Link Archer isn’t the cheapest router you can buy with its AX3000 connection, but it’s a good choice for most people and should last a few years before needing to be replaced. The AX3000 connection works out to 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 2402Mbps at 5GHz with 160MHZ support. That means that a supported device can connect at up to 2402Mbps, though most Wi-Fi 6 devices will only support 1201Mbps connections.
On the back of the router, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports for your wired devices, with another port for the incoming connection. There’s a USB 3.0 port on the back that supports common Windows and Mac formats like NTFS and HFS+ so you can easily access it from your PC. You can even pick up one of the best external hard drives for Mac to use with the Time Machine backup feature.
On the software front, TP-Link has included its HomeShield security and parental control features. While some features require a paid subscription, most people will be happy with the free options. TP-Link also includes EasyMesh support on all hardware revisions of this router, so you can add it as a mesh node. If you end up with versions 1 or 1.6, though, you’ll need to apply a software update to get the mesh features.
ASUS RT-AX88U Pro
Best gaming router
Get the best gaming speeds without wasting money on RGB
$240 $300 Save $60
The Asus RT-AX88U Pro looks like a fairly standard AX6000 router at first, but with a fast CPU and multi-gig Ethernet ports, this router is one of the best you can get for gaming. You can prioritize your gaming consoles and PC in software to keep pings low and consistent, even when others in the house are using the internet.
- Dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports
- AiProtection Pro is included for free
- VPN Fusion, OpenNAT, and AiMesh are supported
- Only dual-band Wi-Fi
- Fairly expensive for AX6000
- No RGB lights
If a router can’t keep up with all the traffic that it needs to route, it’s going to lead to latency spikes, which will cause lag in games. A good gaming router will have plenty of power to keep up with all of your network traffic without slowing down, and can even prioritize your own gaming traffic if usage is high. The Asus RT-AX88U Pro is an AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 router with a powerful CPU and robust software with a QoS for gaming. The connection speed breaks down to 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 4,804Mbps on the 5GHz band. With 4×4 MIMO, this router should be able to keep up with the needs of a family with ease.
Around the back, you get a USB 3.0 port, two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, and four more Ethernet ports running at 1Gbps. One of the 2.5Gbps ports can be used for your incoming connection, meaning you’re ready for multi-gig internet speeds that are reaching a few ISPs. You can also connect a fast wired device to it, such as a gaming PC or a NAS, which can be perfect for streamers who want to save a high-quality VOD without eating up their local storage space.
On the software side, the ASUS RT has most of the features gamers are looking for, with a QoS allowing you to categorize and prioritize your devices, so the most important ones always have the speed they need. Furthermore, a feature called OpenNAT makes it easy to create a rule for a game server if you’re experiencing strict or double NAT. There’s even a mobile gaming mode in the Asus Router app that, with a tap, will optimize your phone’s connection for gaming, which can be essential for top performance in competitive mobile games.
TP-Link Archer Air R5
Best wall-mounted router
Optimal positioning without getting in the way
If you’re looking for a low-profile router that stays out of the way, the Archer Air R5 is a strong choice that fits right against your wall with included mounts. It’s even got plenty of speed for a family with an AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 connection.
- Ultra-thin design for wall-mounting
- Quick AX3000 connection with 160MHz support
- EasyMesh expansion supported
- Only one Ethernet LAN port
- Some HomeShield features require a subscription
Apart from some new materials, RGB lighting, and more advanced antennas, most Wi-Fi routers look like the ancient WRT-54G that I had used to play Mario Kart DS back in 2005. As Wi-Fi has become more important in our lives, it makes sense that router design would allow us to put routers out in the open without taking up shelf space. The TP-Link Archer Air R5 is an AX3000 router with dual Ethernet ports that fits flush against your wall and supports mesh expansion.
The Archer Air R5 is less than an inch deep and can be stuck straight to the wall using the included tape, or with a separate plastic mounting bracket. It’s powered by a single USB-C port on the bottom between the two Ethernet ports, so there are no wires hanging out the top like they do with a traditional router design. The antennas are also integrated around the edge, so with the matte white coloring, you might even forget you have this installed in your living room.
If you want to expand your network with a mesh, you can use other EasyMesh routers as nodes, including more Air R5s, but there’s also a matching Air E5 extender that has the same aesthetic and no Ethernet ports. There’s a lot to like about these ultra-thin routers, including the price, which is just over $120. If you can get by with only one Ethernet port, this is a great low-profile option.
Eero Max 7
Best Wi-Fi 7 router
Speed and simplicity
$510 $600 Save $90
While not the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router, the Eero Max 7 is a great way to get multi-gig wireless and wired speeds all over your home. It also supports mesh expansion with a wide range of other Eero nodes.
