Key Points
When choosing the best wireless router, there are several factors to consider, including speed, coverage, range, reliability, security, and ability to handle new WiFi standards like WiFi 6. I have researched and compiled the following list of the top 7 wireless routers on the market today based on performance, features and value:
- Best Overall: ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 – Fast WiFi 6 router with great coverage and gaming optimizations
- Best for Gaming: TP-Link AX6600 Archer GX90 – Tri-band router optimized for low latency gaming
- Best Budget: TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21 – Affordable WiFi 6 router with good speeds
- Fastest Speeds: NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 – Cutting edge WiFi 6E router with lightning fast 10.8Gbps speeds
- Best Mesh: Amazon eero 6+ – Easy to use tri-band mesh system with WiFi 6
- Best for Guests: NETGEAR Orbi RBK30 – Tri-band mesh router with dedicated guest network
- Best Management: Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream AC2200 – Feature-rich tri-band router with excellent app control
I‘ll provide detailed reviews of each router covering specs, features, performance and ideal use cases. I‘ll also discuss key factors to consider when shopping for a wireless router. My goal is to provide expert analysis to help you find the best router for your needs and budget.
Best Overall: ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700
The ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700, also known as the ASUS RT-AX86U, is my top pick for best overall wireless router. It offers a fantastic combination of fast WiFi 6 speeds, excellent range and coverage, and extra features that optimize gaming and overall network performance.
Key specs and features:
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with up to 5700 Mbps speeds
- Dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz with 160MHz channel support
- 4 external antennas for expanded coverage
- 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port
- USB 3.2 ports for shared storage
- ASUS AiProtection network security
- Mobile Game Mode to reduce gaming latency
- AiMesh for mesh networking
- Lifetime internet security
With quad-core processing power and the latest WiFi 6 standard, the ASUS RT-AX86U delivers extremely fast wireless speeds up to 5700 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 1200 Mbps on 2.4GHz. It supports new technologies like OFDMA for efficient data transmission to multiple devices at once. The four external antennas provide expandable coverage for large homes, while the 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port provides blazing fast wired speeds to match.
Gamers will appreciate the router‘s Mobile Game Mode which automatically prioritizes gaming traffic to reduce latency. It also has a dedicated gaming port. The ASUS router app lets you easily monitor connected devices, prioritize bandwidth, and enables AI-based network protections.
With its combination of fast speeds, great coverage, gaming focus and lifetime security protections, the ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 stands out as my top pick for best overall wireless router in 2023.
Best for Gaming: TP-Link AX6600 Archer GX90
Gamers who want a wireless router built specifically for gaming should consider the TP-Link AX6600 Archer GX90. This tri-band WiFi 6 router has unique optimizations aimed at reducing game latency, smooth gameplay and stable connections during intense gaming sessions.
Key gaming-focused features:
- 4.8Gbps dedicated gaming band
- Game Accelerator to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag
- 1x 2.5Gbps port + 3x Gigabit LAN ports
- WiFi 6 with up to 6000 Mbps combined speeds
- 8 external antennas for complete coverage
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO to handle simultaneous data streams
The TP-Link AX6600 is a tri-band router, meaning it has one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. One of those 5GHz bands operates as a dedicated gaming band with speeds up to 4804 Mbps all for your gaming devices. When you fire up your console or gaming PC, the router detects the game stream and automatically optimizes the gaming band to deliver smoother, lag-free gameplay – no configuration required.
It has eight external antennas arranged in a unique pattern to provide full signal coverage even in large multi-story houses. The 1 WAN/LAN 2.5Gbps port delivers double the throughput of regular gigabit ports. Between the dedicated gaming bandwidth and the eight-stream WiFi 6 chipset, the Archer GX90 can comfortably handle data-intensive online gaming, 4K video streaming, VR gaming and other high bandwidth tasks simultaneously.
If gaming is your top priority in a wireless router and you want advanced optimizations and WiFi 6 speeds tailored to games, the TP-Link AX6600 Archer GX90 delivers on its promises to prevent lag and maximize your gaming experience.
