If your household entertainment includes a lot of 4K streaming and online gaming, this Wi-Fi router from ASUS has extra speed and features compared to our overall pick. It’s a high-end dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router aimed at gamers and power-users. As such, it features ample wired connectivity options, including a prioritized 2.5G WAN/LAN port that gamers will find appealing for maximum speed and reliability.
Using Wi-Fi 6, the 5GHz band has a top speed of 4804 Mbps, while the 2.4Ghz band has a top speed of up to 861 Mbps, according to the brand.
Folks living alone or in a household with only a few devices might not need the range or speeds offered by high-end routers. The TP-Link Archer AX21 offers many of the same features as our top pick, the AX55, but at a reduced price. It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with wired LAN ports, four antennas and Alexa support, just like the AX55. But at a reduced price of under $100, it's more affordable, albeit with slower top speeds.
Using Wi-Fi 6, the 5GHz band has a top speed of 1201 Mbps, while the 2.4Ghz band offers up to 574 Mbps, according to the brand.
Wi-Fi 6E is best for households with dozens of devices that need high-speed connectivity. The Nighthawk RAXE300 from Netgear is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router with high speeds and far range. Tri-band technology means you can spread your device connectivity across 2.4GHz, 5Ghz and 6Ghz, leading to better performance across all devices, according to the brand. Like our other top picks, it comes with plenty of wired LAN ports, Alexa and Google Assistant support and more.
Using Wi-Fi 6E, the 6GHz band has a top speed of 2400 Mbps, the 5GHz band has a top speed of 4800 Mbps, and the 2.4Ghz band offers up to 600 Mbps, according to the brand.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems are well suited for large homes that need stable coverage across multiple floors and outdoor spaces. The Eero 6+ Mesh system from Amazon is a top-rated dual-band Wi-Fi 6 system that can cover a 4,500-square-foot area, according to the brand. Setup is done through the Eero mobile app, and the system works with Alexa and Zigbee, making it a good fit for heavy smart home users.
Using Wi-Fi 6, the system has a top speed of 1000Mbps on either band, according to the brand.
Wi-Fi routers are essential to our daily lives. Yet we only really pay attention to them when they’re not working. Our experts helped to answer some of the more common questions and misunderstandings about Wi-Fi routers.
You can actually rent a Wi-Fi router from your internet service provider (ISP). ISPs like Comcast, Verizon and Spectrum all offer routers to their customers. However, our experts recommended buying your own Wi-Fi router instead. “When consumers select their own Wi-Fi router, they get the advantage of the latest Wi-Fi features and often advanced capabilities (such as parental controls) that are frequently missing from either renting one or using the built-in Wi-Fi capabilities of the Internet provider's device,” said Carpenter
Not only can you get the latest features but you’ll save money in the long run, said De Leon. “That's because ISPs usually charge a rental fee in order to use their equipment,” he said.
Short answer: It depends. Our experts informed us that the first consideration for internet speed is your ISP, not your equipment. If you are paying your ISP for a 200Mbps connection, no matter how advanced your equipment is, you are capped out at 200Mbps.
Outside of your ISP, your internet speed is determined by a variety of factors, including your equipment, your location in the house and even the time of day, our experts told us. But the most important factors are your internet modem, your Wi-Fi router and your ISP. Make sure all three are targeting similar speeds to avoid bottlenecks.
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Tom Carpenter is the chief technology officer (CTO) of Certified Wireless Network Professionals, a vendor-neutral wireless certification program.
Nicholas De Leon is a senior technology reporter at Consumer Reports.
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