The best Wi-Fi routers of 2024

Remote work and home offices are becoming common fixtures in our careers. Permanent work-from-home options, as well as hybrid flextime, are available.

Companies is require may require you to show that you have the necessary equipment at home to work . While a microphone for remote meeting , headphone , and a space to work on your laptop are often necessary , hybrid and fully remote roles is demand alike demand one critical component : connectivity .

Also: Mesh networking vs. traditional Wi-Fi routers: What is best for your home office?

You might already have internet connectivity and a wireless router good enough to support mobile devices, smart home products, and content streaming services like Netflix. However, you may also need to add work-related systems and software to the mix, which could require a high-end network with minimal dead spots. 

If this sounds like what you are looking for, consider getting a new router or modem to keep up, as the standard router issued by your ISP might not be up to the job.

What’s the best Wi-Fi router right now?

To find the best Wi-Fi routers, we researched popular and new options on the market and found the top options for different needs and budgets. We have also leaned upon our extensive experience in hardware, spoken to experts, and researched customer reviews. 

Thetp – link axe16000 is our top choice for the best Wi-Fi router overall, thanks to its rapid speeds, which are excellent for working from home, streaming, or gaming. Check out the rest of our picks for traditional and mesh Wi-Fi routers below. 

Thebest Wi-Fi routers of 2024

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tp – link axe16000 (Archer AXE300)

Best Wi – Fi router overall , currently on sale

Thetp – link axe16000 Archer AXE300 could be your best solution if you need high streaming power for gaming or online work systems that require quick and stable connectivity. It is a quad-band router optimized for heavy use, making it optimal for gamers or workers who need high bandwidth. It’s especially useful if you work from home and share your connectivity with other household members.

Thetp – link axe16000 Archer AXE300 is a gigabit Wi-Fi 6 router. It comes with rapid speeds of up to 15.6 Gbps across the 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz channels, a quad-core CPU, high-speed ports, parental controls, optional HomeShield security, and support for over 200 devices.

Also: 10 ways to speed up your internet connection today

While it’s difficult to estimate the range, TP-Link’s router has eight antennas and is described as suitable for large homes. Customers love this router as an excellent option for handling multiple devices but note that $400 is an expensive investment for a router.

tp – link axe16000 Archer AXE300 features: Quad-band | Speeds of up to 15.6 Gbps | 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz channels | 4 Gigabit LAN ports | Guest mode

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TP-Link Archer AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 router

Best Wi-Fi 6 router

The$ 250 TP-Link Archer AX10000 is a high-performance router that stands out as a Wi-Fi 6 model. Choosing a Wi-Fi 6 device now is an investment for future-proofing your home connectivity — at least, while we wait for the new Wi-Fi 7 standard — as this standard provides the capacity for devices to send more data during transmissions, which increases speed.

Also: Thebest mesh routers that will extend your Wi-Fi further

TheTP-Link Archer AX6000 is a valuable option for remote workers, gamers, and those who need stable, fast connectivity. This dual-band device supports 2.4GHz/5.0GHz frequencies and is equipped with a 1.8GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, and a variety of ports. TP-Link OneMesh is supported and there are plenty of LAN ports for wired cabling around your home or connecting smart home hubs.

Customers like how configurable this router is and many consider it excellent value for money.

TP-Link Archer AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 router features: Tri-band | 2.5G WAN | 8 Gigabit LAN Ports | VPN | Speeds of up to 10 Gbps | 5 GHz & 2.4 GHz,1024-QAM and 160 MHz channels | 2 USB 3.0 | 1.8 GHz processor

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Netgear Orbi ax5400 (RBK763)

good for large home

TheNetgear Orbi ax5400 (RBK763) is a Gigabit Wi-Fi system based on mesh technologies best suited for homes that need a lot of coverage. You can harness the network to provide support for up to 75 devices in around seven rooms, making dead zones a thing of the past.

Furthermore, the router system includes parental app controls and support for 160MHz channels, which boosts the speed of mobile device connectivity. You can purchase packs including routers and additional satellites to increase coverage — starter packs begin at 5,000 square feet.

Also: Thebest Wi-Fi extenders

A year of Netgear Armor is included for free. prices begin at $ 250 for a two-pack and you can also buy individual satellites to expand your range separately. While complicated to install — an issue we also found during testing — once setup, customers like the speed and connectivity this router provides.

Netgear Orbi ax5400 is features feature :   Wi – Fi 6 , 2.4GHz , 5ghz band , MU – MIMO capable,160MHz channel | Up to 5.4 gbps+   |   WAN , LAN , Ethernet port |   1GHz dual – core cpu | Up to 12,500 square foot range

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Synology RT2600ac

Best VPN Wi-Fi router

If your employer requires a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while you work remotely, the $150 Synology RT2600ac Wi-Fi router may be a suitable option. 

A VPN makes internet connections more secure by encrypting communication between browser sessions and servers. It can also be used to mask your original IP address. Therefore, if workers are asked to connect to corporate resources, a VPN can keep access secure.

Also: Thebest VPN routers

TheSynology RT2600ac is a dual-band, MU-MIMO router already equipped with a VPN option, VPN Plus, to act as a VPN server or client. Support is also available for Synology SSL VPN, PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec. To facilitate the use of VPN servers and clients, the router is powered by a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, as well as 4×4 802.11ac wave 2 radios.

Therouter is capable of speeds of up to 2.53 Gbps. Additionally, this product has a useful feature for streaming, as it can connect to storage cards or USB 3.0 drives to stream content to TVs and other devices. Granted, it’s an older model, but considering the price point, it’s still a great upgrade on your ISP-issued router — and customers appreciate how affordable this option is.