Best Budget: TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21
The TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21 proves you don‘t need to spend a lot to get a fast, reliable WiFi 6 router. For under $100, this affordable dual-band router delivers excellent performance thanks to modern standards and technologies.
Key features:
- WiFi speeds up to 1201 Mbps on 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz
- 4 external antennas for better range
- Supports new OFDMA technology
- Easy setup through Tether app
- Beamforming focuses signal towards devices
While the speeds aren‘t record-breaking compared to premium WiFi 6 routers, the Archer AX21 still provides very respectable throughput that‘s more than enough for 4K streaming, smooth gaming, fast downloads and supporting lots of connected devices. Technologies like OFDMA allow more efficient transmission to multiple devices at once.
The four antennas use beamforming techniques to directly aim and focus the signals towards your devices rather than blasting out signals in all directions, resulting in faster speeds across your home. It also works with TP-Link‘s OneMesh system so you can add satellites for mesh networking down the road.
For less than $100, the TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21 gives you fast WiFi 6 speeds and excellent range from a reliable brand. If you want great performance on a budget, this router delivers immense value.
Fastest Speeds: NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500
The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 holds the crown for fastest wireless router thanks to its cutting edge support for WiFi 6E and a blistering 10.8Gbps maximum wireless speed. While very pricey, it‘s the ultimate router for those wanting bleeding edge performance.
Key features:
- New 6GHz band only supported by WiFi 6E devices
- Speeds up to 10.8Gbps combined
- Quad-core 1.8GHz processor
- Backward compatible with WiFi 5 devices
- Four antennas for up to 3,500 sq. ft. coverage
- Five gigabit Ethernet LAN ports
This NETGEAR router unleashes lightning quick WiFi with its eight-stream chipset, dedicated 6GHz band for new WiFi 6E devices, 160MHz channel support and 4×4 MU-MIMO technology allowing up to four devices to receive data simultaneously. The 10.8Gbps total speed allows you to tax your gigabit internet connection without any router bottlenecks. It can provide stable WiFi to over 60 connected devices in a large home.
While few devices can take advantage of 6E and 10Gb speeds today, future proofing with the Nighthawk RAXE500 ensures you‘ll be at the cutting edge of WiFi performance for years down the road. The powerful hardware and antenna array provides enough throughput that you‘ll never have to worry about speed or coverage drops.
If having the absolute fastest wireless router on the block appeals to you and budget isn‘t a concern, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers future-ready performance today with its support for new WiFi 6E standards and class-leading 10.8Gbps link rate speeds.
Best Mesh: Amazon eero 6+
Mesh systems like the Amazon eero 6+ are ideal solutions for those needing whole home WiFi coverage, simple setup and robust device support. This updated Amazon eero Best Mesh System bundles 3 tri-band nodes powered by WiFi 6 and mesh protocols to create a robust, high performance system perfect for any sized home.
Key details:
- 3-pack WiFi 6 system cover 4,500 square feet
- One router + two satellites
- Speeds up to 1 Gbps with gigabit WAN/LAN port
- Supports up to 75 devices
- Easy setup via eero app
- Zigbee hub built-in to connect smart home devices
Amazon‘s mesh routers stand out for their ease of use. Setup takes minutes thanks to the intuitive eero app that walks you through placing nodes, choosing network names, configuring connected devices and activating the firewall. The app‘s network dashboard makes monitoring and managing connections for over 100 devices surprisingly simple.
Unlike basic extenders that can worsen WiFi, the eero 6+ uses advanced software and dedicated inter-node channels to pass data without interference resulting in seamless coverage. The 4500 sq ft estimate is quite conservative; the tri-band system can reliably cover even larger spaces upwards of 6000 sq ft depending on layout and construction.
For those wanting a dependable mesh network that‘s easy to set up, supports massive device volume and naval coverage via satellite nodes, the Amazon eero 6+ delivers fantastic WiFi without complexity.
Best for Guests: NETGEAR Orbi RBK30
Having company means more devices connecting to your WiFi and increased chances your network is accessed by strangers. That‘s why a router with robust guest access like the NETGEAR Orbi RBK30 is invaluable for households that frequently host visitors.