- Fast BE20800 tri-band connection with 10 spatial streams
- Two 10Gbps Ethernet ports per node
- Sleek fan-less design
- No access to advanced settings
- Eero Secure costs extra
- An Eero account is required
If you’re looking for a basic but fast Wi-Fi solution, Eero is one of the first brands you should consider. While a lot of Eero’s older routers were a bit of a letdown in the hardware department, the Eero Max 7 starts off on the right foot with a powerful BE20800 tri-band Wi-Fi 7 connection. It supports speeds up to 573.5Mbps at 2.4GHz, 8647.1Mbps at 5Ghz, and 11529.4Mbps at 6GHz with 4×4 streams at both 5GHz and 6GHz. On the back, Eero has equipped the Max 7 with two 2.5Gbps and two 10Gbps Ethernet ports that can be used for both WAN and LAN.
While you can buy a single Eero router, and it will work great, the product was really designed with mesh in mind. With a second Eero router, you can extend your coverage, especially 6GHz coverage, without giving up much speed. Eero uses its own proprietary TrueMesh technology to link the nodes which can use both 5GHz and 6GHz depending on which gives the better connection. One nice thing about Eero is that it supports all older Eero nodes for expansion, so if you’ve got lower priority areas, you can save with a cheaper node.
Eero Max 7 review: Eero’s simplicity elevates Wi-Fi 7’s appeal
Eero Max 7 is a powerful Wi-fi 7 mesh system with more speed than most people can use and multi-gig network support.
You must use the Eero app for setup and management, which also means you’ll need an Eero account. If you prefer to connect to your router using a web browser for advanced tools, Eero is not the solution for you. Still, with strong performance and a simple setup process, a lot of people will be very happy with Eero’s software (and the control app). There is an Eero Secure subscription available with some security software like a VPN, malware, and antivirus protection, as well as VIP support, but it requires a separate monthly or yearly subscription.
TP-Link Archer BE550
Best value Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7 support for Wi-Fi 6E prices
Wi-Fi 7 is here, and so are the value routers starting with the BE9300 Archer BE550. This tri-band router supports 320MHz 6GHz Wi-Fi speeds with 2.5Gbps Ethernet for all wired devices.
- Plenty of speed for most residential internet connections
- Fast speeds at both 5GHz and 6GHz
- All Ethernet ports are 2.5Gbps
- Not the fastest possible 5GHz setup
- No display on the front
- Full HomeShield features cost extra
Make no mistake, there are Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers with higher combined speeds than this router, but those routers are constrained by their use of Wi-Fi 6 technology and 160MHz bands. The TP-Link Archer BE550 is a BE9300 router with 574Mbps at 2.4GHz thanks to using Wi-Fi 6, 2880Mbps at 5GHz with 160MHz support, and 5760Mbps at 6GHz with a 320MHz band. On the back, there’s a single 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for the incoming connection with four 2.5Gbps ports for LAN devices, including 5Gbps support with LAN aggregation using two ports.
For most of your older tech using Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, you won’t see much of a speed boost over an AX3000 router, but if you’ve got tech that supports 6GHz Wi-Fi, you could see some immediate speed improvements. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be clearing up capacity at 5GHz by moving some devices to 6GHz.
EasyMesh support is included with most of TP-Link’s Wi-Fi 7 routers, so you can use this router in an EasyMesh setup. TP-Link includes its HomeShield software for improved security and parental controls. This software has a few nice free features to get you by, but to get all the security and parental control options, you’ll need to sign up for a paid subscription.
GL.iNet GL-MT3000
Wi-Fi that travels with you
Connect once and use hotel Wi-Fi on all of your devices
$81 $99 Save $18
This compact AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router is designed to make travel better, especially when you have no choice but to use hotel Wi-Fi. This router allows you to log in to hotel Wi-Fi and share that connection with your other devices, so you don’t need to connect each one individually. With support for VPNs, you can also maintain your privacy without giving up up much, if any, speed.
- Fast AX3000 connection supports multiple devices
- USB-C power makes getting connected in other countries easy
- OpenWRT operating system supports a ton of features
- Coverage isn’t sufficient for the whole house
- Only one Ethernet port
The GL-MT3000 Beryl AX router from GL.iNet is an impressive little router from any angle. It features a quick AX3000 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 wireless connection with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. The 2.4GHz wireless band supports speeds up to 574Mbps with up to 2402Mbps at 5GHz. It can even use DFS bands in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan if you travel abroad. With two small external antennas and an internal antenna, coverage isn’t amazing, but it should be fine for a small apartment or hotel room.
This router is small enough to fit in one hand, so it’s easy to pack, and with power via USB-C, it’s easy to get a compatible power adapter in any country. If you’re in a hotel, the router can connect using Ethernet if a wired connection is available, but can also connect to the hotel Wi-Fi with a browser that can get past captive login pages that require you to accept terms or enter a password. Thanks to this, you won’t need to go through the access process on every device you want to get online.
