If you own a small business or operate one from home, you need a router to get the most out of your network. It‘s also essential if you want to safeguard your sensitive data and keep intruders out.
A router is an essential piece of hardware for any business that needs more bandwidth, security, and internet access. It allows multiple devices to connect to the internet at the same time and can be connected to a variety of other devices like printers, scanners, and NAS units.
Finding the best router for your business will ensure that your network operates efficiently while keeping costs low. Here are our picks for the best small business routers on the market right now:
Best Overall: Synology RT6600AX
The Synology RT6600AX is the best small business router on the market. It‘s a powerful and versatile device that can handle all of your networking needs, from internet connectivity to file sharing and more.
The RT6600AX has everything you need to keep your small business up and running, and it‘s easy to set up and use.
Key Features:
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 6,000 Mbps
- Quad-core 1.8 GHz processor for smooth performance
- 2.5GbE LAN port for fast wired connections
- Supports over 200 connected devices
- Robust security features like firewall, VPN server, and more
- Intuitive browser-based interface for easy management
With its powerful hardware, extensive feature set, and ease of use, the Synology RT6600AX ticks all the boxes for an excellent small business router. Its tri-band Wi-Fi 6 support provides fast wireless speeds while advanced security protects sensitive company data. And with the ability to handle over 200 devices, it has more than enough capacity for most SMBs.
Overall, if you want a future-proof router that combines performance, security, and strong management tools, the Synology RT6600AX is a superb choice.
Best Budget: TP-Link Archer AX21
The TP-Link Archer AX21 delivers fast Wi-Fi 6 connectivity at an affordable price point. It‘s an excellent budget router for small businesses looking to upgrade to next-gen wireless without breaking the bank.
Despite the low cost, the Archer AX21 still packs in many of the key features needed for a business router. The dual-band AX1800 speeds provide throughput up to 1.8Gbps, while four antennas help bolster the range. It also includes a 2.5Gbps multi-gigabit port for connecting fast wired devices.
On the software side, the router provides SMB-friendly tools like a VPN server, robust parental controls, and QoS prioritization. Setup takes just minutes with Tether, TP-Link‘s app for iOS and Android.
For small businesses that need fast Wi-Fi 6 networking on a budget, the Archer AX21 hits the sweet spot. It makes next-gen wireless affordable without sacrificing too much on features and capability.
Best Range: Asus ZenWiFi AX Mini
The Asus ZenWiFi AX Mini mesh Wi-Fi 6 system delivers whole-home coverage up to 5,500 square feet. Its flexible two-piece modular design lets small businesses spread a fast and reliable wireless network across even large offices and warehouses.
This AiMesh system comes with one router and one range-extending satellite unit, both packing triple-band Wi-Fi 6 radios. Combined speeds climb as high as 5,400 Mbps for blazing throughput across multiple devices. Having dedicated backhaul prevents congestion, while four antennas on each node enhance the signal reach.
Despite the small size, Asus didn‘t skimp out on prosumer-level features. Each unit contains a quad-core CPU, 512MB RAM, and plenty of I/O ports. The roster of capabilities includes link aggregation, adaptive QoS, VPN server, AiProtection Pro, traffic analyzer, and more.
If you need to cover a large commercial space with high-performance wireless networking, the Asus ZenWiFi AX Mini is up to the task. This modular mesh system brings mighty hardware and sophisticated software to small business environments both big and small.
Best Security: Fortinet FortiWiFi 61F
The FortiWiFi 61F from cybersecurity leader Fortinet packs enterprise-grade protections into a versatile wireless router. Top-notch security and networking capabilities make this a standout choice for small businesses aiming to lock down their connectivity.
At the heart of this router sits Fortinet‘s custom NP7 network processor, aided by a discrete CP9 hardware crypto accelerator. Together, they enable the implementation of Fortinet‘s acclaimed FortiASIC technology to accelerate throughput, VPNs, and security scanning without impacting performance.
As a result, the FortiWiFi 61F delivers blazing multi-gigabit wireless speeds while also blocking threats in real-time. The onboard FortiGuard subscription powers constantly updated intrusion prevention, antivirus, web filtering, botnet protection, and more. All guarded by enterprise-class encryption, firewalling, and segmentation tools.
For small businesses seeking rock-solid wireless security backed by advanced hardware protections, the value provided by the FortiWiFi 61F is second to none. Fortinet has packed an incredible amount of technology into this Fortinet Security Fabric-ready platform.
Best Speed: Linksys Atlas Max 6E
The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is one of the first consumer Wi-Fi 6E routers to hit the market. It takes full advantage of the newly opened 6 GHz band to unlock lightning-quick wireless speeds perfect for high-demand small business environments.
This tri-band router supports massive 160 MHz channels on the 6 GHz bands, enabling wireless throughput to climb as high as 5.4 Gbps. Even the 5GHz network sees its max channel size double to 160 MHz for speeds up to 4.8 Gbps. A 2.5GbE WAN port ensures these speeds don‘t go to waste.
The Atlas Max 6E contains a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and three co-processors to manage its sophisticated MU-MIMO, beamforming, and mesh technologies. Four antennas draw out the range, easily covering large spaces up to 3,000 square feet.
For small businesses that live on the cutting edge, this Wi-Fi 6E trailblazer from Linksys pushes wireless performance to new heights. It unleashes the potential of the 6 GHz band today while retaining cross-compatibility with existing Wi-Fi 5/6 client devices.
Best User Interface: ASUS RT-AX56U
Small businesses need technology that‘s powerful yet intuitive. This often gets sacrificed with advanced routers, but that‘s not the case for the ASUS RT-AX56U.
The RT-AX56U comes loaded with user-friendly management technology, from quick setup using your phone to easy monitoring and control options with the mobile app. Even first-time router owners will have things running in minutes.
No compromise was made on the device‘s robust feature set, however. This is still an enterprise-level Wi-Fi 6 router packing 160MHz channels, 1024-QAM modulation, ultrafast Wi-Fi speeds reaching up to 1,700Mbps, plus four gigabit LAN ports.
There‘s also adaptive QoS, commercial-grade security, VPN hosting, mesh expansion via AiMesh, and seamless Alexa setup. Yet it‘s all easily understandable with ASUS‘ well-designed mobile app and web console.
If you want a powerful small business router wrapped in simplicity, the ASUS RT-AX56U nails the execution. Using enterprise-caliber hardware and software in such an accessible form factor is an impressive achievement.