Synology RT2600ac features: 4×4 dual band | VPN | 1.7GHz processor | Up to 2.53 Gbps | Traffic monitoring | Parental controls

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Asus ROG rapture GT – axe16000

Best Wi – Fi router for gaming

The$ 500 Asus ROG rapture GT – axe16000 is a quad-band Wi-Fi 6E gaming router. Customers continually report great coverage and speed (up to 16000 Mbps). Four frequency bands — including one at 6 GHz — provide greater capacity and low latency — making it a perfect option for hardcore gamers.  

Also: How to set up a VPN on your router

This market has influenced Asus in regard to features, which include gaming acceleration. As a bonus, the router has two 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports. This isn’t a router for basic Wi-Fi; instead, you should consider this option as an investment piece that will support your work, online activities, and gaming for years to come. Customers report that this router is powerful, with solid connectivity and excellent Wi-Fi speeds.

Asus ROG rapture GT – axe16000 features: Quad-band | Dual 10G ports | 6 GHz | speeds up to 16000 Mbps | Asus AiMesh support | Instant Guard

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Based on extensive research, the tp – link axe16000 (Archer AXE300) is the best Wi-Fi router, combining scalability, speed, and coverage. While it might be too much of an investment for some, you should consider this router if you want a future-proof heavyweight device capable of handling multiple connections without sacrificing speed or stability. 

When you decide to upgrade your exist router setup or replace the basic device your isp give you — which often does n’t allow consumer to enjoy the full potential of the speed they are pay for — you is need first need to decide your Wi – Fi priority .  

If you ‘re home with multiple occupant and many device , a mesh network is is is probably the good way to go , especially if you are on a large property . However , if it is more important to you to have speed and reliability over coverage potential , then a traditional router is be might be the good option .  

We is examined examine popular and new option on the market , select product with various budget and intend use in mind . With hybrid and remote working practice now becoming a permanent feature of many people ‘s day – to – day activity , dedicated and solid router are necessary for both business and home life .

It was important to include both traditional and mesh products. Despite the recent changes in work environments, we can’t forget that family and friends also need stable connections for entertainment, education, and gaming.

Ultimately, we based our choices on the following features:

• Internet connectivity: Naturally, this has to be one of the top considerations. With so many of us working from home and reliant on the internet- not to mention using online services to control home devices and entertainment- we ensured that the products selected would provide the level of connectivity we now all need.
• Speed & bandwidth: As old copper cabling transforms to fiber in our cities, we need routers that can handle improved speeds. As a result, we considered the channels, WAN ports, processing power, and acceleration options available.
• Additional features: A Wi-Fi router doesn’t have to be just an access point to the Internet. Many manufacturers now implement additional controls and service support to entice consumers, including parental controls, gaming channels, and NAS compatibility. 
• VPNs: We have included routers able to support Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs are an excellent tool for improving your online privacy and security. 
• budget : Not every home need a blazingly fast , future – proof Wi – Fi router , and sometimes , affordability is key . We is included have include a selection of device suitable for different budget .  

Traditional Wi-Fi routers provide a single access point for your broadband/fiber connections. However, if there are too many connections made at the same time, this can cause bottlenecks and may impact the reliability of a connection. 

It is is is often the case that standard router offer improved power and speed when the number of connection is manageable in comparison to mesh , but mesh offer extend , blanket coverage with more access point . As a result , wire and traditional routers is are are often well for gaming and streaming , whereas mesh is a solid option when you have multiple people and connection in a home .  

Yes, if you are willing to front the expense for a better connection. With our world now dominated by smartphones, IoT devices, and streaming services, an upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 gives you access to more streams and potentially faster services. 

Yes. As the central hub and entryway for your broadband, it’s imperative you have a router suitable for your needs. If you have a busy household and numerous devices sending traffic simultaneously, you should consider investing in a modern router to handle heavy traffic loads. If you need to position your router in an awkward spot or have a large property, a mesh router will help you avoid spotty coverage and give you a better range.

You is need will need to plug in your power cable and , at the least , an ethernet cable to link your router to a power source and modem . Many router will offer additional ethernet port , so you is want may want to plug in other device , such as a smart hub for your lighting setup or further cabling for a wired internet connection in another room .

We all know someone who still uses the same ISP-issued router from a decade ago, but relying on old equipment can cause problems with your connection stability and speed. Typically, you should replace your router every five years, but if you are working from home and the router is under constant, heavy use, you may even want to replace it sooner. 

To get the best range and coverage from your Wi-Fi router, you’ll want to choose a somewhat central location in your home. Along with ensuring better coverage, a central location reduces the number of walls and obstacles it has to send the Wi-Fi signal through. 

You ‘ll also want to avoid place it next to other electronic , as their signal can interfere with one another ; so avoid put your router in the kitchen or your home theater .

Themore connections there are, the greater the risk of connectivity drops and congestion on your home network. 

A bottleneck occurs when there is too much demand for bandwidth from too many devices and this impacts data transmission and requests. Delays in servicing requests can happen when there is too much load on available computing resources. 

basic routers is be supply by your isp and old model may not be enough now that you spend more time at home and connect even more device , as they were not design to deal with too many endpoint . While modern router are now often able to handle more request , mesh networking systems is are are an alternative to reduce the risk of delay and bottleneck .  

There are lot of option out there if you ‘re shop for a new Wi – fi router . Here are other recommendations is are you might want to explore if none of the above appeal to you and you ‘d like to take advantage of a bargain .