The GL-MT3000 runs OpenWRT, a powerful and in-depth operating system for routers which allows for VPN connections, local network storage, ad-blocking, and much more. While this software could be a bit overwhelming for new users, it’s very powerful for those willing to learn it. Compared to some of it’s older routers, Gl.iNet has even gotten VPN speeds as high as 300Mbps with Wireguard and 150Mbps with OpenVPN for those that want to connect through a VPN.
Netgear Nighthawk M6
Best 5G router
Works with AT&T or T-Mobile
$650 $700 Save $50
If you’re on the move a lot in an RV, boat, or truck, a strong portable 5G router can give you better network performance and speeds than using the hotspot on your phone. The Netgear Nighthawk M6 MR6150 is an unlocked hotspot with Wi-Fi 6 speeds, external antenna support, and a mode to supply internet to a home router or mesh.
- Support for fast mid-band 5G connection
- Not locked to a specific carrier
- Solid AX3600 Wi-Fi 6 connection for up to 32 clients
- No mmWave 5G support
- Quite expensive
Netgear’s 5G hotspots are really in a league of their own with excellent design and easy expandability. The Nighthawk M6 hotspot supports a wide range of 5G and LTE bands, including the latest mid-band coverage on AT&T and T-Mobile. Support for up to 6x carrier aggregation LTE + 5GNR allows you to make the most of the available connection. This model is unlocked, so you’ll need to purchase a data plan for it on your own, but you’re also not tied to a specific carrier.
It’s also compatible with TS-9 antennas, so you can get the best signal possible in an RV. This can also be a great solution for those who simply need to work far away from a fixed internet connection, especially when you remember that 5G Home Internet from carriers like T-Mobile is only supposed to be used in a single location.
The Nighthawk M6 has a wireless connection that tops out at Wi-Fi 6 AX3600 with 2900Mbps at 5GHz and 700Mbps at 2.4GHz. This is good for up to 32 connected devices at once. There’s a gigabit Ethernet port on the bottom, so you can connect a device directly. This Ethernet port also supports connecting to another router, so if you want to use your 5G internet at home, you can simply plug it in. It even has an operating mode specifically for this, which disables onboard Wi-Fi and the battery.
Get fast internet across your whole home with the best Wi-Fi routers
Asus offers one of the most complete packages of any router, with its free security and parental control software, high-end hardware, and strong mesh support between models. The RT-AX5400 is a fairly standard router, but with dual-band Wi-Fi 6 speeds, including 160MHz support at 5GHz, it’s got plenty of speed for even a large family with an appetite for streaming. The included parental controls allow you to block certain types of websites as well as ads, so you can take back control of what your kids see online.
The RT-AX5400 is a solid router with few bells and whistles, but with a low price that makes it a good buy for just about any family. The fact that it may be more powerful than many people need is just icing on the cake and could be handy as internet speeds continue to improve.
Asus RT-AX5400
Editor’s choice
The Asus RT-AX5400 is a quick router with plenty of power for large families and gamers alike. This is a great router for internet connections for internet speeds up to 1000Mbps.
If you’re a gamer, however, your needs are a bit different. Gaming has more to do with latency than raw speed, with even the best gaming monitors or the best gaming mice getting response times down to just 1 ms in some cases. All the intention here is to keep the action on your screen feeling as immediate as possible. With online gaming, the responsiveness of your game is dependent on your latency to the server and the quality of your connection. Gaming routers can’t pick a faster connection to the server – that’s up to your ISP and the laws of physics. But the right router can make sure your gaming traffic reaches your ISP as soon as possible and ahead of less important traffic on your network.
Prioritizing traffic means that if someone in your home starts streaming a Netflix show, your gaming data is delivered consistently so that it doesn’t get stuck behind a chunk of buffering video. It doesn’t really matter if a movie has to wait in line for a few milliseconds, but the difference can be much more profound in a real-time application like an online game. And if you enjoy game streaming from a Chromebook, like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, every millisecond counts. The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro has plenty of wireless capacity to handle a family of gamers thanks to its AX6000 dual-band connection. And if you’re a content creator, the 2.5Gbps Ethernet port is perfect for saving high-quality VODs to a fast NAS from a streaming PC, offering the speed to stream in full quality at the same time.
If you’re considering upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E, there are a few things you know before hitting the buy button. The first thing is that Wi-Fi 6E is mostly the same as Wi-Fi 6 plus access to the 6GHz spectrum, which, since it’s new, has very little congestion. If you’re trying to get as much speed as possible in an apartment building or condominium, this can be extremely helpful; but in a suburb or rural neighborhood, the 6 to 6E upgrade would not be worthwhile as you may see no uplift with 6GHz at all. Wi-Fi 7 routers are also becoming available, like the TP-Link Archer BE800, and can make better use of the 6GHz spectrum with wider 320MHz bands.
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source: https://www.xda-developers.com/best-wi-fi-routers/
