Wireless routers do more than you think. Your router affects how quickly you can download files, the quality of your video streams, even how fast webpages load. You may be paying for super-fast internet service, but if there are lots of devices in your house — and lots of users — your router may be a bottleneck on your internet speed.
If you have a large house or office, or your home’s construction has made Wi-Fi coverage a challenge, you may want to consider a mesh Wi-Fi router system. These consist of a main base router and one or more satellites. They offer more robust coverage than a traditional wireless router. They’re especially helpful if you have a lot of smart home devices that require an internet connection, but some are far from your main router.
To help you find a new router with the best speeds and connectivity, with minimal dead zones and helpful parental controls, here are the best wireless routers for 2021.
Best ASUS wireless routers
ASUS makes some of the best Wi-Fi routers on the market, from models designed specifically for gamers to multi-band routers for a more reliable wireless network. The brand’s top model is the ASUS ROG Rapture, with bandwidth-stomping tri-band Gigabit functionality.
1. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 Wireless Gaming Router
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 is a tri-band Gigabit wireless router that features eight antennas, four Gigabit ethernet ports, a Gigabit WAN port, and 2.5 Gigabit WAN/LAN port. This is a serious piece of kit for gamers and professionals who need the ultimate in speed and connectivity. It’s even Wi-Fi 6 compatible to run more devices at top speed.
2. ASUS XT8 ZenWi-Fi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
The ASUS XT8 ZenWi-Fi AX6600 is a tri-band mesh router that delivers an improved Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. If you have rooms or areas in your house where you can’t get Wi-Fi, or you’ve got lots of connected devices, a high-performance mesh networking router like the AX6600 can help fill your coverage gaps. It can do Wi-Fi 6 and even has enough bandwidth to stream 8K video.
3. ASUS RT-AX55 AX1800 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Router
The ASUS RT-AX55 AX1800 is a budget option that still offers high-performance. It’s a dual-band router, with a Wi-Fi 6 connection that delivers faster speeds and handles multiple devices with ease. It also has four RJ-45 ethernet ports for Gigabit BaseT LAN, and an additional RJ-45 for Gigabit BaseT WAN. Four adjustable antennas optimize its coverage.
Best Netgear wireless routers
Netgear is one of the top wireless router manufacturers. Their models have robust multi-band technology for a high quality of service (QoS), advanced tri-band Wi-Fi routers for better connectivity, and more. Their best router is the Netgear Nighthawk AX12.
4. Netgear Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router
The Netgear Nighthawk AX12 doesn’t look like most routers, sporting two wings instead of traditional antennas. This is a high-end, high-speed, high-capacity router compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and up to 6 Gbps, using both the 5Ghz band and the 2.4Ghz band. Setup and settings adjustment are easy with the free app.
5. Netgear Orbi AX4200 Wireless Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System
The Netgear Orbi AX4200 is a high-performance Wi-Fi mesh system that can help fill any wireless gaps in your home network. The AX4200 is rated to cover an area up to 5,000 square feet. It’s expandable beyond that with additional satellites (not included) to add coverage for larger houses, or to your yard, guest house, or garage.
6. Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 Whole Home Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System
The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 is a fast mesh network made for large homes and offices that demand the highest performance and long range. Out of the box, the AX6000 can cover up to 5,000 square feet and handle more than 100 devices. Set up is easy thanks to Netgear’s app, and both the tri-band router hub and satellite have wired ethernet ports. Inside is a powerful, quad-core 2.2Ghz CPU. You can buy additional satellites to expand your Wi-Fi network coverage even further.