Key features:
- Tri-band router + two satellites cover 6000 sq ft
- Dedicated guest WiFi network
- Up to 20 devices supported
- WiFi 6 speeds up to 2.2 Gbps
- NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity
- Simple app setup and management
The NETGEAR Orbi stands out with its dedicated guest network that lets visitors securely connect to your WiFi temporarily without accessing devices or data on your primary home network. You can customize the guest network‘s name and password directly from the Orbi app and even set time limits on access if desired.
The tri-band router works with two included satellites to provide complete WiFi coverage up to 6000 square feet, more than enough for even large houses. Even when dozens of devices and guests are concurrently accessing WiFi, the quad-core router maintains fast speeds to avoid congestion issues. Useful extras like NETGEAR Armor provide an added layer of cybersecurity protection.
When hosting family or friends, a guest WiFi network keeps your devices secure while allowing you to share wireless access as needed. For this purpose the NETGEAR Orbi RBK30 is my top recommendation.
Best Management: Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream AC2200
While blazing fast speeds and flashy gaming tools appeal to some, others prioritize customization, device control and network visibility. If you want supreme WiFi management, the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream router checks all the boxes with robust Quality of Service, device prioritization, usage insights and more – all accessible via apps.
Management highlights:
- Customize individual device profiles
- Live bandwidth monitoring
- Assign device priority levels
- WiFi scheduling by device
- Robust parental controls
- Works with Alexa, IFTTT
The EA8300 is a tri-band MU-MIMO router capable of AC2200 WiFi speeds exceeding 2Gbps with 160MHz bands – fast enough for dozens of devices. But Linksys understands WiFi is about more than just speed. Managing connectivity to everything from laptops, phones, TVs and consoles can be complicated in busy homes.
That‘s why the Linksys app and web portal provide unparalleled visibility and control over your network. Everything from viewing real-time bandwidth usage to setting curfews for kids happens in a few taps. Robust media server options, VPN support and IFTTT integrations provide even deeper customization of this advanced network.
While it lacks WiFi 6, the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream wireless router remains a joy to use for any tech enthusiasts wanting supreme control over their connected home.
What to Consider When Buying a Wireless Router
With an overwhelming array of routers available with varying features and specifications, it helps to know what factors and terminology are most important when comparing options:
WiFi Standards and Speeds:
The WiFi standards dictate compatibility and maximum speeds. The latest WiFi 6 and 6E routers offer the fastest speeds but require compatible devices. WiFi 5 is still very fast but can‘t match the throughput of 6/6E when using 160MHz channels and new tech like OFDMA. Most routers are dual or tri band, using both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. 5GHz is faster and should be used by newer devices whenever possible.
Coverage Area and Range:
Manufacturers estimate maximum square footage ratings, but your router may cover more or less area depending on construction materials, wireless interference and obstacles. More powerful antennas typically provide greater overall range. Mesh systems use multiple devices to extend coverage.
Processor and Memory:
Faster CPU cores and more RAM allow routers to process data faster with lower latency while also supporting many connected devices concurrently. Look for quad core processors and 256MB or higher memory.
Ports:
Having fast ethernet ports ensure wired speeds match your router‘s wireless throughput. Multi-gig WAN ports for connecting to fast internet services are ideal. Multiple LAN ports allow connecting more wired devices via cable.
Added Features:
Consider extras like dedicated gaming optimizations, advanced cybersecurity suites, easy of management through apps, link aggregation for combining ports and backwards compatibility for older devices/standards to future proof your investment.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide provided you with helpful information you can use to pick the best wireless router to meet your speed needs, coverage demands, product loyalty and budget. No two households are exactly alike, but the ASUS RT-AX86U leads the pack for me in overall value and performance. Video game enthusiasts should check out the impressive Archer GX90 while anyone wanting an affordable way to upgrade to WiFi 6 can‘t go wrong with the Archer AX21. Whichever router you pick from among the various feature-packed options, your networks, devices and connections will certainly benefit.
