Internet access isn’t just a luxury these days; it’s an absolute necessity. Since many of us work from home at least some of the time in this day and age, if something stands in the way of your access to the Internet, it can’t be tolerated. Many people think that when they have issues with their home Internet network, it’s always the fault of their Internet service provider. That can be true sometimes, but more often than not connectivity problems are actually caused by your Wi-Fi router.
Having the right Wi-Fi router for your situation is a must. You will often be able to get a router from your Internet service provider. But they may not give you the best option and you can absolutely use your own. For families who connect a lot of devices to Wi-Fi, you want a good router. If you’ve been having issues lately that you can’t seem to resolve, it’s probably time to upgrade your home router and see just how much better things can be when you have faster and more reliable access to the web. Here are our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers for your home.
Best upgraded option: NETGEAR NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router
Pros: Can work with up to 55 devices, plenty of connection options
Cons: Cyberthreat protection costs an annual fee
The NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router offers fantastic performance for people who need even faster speeds for heavier-duty tasks like online gaming. You can get up to 3,500 square feet of wireless coverage with AC4000 speed. It’s our favorite upgraded router because it is recommended for up to 55 devices and you can reliably stream videos, play games, surf the Internet, and more. It features wired Ethernet ports and USB connections.
This is loaded with advanced technology, as it has a dual-core 1.8GHz processor, six amplified antennas, MU-MIMO, and more. You can control this with Amazon Alexa and it has Beamforming. You can share a storage drive and printer with any connected device. It lets you create personal cloud storage to access from anywhere. You will have to extend your cybersecurity protection after the 30-day free trial.
NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router (R8000P) - AC4000 Tri-band Wireless Speed (Up to 4000… Price:$288.88 
Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commission
Best mesh wireless system: Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh WiFi system
Pros: Built-in Zigbee Smart Home Hub, supports up to 75 devices
Cons: Updated version is way more expensive
When even the best single-router solution doesn’t cut it, it’s time to step up to a mesh wireless system. These nifty solutions use multiple Wi-Fi access points to deliver the most consistent and reliable possible Wi-Fi connectivity to every inch of your home. There are plenty of great systems out there these days, but the best option for most people is the Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh WiFi system. It is incredibly simple to set up and you’ll get a router and two extenders.
The whole-home Wi-Fi 6 coverage delivers an eero 6 system that covers up to 5,000 sq. ft. with Wi-Fi speeds. It supports up to 75 devices and you can say goodbye to dead spots. It supports up to 500 Mbps (wireless) and 900 Mbps (wired). There is a built-in Zigbee Smart Home Hub. It gets better over time, as the automatic updates keep your Wi-Fi safe and secure.
Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system with built-in Zigbee smart home hub (3-pack, one ee… Price:$199.00 Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commission
Best Wi-Fi routers on a budget: TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router (Archer A6 V3)
Pros: Inexpensive, four Gigabit LAN ports
Cons: Security can be an issue
Getting your hands on a great Wi-Fi router doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and perhaps no model better illustrates that than the TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router (Archer A6 V3). This dual-band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high-speed internet. It’ll reduce buffering and is great for 4K streams. This is a Gigabit router with four Gigabit LAN ports, allowing you to plug directly into the router.
It supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into a wireless network. The TP-Link OneMesh technology creates a single Wi-Fi name for a network that’s great for your home. The best Wi-Fi routers have four external antennae that are equipped with Beamforming technology to extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals. This will not set you back too much to help with the rising price of Internet plans costs. Security can be an issue, so make sure you have what you need in place to protect your data.
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router (Archer A6 V3) - Dual Band MU-MIMO Wireless Internet Router,… List Price:$49.99 Price:$44.99 You Save:$5.00 (10%) Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commission
Best Wi-Fi routers for gaming: ASUS AX6100 WiFi 6 Gaming Router
Pros: Three Wi-Fi bands, wireless backhaul
Cons: Fast but not as fast as some
In terms of value, consistency, and performance, the ASUS AX6100 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router is a terrific pick. This enables more efficient, stable, and faster transmissions. It doesn’t matter if multiple devices are transmitting data at the same time. Setting it up with Alexa is very simple. This has 802.11ax technology. This wireless backhaul transmits data to other Asus AiMesh compatible routers.
There is commercial-grade security to protect you and your family. You can control the router from your mobile device app. You’ll get to enjoy a stable connection the entire time you’re gaming. The three Wi-Fi bands work with you. There are many ports to connect to, which is why it is our favorite for gaming.
ASUS AX6100 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX92U) - Tri-Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, Gaming… List Price:$229.99 Price:$210.77 You Save:$19.22 (8%) Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commission
Easiest to control: D-Link WiFi Router AC3000
Pros: Can be expanded through mesh system, Tri-band Wi-Fi
Cons: Parental controls are lacking
The D-Link Wi-Fi Router AC3000 provides extended coverage. This works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to allow you to control it with your voice. You can manage your network without even having to go over to the router. This has advanced Wi-Fi mesh that is built for future mesh expandability. You can control it all from your D-Link app on your smartphone or tablet. The app is free to download.
It has two 5GHz and one 2.4GHz band to help boost the maximum possible speeds. There are enhanced profile-based parental controls. You’ll be able to download, game, and stream with this. It features six high-performance external antennae for coverage across your home. The parental controls aren’t great but they are serviceable.
D-Link WiFi Router AC3000 EasyMesh Smart Internet Network Compatible with Alexa & Google Assist… Price:$84.99 Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commission
Use any of the best tablets on your Wi-Fi system!
